AI Summary
5 min readTim Keller opens this sermon with a startling claim: the apostle Paul is praying for something that every Christian already possesses by definition. Christ dwells in believers; they have the fullness of God. Yet Paul prays for these very things. Keller’s central argument is that Christians settle for far too little in their experience of God, nibbling on “Melba toast” in the parlor when a feast waits in the next room. The prayer in Ephesians 3, Keller argues, holds out the possibility of something most believers never seek: actual communion with God—not just belief or obedience, but an experienced, felt encounter with his presence, love, and glory.
The Reality of Communion with God
Keller begins by naming what Paul is after: “communion with God,” an older term he prefers to the modern word “fellowship,” which has been diluted to mean cake and games. Communion means a shared union, an actual experience of God. Paul prays for three specific experiences: that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith (an intimate sense of his presence), that you may grasp the love of Christ (an overwhelming experience of his affection), and that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (an encounter with his weighty glory that makes everything else seem light and ephemeral).
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:36) **Introduction: Paul’s Prayer as the Pinnacle of Ephesians** - Keller introduces the prayer in Ephesians 3 as the highest point of the entire book, setting up a two-part sermon series.
- 2 (05:00) **The Main Point: We Settle for Far Too Little** - Keller states the sermon’s core thesis: Christians are not seeking what God actually wants to give them.
- 3 (07:10) **The Reality of Communion: Three Experiences** - Keller explains that Paul is praying for Christians to *experience* what they already possess positionally.
- 4 (14:04) **Historical Examples of Experiencing God’s Love** - Keller reads diary entries of Christians who experienced overwhelming communion with God, focusing on the love of Christ.
- 5 (21:10) **Historical Examples of Experiencing God’s Glory and Presence** - Keller provides examples of communion focused on God’s glory and the reality of Christ’s presence.
- 6 (30:42) **The Danger and Necessity of Experiencing God’s Love** - Keller warns against making an idol of feelings while insisting that God’s love is meant to be experienced.
- 7 (35:33) **Preparation for Communion: The Need for Inner Strength** - Keller explains that Paul prays for the Spirit to strengthen our “inner being” because we cannot handle the weight of God’s presence without preparation.
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Guests on this episode
Show Notes
This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on August 22, 1993. Series: Salvation From the Outside In. Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21.
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