September 20, 2026

God-Abled | Ephesians 3:14-21

The Pause Questions

1. ARE WE TRULY BOWING BEFORE GOD?

Ephesians 3:14 — "For this reason I kneel before the Father..."

Question:

Am I truly surrendering my life to God, or am I asking God to bless the plans I have already made?

Supporting Scripture:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5

Thought:

Prayer is more than asking God to change our circumstances. Prayer begins when we surrender ourselves to the One who knows more than we do. As a church, are we willing to say, “Lord, Your will be done—not simply my will”?

2. WHERE DOES OUR STRENGTH COME FROM?

Ephesians 3:16 —  "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,"

Question:

When life becomes difficult, what are we depending on to keep us standing?

Supporting Scripture:

“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” — Zechariah 4:6

Thought:

Our strength cannot ultimately come from personality, experience, money, programs, or human ability. Paul points us to the Holy Spirit. A strong church begins with spiritually strong people.

Question:

Are we trying to accomplish God's work with human strength, or are we depending upon God's Spirit?

3. DOES JESUS HAVE EVERY ROOM?

Ephesians 3:17 — “That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith...”

Question:

Have I given Jesus access to every area of my life?

Supporting Scripture:

“You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” — 1 Corinthians 6:19–20

Thought:

It is easy to invite Jesus into the parts of our lives we are comfortable surrendering. But Christ doesn't want to be a guest in our lives. He is Lord. What room are we still keeping locked?

4. WHAT ARE WE BUILDING OUR LIVES ON?

Ephesians 3:17 — "...being rooted and established in love"

Question: 

When the storms of life come, what will hold me up?

Supporting Scripture:

“Everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does them...is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” — Matthew 7:24

Thought:

Storms reveal foundations. We don't discover whether our foundation is strong when everything is going well. We discover it when life becomes difficult.

MVCC Question:

Are we building a church that is deeply rooted in Scripture and firmly grounded in the love of Christ?

5. ARE WE GROWING TOGETHER?

 Ephesians 3:18 — "...may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people..."

Question:

Am I truly connected to the body of Christ, or am I simply attending church?

Supporting Scripture:

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.” — Hebrews 10:24

Thought:

Christianity was never designed to be lived alone. We need one another. Someone at MVCC may need your encouragement, your prayer, your testimony, or simply your presence.

6. HOW DEEP IS OUR UNDERSTANDING OF CHRIST'S LOVE?

 Ephesians 3:18 — "...to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,"

Question:

Have I become so familiar with the gospel that I have stopped being amazed by God's love?

Supporting Scripture:

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8

Thought:

We can hear about the cross so often that it becomes familiar. But there is nothing ordinary about the Son of God giving Himself for sinners. The longer we know Christ, the more amazed we should become by His love.

7. DO WE EXPERIENCE CHRIST'S LOVE OR JUST KNOW ABOUT IT?

 Ephesians 3:19 — "...and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Question:

Is my relationship with Jesus primarily information about Him, or am I personally walking with Him?

Supporting Scripture:

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good.” — Psalm 34:8

Thought:

We can know facts about Jesus without allowing those truths to transform our lives. Paul wants believers to experience the reality of Christ's love so deeply that it changes how they live.

8. WHAT ARE WE EXPECTING GOD TO DO?

Ephesians 3:20 — "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..."

Question:

Have I placed limits on what I believe God can do?

Supporting Scripture:

“For with God nothing will be impossible.” — Luke 1:37

Thought:

Sometimes our greatest limitation isn't God's power—it is our expectation. We see what we can see. God sees what we cannot see. Our responsibility is to trust His power and His wisdom.

9. ARE WE PRAYING BIG ENOUGH PRAYERS?

Ephesians 3:20 — "...according to his power that is at work within us."

Question:

When was the last time I prayed for something that could only happen if God intervened?

Supporting Scripture:

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things.” — Jeremiah 33:3

Thought:

Paul's prayer reminds us that God is not limited by our imagination. What would happen if MVCC began praying bold, faith-filled prayers—not for our glory, but for God's purposes?

10. WHO GETS THE GLORY?

Ephesians 3:21 — to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Question:

If God answered our prayers and blessed our church, would we make sure He received the glory?

Supporting Scripture:

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31

Thought:

The goal isn't simply for MVCC to become bigger, stronger, or more successful. The ultimate goal is for God to be glorified through MVCC. If people see something beautiful happening here, our prayer should be,

MVCC Question:

What will MVCC be known for?

Ephesians 3:21 — “To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all generations.”

Question: 

If someone described MVCC ten years from now, what would we want them to say about us?

Supporting Scripture:

“One generation shall praise Your works to another and shall declare Your mighty acts.” — Psalm 145:4

Thought:

Paul wasn't thinking only about the church of his generation. He was thinking about “all generations.” That challenges us to consider what we are passing to those who come after us.

May the next generation at MVCC inherit more than a building, programs, and traditions.

May they inherit a deep love for Jesus, a high view of Scripture, a life of prayer, a heart for people, and a passion for the glory of God.

The question is not simply, “What will MVCC become?”

The deeper question is: “What is God calling MVCC to become for His glory?”

Message Recording