EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY ABOVE

Table of Contents

1. The Importance of Paul’s New Covenant Prayers
2. Paul’s Prayer in Ephesians Chapter 3
3. Spiritual Strength and the Reality of the Inner Man
4. Living in the Kingdom of God
5. Healing and the Finished Work of Jesus
6. Christ Dwelling Within the Believer
7. Rooted and Grounded in God’s Love
8. Understanding Our Identity as Saints
9. The Dimensions of God’s Love
10. Filled With the Fullness of God
11. Exceedingly Abundantly Above
12. Qualified by God’s Righteousness
13. The Power of Right Believing
14. Asking, Thinking, and Agreement
15. The Power That Works Within Us
16. Closing Prayer and Encouragement

The Importance of Paul’s New Covenant Prayers

Pastor Leonard begins by explaining how many Christians can easily recite the Lord’s Prayer, yet very few know the prayers Paul prayed for believers under the New Covenant. He explains that two of the greatest prayers for believers are found in Ephesians chapter 1 and Ephesians chapter 3. He emphasizes that these prayers are vitally important because they reveal truths about the believer’s identity and inheritance in Christ.

He introduces the central verse of the message:
Ephesians 3:20- “Now unto him that can do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” 

Pastor Leonard explains that Paul begins this prayer in humility.

Ephesians 3:14- “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” 
He teaches that Paul bowed before God because he understood how important this revelation was for believers.

Paul’s Prayer in Ephesians Chapter 3

Pastor Leonard explains that Paul prayed for God to bring forth what already exists within believers through Christ. He emphasizes that spiritual truth already exists inside every born-again believer, but many Christians have allowed that truth to become silenced or buried.

Ephesians 3:16- “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” 

He explains that God desires believers to become spiritually strong, not merely physically strong. Many people devote great effort to caring for their physical bodies while neglecting the reality that they are spiritual beings.

Spiritual Strength and the Reality of the Inner Man

Pastor Leonard teaches that humans are spiritual beings who possess a soul and live in physical bodies. He stresses that believers are more than flesh and blood.
He explains that Paul’s prayer is asking for spiritual understanding to rise within believers so they can recognize who they truly are in Christ.

He then references Jesus’ words:

John 10:10- “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Pastor Leonard says many believers do not truly understand what “life more abundantly” means within God’s kingdom.

Living in the Kingdom of God

Pastor Leonard explains that believers have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God.

Colossians 1:13- “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”

He ties this into Jesus’ prayer:

Matthew 6:10- “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” 

He asks listeners to think about what the heavenly realm is like and what is lawful in God’s kingdom. He teaches that forgiveness, redemption, provision, protection, and healing are all legal realities in the kingdom of God.
He explains that many believers continue living in darkness because they do not understand what belongs to them through Christ.

Healing and the Finished Work of Jesus

Pastor Leonard shares his testimony about being diagnosed with incurable cancer and being told he had only six months to live. He explains that during that season, he discovered the truth of healing through the finished work of Christ.

He quotes:

1 Peter 2:24- “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” 

He explains that he chose to believe what God’s Word said instead of what doctors declared. Six years later, he received confirmation that there were no signs of cancer remaining. He uses this testimony to illustrate what it means to live in the realities of God’s kingdom.

Christ Dwelling Within the Believer

Pastor Leonard explains that every believer who has trusted in Jesus Christ has Christ dwelling within them.

Ephesians 3:17- “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.”

He stresses that believers must become rooted and grounded in the knowledge of God’s love. He recounts a conversation where someone told him they could tell he loved God deeply. He responded by saying the real issue was not how much he loved God, but understanding how much God loved him.

Rooted and Grounded in God’s Love

Pastor Leonard teaches that God desires believers to understand that He loves them with the same love He has for Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:18- “May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height.” 

He explains that many believers can easily believe God loves Jesus, but struggle to believe God loves them equally. He emphasizes that the more believers understand God’s love for them, the more love for God naturally flows back from their hearts.

Understanding Our Identity as Saints

Pastor Leonard points out that Paul repeatedly calls believers “saints.” He explains that many Christians still see themselves merely as sinners, but Scripture calls believers holy and unblameable because of Jesus Christ.
He says that truly believing this identity would transform believers’ lives.

The Dimensions of God’s Love

Pastor Leonard explains that Paul prayed believers would understand the height, depth, width, and breadth of God’s love.

Ephesians 3:19- “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.”

He teaches that God is not trying to force people into loving Him through commandments. Instead, God desires believers to discover how much He already loves them.

Filled With the Fullness of God

Pastor Leonard emphasizes that this prayer promises that believers can experience the fullness of God revealed through their lives.

He points out that this truth is found in every Bible, regardless of denomination. He says that as believers grow in understanding God’s love, His fullness becomes visible through them.

Exceedingly Abundantly Above

Pastor Leonard focuses deeply on Ephesians 3:20.

Ephesians 3:20- “Now unto him that can do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” 

He explains the Greek meanings behind the words “exceeding,” “abundantly,” and “above,” teaching that Paul intentionally repeats the idea multiple times to emphasize how far beyond human expectation God desires to work.

He explains that “exceeding” means over, beyond, and more than. He teaches that God’s nature is not merely “just enough,” but overflowing abundance.

Qualified by God’s Righteousness

Pastor Leonard explains that believers do not need to qualify themselves before God because God Himself qualified them through Christ.

Colossians 1:12- “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” 

He explains that righteousness is not earned through works. He then teaches from Romans:

Romans 4:25- “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

Romans 5:1-2- “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

He stresses that believers who understand righteousness begin to live differently because right believing produces transformation.

The Power of Right Believing

Pastor Leonard explains that many believers pray while internally doubting God’s willingness or ability to answer.

He says that thoughts often contradict spoken prayers. He teaches that the body and soul respond strongly to internal thought life and agreement.

He references Paul’s instruction:

Philippians 4:8- “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” 

He explains that Paul does not focus on what believers should avoid thinking about, but instead instructs them on what to think about.

Asking, Thinking, and Agreement

Pastor Leonard teaches that asking and thinking are directly connected.

He explains that many people ask God outwardly while inwardly believing nothing will happen. He explains the danger of being double-minded.

James 1:6-8- “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” 

He teaches that believers must allow their minds to align with the truths of God’s Word.

The Power That Works Within Us

Pastor Leonard explains that the power working within believers is resurrection power.

Romans 8:11- “But if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” 

He explains that the Greek word for power is “dunamis,” meaning miraculous power, strength, and force. He also explains that the word “worketh” refers to something becoming active and efficient.
He teaches that as believers renew their minds to the truths in Ephesians chapter 3, resurrection power becomes active in their lives.

Closing Prayer and Encouragement

Pastor Leonard closes by expressing his love and desire for believers to experience the best God has for them. He explains that true transformation comes from honestly teaching the Word of God the way it is written.

He prays for believers to grow in revelation through the Holy Spirit and to experience the realities provided through Jesus Christ.

He thanks God for Jesus and for the finished work of the cross, declaring that every need has already been provided for through Christ.

We hope this article has blessed you. Share this teaching with someone who needs encouragement and revelation about God’s love, righteousness, and power working within them.