Teaching summary
In this Wednesday night Bible study, Pastor Leonard Rola walks us through Ephesians 3:20–21, connecting it to a rich recap of truths found throughout chapters 1–3 of Ephesians. He reveals how Paul builds a powerful foundation of identity in Christ—emphasizing that we are already blessed, holy, accepted, redeemed, and seated with Christ. All these truths lead to the conclusion that God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above what we ask or think, because of the power already at work in us. This message is a call to fully believe in what Christ has finished and to allow that truth to transform how we think and live.
Bible verses referenced
Ephesians 1:3- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
Ephesians 1:4- According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.*
Ephesians 1:6- To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Ephesians 1:7- In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
Ephesians 1:11- In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.
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. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Romans 12:2- And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
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.
Ephesians 2:4–6- But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved. And hath raised us together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8-9- For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- Introduction and Ministry Purpose
- Foundation for Ephesians 3:20–21
- Blessed with All Spiritual Blessings
- Holy and Blameless Before Him in Love
- Fully Accepted and Redeemed
- We Have Obtained an Inheritance
- The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation
- Seated with Christ: Raised by His Mercy
- Not of Works: Salvation is a Gift
- Rooted in Love and Filled with God
- Conclusion: Exceedingly, Abundantly, Beyond
Introduction and Ministry Purpose
Pastor Leonard opens by thanking the congregation for their ongoing support, noting that giving to their ministry is not about building their own name but about expanding the kingdom of God. The heart of their ministry is unveiling new creation realities—truths about righteousness, sanctification, and identity in Christ—hidden under layers of religious thinking. Their mission is to awaken believers to who they already are in Christ.
Foundation for Ephesians 3:20–21
Before diving into Ephesians 3:20–21, Pastor Leonard reminds the audience that the verse must be understood in light of everything Paul wrote in chapters 1 through 3. The power that works within us is already present, and understanding its fullness requires knowing what Paul previously laid out.
Ephesians 3:20–21- Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Blessed with All Spiritual Blessings
Paul begins his letter by declaring:
Ephesians 1:3- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
This means believers already have every spiritual blessing—not might, but hath blessed. Pastor Leonard urges us to view scripture through the filters of “I am,” “I have,” and “I can.”
Holy and Blameless Before Him in Love
Ephesians 1:4- According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.
This verse reveals God's eternal view of us—not as flawed sinners, but as holy and blameless in love. This foundation gives us confidence to boldly approach God without fear.
Fully Accepted and Redeemed
Ephesians 1:6- To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Ephesians 1:7- In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
We are not trying to earn acceptance—we areaccepted. Forgiveness is complete. Redemption is finished. We no longer strive to become what God has already made us.
We Have Obtained an Inheritance
Ephesians 1:11- In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.
Pastor Leonard highlights the certainty: we have obtained. This inheritance is present, not future. It is part of our identity in Christ, available now.
The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation
Paul ends chapter 1 with a prayer:
That we would be ignited from within with the spirit of wisdom and revelation, to know and see what God knows and sees about us. Pastor Leonard stresses this is internal, not external. It comes from our union with Christ. This growing understanding reveals the exceeding greatness of his power to us who believe, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.
Seated with Christ: Raised by His Mercy
Ephesians 2:4–6- But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.
And hath raised us together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. We are not trying to get to God—we’ve already been seated with Christ. We are elevated above condemnation because God is rich in mercy, not judgment.
Not of Works: Salvation is a Gift
Ephesians 2:8–9- For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast. Pastor Leonard emphasizes that salvation, including the faith to receive it, is a gift. No one earns it. Religion often adds conditions, but Paul makes clear: it's all Jesus.
Rooted in Love and Filled with God
Paul continues in chapter 3, describing believers as:
– Rooted and grounded in love
– Growing in the knowledge of the breadth, length, depth, and height of Christ's love
– Becoming filled with all the fullness of God
This growth is not from external effort but internal revelation. The more we believe right, the more this completeness manifests in our lives—including healing, peace, and provision.
Conclusion: Exceedingly, Abundantly, Beyond
All of this leads to the glorious truth of Ephesians 3:20–21:
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
This is not a future promise—it is a now reality. The same power that raised Christ lives in us. As we grow in knowledge of who we are, what we have, and what Christ has done, we live from a place of spiritual abundance and kingdom authority.
We hope this article blessed you. Share this teaching with others who need to hear the truth of their identity in Christ. May you grow daily in the awareness of the power already working within you.