For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:14-19

A.  Where does this strengthening occur?: Eph. 3:14-16, Rom. 7:13-23, 2 Cor. 4:16, 1 Peter 3:3-4

1.  The creation of the inner being is the work of God at new birth: Jer. 31:33, Jer. 32:39-40, 2 Peter 1:3-4, 2 Cor. 5:17

 2.  The inner being must be nourished and nurtured

 a.  By regular diet of the Word of God: Matt. 4:1-4, 1 Peter 2:1-3, Job 23:12

b.  By constant guarding: Prov. 4:23

c.  By ongoing submission to the Lord Jesus: Luke 6:46-49

Desires of a New Creation in Christ

–  Desire for the Word: 1 Peter 2:1-2

–  Desire for prayer: Acts 1:14

–  Desire to fellowship with Christians in prayer, Word and service: Acts 2:42

–  Desire to be conformed to the Image of Christ: Phil. 3:10

–  Desire for God’s glory in life and the world:1 Peter 4:8-11

–  Desire for deeper relational experiences with Christ: Psalm 73:25

–  Desire to be with Christ: Phil. 1:23

–  Desire for other believers to grow in the faith/closeness to Christ: 1 Thess. 2:11-12

–  Desire to spiritually encourage other believers: Rom. 1:11-12

–  Desire for lost sinners to become new creations in Christ: Rom. 9:1-3