The Doxology — GOD’S PERSON (“Now unto Him”) [Part 1]

PART 1

The Doxology — GOD’S PERSON (“Now unto Him”)

INTRODUCTION TO PART 1 — “Now Unto Him”

Every great move of God begins with a right view of God. Before we talk about His power, His prerogative, or His purpose, we must first settle the most foundational truth of all: Who is the “Him” Paul is talking about? If we misunderstand God’s person, we will misunderstand everything else. Paul begins the doxology with three simple words — “Now unto Him.” These words are not filler. They are an anchor. They are a reminder that everything we believe, everything we hope for, and everything we stand on begins with Him — the God who is, the God who speaks, the God who acts, the God who reigns.

PART 1 — GOD’S PERSON

The passage from which our crusade theme “Our God Is Able” comes is Ephesians 3:20–21:

“Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly 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.”

In theological terms, this passage is called a doxology — a closing expression of praise. The word doxology comes from the Greek doxa (glory) and logos (speaking). It is a spoken declaration of God’s greatness.

The most widely known doxology in Christian worship is:

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.”

Doxologies appear after we have heard about God’s goodness, love, and grace. They function as:

• a reflection on what we’ve heard
• a reminder of who God is
• a confidence booster
• an assurance of what God can do

A doxology calls us to pause and remember: There is nothing we will face that the One we serve is not able to handle.

When Paul writes this doxology in Ephesians 3:20–21, he is building on everything he has already taught the Ephesian believers. He is saying:

“In light of what you now know… In light of what you have learned… In light of the revelation you have received… Know this: the God we serve is abundantly able to do more than you can imagine.”

As we begin this crusade, we want to peer into Ephesians 3:20–21 and highlight the truths Paul emphasizes in this doxology. But remember: the doxology is not the main message — it is the conclusion. To understand it, we must look at the message that comes before it: Ephesians 1:1 through 3:19.

From this doxology, four themes emerge:

1. God’s Person — “Now unto Him”
2. God’s Prerogative — “He is able to do exceedingly abundantly…”
3. God’s Power — “According to the power that worketh in us”
4. God’s Plan & Purpose — “Unto Him be glory in the church…”

Tonight, we begin with God’s Person.

“NOW UNTO HIM” — WHO IS THE HIM?

Paul begins with a deliberate emphasis: “Now unto Him.” Before he speaks of God’s ability, he speaks of God’s identity.

In the opening of Ephesians, after greeting the believers, Paul writes:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

He establishes immediately that everything he is about to say flows from the nature and character of God.

The Enduring Word Commentary notes that Paul uses “Blessed be” to set a clear emphasis on God, because the next verses deal with:

• predestination
• adoption
• God’s will
• grace
• redemption
• God’s glory

All of these themes point back to God Himself — His nature, His character, His sovereignty.

This doxology belongs not only to the prayer that precedes it, but to every blessing and privilege described in the first three chapters. Who can bring such things to pass? Only God.

Paul wants no confusion about who he is referring to, because later he will call the believers to place their trust in this very God.

The God Paul presents is:

• in total control of the universe
• willing to be our Father
• the giver of wisdom, strength, gifts, and blessings
• the One believers are called to imitate

His incommunicable attributes prove He is not like us:

• Omniscient — all-knowing
• Omnipotent — all-powerful
• Omnipresent — everywhere
• Omnibenevolent — perfectly good

When Paul preached in Athens (Acts 17), surrounded by idols, his first message was to declare who God is:

“God that made the world and all things therein… He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things… In Him we live, and move, and have our being.”

Even the pagan poets recognized this truth.

So when Paul says “Now unto Him”, he is referring to:

the God Nebuchadnezzar didn’t know — but the Hebrew boys knew

• the God Goliath didn’t know — but David knew
• the God Daniel’s enemies didn’t know — but Daniel knew
• the God Pharaoh didn’t know — but Moses knew
• the God Potiphar’s wife didn’t know — but Joseph knew

This is the Him. This is the God who is able.

CLOSING OF PART 1 — TRANSITION TO PART 2

Before we can trust God’s ability, we must first recognize God’s identity. Before we can believe He is able, we must know who He is.

Now that Paul has established the Person of God — the One who reigns, the One who knows, the One who sees, the One who acts — he moves to the next truth:

God’s Prerogative — He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.