GOD IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY

GOD IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Ephesians 3:14-21

Key Verse: “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,” (Ephesians 3:20, KJV).

Supporting Texts: Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17; Jeremiah 32:27; Luke 1:37; Romans 4:20-21; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Philippians 4:19; Jude 24-25.

Description: This message reveals God's unlimited ability to accomplish far beyond human expectations and encourages believers to trust His power, pray with faith, and live in obedience to His purpose.

INTRODUCTION

One of the greatest assurances in the Christian faith is the knowledge that our God is able. Human beings have limitations, resources can become exhausted, opportunities can disappear, and situations may appear impossible. However, God is not restricted by human limitations or earthly circumstances. Ephesians 3:20 declares that He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. This is a revelation of God's greatness and an invitation to place our confidence in His ability rather than in the limitations of our present situation.

The Apostle Paul makes this declaration after praying for believers to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit, to have Christ dwelling in their hearts by faith, and to comprehend the immeasurable love of Christ. He then turns their attention to the God who is able to accomplish far beyond their requests and thoughts. Paul's emphasis is not on human imagination as an independent force, but on God's power and ability. The God who saves, strengthens, transforms, and fills His people is also able to accomplish His purposes beyond what they can presently comprehend.

As believers, we must learn to distinguish between what is impossible for us and what is impossible for God. We must not allow past disappointments, present difficulties, or limited resources to become the boundaries of our faith. At the same time, trusting God's ability does not mean that He must fulfil every personal desire exactly as we imagine. It means that He is able to fulfil His purposes, provide what we need according to His wisdom, sustain us through trials, and accomplish more than we could achieve by our strength alone. Our responsibility is to believe His Word, pray with confidence, obey His instructions, and remain faithful while we trust Him with the outcome.

1. RECOGNISE THAT GOD'S ABILITY IS UNLIMITED

The foundation of Ephesians 3:20 is the ability of God. Paul does not begin by celebrating the greatness of human effort, the power of positive thinking, or the strength of personal connections. He directs our attention to God Himself. Before we consider what God can do in our lives, we must understand that His power is not limited by the resources available to us.

God created the heavens and the earth, sustains His creation, rules over all things, and fulfils His purposes according to His perfect wisdom. What appears impossible to human beings is never beyond His power. This truth should produce reverence, confidence, and humility in every believer.

a) Nothing Is Too Hard for God (Jeremiah 32:17)

Jeremiah acknowledged that God made the heavens and the earth by His great power and outstretched arm, declaring that nothing is too hard for Him. The prophet was facing a difficult national situation, yet he recognised that the Creator remained sovereign over all things.

Our problems may be beyond our ability to solve, but they are not beyond God's knowledge or authority. A medical difficulty, financial burden, family crisis, ministry challenge, or uncertain future may leave us without an obvious solution. Nevertheless, we can bring our concerns before the Lord who sees the whole situation.

Do not confuse your inability with God's inability. Acknowledge the seriousness of your situation, seek wise counsel, take responsible action, and trust the Lord whose power is not restricted by human limitations.

b) God's Power Has No Rival (Psalm 62:11)

The psalmist declares that power belongs to God. Human power is temporary and limited. Political authority, financial resources, physical strength, and social influence can all change, but God's sovereignty remains.

This does not mean that human responsibilities or natural processes should be ignored. Rather, it means that we must never treat any earthly power as greater than the Lord. We should use the resources available to us wisely while recognising that our ultimate confidence rests in Him.

When opposition arises, do not surrender to fear. Stand firmly in God's truth, pray for wisdom, and conduct yourself with integrity, knowing that no earthly authority can overthrow God's ultimate purpose.

c) God Can Work Beyond Natural Limitations (Luke 1:37)

When the angel announced God's purpose concerning Mary, he declared that nothing would be impossible with God. The announcement concerned a unique act of divine intervention in the coming of Jesus Christ.

This passage reminds us that God is not confined to what human beings consider naturally possible. He can intervene in ways that reveal His power and fulfil His promises.

However, we must not use this verse to claim that every personal desire is guaranteed to happen. We should seek God's will through Scripture and prayer, trust His wisdom, and remain open to the way He chooses to accomplish His purposes.

d) God Remains Faithful to His Character and Promises (Numbers 23:19)

Balaam declared that God is not a man who should lie or a human being who changes His mind deceitfully. God's faithfulness distinguishes Him from unreliable human promises.

We can trust God's revealed Word because His character is true. Yet we must interpret His promises carefully and in context rather than assuming that every biblical promise applies to every person in exactly the same way.

When God has clearly spoken in Scripture, stand firmly upon His truth. Where the details of your future remain uncertain, continue to trust His character, seek His guidance, and follow Him faithfully.

Biblical Example: Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 18:9-14)

God announced that Sarah would have a son despite her advanced age. Sarah laughed because the promise appeared impossible from a human perspective, but the Lord asked whether anything was too hard for Him. Isaac was eventually born according to God's promise. Their story demonstrates that God's ability is greater than natural limitations and that He fulfils His purposes according to His own timing.

2. EXPECT GOD TO DO EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY

The expression “exceeding abundantly” communicates the extraordinary greatness of God's ability. Paul is not describing a God who can barely meet a need. He is pointing to the One whose power surpasses ordinary human expectations.

This truth should enlarge our understanding of what God can accomplish, but it must be balanced with the context of the passage. Paul is speaking about God's power working in believers and His ability to accomplish His purposes through the Church. We should therefore expect God to work beyond our limitations while remaining submitted to His wisdom and will.

a) God Can Do More Than We Ask (Ephesians 3:20)

Paul declares that God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask. Prayer is a privilege because we are invited to bring our needs, burdens, and desires before our heavenly Father.

Sometimes we ask for immediate relief when God is also developing endurance in us. We may pray for one opportunity while God is preparing us for a different responsibility. We may ask for help in a particular form, while His answer comes through people, circumstances, wisdom, or a process we did not anticipate.

Pray specifically and confidently, but leave room for God's wisdom. Do not limit Him to the method you have imagined. Trust Him to answer according to His perfect knowledge and purpose.

b) God Can Do More Than We Imagine (Isaiah 55:8-9)

God declares that His thoughts and ways are higher than ours, as the heavens are higher than the earth. This reminds us that divine wisdom surpasses human understanding.

Our expectations are often shaped by past experiences, limited resources, and incomplete information. God sees what we cannot see and understands the full consequences of every possible outcome.

When His direction differs from your expectations, do not rush to conclude that He has failed you. Search the Scriptures, seek godly counsel, and remain willing to follow His guidance even when His way is different from yours.

c) God Can Provide Beyond Present Limitations (2 Kings 4:1-7)

The widow in Elisha's time faced a serious financial crisis, and her sons were in danger of being taken as servants because of her debt. God provided a way forward through the oil she already possessed, which multiplied as she followed the prophet's instructions.

The miracle shows that God can use what appears small or insufficient to meet a pressing need. It also demonstrates the importance of obedience and practical action.

When resources are limited, do not give up prematurely. Identify what is available, seek wise advice, act responsibly, and pray for God's help. He may provide through a surprising opportunity, a helpful person, a new idea, or a remarkable intervention.

d) God's Greatest Work Includes Our Spiritual Transformation (Ephesians 3:19-20)

The verses immediately before Paul's declaration concern knowing the love of Christ and being filled with all the fullness of God. This context is essential. God's exceeding abundance is not merely about material possessions or outward success; it includes His work of strengthening, transforming, and maturing believers.

He can produce love where bitterness once ruled, courage where fear dominated, and perseverance where discouragement threatened to prevail. He can equip ordinary believers to accomplish meaningful work for His kingdom.

Do not measure God's abundance only by what you receive materially. Give thanks for His saving grace, transforming power, sustaining presence, and the opportunities He gives you to serve others.

Biblical Example: The Feeding of the Five Thousand (John 6:1-13)

A boy's five barley loaves and two small fishes appeared inadequate for the multitude that had gathered to hear Jesus. Yet Jesus gave thanks and distributed the food, and the people ate until they were satisfied. Twelve baskets of fragments remained. The account shows that Christ can work beyond what limited resources appear capable of achieving, while reminding us that the miracle came through His power, not the food's natural capacity.

3. TRUST GOD WHEN YOUR SITUATION APPEARS IMPOSSIBLE

There are seasons when the challenges before us seem greater than our strength. We may face closed doors, prolonged waiting, serious opposition, financial pressure, or situations in which every human option appears exhausted. These are moments when we must remember that God is able even when we cannot see how He will act.

Faith does not deny reality. It acknowledges the difficulty while refusing to treat the difficulty as greater than God. Biblical faith rests on God's character and revealed Word, obeys Him in the present, and trusts Him with the future.

a) Refuse to Allow Fear to Rule Your Heart (Isaiah 41:10)

God tells His people not to fear, for He is with them, and He promises to strengthen, help, and uphold them. His assurance is grounded in His presence and faithfulness.

Fear often grows when we focus exclusively on the size of our problem and forget the One who sustains us. Although fear may arise naturally, we do not have to allow it to govern our decisions.

When fear comes, pray, meditate on God's Word, seek support from mature believers, and take the next responsible step. Courage does not mean the absence of every fearful feeling; it means choosing to trust and obey God despite fear.

b) Stand Firm When Human Help Is Insufficient (Psalm 121:1-2)

The psalmist lifts his eyes to the hills and declares that his help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. His confidence is not ultimately in the created order but in the Creator.

Human help is valuable, and God often uses people as instruments of provision and encouragement. Nevertheless, no person should become the ultimate foundation of our hope.

Appreciate those who assist you, pursue legitimate opportunities, and seek wise counsel. At the same time, keep your confidence in God, who remains the source of your strength and the One who can guide you through uncertainty.

c) Remember God's Past Faithfulness (1 Samuel 17:34-37)

Before facing Goliath, David remembered how God had delivered him from the lion and the bear. Those earlier experiences strengthened his confidence that the Lord could help him face the challenge before him.

Remembering God's past faithfulness does not guarantee that every new battle will be resolved in the same way, but it helps us recognise that God has sustained us before. Testimonies of His grace can strengthen faith and encourage perseverance.

Keep a record of answered prayers, lessons learned, and ways God has helped you. When a new challenge comes, use those memories to encourage your heart while seeking God's wisdom for the present situation.

d) Keep Believing While You Wait (Psalm 27:13-14)

David declares his confidence that he will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, then encourages himself to wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and allow his heart to be strengthened.

Waiting can be difficult because we often desire immediate answers. Yet waiting on God is not the same as doing nothing. We can continue praying, working diligently, making wise decisions, and fulfilling our responsibilities while trusting His timing.

Do not abandon your faith simply because the answer has not yet appeared. Remain obedient, seek support when needed, and trust God to sustain you throughout the waiting period.

Biblical Example: Jehoshaphat and Judah (2 Chronicles 20:1-22)

Jehoshaphat faced a powerful coalition of enemies and recognised that Judah did not have sufficient strength to overcome them independently. He sought the Lord in prayer, and God gave direction through His Spirit. The people went forward in obedience, and the Lord brought deliverance. Their experience teaches us to acknowledge our limitations, seek God sincerely, listen to His direction, and act in faith.

4. ACT IN FAITH AND OBEY GOD'S INSTRUCTIONS

God's ability should not lead us into passivity or carelessness. Throughout Scripture, people who trusted God were often required to respond through obedience. Their actions did not purchase miracles; they demonstrated their trust in the Lord who had spoken.

Faith is more than wishing for a favourable outcome. It involves trusting God's character, receiving His Word, and acting in ways consistent with His instructions. We should pray earnestly while also taking the practical steps that wisdom and responsibility require.

a) Believe God's Word (Romans 4:20-21)

Paul describes Abraham as being strong in faith and fully persuaded that God was able to perform what He had promised. Abraham's confidence rested in God's ability and faithfulness.

Faith does not require us to deny facts or pretend that challenges do not exist. Abraham knew that his circumstances were naturally difficult, yet he trusted God's promise concerning Isaac.

When God has clearly spoken through Scripture, allow His truth to guide your decisions. Reject unbelief that leads to disobedience, but also avoid claiming specific promises without understanding their biblical context.

b) Take the Step God Requires (James 2:17)

James teaches that faith without works is dead. Genuine faith produces a response that is consistent with what we believe.

If you pray for employment, you should also seek appropriate opportunities and prepare diligently. If you pray for a stronger family, you should practise love, communication, and responsibility. If you pray for ministry growth, you should also teach faithfully, care for people, and steward your resources wisely.

Do not use prayer as an excuse to avoid your responsibilities. Pray with faith, then take the wise and obedient steps that are available to you.

c) Use the Resources God Has Already Provided (Exodus 4:1-5)

When Moses questioned how the people would believe that God had sent him, the Lord asked him what was in his hand. Moses had a rod, and God used it as a sign of divine power and calling.

The account reminds us that God can use ordinary resources in the fulfilment of His purpose. What appears insignificant may become useful when surrendered to God and used according to His direction.

Examine the gifts, relationships, knowledge, and opportunities already available to you. Develop them responsibly and place them at God's disposal. Do not despise small beginnings or wait for perfect conditions before taking a faithful step.

d) Persevere in Doing What Is Right (Galatians 6:9)

Paul encourages believers not to grow weary in doing good, because they will reap in due season if they do not give up. This principle reminds us that faithful effort and patience are important in Christian living.

Some outcomes take time. Ministry development, education, financial recovery, family restoration, and personal growth may involve repeated effort and difficult lessons.

Continue doing what is right even when progress seems slow. Ask God for fresh strength, adjust your approach when necessary, and remain faithful to your responsibilities without assuming that delay means defeat.

Biblical Example: The Priests at the Jordan (Joshua 3:7-17)

When Israel prepared to cross the Jordan River, the priests carrying the ark stepped into the water as God had instructed. The waters stopped, and the people crossed on dry ground. Their action did not create God's power; it demonstrated their obedience to His direction. Their story encourages believers to trust God's Word and respond faithfully when He makes the next step clear.

5. UNDERSTAND THAT GOD WORKS ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE

Ephesians 3:20 declares that God works according to the power that works in us. The verse points beyond spectacular outcomes to the divine work taking place within believers and through the Church. God's power is not a tool for fulfilling every personal ambition; it operates in accordance with His wisdom and purposes.

This truth protects us from disappointment caused by unrealistic expectations. God is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, but His wisdom determines how He answers, when He acts, and what will best fulfil His purpose. Our confidence must therefore rest in who He is rather than in a demand that He follow our preferred timetable.

a) Submit Your Desires to God's Will (1 John 5:14)

John explains that confidence in prayer comes from asking according to God's will. Prayer is not an attempt to force God to endorse every personal desire. It is a relationship in which we bring our requests before Him and seek what pleases Him.

We should pray boldly, but we must also remain teachable. Sometimes God answers as we asked; sometimes He redirects us; and sometimes He gives grace to endure a situation that does not change immediately.

Bring your plans before the Lord and ask Him to align your desires with His Word. Trust that His wisdom is greater than yours and that His purposes are worthy of your confidence.

b) Allow God to Transform You from Within (Philippians 2:13)

Paul declares that God works in believers both to will and to do of His good pleasure. God not only provides opportunities for service; He also works within His people to shape their desires and enable their obedience.

We sometimes want God to change everything around us while leaving our attitudes untouched. Yet He may begin by developing patience, courage, humility, or wisdom within us.

Ask God to work in your heart as well as in your circumstances. Welcome His correction, respond to His Word, and allow the Holy Spirit to prepare you for the responsibilities He places before you.

c) Trust God Even When the Answer Is Different (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Paul prayed three times for his thorn in the flesh to be removed, but the Lord answered that His grace was sufficient and His strength was made perfect in weakness. Paul learned to depend on divine grace even though the difficulty remained.

This account reminds us that God's ability is not demonstrated only by removing problems. He can also sustain His people through suffering, strengthen them in weakness, and accomplish His purposes through circumstances they would not have chosen.

If your prayer has not been answered in the way you hoped, do not assume that God has abandoned you. Continue to seek Him, receive wise support, and ask for grace to remain faithful while you wait for His direction.

d) Give God the Glory for Every Good Result (Ephesians 3:21)

Paul concludes the passage by giving glory to God in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages. This reminds us that the ultimate purpose of God's work is His glory.

When God provides, opens a door, grants wisdom, restores a relationship, or strengthens us through hardship, our response should be gratitude rather than pride. We must recognise His grace and use every opportunity to honour Him.

Do not turn God's blessings into a reason for self-exaltation. Give thanks, remain humble, serve others, and ensure that the results of your life point people towards Jesus Christ.

Biblical Example: Joseph's Journey from Prison to Leadership (Genesis 41:14-41; 50:20)

Joseph experienced betrayal, slavery, false accusation, and imprisonment before being elevated to a position of authority in Egypt. Through the unfolding events, God used Joseph's gifts and circumstances to preserve many lives during famine. Joseph later acknowledged that God had worked through what others intended for evil to accomplish a greater good. His life shows that God's purpose may unfold through a long and difficult process, and that His ability is not restricted by the setbacks people experience.

6. LIVE WITH CONFIDENCE IN THE GOD WHO IS ABLE

The revelation that God is able should shape our daily conduct. It should influence how we pray, respond to adversity, approach opportunities, serve in ministry, and prepare for the future. Confidence in God is not an excuse for presumption; it is the foundation for faithful living.

We can work diligently without depending exclusively on our strength, plan wisely without imagining that we control every outcome, and face difficulties without surrendering to despair. The God who is able to do exceeding abundantly remains worthy of our trust.

a) Pray with Confidence and Gratitude (Philippians 4:6-7)

Paul instructs believers not to be anxious about anything, but to bring their requests to God through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. He then describes the peace of God that guards the hearts and minds of believers in Christ Jesus.

Prayer allows us to express our needs honestly while remembering God's faithfulness. Thanksgiving helps us recognise His goodness even before every difficulty has been resolved.

Develop a regular habit of bringing your concerns before the Lord. Be specific about your needs, thank Him for His past faithfulness, and trust Him to guide you through what lies ahead.

b) Expect God to Give Wisdom for Your Decisions (James 1:5)

James encourages anyone who lacks wisdom to ask God, who gives generously and without reproach. God's help often comes through the wisdom He supplies to make responsible decisions.

You may need to decide how to manage money, respond to a conflict, develop a ministry, care for your family, or pursue an opportunity. Instead of acting impulsively, ask God for wisdom and consider the facts carefully.

Seek counsel from mature and trustworthy people, examine the relevant Scriptures, and make decisions with humility. God's ability can be displayed through wise planning and faithful action as well as through extraordinary intervention.

c) Remain Faithful in Small Responsibilities (Luke 16:10)

Jesus teaches that the person who is faithful in little will also be faithful in much. Godly faithfulness is demonstrated through the way we handle the responsibilities already entrusted to us.

Some people wait for a larger platform before becoming diligent, generous, or committed. But God calls us to serve faithfully in our present assignment, whether it is visible to others or not.

Be punctual, honour your commitments, treat people fairly, manage your resources responsibly, and perform your duties with integrity. Small acts of faithfulness help prepare us to handle greater responsibilities wisely.

d) Give God Praise Before You See the Full Outcome (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

Habakkuk describes a situation in which crops fail and livestock disappear, yet he declares that he will rejoice in the Lord and joy in the God of his salvation. His confidence was not dependent on favourable agricultural conditions.

Praise does not require us to pretend that hardship is painless. It is a declaration that God remains worthy of worship even when circumstances are difficult. It keeps our hearts directed towards His character and sustaining grace.

When you face uncertainty, continue to worship, pray, and obey. Your confidence in God should not depend entirely on receiving the outcome you desire; it should rest in the One who remains faithful.

Biblical Example: Paul and Silas in Prison (Acts 16:22-34)

Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, yet at midnight they prayed and sang praises to God. An earthquake shook the prison, the doors opened, and the prisoners' bonds were loosed. The account also records the jailer's conversion and the salvation of his household. Their experience illustrates that worship and faithfulness can continue in hardship and that God can work beyond what people expect, bringing spiritual fruit even through suffering.

CONCLUSION

God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us. His ability is unlimited, His wisdom is perfect, and His faithfulness is worthy of our confidence. Yet the promise of Ephesians 3:20 must be understood in its context: God works to strengthen believers, reveal the love of Christ, fill His people with His presence, and accomplish His purposes through the Church. We should therefore pray boldly, expectantly, and faithfully, while submitting our desires and plans to His perfect will. God's greatness is seen not only when He changes our circumstances but also when He transforms our hearts and sustains us through challenges.

Whatever you are facing today, do not allow your limitations to become the measure of God's ability. Bring your needs before Him, believe His revealed Word, take the practical steps He enables you to take, and remain obedient even when the outcome is not yet visible. If you have not surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, come to Him in repentance and faith. If you are already a believer, renew your confidence in the God who is able. Let your life become a testimony of His grace, power, wisdom, and faithfulness, and give Him the glory for all He accomplishes.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, strengthen my faith and help me to trust Your unlimited ability above every limitation and difficulty I face, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, remove every fear, unbelief, and discouragement that prevents me from trusting Your Word and obeying Your instructions, in Jesus name.

3. Father, grant me wisdom to pray according to Your will and the patience to trust Your timing and methods, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, empower me by Your Holy Spirit to overcome every challenge that seeks to weaken my faith and hinder my obedience, in Jesus name.

5. Father, help me to recognise and use the gifts, resources, and opportunities You have already placed in my hands, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, let Your power work within me to transform my character, strengthen my inner man, and make me fruitful in Your service, in Jesus name.

7. Father, provide the wisdom, strength, and resources I need to fulfil my responsibilities and accomplish the assignments You have entrusted to me, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, teach me to remain faithful when answers are delayed and to trust Your grace even when circumstances do not change as I desire, in Jesus name.

9. Father, use my life to demonstrate Your goodness and power, and let my testimony encourage others to trust in Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, accomplish Your good purpose in my life, family, ministry, and calling, and let all the glory belong to You, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall grow in faith and confidence in the Lord, and you shall learn to look beyond your limitations to the greatness of God's power and wisdom.

2. You shall not surrender to fear or discouragement when challenges arise; you shall receive grace to pray, seek wisdom, and remain faithful to God.

3. You shall receive divine wisdom to make responsible decisions, recognise useful opportunities, and take practical steps towards fulfilling your God-given responsibilities.

4. You shall grow in spiritual maturity, and the power of the Holy Spirit shall work within you to transform your character and strengthen your inner man.

5. You shall not despise the resources and opportunities already in your hands; you shall develop them faithfully and use them for God's glory.

6. You shall receive grace to remain steadfast when answers are delayed, trusting God's wisdom and faithfulness while continuing to do what is right.

7. You shall become more fruitful in your family, ministry, work, and service to others as you depend on God and faithfully use the gifts He has given you.

8. You shall not measure God's faithfulness solely by your present circumstances; you shall continue to trust Him and find strength in His grace through every season.

9. Your life shall increasingly demonstrate the goodness, wisdom, and sustaining power of God, and your testimony shall encourage others to put their faith in Jesus Christ.

10. You shall continue to grow in the knowledge of God's greatness, walk faithfully in His purpose, and give Him the glory for every good thing He accomplishes through your life, in the mighty name of Jesus.