DeVern expresses deep gratitude and joy for gathering believers from diverse locations worldwide, emphasizing that their purpose is more than fellowship—it's to seek a clearer understanding of God's current work. He highlights the importance of not settling for superficial gatherings but pressing into God's larger purpose, which centers on His eternal plan in Christ. DeVern stresses that many Christians live within a narrow framework focused on personal salvation and inheritance, missing the broader divine purpose that predates creation. He urges believers to see beyond their immediate needs and recognize God's overarching goal: to bring many into full sonship and to display His Son's glory. Using Paul's prayers in Ephesians, he advocates for enlarged spiritual vision and inward strength, praying that believers will grasp the vastness of God's purpose and their place within it. DeVern warns against a limited view of redemption as the sole focus, urging us to see God's purpose as centered on His Son and His glory. He calls for a spiritual explosion—an awakening to God's grand design—so that believers live with a sense of divine purpose that transforms their lives and glorifies God fully.
Joy in gathering from around the world, emphasizing purpose beyond fellowship
Importance of seeking God's larger divine purpose in this hour
Many Christians live within a narrow framework focused on personal salvation and inheritance
God's original purpose predates the fall, centered on His Son and His glory
Paul’s prayers in Ephesians highlight enlarged vision and inward strength
Believers should see beyond immediate needs to God's eternal plan
Redemption is part of a larger divine purpose, not the sole focus
Call for spiritual awakening and explosion—living with a divine purpose that glorifies God
Encouragement to focus on knowing Christ and His purpose, not just personal benefits
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 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; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 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, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.