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Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21).

This doxology circles us back to the beginning of Ephesians: giving praise to God. Doxologies, \u201cglory to God\u201d, are scattered liberally throughout the New Testament. And the word glory even more abundantly: God is a God of glory (1:17), his glory reveals who he is (John 1:14), God gives glory to Christ (1 Peter 1:21) and his people (Romans 2:10); Christians are transformed from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18); we are to do everything for God\u2019s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31) and give glory back to God (Ephesians 1:6). The new creation will reveal even more glory (Romans 8:18). \u201cGlory\u201d is one of those words that encompasses the whole of Christianity.

But the focus here is on the praise and honor that should be given God for his saving work. What is striking is the assertion that glory is given to God \u201cin the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever.\u201d No other passage mentions the church explicitly in a doxology in this manner.

It is not that the church and Christ are of equal status. Rather, Paul assumes an unending relation between God, his people, and Christ. The presence of the church with God, which Jesus made possible, will be a cause for eternal praise. Yesterday\u2019s prayer immersed us in the love of Christ, which is beyond understanding. Here the activity of God is beyond expectation or thought.

All along we have noted the intense language showing the depth of Paul\u2019s emotion. There has been a preponderance of words for God\u2019s activity right from the beginning. This doxology sums all that up. We should praise God for his astounding work in Christ Jesus. God is not only able to do beyond what we expect, his power is already at work in us. God is not limited to our expectations. Again, like yesterday, he is able and eager to redeem those we think irredeemable. And maybe even more unbelievable, some day we will give God glory hand in hand with them, and we will be happy to do it. He is eagerly at work in us to achieve this redeemed community.

One implication stands out: the church is not an optional part of Christianity. Rather, it is the community now and throughout eternity where God is given honor and glory. Just as Christ is the evidence of God\u2019s redeeming love, the church is the evidence of God\u2019s transforming and uniting power. God is glorified, not the church, except that we receive God\u2019s love. Unfortunately, church history is marred by too many times and places where the church thought it was exalted.

Whenever the church feels it has power, it is most in danger. The church exists for worship and service and must perform those acts with the same humility with which Jesus traversed the dusty paths of Palestine. Then God is given honor and glory. Sadly, the church often shows more evidence of human depravity than of God\u2019s transforming and uniting power.

All Christians need to protest the arrogance, superficiality, and division that mark our churches. We do not have to agree on all points. But we must respect each other, and we must be driven by God\u2019s love to exhibit life in Christ and to worship God together.

No quick fix exists for the failure of the church. We must develop a better understanding of God, of faith in Christ, and of unity, and then put that understanding into practice. No doubt the biggest obstacle is the human ego, but that ego shrivels as we gather around an empty cross. And at that cross we prayer,

God our Father, we acknowledge that we and every other person has their origin in you. We owe you our lives. Forgive us for the arrogance of thinking we are better or more important than other people. Let your Spirit work in us to strengthen us. We want your Spirit to merge with ours. Make the presence of Christ so real that we sense your love and live from your love. Help us understand how deep your love is so that it changes us into your very image. You who are all powerful beyond anything we can conceive, we praise you. Every accolade of worth we throw at your feet. You alone are God. From your worth all other worth is determined. For the gift of life in Christ we and all your people worship you. Together and forever, we will sing your praise. Amen.