High School | Grounded (Ephesians 3:14-21) | Joel Pickett

Main message: The sermon exposits Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14–21, urging students to be "grounded" — rooted in God's name, strengthened by his Spirit, inhabited by Christ, and established in his love — so they grow in godliness and bring glory to God.

Key points:

• Grounded in his name: believers belong to one spiritual family that bears God’s name; Christian life is meant to be lived in the context of that family.
• Grounded in his strength: Paul prays for inward supernatural strengthening by the Spirit; growth comes through regular engagement with God’s Word and humble dependence on God.
• Grounded in his presence: Christ should not merely indwell believers legally but make a home in their hearts through active faith and obedience.
• Grounded in his love: Being "rooted and grounded" in God’s love (the width, length, depth, height) stabilizes believers when life shakes them and is best pursued together with the church.
• Practical application: be consistent in Bible study and ministry attendance, bring and use your Bible, take notes, fact-check teaching (Berean attitude), resist apathy/senioritis, and participate in discipleship.
• Ultimate purpose: God performs the work (sanctification) for his glory; our role is to remain steadfast and cooperative as he does it.

Scriptures mentioned: Ephesians 3:14–21, Philippians 3:1, 1 Timothy 4:8, Acts 17:11, John 14:23, 1 Peter 5:10