Sermon Tone Analysis

Ephesians 6:18-24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Caswell © 1999

 

Assume the Safest Position

 

George Adam Smith tells us that he was once climbing the Weisshorn above the Zermatt Valley in Switzerland with two guides on a stormy day.

They had made the ascent on the sheltered side.

Reaching the top, and exhilarated by the thought of the view before him, Smith sprang to the top of a peak--and was almost blown away by the gale.

The guide caught hold of him and pulled him down saying, "On your knees, sir!

You are safe here only on your knees."

This position is the safest one for Christians too.

Two weeks ago we looked at the spiritual warfare that believers are engaged in.

We saw God's provisions for Christians.

He gives us the power and protection we need to overcome the enemy, Satan.

The believers responsibility in this is to take up God's armor and ask for His strength.

We do this through faith and prayer.

Today I want to continue on the theme of prayer that we touched on last sermon.*/

/*Before believers can stand in the battle they must start on their knees*/.

/*

 

I.

Principles Of Prayer & II.

Practice Of Prayer

 

It is no coincidence that Paul includes prayer in this section on spiritual warfare.

Prayer is an integral part along with the Spirit of God and the word of God.

Paul gives us the */principles/* of effective prayer.

*Ephesians 6:18* /praying *always* with* all* prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with *all* perseverance and supplication for *all* the saints—/

 

/a.

Pray Always/

 

Firstly, Paul instructs believers to */pray at all times/*.

In *1 Thessalonians 5:17* Paul commands us to /Pray without ceasing.

Does Paul really mean to pray non stop?

/No he doesn't.

He means that we should be constantly praying through out the day.

Daniel was a busy man in the government of Babylon and yet took the time to pray three times a day.

One of Daniel's prayers continued for three weeks.

Since believers are always in battle with the enemy we need to be constantly drawing resources from our heavenly Commander.*

*Christ also encouraged this.*

Matthew 6:13* /And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the *evil one.*

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

/Christians need to stay in close fellowship with the Lord so that they can pray at any time.

We shouldn't say Lord we now come into your presence, we need to live in His presence.

Jesus said /that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,/

 

Paul says we should have */all perseverance/* in prayer.

This emphasizes the need to pray always.

*/Perseverance/* proskarterhsi" means */unremitting continuance in something, to continue in, or devote yourself to./*

The early Church */continued/* in prayer.

*Acts 1:14* /These all *continued* with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

/*Acts 2:42* /And they *continued steadfastly* in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

/The need in the Jerusalem Church./

/*Acts 6:4*/ but we will give ourselves *continually* to prayer and to the ministry of the word.

/Prayer is vital.*

Romans 12:12*/  Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, *continuing steadfastly* in prayer; Why does Paul emphasize perseverance in prayer?

/Because it is absolutely vital to the Church.

Men lose heart so easily.

So he says that we must persevere in it.

*/Much prayer means much power, no prayer, no power./*

/But how can we pray in such a continual fashion?

/By praying in the Holy Spirit!

The Spirit understands our weaknesses and enables us to pray in accordance with God's will.

*Romans 8:26-27 */Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses.

For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

/

 

The Holy Spirit prays with us to the Father so that our prayers might be acceptable to God.

He is the key to powerful prayer.

Jude also highlights this fact.

*Jude 20* /But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,/ God wants us to pray.

To Live in God's Presence

 

The most holy practice, the nearest to daily life, and the most essential for the spiritual life, is the practice of the presence of God, that is to find joy in his divine company and to make it a habit of life, speaking humbly and conversing lovingly with him at all times, every moment, without rule or restriction, above all at times of temptation, distress, dryness, and revulsion, and even of faithlessness and sin.

-- /Brother Lawrence in The Practice of the Presence of God/.

He has provided access to His throne of grace when we have needs.

He has given us His Holy Spirit so that our prayers will be in accordance to His will.

Therefore let's pray.

/But what should we pray?/

/ /

/b.

Pray All Kinds Of Prayers/

 

*Ephesians 6:18* /praying always with* all* *prayer* and *supplication* in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with *all* perseverance and supplication for *all* the saints—/

 

The word */prayer/* proseuch here is a broad word used to describe prayer and worship directed verbally to God.

Paul also uses the word */supplication/* dehsi" which means a specific request or petition.

There are many kinds of prayers.

Praise, thanksgiving, intercession and confession.

Paul says that we are to pray with all kinds of prayers for all kinds of needs.

It is important to thank God for answered prayers.

We should always praise Him for who He is.

Then there are the special needs that others have.

God desires that we should bring all kinds of prayers to the Lord.

*Philippians 4:6-7*/ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by *prayer* and *supplication*, with *thanksgiving*, let your *requests* be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

/ 

 

There are also many ways in which to pray.

There are public prayers that are offered with other believers at Church or Bible study.

There are private prayers offered quietly in our hearts to God.

There are urgent prayers offered very quickly in an emergency.

All these types of prayer are important.

All these prayers should have a mixture of fear and boldness.

Prayer is directed towards God.

We beseech Him to intervene.

We don't try to impress men or exalt ourselves.

Prayer is not informing God of the situation or describing how bad something is.

It is not detailing how unworthy we are.

He knows these things already.

God knows all things perfectly.

Prayer is asking God to work in peoples lives to bring change!

God's glory should be the aim of our prayers.

Often He changes us most!