Powerful Prayer
Notes
Transcript
You are Secure because of:
You are Secure because of:
Christ's Saving Power - Ephesians 1:7 (ESV) "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,"
The Father's Sovereign Purpose - Ephesians 1:9–10 (ESV) "making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
The Spirit's Sealing Presence - Ephesians 1:13–14 (ESV) "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
1. A Prayer of Praise
1. A Prayer of Praise
Paul is thankful for the Ephesian's faith.
Paul is thankful for the Ephesian's love.
2. A Prayer for Spiritual Growth
2. A Prayer for Spiritual Growth
"The spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him." Spiritual growth comes by knowing God.
Wisdom is the understanding life as it really is, which comes from God's perspective." It is a request for God to show the believers what they have in Christ.
"The atheist claims there is no God for us to know, and the agnostic states that if there is a God we cannot know Him. But Paul has met God in the person of Jesus Christ, and he knows that a man really cannot understand much of anything else without a knowledge of God." Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 15). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
The eyes of your heart - God wants us to see below the surface.
This is the cure for fear, anger and frustration when things don't go how you expect.
It is the safeguard against pride and presumption from thinking more highly of yourself than you ought.
1. Know God's Calling (v. 18a)
1. Know God's Calling (v. 18a)
It is a saving call - 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) "But you are .... a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
It is a sure calling - Romans 11:29 (ESV) "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." (God won't change His mind)
It is a holy calling - 1 Peter 1:15 (ESV) "but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct"
It is a high calling - Philippians 3:14 (ESV) "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
2. Know God's Riches (v. 18b)
2. Know God's Riches (v. 18b)
We have an inheritance in Christ (verse 11)
"Too many Christians have never “read the bank book” to find out the vast spiritual wealth that God has put to their account through Jesus Christ. They are like the late newspaper publisher, William Randolph Hearst, who invested a fortune collecting art treasures from around the world. One day Mr. Hearst found a description of some valuable items that he felt he must own, so he sent his agent abroad to find them. After months of searching, the agent reported that he had finally found the treasures. They were in Mr. Hearst’s warehouse. Hearst had been searching frantically for treasures he already owned! Had he read the catalog of his treasures, he would have saved himself a great deal of money and trouble." Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 14).
We are Christ's inheritance.
He eagerly looks forward to fellowship with us.
Like an heir who looks forward to taking possession of his great treasure, Christ looks forward to fellowship with us.
He deals with us on the basis of our future, not our past.
3. Know God's Exceeding Great Power (v. 19)
3. Know God's Exceeding Great Power (v. 19)
Paul runs out of words to describe the greatness of God. He wants you to know the energizing power of God at work in your life.
Mega Power - dunamis, active power
Engergizing power
Mighty Strength
Above all these hyperballo - to throw beyond.
THE THROW - Bo Jackson.
Paul's prayer that you would know the same energizing power that raised Christ from the dead. How could Paul sing through prison after a beating? How could he rejoice in suffering? He knew the power of God!!!