10. A Powerful Prayer (Eph. 1:15-23)
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LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS
A Powerful Prayer
January 28, 2018
Dr. David S. Steele
Intro
A. I was in the middle of my education at Multnomah University. I was twenty-one years of age. My major was Bible and theology but I still didn’t have a clear direction.
I considered a handful of career paths but the pathway was only filled with obstacles and confusion.
B. Raising Need
1. Many of you understand exactly what I’m talking about.
a. You may feel immobilized right now.
b. A troubling event has shaken you.
c. Perhaps you are spiritually apathetic and feel like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling.
d. Doubt has paralyzed you.
e. The “python of unbelief” is squeezing the life out of you.
f. You may feel like your life has no direction.
C. In the midst of my days of confusion, there was an event that became a watershed moment, one that I look back on with a sense of awe. I had a chance to meet up
with my Uncle Paul in Portland in the late 80’s. We shared a meal together at the Red Lion Hotel and I shared my heart with him. I shared about my lack of direction and my confusion which concerned my future. Uncle Paul said, “Let’s go for a walk.” So we began to walk the halls of The Red Lion. Looking back, it was a bit strange. It seemed like we were walking in circles. But what Uncle Paul was really looking for was a private place to pray. He put his hand on my shoulder and prayed that God would make the future clear to me. He prayed that God would direct my paths. He prayed that God would grant peace and reveals his plans for me. It was a powerful prayer - one that I will never forget.
D. The title of the message is A Powerful Prayer
1. This is a prayer that is directed to the Christ-followers in Ephesus.
2. It is a powerful prayer.
3. It is a prayer that the Ephesians will never forget.
E. This morning, I want you to remember that Paul’s prayer is for you as well.
1. It is a powerful prayer.
2. It is a prayer that I trust you will never forget.
F. Text -
1. I want to divide this unit of thought into three divisions that will allow you see where Paul is going.
a. Profound gratitude for God’s people (vv. 15-16a).
b. Prayer for God’s people (vv. 16b-19).
c. Praise to God for His exaltation of Christ (vv. 20-23).
G. Reviewing last week: Profound gratitude for God’s people.
1. Beaming with gospel-centered resolve.
2. Based on what he had heard.
3. Bolstered by their lives.
a. The faith of the Ephesian believers.
b. The love of the Ephesians believers - “toward all the saints.”
H. Today, we turn our attention to Paul’s prayer for the people of God.
1. Notice first, the shape of his prayer.
2. Notice also, the substance of his prayer.
I. THE SHAPE OF HIS PRAYER ().
A. A PERSISTENT PRAYER
1. We have already seen Paul’s persistence in “giving thanks” (v. 16). 2. But we also see that Paul’s persistence in prayer. Remember (μνεία) - translated as
“remember” but has a deeper significance that we do not want to miss.[1]
a. The same word is used in the LXX[2] where God remembers people in grace and mercy.
“But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided.” (, ESV)
“So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived.” (, ESV)
b. In the NT “to remember” is not just a mental act. A word or action serves to kindle the memory.[3]
c. Paul instructs each of us to pray persistently. In one sentence, he packs much of what we learned over the last several weeks.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (, ESV)
“do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.” (, ESV)
B. A PASSIONATE PRAYER
1. The word remember suggests an intimacy for those whom he is praying for.
“But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—” (, ESV)
2. This is a prayer that expresses a longing for the people of God. This is a deep desire in Paul; a deep prayer for God’s people. Paul is not merely checking his list -
he is wrestling with God and expresses a deep longing for the Ephesian believers. This is passionate prayer.
C. A POINTED PRAYER
1. To pray (προσευχή) means “to utter a reverent petition.”
a. This prayer is directly aimed at the Ephesian believers.
b. This prayer is directly aimed at every subsequent believer, which means that Paul’s prayer is for every follower of Jesus Christ.
c. The prayer that we are about to explore together is a prayer for you!
D. A PROFOUND PRAYER
1. The content of Paul’s prayer is sincere. His prayer is earnest. There is an intensity in this prayer that reaches into the heavens and pleads with God for the good of
his people.
Transition - This prayer is persistent and passionate. It is a pointed prayer. And it is a profound prayer. This is the shape of Paul’s prayer. Look with me now at the substance of his prayer.
II. THE SUBSTANCE OF HIS PRAYER ().
He directs his prayer to God the Father. This is exactly how Jesus taught the disciples to pray (, ).
The normal pattern of prayer should be to God the Father, through the Spirit, in the name of the Son. The only reason we are able to pray to the Father, let alone come into his presence is because we have a high priest, the Lord Jesus Christ![4]
* The normal pattern of prayer should be to God the Father, through the Spirit, in the name of the Son. The only reason we are able to pray to the Father, let alone come into his presence is because we have a high priest, the Lord Jesus Christ![4]
The ἵνα clause alerts us to the purpose for Paul’s prayer. This purpose, then, frames up the substance of his prayer (v. 17a).
* The ἵνα clause alerts us to the purpose for Paul’s prayer. This purpose, then, frames up the substance of his prayer (v. 17a).
Paul is praying that the Father give the people of God four things. Give (δίδωμι) means to “grant” something. And whenever God grants something, he does so graciously, mercifully, and sovereignly. Here’s what Paul prays for specifically.
* Paul is praying that the Father give the people of God four things. Give (δίδωμι) means to “grant” something. And whenever God grants something, he does so graciously, mercifully, and sovereignly. Here’s what Paul prays for specifically.
A. SPIRITUAL WISDOM (v. 17).
Paul also prayed that the believers in Colossae would receive wisdom (;
1. What is Spiritual Wisdom?
a. Wisdom (σοφία) - “The practical God-given, God-centered discernment applied to the challenges of everyday life to benefit man and glorify God.”[5]
Solomon prayed for wisdom ().
“And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore,” (, ESV)
“And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.” (, ESV)
“And the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him …” (, ESV)
2. Why Do We Need Spiritual Wisdom?
a. To navigate the trials and temptations of life.
b. To discern between good and evil (1 King 3:9).
c. To respond properly to people in our lives ().
e. To make decisions that benefit people in our sphere of influence.
f. To make decisions that benefit the kingdom and glorify God.
We need wisdom in the area of finances.
We need wisdom in parenting.
* We need wisdom in parenting.
We need wisdom in our marriages.
*We need wisdom in our marriages.
We need wisdom in school.
* We need wisdom in school.
We need wisdom in our careers.
* We need wisdom in our careers.
e. I can’t think of any area of our lives that does not require wisdom!
B. SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING (vv. 17-18).
3 words make up this spiritual understanding
a. Revelation (ἀποκάλυψις) - “the communication of supernatural knowledge.”
b. Knowledge (ἐπίγνωσις) - “experiential knowledge.”
c. Enlightened (φωτίζω) - “to explain thoroughly; to clearly inform; to reveal.”
1. What is Spiritual Understanding?
a. A deep knowledge of the character of God.
“What is the greatest need in the church today? … The one thing we need in Western Christendom is a deeper knowledge of God. We need to know God better.”[6]
b. A deep knowledge of the purposes of God.
c. A deep knowledge of the Word of God.
Remember that we need the Spirit to help us understand the Word of God.
* Spurgeon said that apart from the Holy Spirit it is easier to teach a tiger vegetarianism than an unregenerate person the gospel (An All-Around Ministry, 256-257).
Spurgeon said that apart from the Holy Spirit it is easier to teach a tiger vegetarianism than an unregenerate person the gospel (An All-Around Ministry, 256-257).
d. A deep spiritual knowledge of “divine things.”
Jonathan Edwards emphasized the importance of spiritual understanding
“Where there is heat without light, there can be nothing divine or heavenly in that heart; so on the other hand, where there is a kind of light without heat, a head stored with notions and speculations, with a cold and unaffected heart, there can be nothing divine in that light, that knowledge is no true spiritual knowledge of divine things.”[7]
e. A renovation of your heart.
“If the things of religion are rightly understood, they will affect the heart.”[8]
2. Why Do We Need Spiritual Understanding?
a. Our hearts are prone to wander.
One of the great hymns of the Christian faith addresses this matter
“O to grace how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be
Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it; Seal it for Thy courts above.”[9]
b. Our hearts are prone to drift.
b. Our hearts are prone to drift.
“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” (, ESV)
c. Our hearts are prone to turn away from God.
“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.” (, ESV)
d. Our hearts are prone to grow dull.
“About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing” (, ESV).
e. Our hearts our easily deceived.
Evangelist offers council to Christian
“Let the Kingdom alway be before you, and believe resolutely in the things that are invisible. Let nothing on this side of the Other World get inside you, and above all, pay close attention to your own hearts and to the desires of it, for they’re more deceitful than anything and desperately wicked (). Set your faces likes stone. You have all power in Heaven and earth on your side.”[10]
f. Our hearts are prone to unbelief.
“Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”” (, ESV)
Transition - And so Paul prays for spiritual wisdom and spiritual understanding. But he also prays for spiritual hope.
C. SPIRITUAL HOPE (v. 18).
Verse 18 reveals an additional purpose of possessing spiritual understanding. It is so that we might have hope, spiritual hope.
1. What is Spiritual Hope?
a. Hope (ἐλπίς) is “something on which are expectations are centered.” We understand this very well.
Students at the end of the term hope for good grades.
In Whatcom county, we hope for a few sunny days.
* In Whatcom county, we hope for a few sunny days.
We hope for a good economy.
* We hope for a good economy.
* Parents hope their children will grow up to be productive members of society and walk with Jesus.
Parents hope their children will grow up to be productive members of society and walk with Jesus.
b. But the hope that Paul prays for is spiritual hope, “that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious
inheritance in the saints” (v. 18).
An experiential hope. Know (οἶδα) - “to know or understand.” Paul intends that the saints would begin to experience that hope in a personal way. We don’t merely read about this hope; we experience it!
An eternal hope ().
A certain hope that we cling to by faith (, ).
* A certain hope that we cling to by faith (, ).
A hope that is promised by a God who predestines all things ().
* A hope that is promised by a God who predestines all things ().
A future hope that is found in a city - “a glorious inheritance” (, ).
Heaven is a World of Love - Jonathan Edwards[11]
The joy of heavenly love shall never be interrupted or damped by jealousy.
There shall be nothing within themselves to clog or hinder the saints in heaven in the exercises and expressions of love.
* There shall be nothing within themselves to clog or hinder the saints in heaven in the exercises and expressions of love.
In heaven love will be expressed with perfect decency and wisdom.
* In heaven love will be expressed with perfect decency and wisdom.
There shall be nothing external in heaven to keep its inhabitants at a distance from each other, or to hinder their most perfect enjoyment of each other’s love.
* There shall be nothing external in heaven to keep its inhabitants at a distance from each other, or to hinder their most perfect enjoyment of each other’s love.
In heaven they shall enjoy each other’s love in perfect and uninterrupted prosperity.
In heaven they shall enjoy each other’s love in perfect and uninterrupted prosperity.
2. Why Do We Need Spiritual Hope?
a. Temporal things distract us.
b. The fallen world discourages us.
Transition - And so Paul prays for the Ephesians that they might have spiritual hope. Finally, he prays for spiritual power.
D. SPIRITUAL POWER (v. 19).
1. What is Spiritual Power?
a. The “immeasurable greatness of his power.”
b. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is made available us. This power is made available to the people of God.
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” (, ESV)
2. Why Do We Need Spiritual Power?
a. “We need not fear when we have superior power. The power of the risen Christ is ours to do battle against worry, temptation, doubt, and demonic
warfare.”[12]
Conclusion
A. This morning, we’ve seen the shape of Paul’s prayer and the substance of his prayer.
B. At this point in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, the church was not experiencing a crisis of any kind. You will remember that Paul commended them for their faith in
the Lord Jesus and their love toward all the saints. This was the reason that he gave thanks to God for them! ().
1. Yet - Paul understands the inner workings of the human heart.
a. He understands that we are prone to fall prey to foolishness. So he prays for spiritual wisdom.
b. He understands that are hearts can grow lazy and fickle. He knows how easy it is to wonder from the safety of the narrow path. He understands that our hearts
are prone to wander. Our hearts are prone to drift. So he prays for spiritual understanding.
c. He recognizes that our hopes may be dashed or distorted in a fallen world. So he prays for spiritual hope.
So he prays for spiritual hope.
d. He knows that apart from Christ, we are weak and frail. So he prayer for spiritual power.
C. This is the powerful prayer for the Ephesians. But his prayer is for every Christian - “toward us who believe” (v. 19).
D. This is my prayer for you - that God would grant:
1. Spiritual wisdom.
2. Spiritual understanding.
3. Spiritual hope.
4. Spiritual power.
5. My prayer is that you might know Christ and “the power of his resurrection” ().
6. My prayer is “that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell
in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” ()
E. If you are not yet a Christ-follower, my prayer is that you would see your need of a Savior, that you would turn from your sin and turn to Jesus. For each of Paul’s
prayer requests are only possible if you are a follower of Christ!
F. May the powerful prayer of Paul take root in your life today!
[1] Also note that μνείαν is a present tense verb and indicates ongoing action.
[2] Or the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the OT).
[3] Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 596). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.
[4] See https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/should-i-pray-to-the-father-the-son-or-the-spirit
[5] Wayne C. Pickens, “Where to Find Wisdom, January 10, 2018.
[6] D.A. Carson, Cited in Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Wheaton: Crossway, 2014), 36.
[7] The Works of Jonathan Edwards, vol. 2, Religious Affections, ed. John E. Smith (New Haven: Yale University Pres, 1957), 120.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Robert Robinson, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, 1813.
[10] John Bunyan, Pilgrim’s Progress (Gainesville: Bridge Logos, reprint 1998), 112-113.
[11] Jonathan Edwards, Cited in Stephen J. Nichols, Heaven on Earth: Capturing Jonathan Edwards’s Vision of Living in Between (Wheaton: Crossway, 2006), 125-129.
[12] Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Wheaton: Crossway, 2014), 38.