Sermon Tone Analysis

Ephesians 3:14–21

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.

Amen.

Reverence To The Father

Praying to the Father matches the guidance that Jesus gave the disciples:

Matthew 6:9

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

When Paul states that he bows his knees during his prayer is making an important distinction between this prayer and those that the Jews and the cults of Ephesus.

Matthew 6:5

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.

Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Mark 11:25

25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Paul is humbly and intensely praying for this church because of the wonderful truths he spoke about in verses 1-13.

The Jews and Gentiles are now one in Christ and they are a body built up by their faith in Christ and the power of the Spirit of God.

Intimacy of Family

Those of us that have accepted salvation through Jesus alone are called by His name.

2 Peter 1:1–2

1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

Ephesians 1:19–21

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

1 Peter 4:16

16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Extent of God’s Provisions

Romans 7:22

22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

2 Corinthians 4:16

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Psalm 92:5

5 O Lord, how great are thy works!

And thy thoughts are very deep.

To do His will

To do it with their heart

To do it with their mind

Two pastors and their wives were invited to the most expensive restaurant in the city by the wealthiest man in the city.

The wealthy man told the two couples to order as much and as expensive food they desired.

One pastor and his wife decided that they were going to show their appreciation to the wealthy man by ordering the least expensive meal, chicken and dumplings.

The other pastor and wife decided to enjoy the generosity of the wealthy man and ordered the most expensive meal on the menu, Fillet Minugn and lobster, as well as several appetizers that caught their eye.

At the end of the meal the wealthy man asked the first couple why they did not take advantage of his generosity.

They responded by stating that they are not ones to take advantage of others and felt that doing so would be rude.

Then the wealthy m an asked the second couple why they decided to order all that they did.

Embarised because of what the first couple said, they said, when we tell people to help themselves they are offended when people take very little.

The wealthy man looked at both couples and stated, “Ive listened to both of you men preach, now please allow me to preach to you.

As a follower of Christ I find it very disheartening that most Christians ask so little of our God.

His riches are far greater than mine, His ability to provide is beyond our comprehension and yet when we go to Him in prayer we ask only for the meager crumbs that fall from His great table.”

O the deep, deep love of Jesus—vast, unmeasured, boundless free!

Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me, underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love—leading onward, leading homeward, to my glorious rest above.