Lift Up Your Leaders
Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Bible Passage: Ephesians 6:18–24, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25, 1 Timothy 2:1–6
Bible Passage: Ephesians 6:18–24, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25, 1 Timothy 2:1–6
Recap last week
Closing out series
How does Paul close out his letter?
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s work. I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.
Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.
Asking for prayer and giving context.
Prayer is the battlefield for spiritual warfare.
Physical can impact us spiritually
Be on guard
Why should we pray?
There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
Should I have confidence when I pray?
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Who should I pray for?
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For,
There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.
How do we pray and what do we pray?
1. Pray Persistently
1. Pray Persistently
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
We talked a little about this last week.
Pray during the good and bad
Thanksgiving and petition
All, not just the ones you know or like. All
Do not bury your head in the sand.
Be aware of what is going on
Never give up
2. Pray with peace
2. Pray with peace
For,
There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.
Why should this bring us peace?
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
Jesus stands for us. We come to the Father through the Son
We have peace knowing that when we pray for people, God is still in control
You can’t “pray wrong” or “pray for the wrong person”
When we pray, we are doing what Jesus asked us to do with Jesus.
Have you ever had peace just from talking to God?
3. Pray for all leaders
3. Pray for all leaders
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For,
There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.
As Americans, we have a hard time accepting that we are not in control of our own lives
Praying for those in power has always been an expectation of God’s people.
Continue to pray for our local, national, and spiritual leaders as well as bosses, supervisors, and managers.
(End by praying over each other)
