The Power of Prayer
The Apostle Paul's Prayer Life • Sermon • Submitted
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· 32 viewsWe are to pray for power in our prayers
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What should we be praying for?
What should we be praying for?
Spirit filled knowledge
An illuminated heart
A mindset toward missions
IV. A Strengthening with His Power
IV. A Strengthening with His Power
A. A Knowledge of His Power
A. A Knowledge of His Power
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph 1.
Paul’s main emphasis is that we would have spirit filled knowledge- so that our hearts would be enlightened- so that we might know (in a unique way, a way that effects our hearts and changes our lives, in a way that only comes through the working of the Holy Spirit), Paul wants us to know our hopeful calling, the glorious riches of God’s inheritance, and the exceeding greatness of God’s power.
Notice all of the different words Paul uses here to describe God’s power.
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
exceeding, greatness, power, working, mighty, power
Exceeding- to attain a degree that extraordinarily exceeds a point on a scale; to cast beyond in a spear throwing contest
– illustration: longest drive comp 500 yards
Greatness- quality of exceeding a standard of excellence
μέγεθος
μέγεθος
-illustration: Burger in Dallas area- describe- not just good- it was great, it exceeded the normal standard of excellence.
Power- potential for functioning in some way
δύναμις- might, strength, force, capability
-illustration: Dad’s boat getting stuck in Canada. His Trail Blazer did not have the potential to get the boat out of the water. Now if we would have had Matt’s truck. 350 dually diesel that I think absolutely has the potential or the force of the might to pull out dad’s boat.
Paul is praying for us to understand the might of God. And not just might, buy the exceeding greatness of that might.
According to:
Working- outworking, manifestation, action of God’s power
ἐνέργεια
Mighty- capability to function effectively, God’s strength Power- the ability to express strength, speaks of the intensity of God’s might.
So believers we must pray, for ourselves and for those around us, that we might know with illuminated hearts, what is the extraordinary greatness (μέγεθος) of God’s power (δύναμις) which He works in us according to the manifestation (ἐνέργεια) of the strength of his intense might.
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 2000 Lo! I Am with Thee
David Livingstone had spent sixteen years in Africa but had not faced such peril. The white man was surrounded by hostile, angry natives in the heart of Africa. He was in danger of losing his life and contemplated fleeing in the night. But something happened that changed his mind and gave him peace in his perilous situation. He recorded it in his diary that January 14, 1856:
Felt much turmoil of spirit in prospect of having all my plans for the welfare of this great region and this teeming population knocked on the head by savages tomorrow. But I read that Jesus said: “All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” It is the word of a gentleman of the most strict and sacred honor, so there’s an end to it! I will not cross furtively tonight as I intended. Should such a man as I flee? Nay, verily, I shall take observations for latitude and longitude tonight, though they may be the last. I feel quite calm now, thank God!
Here is a man who knew (spiritual knowledge) of the power of God is such away that it effected his heart (illuminated heart) so that it changed the way that he lived for God. This is what we also must pray for.
B. An Illustration of His Power
B. An Illustration of His Power
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 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:
What is God’s power like? What can it actually do?
The same power that according to v. 19
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
This power is for the one who believe. This same power also raised Christ from the dead. Not only that, through God’s power He placed the Son at His right hand in the heavenly places. This position that the Son now claims is far above, not just slightly above, but far above any other power that you can think of in the physical and the spiritual universe. He is above all principality (supernatural rulers), and power (authority, ἐξουσία), and might (power, δύναμις), dominion (lordship, κυριότης), and above every name- not only in this age but also in the one to come.
So this power that is to you believer, is the same power that conquered sin, death, and hell when God raised the Son from the grave. And it is also the power that conquers all other powers. Any power that you can think of, powers of man made governments, dictators, kings, rules, potentates- all of them are beneath the extraordinary greatness of the power of God. Not only man made powers, but spiritual powers as well. God’s power conquers Satan’s kingdom of darkness itself, the deceptive power of sin, spirits and demons, and any other power that you can put a name to, both now and in the eons to come. That is the illustration of the extraordinary greatness of the power of God that He makes manifest by means of the strength of His intense might.
We are given another illustration of the power of God as well.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Here we find the second illustration of God’s power and it is found in the phrase “the riches of His glory”
The power of God is often illustrated by using the concept of the glory of God.
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Glory is the idea of God’s radiance or splendour, which conveys the ideas of the perfection of His character and activity. His glory is often equated with His power.
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Notice how did God raise up Christ from the dead? By His glory. The idea is by His power.
So God’s power corresponds with the inexpressible riches of God’s glory.
Where do we go in Scripture is we want to know what the glory of the Lord is like?
And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
Ezek 1.26
Illustration of the sunset that surrounded the church with beautiful blinding lights or red burgundy burnt orange yellow gold purple and blue. Take that and multiply it by a million and you begin to grasp an ounce of the glory of God. It is something so awe inspiring, so awesome that it caused Ezekiel to fall upon his face as he was overcome with the glory of the Lord.
This believers is an illustration of the extraordinary greatness (μέγεθος) of God’s power (δύναμις) which He works in us according to the manifestation (ἐνέργεια) of the strength of his intense might.
This is the power that we are commanded to pray for.
You are believing a lie when you say I cannot overcome my fear, my anxiety, my anger, my temptation, the power of my flesh, my lust, my pride. You have the power of God. The same power that resurrected Jesus from the dead and set Him above every other authority imaginable. The same power that is pictured in the glory of God, you have this power in your back court. And you are saying that you cannot get victory over your sin or you doubt or your worry or your fear? What are you praying for?
1). Our problem is first of all that we don’t really believe that we have that kind of power at our disposal. We might say that we have access to the power of God, but do we really believe what we say? Sometimes I think we need to look ourselves in the mirror and quote .
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
I have access to the very power of God. The strength of God’s intense might is available to me.
2). Secondly, our problem is that since we don’t really believe what we say, the we have access to the power of God, we don’t pray for it. This is what Paul is praying for. God open the eyes of their hearts and give them spirit filled knowledge so that they might know the exceeding greatness of your power to those that believe which you are working out according to the energy of your mighty power. Help them to know this so they will believe it and seek it and pray for it and live in victory because of it.
Believer what are you praying for?
C. The Purpose of His Power
C. The Purpose of His Power
What is this power for? What does God want us to do with this power? Why do we need this power? What does a believer with this kind of power look like?
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;
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Now lets notice a few things about this power:
1). In order to receive it we must pray for it. It is something that God must grant us.
2). This power come by means of the Holy Spirit of God. Insert here what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit or to walk in the Spirit. It is not some mystical experience that happens when you suddenly become super spiritual.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5.16-
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5.18-
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Col 3
I believe it is filling your hearts and minds with the word of God so that the Spirit of God can use the Word of God to control you hearts and your minds for the glory of God.
3). The primary focus of this power is for the inner man. It is an inside power not an outside power.
I have been going through my philosophy for preaching the book of Acts in my seminary class this week, and one of the issues that you come across is a prescriptive verses a descriptive interpretation of the book of Acts. Do you understand all of the miraculous things that happened in the church to be something that is prescribed to the church today? Should we be speaking in tongues, and healing, and raise people from the dead? Or was this simply a description of the events that took place during the early church. I happen to believe the later. But there are churches out there that believe that the power of God is so that we can do these external miraculous signs and wonders. But here in we learn that the primary purpose of the power of God is for the inner man.
So God’s power is not going to make you the strongest or the fastest person in world. It will not enable you to miraculously heal someone or speak in tongues. So what will it do?
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Why do we pray for you?
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Strengthened with the glorious power of God- to do what? have all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. God’s power is primarily for the inner man for the heart, and His power will enable us to have patience during our trials and longsuffering during persecution with joyfulness.
Back up one verse.
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
God’s power will enable us to walk worthy of the Lord, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.
God’s power is an inward power. His power is primarily at work transforming believers into the very image of Christ.
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
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, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
God’s power is at work in the inward man transforming us into the image of Christ so that by his power we might be unto the glory of God throughout all the ages.
It’s the power of God that transforms a the live of a drunkard, or a drug addict, or someone addicted to cigarettes- and sets them free and makes them into a whole new person.
It’s the power of God that takes a pridefully stubborn man and makes him into a caring loving serving husband and father
It’s the power of God that transforms the gossip and slander of our speech into that which is edifying and glorifying
It’s the power of God that takes bratty kids and makes them want to honor and obey their parents
It’s the power of God young men that gives us victory over our eyes when we are tempted to look at things that we shouldn’t
It is an inward power and although we cannot perform miracles like they could in the early church, there is a miracle going on inside of us as the power of God transforms our very natures and makes us like Christ.
You might say, but Pastor don’t have that kind of victory in my life.
How is your pray life? Do you pray everyday for God to strengthen you with His might by His Spirit in your inner man?
Believer what are you praying for? Let me tell you, we all, myself included, need to be praying for the power of God in our lives.
Because you don’t get the power of God by training for a marathon, or spending time lifting weights in a gym. You get the power of God by falling on your knees in prayer.
