Through Ephesians -14- Pray for the Words

Reading: Ephesians 6:19-24
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:19-20 (NIV)

I. Paul knows his Need

   A.    Everyone needs prayer support

       1.    “Pray also for me...” Paul says. He was the founder of their church but he depended on them for personal support.

       2.    Paul recognized that he was not capable of carrying the ball alone. And he knew he did not need to.

   B.    Our ministries Depend on God

       1.    Paul recognized that his ministry depended on God — Not hard work, or training, or talents (even though God is a part of all of that!)

       2.    Our best attempts to serve God are feeble and meaningless unless God is in it.

II.    The Church advances with the Gospel

   A.    Paul didn’t change the Subject

       1.    The switch from Spiritual Warfare to a prayer request for evangelistic effectiveness is not changing the subject.

       2.    Proclaiming the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ is what the battle is all about.

   B.    The Gospel is the Power of God

       1.    Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes...”

       2.    Making known the mystery is to make known the Power of God.

III.   We want to declare it Fearlessly

   A.    Paul asks “Pray for the Words.”

       1.    Paul was a master wordsmith. In Acts 14:8-20 Paul was taken by the crowd to be “Hermes because he was the chief speaker.” (v.12)

       2.    Paul wrote almost 2/3rds of our N.T.

       3.     Paul knew that the only words that counted were those that came from God.

   B.    Freely though in Chains

       1.    “Fearlessly” can also be translated “freely” though, in any case, the effect is about the same.

       2.    The Ambassador in chains does not ask for freedom, but only that he might speak freely the words that come from the King he serves.

IV.   Paul Entrusts the Message

   A.    Tychicus sent to Encourage

       1.    The only reason we have Ephesians is that Paul handed it to Tychicus and entrusted him with the responsibility of bringing it to Ephesus and telling folks how he was doing.

       2.    Paul’s thoughts are with the Ephesians, who because their faith was not so mature were distressed by Paul’s circumstances

   B.    Final Blessing

       1.    He blesses them with 4 things:

           a.    Peace

           b.    Love

           c.    Faith

           d.    Grace

The Bottom Line:

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