Prayer from Prison

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

Salvation is gained through the redemptive work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Redemption - means to “release a prisoner by payment of a ransom.”

Not a payment to Satan

Satisfies God righteous demands … perfection.

Forgiveness - means to “send away” or “cancel a debt”

Ephesians 1:7 KJV 1900

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Ephesians 1:7

Forgiveness is a cancelation of all sin, securing fellowship

Forgiveness is an act of grace giving us wha twe don’t deserve.

Cost of Salvation - “through His blood”

Jesus shed His blood on Calvary so that we might have salvation and deliverance instead of eternal separation.

?Now that I am saved what is next?

?What is the will of God for my life?

?Does God have a plan for my life?

I. Finding the Will of God vs 9

II. Faithfully obeying God’s Will vs. 10

III. Functioning in God’s Will vs. 11

I. Finding God’s Will vs 9

A. Many words of the World

1.False teachers promised a false spiritual language.

2. Stop looking for something new, many will say you need more.

2:10 “Ye are complete in Christ … lacking nothing.”

B. God’s Word leads to His will

1.God wants us to know His will.

“And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.”

Ephesians 5:17 KJV 1900

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

God is a close friend not a spiritual dictator.

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

2. God wants us to be filled with His Word.

Filled means complete, fully equipped a ship ready for a long voyage

John 1:16 KJV 1900

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

John 2:10 KJV 1900

And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

John 2:10

3. God’s word reveals God’s will

General will helps us make decisions even when the will of God is specific.

A Spiritual Intelligence

Not random picking a choosing … like the boy that opened his Bible to a random passage and it said “and Judas went out and hung himself.” turns to another passage and it said … “go and do likewise” not spiritually healthy or wise.

II. Faithfully Obeying God’s will.

A. Christian life is knowledge and obedience.

1. There is no difference between learning and living

2. Paul was praying for more than a head knowledge but a heart knowledge.

,

B. Christian life is observed in two ways.

1. Our Walk

I can not work for God until I’m walking with God, but I can not walk with Him if I’m ignorant to His will.

Our walk should be worthy

Our

Our walk should be worthy of the Gospel

Our walk should be worthy of God

2. Our Work

It is not us but God working us as we yield to His plan.

Joseph 13 years preparing

Moses 80 year preparing

C. A productive obedience

Our production in God’s work increases …

Our relationship with Christ becomes more intimate.

It is personal and productive.

III. Functioning in God’s Will vs 11

A. Our might comes from His “Power”

Might make right? not always right.

1. Dunamis … inherent power (“might”) dynamic or dynamite

2. Energes … operational power: energy

3. Kratos … ruling power (“power”) democracy … mob power

4. Ischuas…endowed power

5. He give us His “might” dynamic and He shares His “power” … to rule us.

B. Our “Might” come for our Preservation

1. Patience- bearing up under trial, refusing to buckle.

2. longsuffering … taking abuse without wearing out.

3. Joyfulness … reveals the supernatural source of our might, patience, and longsuffering.