Ephesians 1:15-19
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Prayer
Prayer
Paul consistently tells the churches he writes to that he’s praying for them. From God’s Word, we see that prayer is a normal part of having a relationship with God. Why? Because someone you never talk to is not someone you have a close, personal relationship with.
What does prayer look like in your life?
-When (before meals and bed; designated time each day)?
-How (pattern like ACTS; attitude of faith and expectancy or hail mary; King James Version)?
-What (boo-boo on your finger; physical and material needs)?
-Who (yourself—consumer mentality; family; unbelievers; believers)?
If we’re honest, we’d have to admit that like most Christians, we are severely lacking in our practice of communicating with our Father, praying for the right things and reasons, and we fail to intercede through prayer for others as we should.
Why don’t we pray? What prevents us?
-We don’t have a relationship with God
-We believe the lie we’re independent and self-sufficient.
-We’re distracted by and have settled for lesser things—we don’t have biblical priorities.
-We don’t understand the value and power of prayer—we don’t believe it works.
-We believe the lie that we’re independent and self-sufficient.
-We don’t believe the truth that we’re at war, all day, every day. “Until we know that life is war, we will not know what prayer is for.” -Piper
-We don’t believe the truth that we’re at war, all day, every day. “Until we know that life is war, we will not know what prayer is for.” -Piper
-We don’t love God or others like we should.
Not a guilt trip. But conviction is a ministry of the Holy Spirit, and you’re losing (inhibited growth, less joy, security, peace that crushes anxiety, less fruit).
You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
We need to pray. We need to know how to pray. Let’s look at what we can learn from Paul.
For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
Why pray?
Why pray?
“For this reason…”
Paul gives a good reason, that might be foreign to us. V. 15
-How often do we respond in prayer when we get the announcement of new life? (baby, or believer)
What usually causes us to start praying?
We ought to start praying for growth and health when life begins, not when life is threatened or waning. The work is not done when someone becomes a Christian. That’s when it begins, if we are to “be to the praise of His glory.”
Why pray?
Why pray?
and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Ephesians 1:
God is powerful. We’re too familiar with that idea, but we don’t really comprehend it, because if we did, it would change us.
What intimidates you? What defeats you? What seems hopeless?
-God is more powerful than every ruler and authority, and evil that exists. Every knee will bow to him. Every wrong will be made right. No sin will overcome you and cause you to lose God’s favor and your inheritance in Christ.
God’s not just one of many powerful things, he is absolutely powerful. He is the source of all other powers, because he created them, therefore, he has power over them all.
The resurrection of Christ proves it. How?
How?
-Death reigns over human life. Jesus defeated death and Hell, and gives that victory to all those who are his.
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
When to Pray
When to Pray
V. 16: Don’t stop! (not just a description of what Paul did, but we know it’s also prescribed to us.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
How can we practically obey this command to pray without stopping?
The line of communication is always open! Know that your Father is perfect—always with you and for you. Run to him!
-Are you anxious?
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Do you need wisdom and understanding?
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Is there sin and rebellion in your life that you need to repent of? Don’t run away and hide, run to him!
And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
What to Pray
What to Pray
Paul’s suggestions:
-Not earthly possessions/inheritance.
-Know God v. 17: Right thinking leads to right living. We have the whole counsel of God, and the author of God’s Word living in us.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
What to Pray
What to Pray
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-Know Hope v. 18: Not just to know rules—to know the confident hope that his promises are true, and our faith is not in vain.
What are the riches of our glorious inheritance?
-Not just things, but God himself!
-Know His Power v. 19:
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
But perfect love casts out fear, and all his power is not against us in judgment, but for us in life and joy and peace.
Ephesians 2:4-
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
We pray because we believe this—we believe God.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.