Sermon Tone Analysis

*To Know the Love of Christ*

*Ephesians 3:14-19*

 

In his book entitled /A Call to Spiritual Reformation/, eminent NT scholar D.A. Carson stated,

 

/What is both surprising and depressing is the sheer prayerlessness that characterizes so much of the Western church.

It is surprising, because it is out of step with the Bible that portrays what Christian living should be; it is depressing, because it frequently coexists with abounding Christian activity that somehow seems hollow, frivolous, and superficial.

Scarcely less disturbing is the enthusiastic praying in some circles that overflows with emotional release but is utterly uncontrolled by any thoughtful reflection on the prayers of Scripture./

The words of Dr. Carson could not be more on target.

Sadly, I must admit that my own life too often reflects this sorry state of affairs.

If we were honest, would we not have to admit that a survey of the life of our own congregation would reveal a lack of prayer?

To take this one step further, let us ask ourselves if the prayers we do pray have a truly biblical focus.

I hope to challenge myself and you today to be biblically saturated and motivated people of prayer.

As we look at one of the masterful prayers of the Apostle Paul, we will find a solid example of God-honoring and Christ-centered praying.

*Don’t Overlook the Obvious*

 

Let’s begin by getting a firm grasp of the obvious.

This is a prayer.

Someone is saying, “OK genius, how long did it take you to figure that out?” Granted.

This is obvious.

But it is important.

Here is the point.

Prayer is absolutely essential because the things desired in this prayer are things only God can do.

They are issues of spiritual transformation which can only be accomplished by divinely supernatural resources.

We need to pray because there are spiritual things we absolutely need that only God can accomplish.

Paul is not asking the Ephesians to do something.

He is asking God to do something in them (v.

16, “grant”).

/To fail to pray is to opt for a spiritually stunted life.

/

Now with this in mind, let’s look more closely at the specifics of this wonderful prayer.

I.

Pray from a posture of humility and dependence (v.

14-15).

            A.

Bowing the knees – humility.

1. Bowing down as before a dignitary or king.

                        2. Demonstrates a right assessment of self and God.

B.

Before the Father from whom every family in heaven

                 and on earth derives its name – dependence.

                        1.

This phrase does not mean that God is the spiritual

                             Father of all beings.

2. Rather it refers to the Father as the Creator of all

                            beings.

All life in the universe is contingent upon

                            the Father.

He alone is the only Independent source

                            of all life.

He created it and it exists by His will.

                        3. Therefore, we are dependent upon Him.

APP: True prayer is an acknowledgment that you don’t have all the power and all the answers.

It is an admission that you are inadequate and unable to accomplish what needs to be done.

At the same time, it is a wonderful testimony to the unlimited power and resources of God.

True prayer reveals what you believe about yourself and what you believe about God.

You are insufficient.

God is all-sufficient.

TS – The apostolic example in our text reminds us to begin prayer from a posture of humility and dependence.

Secondly…

 

II.

Pray toward the purpose of spiritual maturity (vv.

16-19).

            A.

The substance of this prayer is spiritual growth and

                 development.

                        1. Too many of our prayers are geared toward temporal

                             Things and too few toward eternal things.

2.

This prayer is rich with petitions focused on the

                            Development of spiritual character and growth.

Just a word about the structure of the prayer.

I believe we see two requests which lead to two results.

Both requests are stated in two complementary ways.

The results are then stated.

Here is what it looks like.

Request One:

            a.

That God would strengthen the inner man with power

                through the Holy Spirit.

b.

That Christ would dwell in your hearts by faith.

Result One:

            a.

Being rooted and grounded in love.

Request Two:

            a.

That you will comprehend with all the saints the height,

                depth, breadth, and length (of Christ’s love)

            b.

That you will know the love of Christ which surpasses

                 knowledge.

Result Two:

            a.

That you will be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now let’s consider these requests and results.

B.

Pray that God will strengthen you inwardly by the power of

                 the Spirit so Christ dwells in your heart by faith (vv.

16-17).

1. Note the important focus on the inward life.

We need

                            the Spirit of God to give us strength in our inner man.

a.

The inner man is the soul, the spirit, the part

                                        of you that is immaterial.

b.

The outer man wastes away but the inner man

                                        may be renewed day by day (2 Cor.