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Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians
Scripture Passage:
Ephesians 3:14-21 Introduction: Many of our prayers are carnal and selfish. Paul’s prayers held some spiritual meat and were directed towards spiritual blessings for other believers. Perhaps we would do well to return to spiritual prayer.
- STRENGTH IN THE INNER MAN (Ephesians 3:14-17 [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;
[17] That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
See All...) - The Practice of Prayer (Ephesians 3:14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
See All...) - Prayer is offered to the Father.
- The mediator between God and man is the Son (1 Timothy 2:5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
See All...; Hebrews 4:14-16 [14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
See All...). - The Spirit makes intercession for us according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-27 [26] Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
[27] And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
See All...). - According to the Riches of His Glory (Ephesians 3:16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
See All...) - Willingness to grant petitions
- Not all of God’s riches have to do with what we consider material goods.
- Strengthened with Might (Ephesians 3:16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
See All...) - Strengthened by His Spirit
- Strengthened in the inner man (2 Corinthians 4:16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
See All...) - COMPREHENSION OF THE LOVE OF CHRIST (Ephesians 3:18-19 [18] May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
[19] And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
See All...; Romans 8:35-39 [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. [37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
See All...) - Four Dimensional Love (Ephesians 3:18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
See All...) - Breadth – all encompassing (John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
See All...) - Length – everlasting (Revelation 13:8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
See All...; 1 John 4:19We love him, because he first loved us.
See All...) - Depth – a love that brought Him down
- Height – a love that takes us up
- Knowing the Unknowable (Ephesians 3:19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
See All...) - THE RECIPIENT OF GLORY (Ephesians 3:20-21 [20] 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,
[21] Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
See All...) - The Reason for His Glory (Ephesians 3:20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
See All...) - He is able
- To do exceeding abundantly above
- All that we ask or think
- The Place of His Glory – in the church (Ephesians 3:21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
See All...) - The Means of His Glory – by Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
See All...) - The Extent of His Glory – throughout all ages, world without end (Ephesians 3:21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
See All...)
Conclusion: Are you being strengthened in the inner man? Are you rooted and grounded in externally? Are you rooted and grounded in the inner man? Are you seeking to know the unknowable love of Christ?