Paul’s Prayer For The Church At Ephesus Introduction: 1. What do you pray for when you pray for the local congregation? 2. Look at what Paul prayed for with regards to the church at Ephesus. 3. Eph. 1: 15-23. I. They might be enlightened (verses 17-18). A. What we often think of when the word enlightened is mentioned. B. What it is- Col. 1:9. It is the Bible and the inner man may have the capacity for spiritual discernment (2 Cor. 4:17, 18; Mt. 15). C. Paul’s desire for the church is to let Christ’s word be a part of their life (Col. 3:16). (To know… II. His hope (verse 18). A. What is the ideal or purpose of your faith? salvation (2 Pet. 2:11; 1 Cor. 1:8). B. This is our hope (Col. 1:5; Heb. 6:18, 19; 1 Peter 1:3). C. Phil 3:8-14. III. His riches (verse 18). A. This is the way God looks at man-his valued treasure. B. God cares about men>the character and destiny (Job 2:3). C. God holds his followers in high esteem-great value (Ps. 147:11; Isa. 66:3). D. Application. The riches of a congregation are not the money or the resources but the people. IV. His great power (verses 19-23). A. No weakness or fear in the Christian life. No sense of futility. God 1. Possesses great power (Eph. 3:20; Lk. 1:37). 2. It is often measured by his creation (Isa. 40:12-27), exodus (Jer. 16:14), and today the resurrection of Jesus. B. God’s power raised Christ from the dead (Rom. 1:4; Acts 2:24; 3:15; 1 Cor. 15:12-24) enthroned him in heaven above (Phil. 2:9-11), and gave him headship over the church (Col. 1:18). C. Application: 1. We are weak and need this power-we cannot appropriate it (Mt. 26:41). 2. We are to do what Christ teaches in his word-the body does not make the orders it takes the orders (Jn. 6:68).
Entered on 8/10/2008
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