Saturday, September 30, 2023
Ephesians 3:16
Ephesians 3:16
Paul’s Prayer for Strength in the Inner Man
Eph
3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be
strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
1.
What are We to Pray for Our Fellow Believers?
a.
First of all, what Paul does not pray for the Ephesians?
i.
That they would have financial stability
ii.
That they would avoid persecution
iii.
That their physical illnesses would be healed
iv.
That they would prosper in business
v.
That they would have better relationships
b.
So, what does Paul pray for the Ephesians?
i.
He prays that the Father would give them the riches of His glory
through:
1.
The revealed person of Jesus
a. Colossians 1:27
2.
The inheritance that they will someday enjoy in heaven
a. Ephesians 1:18
3.
God’s glorious purpose for them
a. Romans 9:23
4.
God’s glorious sustainment of all their needs
a. Philippians 4:19
ii.
He also prays that they would be strengthened
1.
We need to be praying for our fellow brothers in Christ that they
would be strengthened:
a.
In their minds
i.
Romans 12:2
b.
In their hearts
i.
Philippians 4:6-7
c.
In their wills
i.
Romans 7:15
iii.
He also prays that they would be filled with power
1.
This is not a physical power but a spiritual one
a. Hebrews 11:32-38
iv.
He prays that the Holy Spirit would be the one to accomplish this
work
1. Romans 8:11
v.
Furthermore, he prays for the building up of the inner man
1. 2 Corinthians 4:14-18
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Ephesians 3:14-15
Ephesians 3:14-15
Paul’s Prayer for the Family of God
Eph
3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ,
Eph
3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
1.
Who Should We
Pray For?
a.
We are to pray
for the people of God
i.
We must pray
for their strength in the midst of hard times
1. Ephesians 3:13
ii.
We must pray
for their unity
1. Ephesians 2:17-19
iii.
We must pray that
their eyes would be opened to a better knowledge of the truth
1. Ephesians 1:16-18
2.
How Should We
Pray?
a.
Pray reverently
to God
i.
It is not
necessary to pray one’s knees, but the posture is important to demonstrate our reverence
1. Psalm 95:6; Daniel 6:10; Acts
20:35-37
3.
To Whom Do We
Pray?
a.
Pray to the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
i.
Jesus commands
us to pray to the Father
1. Matthew 6:9
ii.
Jesus shows
us how to pray to the Father
1. John 17:1
4.
What Is the
Purpose of Our Prayer?
a.
To build the
Church
i.
One of the
primary purposes of the leadership of the church is to pray for the congregants
1. Acts 6:1-4
ii.
Their prayers
should be given with incredible sacrifice and passion
1. Galatians 4:19
iii.
Their prayers
should be primarily for the spiritual well-being of the Church
1. Nehemiah 1:4-11
Friday, September 1, 2023
Ephesians 3:13
Ephesians 3:13
Take Courage Brethren!
Eph
3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you,
which is your glory.
1.
The Suffering
of the Church Motivates Us
a.
Take courage
when you see resistance to God’s work
i.
Don’t quit now
before the reward
1.
Galatians 6:9
ii.
Do not be
afraid of the enemy
1. Deuteronomy 20:3
iii.
Now is not
the time to run
1. Isaiah 40:29-31
2. Mark 4:16-17
iv.
Things may
get tough but press on
1. 2 Corinthians 6:3-7
2.
The Sufferings
of the Church is Our Glory
a.
The path to
glory may not be what you are prepared for
i.
Matthew 20:20-23
ii.
Romans 8:18
b.
But when you
look back on your suffering, you will be able to echo the words of Paul: “[it
was a] light affliction”
i.
2 Corinthians 4:14-17
c.
Consider it a
privilege to stand with those who suffer
i.
2 Timothy 1:8-9
d.
Like Paul you
should see suffering as an opportunity
i.
Philippians 1:12-14
e.
Do not be
surprised by suffering
i.
1 Peter 4:12-14