Lord Teach Us To Pray-Week 5

February 2, 2025 Preacher: Phil Courson Series: Lord Teach Us To Pray

Topic: Prayer Scripture: Ephesians 1:15–23

Teach Us to Pray

Sunday, February 2nd 2025

 Ephesians 1:15-23

 Introduction

 Prayer is Intimacy and Engaging with God and His Blessings

 “Oh, to have a heart that can glorify Christ as Paul did! Truly, if we know ourselves to be one with Christ, and know the privileges which come to us through that blessed gate, we may indeed extol him with all our heart and soul.” Charles Spurgeon

 For This Reason…I Give Thanks and Pray

"For this reason…"- because you are in Christ and sealed by His Spirit (v.3-14)

 “…because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you remembering you in my prayers…”

 Faith – pistis – strong conviction or belief in truth; refers not only to their initial act of saving faith, but the day by day living of their faith in Jesus.

 In the Lord Jesus - Their faith had an objective basis, resting firmly in Him

 Love – agape - unconditional, sacrificial love. Not sentimental or emotional but obedient as act of will desiring another's highest good.

 “Faith and love are the best evidence of a genuine conversion, for they are fruits brought forth by the two principal graces communicated to us at the new birth.” AW Pink

 Saints - means set apart ones. One set apart from the world and unto God for His use. It describes those separated from sin and dedicated to service of God.

 “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…”

 Knowledge of him (knowing him better) – conveys the thought of a full, thorough knowledge, the idea of knowing something more exactly and completely. 

 “Knowing Him and knowing about Him are quite different. J M Boice

 That You May Know

“…having the eyes of your hearts enlightened that you may know…”

 “the hope to which he has called you”

Hope - Hope in Scripture is the absolute certainty of future good. Not "I hope so" but strong confidence that God is going to do good to us in future.

 “what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints…”

"The “inheritance” here is not the Christian’s inheritance but his (God’s). This indicates how precious his people are to God. They are, so to speak, what he looks forward to enjoying forever." 

 Paul prays that we might have a full appreciation of our worth to God.

 “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" 1 Peter 2:9

 “what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe…”

And what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe - Supernatural power for believers to enable them to live in triumph. 

 Power - dunamis - the power or ability to carry out some function, the power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature.

 "the surpassing greatness of His power, but in simple terms it pictures the piling up of similar terms in an attempt to convey the magnitude and capability of God's incomprehensible, infinite power.

 Conclusion

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