Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Last week we looked at the seal of the Holy Spirit
• This was not the only experience we would receive from God
• Paul's prayer - Eph 3:14-21
• To know the love of Christ - the first prayer of Paul
• Eph 1:15-23
• This was a circular letter
• The other churches must have been very encouraged by his prayers
• Paul's ceaseless prayers must have been an encouragement
• A great power and example in this
• They would have been stirred up to prayer
• Paul's prayers would have reminded them of his love towards them

What motivates his prayer?

• Therefore - in the light of all the spiritual truths that Paul has been speaking about
• The elect of God
• The adopted of God
• Redeemed by the blood of Christ
• Sealed by the Holy Spirit
• You were once pagans and idolators
• Christ has chose you before the foundation of the world
• 2 Thess 2:13 - Chosen for salvation
• There is nothing more thrilling than genuine faith
• We give thanks to God for this
• "Heard of your faith"
• Is this talking about their saving faith or their ongoing walk of faith?
• Paul is hearing reports about the Christians in Ephesus
• Both that they are Christians and that they are going on in the Lord
• Their if fruit in their lives
• They really do love one another
• It is a tremendous encouragement to hear of the genuine faith in others
• There is real faith which motivates Paul's prayer
• Discouragement makes prayer difficult
• Think of the Corinthians
• 1 Thess 3:8
• Example of Christmas Evans
• Love and unity stirs you up to prayer
• We need to be a vital church
• Rom 1:8
• 1 Thess 1:8
• Faith and love are the two great characteristics of the Christian
• We are saved by faith
• Real faith produces fruit, namely love
• Paul says of the Ephesians that they had love for all the saints
• Why?
• How much does God bear with you and me?
• God loves us despite our failings
• Eph 4:32
• Col 3:13
• Love covers over a multitude of sins
• Love thinks no evil
• "Judge not, lest you be judged"
• Speaking the truth in love

What is the spirit of his prayer?

• Ceaseless and thankful prayer (v16)

Ceaseless Prayer

• It seems that he never tired of praying for them
• Paul had a real spirit of prayer
• Example of Christmas Evans - the secret is prayer
• Example of Portuguese Minister
• Paul didn't just pray for the Ephesians
• Phil 1:3-4
• Col 1:3-4

Thankful Prayer

• Bringing glory to God
• Forever thanking God for them
• Do we begin prayer and continue prayer with thanksgiving?

How does he begin his prayer?

• He lifts up his mind and heart to God (v17)
• He knows he must come through Jesus
• Example of Lloyd-Jones
• Sometimes we can rush into the presence of God
• There is nothing wrong with arrow prayers
• Father - intimacy
• Is there anything in posture?
• We ought to bow our hearts before God
• On his knees (Eph 3:14)
• Prayer is to the Father through the Lord Jesus and by the [Holy] Spirit
• All the wonderful truths and doctrines of God should fuel our prayer
• We should read our bibles and mediate on His truths before we come to prayer
• When we hear news of other Christians
• "I also" (v15)
• There are others praying
• Maybe Epaphras (Col 4:12)
• Let us be part of the 'also'