 |
|
WHAT TO PRAY EPHESIANS 1:15-23 Pastor Stephen Muncherian April 26, 2009 |
|
Last Sunday we began looking at the first three
chapters of Ephesians. We began with this fellow: Humpty
Dumpty.
I know this is silly but, let’s say the rhyme together:
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. The reality is that we live in a Humpty Dumpty
world. The world we live in is
fallen.
Its definitely cracked. Despite everything that humankind has
tried to - whatever all the kings horses and all the kings men have tried
to do - there is no way Humpty is getting put back together again. Behind all that brokenness is Satan and his minions -
a spiritual battle which effects us physically every day of our
lives.
The shadow of hell so many people live in - wounded - broken -
hopeless - searching - empty - without purpose and meaning their
lives.
Marriages are coming apart - people are addicted to just about
everything - kids are killing kids. A reality that we live in with own set
of problems. Ephesians is Paul writing about how to live in a
Humpty World.
What we’re coming to here - in Ephesians 1 - starting at verse 15 -
is Paul writing about what we need to be praying for as we live in this
Humpty Dumpty world. Ephesians 1 - starting at verse 15: For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in
the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do
not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my
prayers. Let’s pause there. Verses 15 and 16 are Paul’s reason for praying. Let’s try that
together.
“Paul’s reason for praying.” What moves Paul to prayer for the Ephesians? Who knows who this is? Albert Pujols. Plays 1st
base for the St. Louis Cardinals. Pujols is a two-time National League MVP. The only
player in history to hit 30-plus home runs in each of his first eight
seasons - has well over 300 for his career. In 2003 he won his first National
League batting title and also led the league in hits, runs scored, and
doubles.
Seven times he’s been to the All-Star game - as a player. He’s won a
Golden Glove award. His list of achievements and awards
goes on and on. On November 13, 1998 Albert made what he calls
“The best decision of my life.” He gave his heart to Jesus Christ and
asked Him to become the Lord of his life. Albert says, “Jesus Christ is my strength. God has
blessed me and I will continue to do my best for Him. That is more
important than anything I could ever do in baseball.” (1) Albert and his wife run the Pujols’ Family Foundation
who’s purpose is “To live and share our commitment to faith, family and
others.”
The foundation pays for annual mission trips to his native
Dominican Republic - where Albert grew up in poverty - their foundation
pays for mission trips for dentists, pediatricians, optometrists - mission
trips that Albert and his family take part in. They’re there
on the mission field. The list of what they’re involved with
in the name of Jesus goes on and on. Pujols says, “I don’t do this because I want to hear, ‘There goes
a good guy.’
I want to help people. I want to set an example, be obedient
to God.”
(2) Paul writes - the reason I’m continually giving
thanks for you - the reason I’m continually praying for you - the reason
is because I’ve heard of your faith and the way you’re loving the
saints.
What do you call a fly with no wings? A walk. Faith without
works isn’t faith. Its something else. But, don’t
call it faith. (S3E4) James said, “Faith, if it has no works, is - what? dead.” (James 2:17) We can say all we want about our faith - even delude
ourselves about the great depths of our relationship with God - pride
ourselves on our intellectual understanding of Christian theology and
doctrine - but when our faith hits the asphalt of life - opportunities to
genuinely demonstrate God’s love to our siblings in Christ and the world
around us - what comes out in our actions demonstrates what’s really going
on in our hearts. Are we together on that? The believers in Ephesus - their response to how
they’d been amazingly blessed by God - what we looked at last Sunday -
their response to God and His gift of salvation - was to believe in Jesus
- to receive God’s blessing - by faith. But their faith didn’t stop there. What was in
their hearts was coming out - demonstrated in the way the loved the
brethren and sistren. Regardless of their circumstances this
church was on fire - from the heart - on fire for God. That’s Paul’s reason for praying - to pray for these
believers who were incredibly blessed by God - as we are - who were giving
their all for Jesus -as we desire to do - and yet were
getting hammered by the stuff of this Humpty Dumpty world. To pray for what is most important for God to do in
their lives. Coming to verses 17 to 23 - Paul gives us three
specifics of what he’s praying for these believers. Three
“P’s” of prayer. Three specific prayer requests. First - verse 17: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the
knowledge of Him. First request: Presence. Say that with me, “Presence.” That we would know the presence of God in our
lives.
That through whatever were going through God would draw us ever
more close to Him. Paul is writing to believers. People - like
us - that when we come to salvation in Jesus Christ - the Holy Spirit
enters within us. Paul wrote back in verses 13 and 14
about the Holy Spirit sealing us. But the work of the Holy Spirit doesn’t just end
there.
Right?
We can be stubborn prideful people with a penchant for hanging on
to sin and resisting the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Right? So Paul isn’t
praying that somehow we’ll have more of the Spirit within us - but that
through the circumstances of our lives the Spirit will continue to
transform us - renew us - draw us closer to God. As people get older they know more stuff. But just
getting older doesn’t make someone wise. True? Wisdom isn’t just knowing stuff. Wisdom is
knowledge applied. True wisdom comes from God. Wisdom - as
Paul writes about it here - wisdom is God to showing us how to do life
from His perspective. Revelation is the Greek word “apokalupsis” - which is
where we get the English word - “apocalypse” - the Apocalypse of John -
Book of Revelation. God revealing - taking the cover off
the pot of what He’s cooking up for the future - letting us see inside His
plans - revealing that to John. Here - in Ephesians - Paul is writing
about God revealing Himself to us. Giving us a behind the scenes tour of
who He is. Knowledge is “epiginosko.” There are two
words for knowledge in Greek. One has to do with what we learn by
studying.
This word here - “epiginosko” has to do with what we learn by
experience. That’s where Twitter and Facebook and MySpace don’t
even come close. We’re more connected today than ever in
history - and yet we’re more cut off because we don’t have community.
Pseudo-community maybe. Until we actually see a person face to face - we can
text all we want - but until we’re actually in their presence - when we
see how they breathe and what they smell like - then knowing that person
takes on a whole deeper meaning. God - instead of just texting us about
His love - sends Jesus. Putting all that together. Paul is
praying that through whatever we’re going through God will take what we
know about Him - what He’s revealing to us - and teach us how to walk with
Him through the experiences of life - good - bad - ugly - whatever. That as we
walk together through life we will go deeper and deeper in our
relationship with Him. In praying for each other - what this can look like
in our prayers - we might pray something like this: “God - in this circumstance - in this struggle - please help
so-and-so to know more of who you are. To know your presence in their
life.”
For ourselves we might add: “God - in this circumstance - this struggle - draw me
closer to you.
Help me to know You more deeply. To know your presence in my life.” Second Request - verse 18: I pray that the eyes of your heart may be
enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what
are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. Second Request: “Purpose.” Say that with me, “Purpose.” That in the midst of what we’re going through we
would understand more of God’s purposes. Two men were walking on the road leading to
Emmaus.
As they walked they were talking about what had taken place in
Jerusalem - Jesus’ arrest - His trial - His crucifixion. As they’re
discussing all this a third man came up and began walking along with them
and joined in the conversation. Remember this? The third man - the one who’d joined them - began
explaining - began back with Moses and then through prophets - He began
explaining to these first two men - how all of what God had been doing
through history related to Jesus. How even the events of Jesus’ death
were part of God’s great purposes. When the two men reached their destination they
invited the third man to join them - which He did - joining them for
dinner.
When Jesus broke the bread at the meal - when they finally
recognized Him - “It’s Jesus.” He vanished. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was
speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?”
(Luke 24:13-35) That “burning of the heart” is God enlightening the
heart - the heart burning with truth - God’s word penetrating to the core
of who we are - bringing us knowledge of what God is doing. "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be
enlightened” - at the core of who you are you’ll understand God’s
purposes.
Paul writes that our hearts would be enlightened “so that we will know the hope of His calling.” God has called us - chosen us - to be recipients of
His blessings - to save us - to forgive us - to walk with us through life
- never leaving us or abandoning us - to give us “the riches of the glory
of His inheritance” - life forever with Him - all of heaven and all the
means is what God chooses to give to us. Not because we deserve it or could ever
earn it.
All of which is part of God’s great purpose of buying
back mankind from our sin - His restoration of mankind and creation. God’s purpose
accomplished in Jesus Christ - even through His suffering and death - and
resurrection.
Are we together? Anyone know who this? I’d be amazed. This is
Horatio Spafford. Back at the end of the 19th century
Horatio Spafford was very financially successful. He had
invested heavily in real estate on the shore of Lake Michigan - owning a
large
section of downtown Chicago. Very well off. In 1871 Horatio Spafford lost his four year only son
to scarlet fever. Shortly afterwards - also in 1871 - the
Chicago Fire wiped out his holdings. Desiring a rest for his wife and four daughters he
planned a trip to Europe in 1873. At the last minute due to some
unexpected business developments - Horatio sent his wife and daughters on
ahead as scheduled on the SS. Ville du Havre - expecting to join them in a
few weeks. On November 22nd the ship was struck by an English
vessel and sank in twelve minutes. Several days later the survivors landed
at Cardiff, Wales and Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, “Saved alone.” Spafford sailed to Europe to join his wife. Its probably
about the same spot on the Atlantic where his four daughters drowned that
Horatio Spafford wrote the words, “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows
like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is
well, it is well with my soul.” Verse 2 - of speaks about the worst of what life
throws at us - “Tho Satan should buffet - tho trials should come -
Let this blest assurance control - that Christ hath regarded my helpless
estate, and hath shed His own blood for my soul.” Verse 3 - focuses on our sin - all of it being, “nailed to the cross and I bear it no more. Praise the
Lord O my soul!” Verse 4 - “and Lord haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll - the trump shall resound and the
Lord shall descend - even so it is well with my soul.” (3) Those words were set to music by Philip Bliss and
used at the great crusades of Dwight L. Moody - words that have blessed
generations because we can relate - in part - to what Spafford was going
through. Have you heard this? He can’t see the forest because of the…
trees.
Whatever the immediate thing we’re facing - the circumstances - the
struggles - the whatever - God’s calling - His inheritance - all that is
still there.
God’s purpose - His sovereign working of history hasn’t
changed.
We need to hang on to the forest. Hang on to the creator of the
forest. Jesus - facing torture and crucifixion - praying -
“Not My will but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) In praying for each other - what this can look like
in our prayers - we might pray something like this: “God - in this circumstance - in this struggle - please help
so-and-so to see that your purposes never fail. Help
so-and-so to see what you want him to see about what You’re doing.” For ourselves we might add this, “God - in all this - help me to serve with You -
according to what You’re doing. May Your purposes be accomplished.” Third Request - verse 19: And what is the surpassing greatness of His power
toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the
working of the strength of His might Third Request: Power. Let’s say that together, “Power.” That we would realize God’ power working in our
lives. There are five words here in verse 19 that we need to
grab onto - briefly. First: Surpassing - it’s the Greek word we get
our word “hyperbole” from. “I once caught a fish as big as the
Titanic.” Exaggerated beyond reason. Second word: Power - the Greek word we get “dynamite”
from.
Huge potential power waiting to be released. Third word: Working - the Greek word we get
“energy” from.
What happens when the switch is thrown and the potential power
makes contact with the light bulb. Things happen. Fourth: Strength - has to do with ability. No one is
stronger or able to keep God from doing what God wills to do. Last word: Might - has to do with power under
control.
God’s power directed towards a specific purpose. Putting all that together - look at verse 20: which He - God - brought about in Christ, God’s power is way beyond our ability to
understand.
Nothing and no one can keep God from doing what God purposes to
do. All
that potential power gets released - according to God’s will - His
purposes - connects up - the result of which we see in Jesus Christ. Specifically - going in verse 20 - God’s power
released in Jesus Christ - when He - God - raised Him - Jesus - from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the
heavenly places - the position of power and authority in creation and
beyond - far above - no thing - no one even comes close - far above all rule and authority and power and
dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in
the one to come. That’s everything and everyone - now and forever. Paul writes in Philippians 2: “For this reason also - Jesus’ birth - life - death - resurrection -
For this reason also God highly exalted Him
- Jesus - and bestowed on Him the name which is above every
name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are
in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11) One day - every rational being will physically bow -
every tongue will audibly confess - with one voice - in agreement - openly
- in acknowledgement - no one is
greater than Jesus. No one deserves greater respect - honor
- worship. He has
first place in everything. The
dominion of Jesus is greater. He is Lord
over all of creation. Jesus is the Savior. Jesus is the
Christ.
Jesus is the Sovereign Lord God - Jehovah Himself. Why did God do it? Bottom line: “To the Glory of God the Father.” Its God’s power at work. When creation
recognizes Jesus Christ’s Lordship - the great purpose of the Father in
sending the Son is realized and God is glorified. What began in a stable in Bethlehem ends with Jesus
exalted.
It all happens according to what God has purposed. God wills
it. His
power accomplishes it. Still with me? Verse 22 - look at how Paul applies
God’s power to us - verse 22: And He - God - put all things in subjection under His - Jesus’ - feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the
church - that us - which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all
in all. Who’s our head? Jesus. Who gets filled? Us. All this power of God gets released according to
God’s purposes - which - to God’s glory - resurrects and exalts Jesus - so
that He is the Head of the church - our Head - from whom we are
filled.
What happens in the Head fills the Body with life and direction and
meaning and purpose. Do you see where Paul is going with this? All of that
power of God is applied to our lives - to give us life - real life - to
sustain that life today and forever. It doesn’t matter what the
circumstances and the struggles - whatever the crud of this world - that
power is already there working in us and through us the moment we come to
trust Jesus with our lives. The prophet Zechariah wrote during a time when God’s
people were returning from Exile in Babylon. Surrounded by
enemies - they had the daunting task of rebuilding their lives -
rebuilding Jerusalem - and especially rebuilding God’s temple. A seemingly
impossible task. God speaks to Zechariah these words, “Not by might not by power, but by My Spirit, says
the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6) As I go through what goes on in life I’ve been trying
hang on to that promise. When I’m facing a week with no clue how
everything in front of me is going to happen. Or, I’ve got
stuff going on at home and I feel totally inadequate to do what needs to
be done.
Or, I’m looking at ministry and starting to feel like the
responsibility for it all rests on me. When I start feeling overwhelmed. Or, I’m
looking at some area of struggle or growth and asking myself, “How can I possibly overcome this? ” Ever been there? I’m trying to learn to trust God with all that. It’s not me
that it’ll make it happen. Not my power. Not my
might.
It’s got to be God. Enabled by His Spirit. In praying for each other - what this can look like
in our prayers - we might pray something like this: “God please help so-and-so to realize your power in
his life.
To trust you.” For ourselves we might add, “God help me to let go of trying to do this by my
power.
To stop doing this like it all depends on me.” As believers in Jesus we know that we are incredibly
blessed by God and our desire is to serve Him - to live for Him - that God
would be glorified in us and through us. Along the way there are circumstances
that we can pray specifically for - healing - restoration - renewal -
comfort and so on. But deeper are these three requests that Paul shares
that he’s praying for the Ephesian Christians - that thinking about them -
they really go to the basics of what’s behind the other things we pray for
each other.
They cut to the bottom line needs that we have in each circumstance
of our lives. While you’re praying this week - think about praying
for each other - that we would know God’s presence - His purpose -
His power in our lives.
____________________ |