EPHESIANS OUTLINE #9 of 34

I. Introduction

A. In this passage Paul teaches us the reason why we need to pray for each other.

1. Notice he starts with the words "for this reason."

2. That phrase carries back to verse three and then to verse fourteen.

3. In those verses he has expounded to us the great outline of the work of the

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

4. Now the apostle says there is a work designed for the Christian to perform.

5. He gives a simple twofold outline of that work.

B. First, he says we are to love the saints.

1. He specifically says it is to be a love to ALL the saints.

2. We are not to just love some of them, some are easy to love, they are joyful and

pleasant to be around.

3. Our love as believers is not to be based upon people's personalities.

4. Some people are naturally unlovely, we can't love them because they please us,

we love them simply because they are saints.

5. There are a great many people I love that I don't like.

6. If your faith in Jesus is genuine, you will love God's people.

C. Second great work of the Christian is prayer.

1. Prayer is a quiet yet vital ministry.

2. Remember Peter strutting around boasting Lord don't worry about me I'll never

leave you.

3. These may turn and run - they may sell you short Lord but you can count on me.

4. Do you remember the Lord's answer?

5. It's found in Luke 22:31 - Peter, Satan wants to have you to sift you like

wheat but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.

6. It was that prayer that held Peter together, you remember the story how

he three times denied the Lord in the course of one evening.

7. It was the power of Jesus prayer that kept him from complete collapse and

brought him to repentance and confession.

D. The very God to whom Jesus prayer is the same God to whom we pray.

1. The same God whom Jesus depended upon to keep Peter is the one to whom

we pray for our fellow believers.

II. What Does Paul Pray For These Christians

A. That God will give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him

(1:17).

1. Why does Paul pray like that? Aren't they already believers? Why pray for

them to have a knowledge of Him?

2. He is praying for a special ministry of the Spirit of God.

3. Isaiah speaks of the seven spirits of God (Is 11:2)

4. There aren't seven Holy Spirits but one Holy Spirit with a seven fold ministry

and that is a ministry of illuminating and enlightening the heart of God's people.

B. If you want God's Word to come alive, to you there is a need to ask for His

illumination.

I. James says: We Have not because we ask not.

2. We must ask the Lord for a deeper knowledge of Jesus.

3. When reading the Bible becomes dull and boring we must begin to pray that God

will make it alive unto us.

4. In John 17:3 Jesus prayed that His disciples would know God and Himself

because this is life that they might know Thee.

5. So prayer is vital to all our growth as Christians.

C. In the China Inland Mission journal is an account of two churches among a group of

churches in a certain province in the inner part of China. These two churches flourished

tremendously, while the others dawdled along at a slow pace. The mission director of that area became very interested in why these two churches were doing so much better than the others. He investigated and found that a couple of years earlier, at a conference in England, information had been given out regarding all these churches, and certain individuals had been requested to pray for the churches. One man took these two churches upon his heart and remained steadfast. Every week he had been praying faithfully for the Christians in these churches, that the truths they heard would be understood. The result was that these churches were like flowers with abundant sunshine and rain. They grew bountifully, while in the other churches the same truth was being taught but no one seemed to grasp it and lay hold of it. This was tremendous testimony to the fact that prayer has power to open eyes.

D. It isn't enough for me to merely teach doctrine from this pulpit.

1. It isn't enough to have a Bible Class in which we are merely teaching people facts

about Bible.

2. We must pray for each other. For the growth in Christ that we all need.

3. Pray for your husband and wife.

4. Pray for your children and pray for your Pastor.

5. Pray for your Sunday School Teachers.

6. Pray for the enlightenment of their understanding.

7. Pray that they will really come to know Jesus Christ in depth and power.

E. We pray that the Word will become vital, living and compelling.