Ephesians 3:14-21 (b)
Speaker Notes - The Reason for Prayer/The Posture of Prayer/The One to Whom we Pray
Ephesians 3:14-21
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
To be the “New Man”, there needs to be Strength and Power and Capacity.
3 aspects of verse 16:
1 - Think about The Source of this Strength
2 - Think about The Agent
3 - Think about The Location
Liberation and Reconciliation: a Black theology by J. Deotis Roberts (1971) pg. 123
“Without the presence of the Spirit, the church is a mere organization or institution. It is another social club or agency. With the Spirit’s presence and power, the church is an organism. It is a power for good. It is a hospital for sick souls. It can mend broken lives. It brings succor and comfort to the anxious and the oppressed.”
Mark is the Senior Pastor of Park Street Church, Boston.