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Sermon Outline



Ephesians 1:15-19a

The first best practices we can learn from tonight’s scriptures:

1. Tell people that you are praying for them, and

2. Tell people what you are praying for them.


The First Prayer for the Ephesians

Paul prays that the Ephesians receive wisdom, not of human origin, but from the Spirit of God.
Proverbs 9:10

Paul is praying here that the Father will give the Ephesians wisdom that only God can give, through His Spirit.

He also prays that God will also give them revelation.
Matthew 16:17; 1 Corinthians 2:7-10

Paul prays this so the Ephesians may know God better.

He prays that the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened. This is referring to the inner person.

This is so they will know two things:

1. The hope to which God has called then, the riches of his glorious inheritance in His holy people.
Romans 8:23-24; Romans 8:18

2. His incomparably great power for us who believe.
Ephesians 1:19b-20


The Second Prayer for the Ephesians

Ephesians 3:14-19

Out of His [God’s] glorious riches.
Philippians 4:19

Paul prays that God would strengthen the Ephesians with:
power 
through His Spirit
in their inner being

2 Timothy 1:7

This prayer is a beautiful display of the Trinity.

Paul prays that they would be rooted and established in love.

Matthew 13:20-21; 1 John 4:8

Paul prays that the Ephesians may have the power to comprehend the full extent of the love of Christ.

Paul doesn’t pray that the Ephesians would just know about the love of Christ; he wants them to know this love.

When we know – truly know – this love, it changes how we think, feel, and act.

John 14:15

Paul’s ultimate goal for his friends at Ephesus is that they may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

“We may think we are… mature Christians because of our theology, our education, our years of experience, our traditions; but Paul knows better.” Dr. D. A. Carson


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