PAUL'S PRAYER IN EPHESIANS 3:14-21

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. The prayers of the beloved apostle Paul are the most rich,     
      full, and beautiful in all of the Bible.
      1. Though written by the Holy Spirit for our benefit, these
         prayers show the fervency and spiritual maturity of this    
         great brother in the Lord.
   B. In this lesson, we want to examine verse by verse Paul's prayer
      in Eph. 3:14-21.

I. 3:14-15 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord
   Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is
   named,
   A. "I bow my knees to the Father" is an expression showing that   
      this is a prayer to the Father.
      1. In the Bible one can find people praying in nearly every
         physical position; e.g. "standing" (Gen 18:22), "sitting" (1
         Chron. 17:16), "lying on one's face" (Matt. 26:39).
      2. To kneel in prayer seems to shows special devotion and
         humility.
         a. Consider Ezra's humble prayer. Ezra 9:5-6
         b. Paul knelt and prayed with the Ephesian elders upon his
            final departure from them. Acts 20:36-38
         c. Consider David's plea. Psalm 96:6-7
   B. The whole family in heaven and earth is named after the Father.
      1. Through God the Father, all human beings move and have
         their existence .
      2. As long as a person is alive, no matter how wicked, there is
         hope for him. Eccl. 9:4
      3. There is a special relationship with the Father for those   
         who are children of God. Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6-7; 1 John 3:1

II. 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His
    glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the
    inner man,
   A. The "inner man" is that part of man with which we should truly
      be concerned.
      1. It is that part of man which lives forever.
         a. Think of all the money that is spent on outward
            appearance today.
         b. Think of the thousands spent on cosmetics, dieting, and
            exercise. 1 Tim. 4:8
      2. The hidden person of the heart should demand our utmost
         attention. 1 Pet. 3:3-4
         a. We should seek to renew our inward man day by day. 2
            Cor. 4:16
   B. Paul prayed that we might be strengthened with might through
      the Spirit.
      1. How does the Spirit strengthen? It is not by some
         "mysterious working" or "irresistible grace" but it is in   
         and through His holy word.
         a. We are strengthened as we study this marvelous prayer
            given by Paul.
         b. The Holy Spirit encourages us to make our stand for the
            Lord. Eph. 6:11-17
            (1) The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the
                righteous are as bold as a lion. Prov. 28:1

III. 3:17a that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; 
   A. Christ wants to take up permanent residence in our hearts.
      1. Let us sanctify the Lord in our hearts. 1 Pet. 3:15
   B. A marvelous thing was said of the apostles. Acts 4:13
      1. Let it be said of us that we have been with Jesus; we are
         Christians, His disciples.
   C. Let us have a complete surrender of self to Christ. May He     
      truly be the Master and Ruler of our lives. Gal. 2:20; Phil.   
      3:7-11

IV. 3:17b-19a that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be
    able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and
    length and depth and height; to know the love of Christ which
    passes knowledge;
   A. Paul is praying that we, being rooted and grounded in love,    
      might be able to comprehend the love of Christ.
      1. Above all things, we are to put on love. Col. 3:14
      2. We are hypocrites when we claim to love God but hate our
         brother. 1 John 4:20-21
   B. Paul said that the love of Christ passes knowledge.
      1. Rom. 5:6-8 - Instead of killing (punishing) us for our sins,
         God allowed a substitute, His own Son. Rom. 6:23
      2. Because of His love for us, Jesus willingly died in our     
         place. He paid the sin debt for us. John 15:13
   C. Though we will never know the true essence of Christ's love,   
      its width, length, depth, and height, we can know a few things 
      about it.
      1. No outside force can remove us from it. Rom. 8:35-39
      2. It will never fail due to time, space, or distance. 1 Cor.  
         13:8
      3. It is not dependent on our ability to love him back.
         a. Often, when there are marital problems, a spouse will
            say, "I have tried to be lovable and kind, but my spouse
            won't respond."
         b. The answer is, "You continue to do the will of Christ
            yourself, and perhaps within time you can change the
            heart of your spouse. Even if your spouse never loves in
            return, you are still obligated to do the will of Christ
            yourself as long as you live."
      4. It has mighty power. "...The love of Christ constrains us." 
         2 Cor. 5:14
         a. It changed a tax collector into a disciple, unlearned
            fishermen into powerful proclaimers, a persecutor into
            the persecuted, and it can change us.

V. 319b that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
   A. This is Paul's fourth request, the fourth "that."
   B. Here he prays that we might be filled with all the fullness of 
      God.
      1. The fullness of God is found in Christ Jesus. Col. 2:9-10; 1
         Cor. 1:30
         a. We do not need Masonry, the early church fathers,
            Joseph Smith (or whomever or whatever) so that we can
            have all the fullness of God. John 14:6; Acts 4:12
         b. We only need Christ and His New Testament which has
            been sealed by His blood. Matt. 26:28
            (1) Let us seek to be in Him, and to please Him.
         c. We will be judged by Him in the last day.
            (1) God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ
                according to the gospel. Rom. 2:16

VI. 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly
    above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works
    in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all
    generations, forever and ever. Amen.
   A. Thus, God is fully capable of answering our prayers.
      1. Please notice how the Holy Spirit uses words to emphasize.
         It is not that God is able to do all, not above all, not
         abundantly above all, but exceedingly abundantly above
         all.
      2. Consider the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and
         AbedNego. Dan. 3:17-18
         a. They knew God was able to deliver them from the
            burning fiery furnace, but whether God chose to do so
            at the time or not, they would not bow down to
            Nebuchadezzar's golden idol.
         b. This is an example of how we should approach God in
            prayer.
            (1) We humbly pray for God's help, but whether He
                will or will not render aid at the time, is          
                completely up to Him.
   B. May God be glorified in the church.
      1. Let us be united as a congregation of God's people in
         bringing glory to Him.
      2. Let us be united in holding to the truth, loving one        
         another, and leading lost souls to Christ.

Concl.
   A. What a beautiful, marvelous prayer!
      1. All requests were for the spiritual good of the Ephesian
         brethren.
   B. Let us learn to pray in the same fashion.
      1. We, too, are in need of these same great spiritual          
         blessings.
   C. In all things, may God be glorified through Christ forever and
      ever.