Sermons From Ephesians - Executable Outlines
Sermons From Ephesians - Executable Outlines
Sermons From Ephesians - Executable Outlines
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INTRODUCTION<br />
Paul’s Prayer For The <strong>Ephesians</strong><br />
<strong>Ephesians</strong> 1:15-20<br />
Mark A. Copeland<br />
1. We have seen Paul describe how richly blessed we are in Christ in the “doxology” of verses 3-14 in<br />
this first chapter of <strong>Ephesians</strong>.<br />
2. Paul now proceeds to reveal what sort of things he has been praying for on behalf the <strong>Ephesians</strong>...<br />
a. Paul does the same thing in his epistles to the Philippians and Colossians - cf. Ph 1:9-11; Co<br />
1:9-12<br />
b. In noticing such prayers, I find it helpful to remember that Paul is writing by inspiration<br />
1) I.e., the things mentioned were not just Paul’s desire for his readers, but the desire of God<br />
as well!<br />
2) And in most cases, what concerns are expressed in these prayers are just as applicable to<br />
us as they were to the original recipients of these epistles<br />
3. With that thought in mind (i.e., Paul’s prayer is God’s desire for us as well), let’s take a close<br />
look at this prayer...<br />
[Beginning with a recognition of their faith and love (verse 15) and a mention of his unceasing<br />
thankfulness for them (verse 16), Paul then states that in his prayers his concern for the <strong>Ephesians</strong> is...]<br />
I. THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW GOD (17)<br />
A. TO “KNOW” GOD IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE...<br />
1. More important than human wisdom, glory, or might - cf. Jer 9:23-24<br />
2. It is eternal life itself! - Jn 17:3<br />
3. Failure to know God will lead to everlasting destruction! - 2 Th 1:7-9<br />
-- Of course, we are speaking here of knowledge that comes through close and personal<br />
association, not casual awareness<br />
B. THIS KNOWLEDGE OF GOD COMES BY “A SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND<br />
REVELATION” (17)...<br />
1. Paul could have reference here to either the Holy Spirit Himself, or a spiritual gift that the<br />
Holy Spirit gives<br />
2. In either case, it likely refers to that process that was still going on in the first century, where<br />
the Spirit of truth was guiding the apostles and early Christians into all the truth (cf. Jn<br />
16:13; 1 Jn 2:20,27)<br />
3. Today, we have the full and final revelation in the pages of God’s Word, where we can go<br />
to learn the truth about God (e.g., cf. Ep 3:3-4)<br />
[Do you “know” God? Many people know “about” God, but it is God’s will that we come to know<br />
“Him”. Through the Word of God as we have it today, you can allow the “spirit of wisdom and<br />
<strong>Sermons</strong> <strong>From</strong> <strong>Ephesians</strong> 17
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