THE CHURCH—GOD’S NEW SOCIETY
How Should We Pray for One Another?
Ephesians 1:15-23
Jerry A Collins
SCC
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What should we
pray for on behalf of each other?
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Is praying
only needed when we have problems?
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What is the
character of the greatness of our salvation?
When
we pray we often focus on our problems and generally our requests center around
those difficulties. As if prayer is usually a tool we wield whenever we are in
trouble or need God to do something. Of course, we should pray for our problems
but in fact that does not seem to be the reason we should be praying. It appears that praying for people is not focused on their
problems but on their relationship and the quality of that relationship as well
as insight into the nature of that relationship. The point of
this kind of praying is that people will gain spiritual perspective, full of
wisdom and understanding, so they can respond to all of life in a way that
reflects their position in Christ. So Christians praying for Christians
must include this kind of focus in our prayers for each other. That particular
focus is spelled out for us and will supply the direction our prayers should
take on behalf of one another.
OUR PRAYERS SHOULD FOCUS ON DEEPER
INSIGHT OF WHAT IS OURS IN CHRIST 15-18a
A. Our praying should be full of
thanksgiving for one another 15-16.Thanksgiving
is always a huge deal in our prayers. Notice he is doing that here.
First, because we have security in Christ. The whole section begins with a strong, For this reason… What reason? Looking back
to our being chosen, predestined, adopted, redeemed,
forgiven, salvation, sealing, and inheritance. This is the reason for the
thanksgiving to God. These incredible truths are a basis of our praying. You
are secure in your salvation. God has done everything necessary.
Second, because of the evidence of our faith 15. The evidence of that is our love for all
believers. There are two things which identify a true believer. 1. His faith in
Christ—evidenced by what he says and 2. His love for all the saints—evidenced
by what he does for other believers, including those outside of his specific
sphere of fellowship, group, or organization. John also says that this is the
primary evidence for faith (Jn 13:34-35; 1 Jn 4:16-18, 20; 5:1). Here a report has been broadcasted
about their faith. He seems to be thankful for what appears to be progress and
manifestation of their faith in tangible ways. So much so, reports about their
devotion was spreading all around and their founder and mentor, Paul even heard
about it and is motivated to keep a constant vigil or thankful prayer for this
in their lives. This love had to be expressed and most likely in tangible,
concrete examples expressed in ways that others
greater good was served without reciprocity as a motivation. Apparently, they
were not neglecting one another—gossiping, hateful, spiteful, jealous, selfish,
or uncaring.
Third,
we express thanksgiving for each other as we pray for each other 16. What we
know about the work of God evidenced and displayed in each other should become
a topic of prayer for you. I thank the Lord for the group of people that
repaired a friend’s house all week. Praise the Lord for the believer who
supplied to financial gift to meet the need. Make this a habit in your praying.
Being personally interested in remembering the tangible
displays of God’s service at work through one another.
B. Our praying should be focused on
deeper insight of what is ours in Christ 17-18a
First, that includes praying for
increasing wisdom. This prayer is
directed toward the proper person to supply the request—the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory. 1. He is the
same God that Jesus Christ prayed to. So we are approaching the right person.
Check out Jesus praying in the gospels. 2. He is worthy of glory because of the
incredible work of redeeming us that He executed. It is this God who will give
what we ask for. This wisdom is something grounded in our faith in knowing
Christ. It is gaining the mind of God applied to our lives.
Second, it includes revelation. Here it is comprehending
the truth unveiled for us from God. Today that is the Word of God. That is
necessary for spiritual understanding.
Third, it includes the knowledge of
God. So the point of all of this
insight is to increase our spiritual understanding of the mind of God. Notice
that the emphasis of the apostles is very different from everything being
taught in any world religion of his day or ours. The emphasis is not on holy
days, liturgies, ceremonies or rituals. But on knowing and understanding the
mind and heart of God in such intimate ways as being enlightened about God
about what He has provided for us 18a. We will review some of those next. This
was also the focus of Moses, David, and the Prophets. It also separated the men
and women of God in the OT from the religions around them. The law separated
the average Jew from paganism. But godly people were always distinguished by
the fact that they sought the heart and mind and purpose of God. So Paul prays
this for us and we for each other.
WE PRAY THAT OTHERSUNDERSTAND THE GREATNESS OF GOD’S POWER
The
end of knowing God intimately is for several reasons.
1.
We have the hope of His calling. We have an expectation that God will make true
what he has promised. It is God’s call to us to be saved and become part of His
family. Because of this call of salvation we have hope.
2.
We have the wealth of his glorious inheritance. Actually this goes both ways.
Because of His choosing of us, redeeming, adopting and sealing us, we are His
possession. He will fully going his inheritance when
the saints are removed from this earth and come in to His presence. But we also
have an inheritance supplied for us in eternity. This shows we are valuable to
God because He purchased us in order to inherit us. So we have hope produced
from looking back to the past and will fully realize his inheritance in the
future coming of Christ for His people.
3.
We know he greatness of
His
power 19-23.
This is something for us to comprehend right now in the present. This may be
why he takes more time to explain than the others. It is the surpassing
greatness of it we must know. It is the ability of God Himself that is the
focus. But it is displayed toward us who believe—available to us. It is
according to the power of the power of His power! This is incredible power and
each description enforces the idea of God’s abundant power available to all
believers. It is the kind needed to survive the satanic hostile powers and
worldly system that surrounds us. But how was this manifested?
A. In raising Christ from the
dead 20a. Christ was raised out of all those who had died and remain buried in
the earth. On the other hand God did more than raise Christ from the dead.
B. In seating Christ in the
Heavenliest 20b-21. This makes Him about all in age ever (Psa
110:1). An exalted position with absolute authority.
The powers over which He rules are vast 21—angelic & human! It is vast,
comprehensive, complete, total and He has dominion!
C. He subjected all under his
feet 22a—quote from Ps 8:6/Heb 2:6-9. He will overthrow all His enemies.
Everything means every single thing is subjected. Christ had the right to
exercise his control over everything in god’s creation. Under His feet is idea
of placing his foot on enemies neck thrust to the ground. He exercises control without
it being obvious to humankind. God does have a plan and it will culminate at
Christ’s return where exercise of His control will be fully evident.
D. He gave Him to the church as
Head 22b-23. In addition Jesus has the realm of authority in the outworking of
God’s mystery. As head He has a body. The body is directed by the head. Christ
is the agent by which we are filled, nourished, made alive as He is by the
Father.