Praying Like Paul (Ephesians Pt. 5) | Francis Chan

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes the importance of prayer in understanding God's hope and inheritance for us. The speaker highlights how Paul's prayers in Ephesians 1:15-23 demonstrate his desire for believers to have a deeper understanding of their relationship with God, characterized by wisdom, revelation, and knowledge. This teaching encourages listeners to pray for others, particularly for the eyes of their hearts to be enlightened, so they may know the hope to which God has called them.

Key Scripture References

• Ephesians 1:15-23 - Paul's prayer for believers is a model for us to follow, as he asks God to give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. This passage shows that Paul's desire is not just intellectual understanding but a heart-level transformation.
• Ephesians 1:18 - The phrase "the eyes of your hearts enlightened" implies a deep, spiritual understanding that goes beyond mere intellectual comprehension. This verse highlights the importance of praying for others to have their spiritual eyes opened.
• Ephesians 2:6-7 - Paul's prayer is rooted in his understanding of God's plan to lavish His grace upon us in the coming ages, making us objects of His wrath no more. This passage emphasizes the hope that we can have in Christ and encourages us to live with this understanding.
• Ephesians 1:18 - The phrase "the riches of his glorious inheritance" refers to God's inheritance in us, which is a profound concept that highlights our value and worth as His beloved children. This verse emphasizes the importance of understanding our relationship with God.
• 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 - This passage supports Paul's prayer by emphasizing the transformative power of God's revelation in the gospel, which can change lives in an instant. It highlights the importance of praying for others to experience this transformation.

Main Points

The main points of this message are:

• Paul's prayers in Ephesians 1:15-23 demonstrate his desire for believers to have a deeper understanding of their relationship with God.
• Praying for others to have the spirit of wisdom and revelation is essential for them to know the hope to which God has called them.
• The eyes of our hearts need to be enlightened, not just intellectually but spiritually, to understand our relationship with God.
• God's inheritance in us is a profound concept that highlights our value and worth as His beloved children.
• Praying for others to experience this transformation can change lives in an instant, as seen in the examples of Michael and Becket.

Application

This message encourages listeners to:

• Pray for others to have their spiritual eyes opened, so they may understand God's hope and inheritance for them.
• Live with the understanding that God's plan is to lavish His grace upon us in the coming ages.
• Seek a deeper understanding of our relationship with God, characterized by wisdom, revelation, and knowledge.
• Pray for others to experience this transformation, which can change lives in an instant.