The Great Prayer of Paul

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Ephesians 3:14-21 "For this cause I bow my knees unto (PROS + Accusative THEOS = face to face with God) the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [15] Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, [16] That he would grant you, according to  the riches of his glory, to be strengthened (KRATAIOO, Aorist Pas Infinitive = to have inner power) with might by (DIA + Genetive PNEUMA = through His {Holy} Spirit) his Spirit in the inner man; [17] That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded (THEMELIOO, Perfect Pas Part = to lay a foundation in the past that remains laid) in love, (EN + Instrumental AGAPE = by means of love) [18] May be able to comprehend (KATALAMBANO, Aorist Mid Infin = to grasp a meaning and comprehend in detail) with all saints what [is] the breadth,  and length, and depth, and height; [19] And to know (GINOSKO, Aorist Ac = to know from experience) the love (AGAPE = divine love) of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled (PLEROO, Aorist Ac Infin = to fill up a deficiency) with all the fulness of God. [20] Now unto him that is able (TOI DUNAMENOI, Pres Mid Part = continually able to) to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask, or think, according to the power (DUNAMIS, inherent power) that worketh (ENERGEO, Pres Mid = continually operates) in us, [21] Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

There are several great prayers in the Bible - the Lord's model prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), and the prayer that our Lord Jesus prayed for His Church (John 17:1 ff.). In recent times, many believers became blessed when they read of the "Prayer of Jabez" (Bruce Wilkerson), which went thus:

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 "And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. [10]  And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested."

Though this is a blessed prayer, for it came from his heart, if I were to compile a book called "Great Prayers of the Bible" - though the prayer of Jabez would be included, it certainly would not list as one of the top five greatest prayers. No, I would have to classify Jesus' model prayer (Our Father Who art in Heaven ...) as first, for it is the one that the Great Savior gave us to guide us in how WE SHOULD pray. And, as a closer second, I would have to classify the great Prayer of Our Savior in John 17 as the second most important prayer in the Bible, for here He who loved and died for us PRAYED for us, His Church. What greater prayer could there be, than a prayer from GOD THE SON to GOD THE FATHER for the CHURCH OF GOD?

But if I were to rank a third greatest prayer in the Bible, that prayer would be the Prayer of Paul for the Church found in our text today. This prayer was prayed FOR THE CHURCH by a man who intimately understood the MYSTERY of the Church, understood the VISION that God had for His Church, and was prayed by a man who suffered terribly for the Church of Christ.

Ephesians 3:14, 16 "For this cause I bow my knees unto (PROS + Accusative THEOS = face to face with God) the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ...  [16] That he would grant you, according to  the riches of his glory, to be strengthened (KRATAIOO, Aorist Pas Infinitive = to have inner power) with might by (DIA + Genetive PNEUMA = through His {Holy} Spirit) his Spirit in the inner man; "

The first request that Paul made was that the Church, that each individual in the Church, be given INNER POWER to the INNER MAN by the Spirit of God. Here Paul speaks of the empowering, of the filling of the Holy Spirit for each member in the Church of Christ. Why is this important? Well, we can see it's importance more pronounced when we see what the Church was like WITHOUT the indwelling and empowering Spirit. WITHOUT the indwelling Spirit, though man walked and talked with Christ during His earthly ministry, the reality was that there was Christ AND man, NOT Christ IN man. What I mean by this is that those who followed Christ often heard Him speak, but failed to understand or apply His Word. They heard the fabulous teachings, but the APPLICATION of these teachings were often BEYOND their GRASP.

Consider the prostitute who, in love toward Messiah, poured precious oil from her alabaster box onto Christ's head, and washed His feet with her tears:

Matthew 26:7-12 "There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. [8] But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? [9]  For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. [10]  When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. [11]  For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. [12]  For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial."

The disciples were with Christ, but they were not WITH Christ. They were in His presense, but He was not IN THEIR HEARTS. There was no unity, no merging in God between the disciples and Christ, thus our Lord Jesus prayed for His Church:

John 17:20-24 "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; [21]  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. [22]  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: [23]  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. [24] Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."

And promised that the Spirit would come in His stead, to indwell, to empower, to guide the Church. One by one the disciples abandoned Jesus as He walked that lonely road to the Cross. One by one betrayed Him. And Jesus died.

And rose again, victorious! The disciples saw the risen Savior, and as He commanded:

Acts 1:4-8 "And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. [5]  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. [6] When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? [7]  And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. [8]  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

On the day that the disciples received the Promise, the precious Spirit of God, they preached the Word with power and 3000 souls were added to the Church that very day. No longer were they timid, but were bold in the faith, knowing that they were empowered to reap a harvest of souls.

From the day of Pentecost to this day, and beyond, those who have accepted Christ as Savior are indwelt by the Spirit of Promise. We, each and every one who believe, have the Spirit inside, working with us, guiding us in God's own good time, so that we can indeed be ONE WITH CHRIST, as Christ is One with the Godhead.

The Spirit is there - but Paul's prayer was that we, His Church, submit ourselves to that Spirit so that we COULD be seen by the world as the true Light to Jesus. So that "the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me", as Jesus prayed. We need the strengthening of God's Spirit in our inner man. We need to submit to His will, and not our own, to His Word, and not our own.

Paul's prayer was that we would utilize that which Christ purchased for us.

Ephesians 3:14, 17 "For this cause I bow my knees unto (PROS + Accusative THEOS = face to face with God) the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ...  [17] That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded (THEMELIOO, Perfect Pas Part = to lay a foundation in the past that remains laid) in love," (EN + Instrumental AGAPE = by means of love)

Since Paul was addressing and praying for the Church, we know that he was NOT praying for the salvation of those whom he was addressing when he said "that Christ may dwell in your hearts". No, these people were already saved. But, even though saved, even though indwelt by the Spirit of Promise, UNLESS WE SUBMIT to that same Spirit and allow HIM, and not our own DESIRES to guide us, then Christ CANNOT "make Himself at home" in our hearts.

Robertson says of this text,

"{That Christ may dwell} (KATOIKˆSAI TON CHRISTON). Another Infinitive (First Aorist Active) after HINA DOI. KATOIKEO is an old verb to make one's home, to be at home. Christ (CHRISTON accusative of general reference) is asked to make his home in our hearts. This is the ideal, but a deal of fixing would have to be done in our hearts for Christ."

Do you want this in simpler terms? Here it is, then. Christ can only make Himself "at home in our hearts" when we are submissive to the will of His design. Christ cannot make Himself at home in a filthy house, no more than we can be at home in a garbage strewn environment. We would not be comfortable in a roach and flea infested house, but would not rest until that house was cleansed of all vermin.

In the same way, Christ cannot "make Himself at home" unless we are submitted to His Spirit and His Word. He cannot "make Himself at home" unless we make that atmosphere conducive to His presense. This is NOT an instantaneous process, but something that is sought by the believer in Christ.

But it must be sought, through study of the Word, through prayer, through the indwelling Spirit. Jesus stands at the door of every heart, ready to establish a relationship with the believer, a deeper familial relationship:

Revelation 3:20-22 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. [21]  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. [22]  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

These words of Christ are offered to THE CHURCHES, not to unbelievers as many have misinterpreted the text. There are many Churches today who have quenched the Spirit of God, and thus have driven out the Spirit of Christ. Where the Spirit of Christ is driven out, the Church has become big business - but not God's ideal, not an answer to Christ's prayer.

Ephesians 3:14, 17-19 "For this cause I bow my knees unto (PROS + Accusative THEOS = face to face with God) the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ... [17] That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded (THEMELIOO, Perfect Pas Part = to lay a foundation in the past that remains laid) in love, (EN + Instrumental AGAPE = by means of love) [18] May be able to comprehend (KATALAMBANO, Aorist Mid Infin = to grasp a meaning and comprehend in detail) with all saints what [is] the breadth,  and length, and depth, and height; [19] And to know (GINOSKO, Aorist Ac = to know from experience) the love (AGAPE = divine love) of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled (PLEROO, Aorist Ac Infin = to fill up a deficiency) with all the fulness of God."

Paul prayed that we, as believers, would be submissive and therefore empowered by the Spirit of God. He prayed that, once we were so submissive, that Christ would be at home in our hearts. And finally, if the first two great petitions are answered, the third petition would certainly come to pass.

That we would be baptized in the love of Christ, and this love would overflow us and bathe all in our periphery with its wondrous glory. It is impossible to love as Jesus loved unless Christ Himself supplies that love through His Spirit:

Romans 5:3-5 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; [4]  And patience, experience; and experience, hope: [5]  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

This past week it was reported to me that there is a Church that was involved in lovelessness. An African American was invited to this Church by another man, and on entering this Church a deacon approached the man and told him, "I'm sorry, but we don't allow n****** in this Church". When I heard this, I was shocked, but this is not the first time this has happened. Was the deacon unsaved? Perhaps. Stranger things have happened, and John Wesley himself, I was told, was led to Christ under his own preaching.

But just as likely the deacon was saved by faith in Christ, but the Spirit of God had never BECOME OPERATIONAL in his life. Because the man refused to allow the Spirit to operate in his life, Christ was NOT at home in his life - else this man would have welcomed the African American brother into the fellowship with open arms.

This week, also, I was told of a fellow Pastor in Christ who is being backbitten by negative elements in his Church. These people have attacked him because he touched some of the precious traditions of the Church. Now, there is nothing wrong with tradition, as long as tradition does not get in the way of a right relationship with God the Father through our Lord and His Spirit. But when tradition serves no purpose:

Colossians 2:8  "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ"

Then we need to be careful that it does not spoil us, rot us, and make our lives inhospitable to Christ. When a believer states that they "hate" someone, anyone - then Christ is NOT AT HOME in your heart.

Our prayer should be like Paul's - that God flood us with His love, with the love of Christ, through His precious Spirit. That we be submitted to Him, to His Spirit.

Romans 5:8-11 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [9]  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. [10]  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. [11]  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."

Jesus walked among us, and never turned away. When we were leprous, sick, blind, He never turned away. When we were adulterous, sensual, licentious, He never turned away. When we were rejected, He suffered rejection for us - so that we might enjoy eternity with God.

We were saved so that we, as His Church, could reflect that great Love of Christ. God grant us the will to lay aside our prejudices, our will, our desires, and allow His Spirit to work through us, and through His Word in us. God grant Ekklesia to focus on the vision that God has for us. Jesus prayed this prayer, knowing that He was to be shortly betrayed by Judas - but He did not lose faith in God the Father. Father, baptize us in love so that we can be One Church in you. Father, baptize us in love so that we can overcome any internal prejudice, loving one another because of You. Let us focus on Christ, who prayed in love for us as He was being betrayed. Let us know, Father, that love through the Spirit, shall overcome all in Jesus' name.

John 17:25-18:1 "O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. [26]  And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. [18:1] When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples."

Or, as Paul ended his prayer,

Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now unto him that is able (TOI DUNAMENOI, Pres Mid Part = continually able to) to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask, or think, according to the power (DUNAMIS, inherent power) that worketh (ENERGEO, Pres Mid = continually operates) in us, [21] Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

Amen.
 

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