Ephesians 1:13-19 – In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.  For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might

Part 1

Part 2

A. Why is the Apostle Paul Praying this Prayer?

1. Any spiritual work in our inner being requires a strength outside of ourselves

2 Peter 1:3-4

a. The weakness of our humanness

1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Job 14:1-2, Matthew 12:20

b. The remaining sin principle at war within

Romans 7:15-20, Galatians 5:16-17

2. Any spiritual understanding of the Christian life in our inner being requires Holy Spirit teaching

1 Corinthians 2:9-14

3. Any spiritual emphasis on the supremacy of Jesus Christ in our inner being requires Holy Spirit teaching

John 16:12-14, Philippians 2:19-21

B. Petition # 1 – Strength in our inner being – Ephesians 3:14-17

1. The source of power: God the Father

Ephesians 3:14-16

2. The Person of power: God the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 3:14-16

3. The place of power: our renewed self

Ephesians 3:14-16

4. The purpose of the strengthening

a. To realize the presence of the abiding Christ

Ephesians 3:17

b. To experience the vibrant Christian life

Ephesians 3:17

c. To experience the stable Christian life

Ephesians 3:17