STRONGER-Part 19-AFTER THE SERMON
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or to be used for a sermon group discussion. CLICK HERE to find a discussion group. Enjoy!
Sermon Title: Stronger When We Pray
Main Scripture: Ephesians 6:18-24
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week consider taking the time to read the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Check out this overview of the entire book, especially the first chapters of Ephesians to better understand the depth of Ephesians 1 Ephesians Overview
Summary:
Paul begins and ends this letter with a prayer for the saints. Paul informs the church of the reality of spiritual warfare, urges them to stand firm in the armor of God, and then calls them to be alert, and in prayer. He doesn’t label prayer as a piece of armor or a weapon but to Paul, prayer plays a pivotal role in the conflict. Paul knows what it’s like to be in a spiritual struggle AND he knows the way to stand firm in the armor of God is through spirit-inspired, spirit-filled prayers. The mission never stops, therefore the battle wages on. This means the church must remain alert. We must not reserve our prayers for scheduled prayer meetings or church services. No, Paul urges persistent and unceasing prayers. Paul sees the church as one body so he encourages prayer for all believers and not only for self. Paul is a prisoner and in this precarious situation, he requests special prayer. Paul doesn’t ask that they pray for his release and freedom. Rather, Paul asks that they pray God will give him the right words to fearlessly explain the good news of Jesus to Greeks and Jews. Paul asks for prayers that he will boldly keep speaking and fulfilling the task God has given him. Paul has been called to be an ambassador, a carrier of the good news to the world, but at this time it is in chains. An ambassador in chains is like a car with no tires, but Paul doesn’t let this present trouble stop him. Paul is focused on fulfilling the task assigned to him (Acts 20:24). Even though Paul is in prison, he writes and hopes to encourage the church by Tychicus' delivery of this letter. Tychicus is proof that the task is too big for one person and that we are stronger, together. Prayer is so important to Paul that he ends the letter as he started it. The final greeting and prayer is peace, love, faithfulness, and grace to be on all those who love God. There is no doubt that Paul is able to pray these blessings because he has experienced them, even in chains.
Pastor Ryan’s teaching notes:
Paul urges the church to be prayer warriors (v. 18-20).
When the enemy attacks, Christians are to pray...Prayer isn’t just a weapon, it's part of the conflict itself. To fail to pray is like surrendering to the enemy. Prayer accomplishes what we can’t with our own effort. Prayer brings the power of the Holy Spirit into our spiritual conflict.
Pray in the Spirit.
What does that mean? Feeble, powerless, and occasional “grocery list” prayers are not effective in spiritual warfare. We must seek the help of the Holy Spirit and ask Him to lead us as we pray in personal or congregational intercession. Paul tells us to ‘pray in the Spirit’ because we can’t do it on our own; we need His help and power, especially in spiritual battles.
Jude 17-23 NLT
“Praying in the Spirit is in line with the usual sense of doing something in the Spirit (Mark 12:36, prophecy produced by the Spirit; Acts 19:21, travel directed by the Spirit; Rom 14:17, joy produced by the Spirit; 1 Cor 12:3, speech controlled by the Spirit; Eph 5:18, controlled by the Spirit versus alcohol), which means that it refers to prayer controlled or guided by the Spirit.” Davids, P. H. (2006). The letters of 2 Peter and Jude (pp. 94–95). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.
Praying in the Spirit includes asking the Spirit to help pray and intercede for us (Romans 8:26-27). Praying in the Spirit also means praying in tongues...a prayer life that Paul taught the church and practiced in his own personal life (1 Corinthians 14:1-5;14-19).
Pray at all times and on every occasion.
This suggests the thoroughness and intensity of our prayers. We tend to pray more frequently and vigorously when we are going through a battle. Well, there is a battle waging on for souls, and coming against the family of God, every day. The importance and urgency of prayer increases in a soul-saving church. For Paul, it wasn’t only circumstantial, it was a way of life. The Ephesian church was young and growing in an ungodly city, Paul was in chains under Rome, so prayer was constant. There’s always something to pray about or someone to pray for. There’s always unfinished work and ground to cover that needs to be soaked in spirit-led, spirit-empowered prayer.
Stay alert in prayer.
Like reliable soldiers, stay alert. Grammatically, in greek, the two participles of persistent prayers and stay alert are the same as stand firm or stand your ground in verse 14. Prayer and staying alert are spiritual postures for battle. The posture: we are standing by and standing firm in prayer. Whether we pray on our knees, standing still, laying on the ground, or walking around, prayer in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of requests is how we face the battles. Praise can be included in this because we give thanks to God in prayer.
Pray persistently for all believers everywhere.
We must not reserve our prayers for scheduled prayer meetings or church services. No, Paul urges persistent and unceasing prayers. Paul sees the church as one body, encouraging prayer that doesn’t focus only on self, but for all believers. Let us never assume any believer is strong enough and doesn’t need our prayers. All believers need prayer, even prayer warriors you know.
Prayer for Paul.
Paul’s situation in chains, under Rome, compels him to request special prayer. Paul asks the church that God would give him the right words to fearlessly explain this good news of salvation for the gentiles and Jews alike. Paul does not ask the church to pray for his freedom and release. He doesn’t pout or have a pity party. He has come to accept that being in chains is part of God’s plan.
Paul has been called to be an ambassador, a carrier of the good news to the world. An ambassador in chains is like a car with no tires, but Paul doesn’t let this present trouble stop him. Paul is not muzzled and will not be quiet but he will be wise. Whether it’s through written letters or verbal proclamations to Roman guards and leaders, Paul will make the most of every opportunity to boldly speak the gospel. Why? Paul knows his task from God and will do anything to fulfill it, even if it is from prison.
22 “And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God -Acts 20:22-24.
The task of sharing the Gospel belongs to the whole church (v. 21-22).
Paul was effective but he didn’t do it all by himself. Paul had many partners in his ministry that helped him. Tychicus would be an important helper that became Paul’s hands, feet, and messenger, an ambassador in training.
Pastors can’t do their calling by themselves, we need our “Tychicus’” and “Lydia’s.” We are not in this alone. Reaching the world with the good news of Jesus was never one person’s task, it belongs to the whole church. From the pulpit to the pew, we all share the grace and truth of Jesus Christ to whoever is willing to observe, listen, and receive. Together, we make it possible that all may know God’s love and follow Jesus. Paul valued and relied heavily on his partners in ministry. I too value you and need your help to lead this community to saving faith in Jesus.
Paul’s final greetings and encouragement (v. 23-24).
Prayer is so important to Paul that he ends the letter as he started it. His final greeting and encouragement is a prayer of peace, love, faithfulness to God, and grace to be on all those who love God. There is no doubt that Paul is able to pray these blessings because he has experienced them, even in chains.
The prayer life of a prayer warrior:
Prayer must be valued. Prayer is power for the spiritual warrior.
Prayer must be a priority. We must start praying in order to grow in our prayer life.
Pray in the power of the Spirit
Pray vigorously and persistently
Pray and intercede for all believers
Pray for opportunities and courage to share the gospel.
Takeaways:
Prayer isn’t just a weapon, it's part of the conflict itself.
To fail to pray is like surrendering to the enemy.
Prayer accomplishes what we can’t with our own effort.
Prayer brings the power of the Holy Spirit into our spiritual conflict.
There’s always unfinished work and ground to cover that needs to be soaked in spirit-led, spirit-empowered prayer.
Prayer and staying alert are spiritual postures for battle. The posture: we are standing by and standing firm in prayer.
Whether we pray on our knees, standing still, laying on the ground, or walking around, prayer in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of requests is how we face the battles.
We must not reserve our prayers for scheduled prayer meetings or church services. No, Paul urges persistent and unceasing prayers.
Let us never assume any believer is strong enough and doesn’t need our prayers.
Reaching the world with the good news of Jesus was never one person’s task, it belongs to the whole church.
Discussion:
What was one big takeaway for you from today’s message?
What something new you learned, from the message?
What scripture verse stuck out to you and why?
What did you sense the Holy Spirit was saying to you during this message?
Why do you think Paul specifically said, “pray in the spirit?” Why add “spirit?”
What and who did Paul encourage the church to pray about?
What kind of church doesn’t pray for their pastor to be set free from prison and instead prays for God’s help to use him?
Why is prayer so important for the church and the day we are living in?
How will you grow your prayer life starting this week?
The most important decision you will ever make!
Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed we encourage you to say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I see my sin and how wrong it is. I see how without Jesus I’m lost. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me from my sin, my past, this world, and your judgment. I repent, I turn away from that life and I put my faith and life in Jesus! Amen!
We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hoped you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!