Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Prayer: The Breath and Lifeblood of the Christian and Christ's Church

The Apostle Paul’s Prayer For Experiential Christianity Part 2

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…

The Apostle Paul’s Prayer For Experiential Christianity – Part 1

In this sermon, Pastor Jim moves into the second prison prayer of the Apostle Paul found in his letter to the church at Ephesus. In this prayer, we encounter a depth that is unfathomable and unknowable, but rightly defining Christian experience – the love of Christ and the fullness of God. Pastor starts with a look at the characteristics in Paul, the praying Apostle; then launches into three characteristics of the prayer itself, and finally four general applications.

The Apostle Paul’s Prayer for Assurance – Part 3

In this sermon, Pastor Jim continues the study of the prison prayers of the Apostle Paul. The first stop has been in Ephesians 1:15-21. In this prayer, he is praying for believers to have a great knowledge of God that leads to a more confident and assured walk with Him. And he does so with a petition that they might know what is the immeasurable greatness of God’s power working in them. This is an important petition for believers for, when answered, it helps them live by faith and confidence in what God has already provided for them in Christ – His great power to live an overcoming life, a serving life, and an enduring life.

The Apostle Paul’s Prayer for Assurance – Part 2

This sermon continues the exploration of Paul’s first prayer in Ephesians, which petitions God for assurance. This assurance comes from God infusing every part of our being with the knowledge of the hope He has called us to, the riches of His inheritance, and the greatness of His power. In this message, Pastor Jim explores in more detail the knowledge of the riches of His inheritance with the realization that Christ’s inheritance is us. In doing so he answers the question: Why does God consider us His rich inheritance?

The Apostle Paul’s Prayer For Assurance – Part 1

Pastor Jim begins this exploration of Paul’s first prayer in Ephesians, which petitions God for assurance. This assurance comes from God infusing every part of our being with the knowledge of the hope He has called us to, the riches of His inheritance, and the greatness of His power. In this message we learn about the general petition and more detail about where the knowledge of God is received by us and what is the hope that He has called us to.

The Prison Prayers of the Apostle Paul Part 2

Ephesians 1:15-19 – 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…