Introduction to Paul's Prayer

The point: Do not accept artificial outlines that separate doctrine from practice, as true preaching integrates both.

Paul's concern for the Ephesians is likened to a paternal instinct, not a reaction to problems, but a desire to ground his converts in doctrine and exhort them to reflect it in their lives.

So I say, the occasion of the epistle is not some historical situation which provoked a needful letter in order to correct some errors, but rather it is that paternal instinct of the Apostle Paul longing to see his own convert, in two parts, whose life in the chief law serves as the only greatwnold to come to jail. It is the timestamp given, as we saw in the letter which gives us a sense of the bible's int JavaScript ball,

2:42 - 3:26 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not rest short of a deepened understanding and experience of God, as His glory hinges on total conformity to Christ.

Martin uses these two groups to illustrate the imbalance between appreciating what believers have in Christ and longing for more experience. Pentecostals are said to minimize initial work, while positionalists are scared of discontent with present understanding.

What was Paul's ambition, he intended should become their ambition. And oh, how precious few seem to keep this balance between deep appreciation of what we have in Christ and a sensitive longing for more experience of the reality of Christ. On the one hand, you have our dear Pentecostal friends, and under that I would put all those whose theology minimizes the initial work and says, now look, you've only been converted. You've only been born again.

20:34 - 21:11 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not think that understanding the first paragraph of Ephesians is the peak of spiritual experience; there are more pinnacles and vistas to explore.

Understanding Ephesians 1:3-14 is compared to reaching the 'Mount Everest' of spiritual experience, but Paul's prayer shows there are 'more pinnacles and more vistas' to explore, challenging complacency.

Some people think that when they've come to an understanding of the first paragraph in Ephesians, that's the top point of the Mount Everest of spiritual experience and all you do is pitch your tent there and come out three times a day and look at the beautiful view and say there's nowhere else to go. I've come to the doctrines of grace. Well, bully on you. Wonderful.

23:45 - 24:06 Read in full sermon

The point: Measure a church's true effectiveness by the attendance and spiritual spirit of its midweek prayer service, as it indicates conscious dependence on God.

The measure of a church's true effectiveness is likened not to Sunday morning attendance, but to the attendance and spiritual spirit of its midweek prayer service, indicating conscious dependence on God.

These things do not come automatically. And our dependence upon God is expressed in our pleadings with God, individually and corporately. The measure of a church's true effectiveness as a general rule is not its Sunday morning attendance, but it is the attendance and the spiritual spirit of prayer that rests upon its midweek service. I don't get excited when we've got to stick chairs in the aisles and out in the vestibule on Sunday mornings.

28:02 - 28:33 Read in full sermon

The point: Avoid any idea that edification comes through non-rational spiritual experiences, as they bypass the mind and are unbiblical.

A story of a man who found prayer a struggle until he had an 'experience' that enabled him to pray for hours in tongues without understanding. Martin uses this to contrast with Paul's rational, concept-rich prayers, warning against non-rational spiritual experiences.

he said, oh, that you could have this experience I've had. I know it would be such a blessing to you. And I said, why? He said, before I had it, he said it used to be labor to pray.

35:49 - 35:58 Read in full sermon