Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
Illustration: NPR Article October 25, 2017 - More Americans Head Into The Wild Unprepared For ... The Wild
On a fall day in New York's Adirondack Mountains, a helicopter swept over a bog as state forest rangers scrambled below over rocks and muddy streams.
It was a bright afternoon in one of the most beautiful landscapes in America, but this was a search for yet another missing hiker.
A 28-year-old New Jersey man named Alex Stevens had vanished into this vast wilderness nearly two weeks earlier.
"He's not very well prepared, I want to be real clear about that," said New York state forest ranger Lt. Brian Dubay, briefing reporters at the search command post.
"We believe any warm clothing he thought he had, we consider to be inferior."
Here's the good news.
A lot more Americans are getting out to hike and camp.
State and national parks are booming.
But there's a big downside.
More people are showing up in wild lands unprepared, without the right equipment or skills.
They're getting lost or hurt and that's putting new pressure on first responders.
Getting Prepared-
Like hikers setting out on a journey unprepared, many Christians approach their service to God in the same way.
There may be desire and a healthy level of zeal, but many times we lack the substance required to sustain and reach our destination.
Paul addresses this as he transitioning from the heights of doctrinal truth (seated in the heavenlies) to the ground level devotional truth that we all need for daily living Ep 4:1 (walk worthy).
As he makes this shift, he again turns his attention to prayer and he asks specifically for the tools every Christian needs to be productive for the Lord.
As we examine Paul’s prayer we will find 5 distinct elements that are essential tools for the path we are exhorted to walk
He prays for Empowererment- Strength
He prays for Establishment - Depth
He pray for Enlightenment - Comprehension
He prays for Enlargement - Apprehension
He prays for Enrichment - Completion
Notice first....
I. Paul’s prayer for Empowerment
“strengthened with might by his Spirit...”
We can do nothing without the strength of God Jn:15:5 - “…for without me ye can do nothing”
Quote: “If God removed the Holy Spirit from the world much of what Christians are doing would go on without the slightest hiccup”
A. It was a patient Strength
“he would grant you...”
The Apostles and those in the earliest assembly understood this truth:
We must wait for the strength of God - it does not always come in our time but his
B. It was a particular Strength
“…by his Spirit in the inner man”
Illustration: 8th Day gym where I parked for work - these people are strong!
I can see it!
Paul is not describing this type of strength!
What is the “inner man” ?
Can the outer man be strengthened?
C. It was a presiding strength
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith...”
This has the idea of Christ ruling over our hearts - much like a king rules over a particular territory
The first tool was empowerment but Paul also prayed for establishment...
II.
Paul’s prayer for Establishment
“being rooted and grounded in love...”
God is love - it is the very essence of his character
This is the basis of our foundation - whoever is grounded in the love of God is truly standing on a firm foundation
A. A rooted establishment
This has the idea of tapping into a source of supply
Roots are what go deep and wide to gather nutrients for a plant
We must be gathering our nutrients from God - our roots must reach down into him
B. A grounded establishment
This is more relating to our foundation
You cannot build a building without some kind of foundation to anchor the structure
Not only does God’s love sustain us like food and water but it grounds us like a foundation under a building
So Paul has outlined our need for Empowerment and Establishment and now he moves on to enlightenment
III.
Paul’s prayer for Enlightenment
It’s a collective enlightenment - “with all saints”
Each of us have experiences that benefit the other
Illustration: Marty - sending me pictures of the Morel mushrooms he found a few month ago - Can we all explore the whole forest?
No.
Each of have explored various sections of the territory and have assembled together to share what we have learned - this is how we “comprehend” - or get a full picture
Paul is praying for the tools we will need and he has prayed for Empowerment, Establishment, Enlightenment and now he prays for....
IV.
Paul’s Prayer for Enlargement
“…to know the love of God”
Paul prays that we might know better something we can never in this life truly and completely understand
How can we know this love?
Hymn - Boundless Love - Hannah K. Burlingham, Wayside Songs, 1901
Oh, the love of Christ is boundless,
broad, and long, and deep, and high!
Every doubt and fear is groundless,
now the Word of faith is nigh.
Jesus Christ, for my salvation,
came by water and by blood;
clear I stand from condemnation
in the risen Son of God.
Finally Paul prays for....enrichment
V. Paul’s Prayer for Enrichment
“…that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God”
This again is a great paradox… How can an infinite God fill us?
There is no end to his expanse and yet Paul prays that we might be full!
Can God be contained?
This of course is more about God having all of us than us having all of God!
Conclusion
Paul closes this prayer with a fitting reminder:
Paul prayed for these Christians because he knew what they really needed .... and if we are honest our need is no different.
We are so often distracted by the cares of the here and now that we focus our attention on our physical or material needs, when the reality is that our true needs are spiritual.
God has called us to a life of service and testimony … lives that will glorify him.
A life that can only be lived effectively with the proper tools.
Are we asking God to give us:
Empowerment - Strength for the inner man
Establishment - A rooted and grounded faith that is standing on his love
Enlightenment - Exploring the vastness of him and sharing what we have found with others
Enlargement - Gaining a greater appreciation for the love of God
Enrichment - Letting God have all of us
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