Sermon Cloud

Message Synopsis –

Intro –

• new light bulbs, the energy saving kind!
• in the toilet  - the light comes on just slow enough to think, “the light is not on”
• not instantaneous
• they take a little while to come on - but they last a much longer time

I want you to learn to read the Bible in the same way I am learning to enter the bathroom – It might take a little while for the lights to come on, but the light will last a long time!

Manuscripts –

The bush fire story.  1992?

Treasure – a brief overview of what Paul wants us to get out of Ephesians; this is the treasure that we will discover as we read through the letter

Ephesians 1:2 I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!

Ephesians 1:¹⁶ So I never stop being grateful for you, as I mention you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God. ¹⁸ My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God's people. ¹⁹ I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used ²⁰ when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven..

Ephesians 3:16  I pray that his Spirit will make you become strong followers ¹⁷  and that Christ will live [make his home] in your hearts because of your faith. Stand firm and be deeply rooted in his love. ¹⁸ I pray that you and all of God's people will understand what is called wide or long or high or deep. ¹⁹ I want you to know all about Christ's love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is. ^20-1 I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen.

Ephesians 6:18  Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people. ¹⁹ Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news. ²⁰ I was sent to do this work, and that's the reason I am in jail. So pray that I will be brave and will speak as I should. ²³ I pray that God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will give peace, love, and faith to every follower!