Sermon Study Guide

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Maranatha Bible Church

Chicago

Sermon Study Guide

I Bow My Knees Before The Father - Pastor Daniel Batarseh (Ephesians Series)

Pastor Daniel Batarseh|Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Scripture References

Ephesians 3:14-19Acts 9:11Ephesians 1:16-191 Thessalonians 4:3-8Mark 7:20-23John 3:16John 14:21-23

Sermon Summary

Pastor Daniel Batarseh explores Paul’s profound prayer in Ephesians 3, emphasizing that believers have direct access to the Father regardless of their circumstances. The sermon highlights our desperate need for the Holy Spirit to strengthen our inner being so we can truly experience the overwhelming dimensions of Christ’s love.

Key Takeaways

1Prayer is a realm of possibilities that transcends physical limitations, providing direct access to the Father's attention at any moment.
2True spiritual victory and holiness are achieved through the Holy Spirit's power in the inner man, rather than through human willpower or discipline alone.
3Even our love for Jesus and our desire for Him are gifts facilitated by the Holy Spirit; we cannot even love God correctly without His help.
4The love of Christ is so vast (breadth, length, height, depth) that believers actually need divine strength to comprehend and receive it.
5Experiencing the fullness of God is tied to a life of yielding to the Spirit and walking in obedience to His Word.

Discussion Questions

Use these questions for small group discussion or personal reflection.

1Paul prayed from a prison cell. How does his perspective on prayer challenge the way you view your own physical or situational limitations?
2What is the difference between Christ being a 'visitor' in your heart and Him 'dwelling' there permanently? What 'roommates' or competing desires are hardest to evict?
3Why do you think Paul emphasizes that we need 'strength' just to comprehend the love of Christ? Have you ever felt 'paralyzed' or overwhelmed by God's goodness?
4How does the idea that 'prayers outlive the man' change your motivation to pray for the next generation or for revival?
5The sermon mentions that sin comes from the 'inner man' (Mark 7). How does focusing on the Spirit's power in the inner man change how you approach temptation compared to just 'trying harder'?
6In John 14, Jesus links obedience to a manifestation of His love. How does this correct the idea of 'sloppy' or unconditional love that ignores holiness?

Application Points

Practical ways to apply this message to your life.

Reevaluate your prayer life to include more 'spiritual' requests for inner strength and revelation, rather than focusing solely on material needs.
Identify a recurring sin or area of cowardice and specifically ask the Holy Spirit for 'power from on high' to overcome it this week.
Practice 'abiding' by taking moments throughout the day to yield your heart's 'room' to Christ, asking Him to be the permanent resident of your affections.
When feeling unloved or insecure, meditate on the dimensions of Christ's love mentioned in Ephesians 3, asking the Spirit to make that love more real than your feelings.
Pray Paul's prayer (Ephesians 3:14-19) over your family and fellow church members, asking God to consume them with His love.

Personal Reflection

Take time to quietly reflect on these prompts.

How is the Holy Spirit speaking to me through this message?

What areas of my life need to change in light of this teaching?

Who can I share this truth with this week?

What is one specific action I will take as a result of this sermon?

Prayer Points

Thank God for His Word and the truths revealed in this message.
Pray for understanding and wisdom to apply what you've learned.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live out these truths in your daily life.
Pray for others who heard this message, that they too would be transformed.

Notes

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