from: Ephesians 6:18-22
I. THE EXPECTATION OF PRAYER SUPPORT
Eph. 6:19 “For I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”
People need people. We do need one another even if we are somewhat self-sufficient.
Eph. 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and ALWAYS KEEP ON PRAYING FOR ALL THE SAINTS.”
Phil. 2:4 “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
When I ask you to pray for me, I EXPECT for you to do this. When others ask you to pray for them, they EXPECT you to pray for them. We are in Christ together. We are in the same boat, needing help occasionally and prayer assistance.
II. THE EXPECTATION OF SPIRITUAL STRENGTH
V. 19 “For I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”
We can live for Christ and serve Christ in our own special ways. How can this happen? The power of God’s Spirit is at work in our lives. We have the right to expect God’s Spirit to work in us and strengthen us.
Eph. 3:16 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” God has promised to strengthen us by the power of His Spirit in our inner being or in our spirit. We must pray for this strength and expect to receive it!
III. THE EXPECTATION OF HONORING CHRIST
V. 20-21 “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Paul wanted to honor Christ in life and in death.
We should want to honor Christ in life at all times.
IV. THE EXPECTATION OF GOOD WORK
V. 22 “If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.”
Some people are not very interested in working. They either don’t go to work or go in late. On the other hand, there are those whose work is important to them regardless of any negative factors. They want to work and want to accomplish something in their work.
HAVE YOU ACCOMPLISHED WHAT YOU WANTED AT WORK? Do you have goals? Have you met those goals?
In our text, Paul speaks of fruitful labor. As long as he was in the flesh he was going to serve Christ by preaching the gospel. He was here for people! He expected that his labor would not be in vain as he served Christ.
Prayer support, spiritual strength, living for Christ: these are matters of faith. We must trust our Father to provide these. Without faith it is impossible to receive these things. Someone well said, “Faith in God sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible.”
What are you expecting today. Just to put in your time and go home to next week? Or are you expecting the Holy Spirit to do something huge in your life today?
