Ephesians 81-82_31 Ephesians 6:18-24
EPHESIANS 6:18-24 June 9, 1982 Tonight we close the book of Ephesians. And I’d like for you to take your Bibles and go to Ephesians chapter six and we begin tonight with verse 18. Ephesians 6:18. Ephesians 6:18 Praying always [this is King James] with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; The words “with all prayer” most frequently, Corps, those words shows a deep dedicated unalterable commitment to God. When those words are used “with all prayer” it’s giving preeminence to the individual’s personal devotional commitment to God. And I think that is really unique as you will see as we go along in this verse. Those words “praying always with all prayer” is a figure of speech, spelled p-o-l-y-p-t-o-t-o-n, which is nothing more than just a repetition of words in different inflections in parts of speech. But this figure emphasizes the need for continued prayer; praying always with all prayer. I said to the staff and all of our workers, yesterday in a meeting that was held here at International, that perhaps the most important thing that was…location here on the grounds is the House of His Healing Presence. Because unless, we continue in prayer all the work we do: building these tents, setting them up, getting everything ready so beautifully, will all be rather insignificant. But as we continue in prayer and believing God—that’s why this verse here is so tremendous. This emphasizes “praying always with all prayer” this figure emphasizes the need for continued prayer. And that should be continually. The word “supplication” can be translated a number of different ways, but the greatest I know is specific requests or special objects of necessity, a supplication for a special need, Corps. And we do this in the spirit. “…in the Spirit” is to pray in tongues. This praying in the spirit has to be in tongues. Remember in 1 Corinthians 14, take a look at it. 1 Corinthians 14. In verse 14 of 1 Corint
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Now, just look at that again. “In your personal devotions…” You see, we just finished verse 17 last week talking about the javelin of the spirit that was the Word of God and now then he shifts to yourself; your own personal devotion. “In your personal devotion— devotions—believe and pray in tongues, continually for specific objects of necessity.” The word is not continuously, it is continually. And he explains this in the next line. “…And by praying in the spirit…” you’ll be what? “…on watch,…” you’ll “…be alert, continually and unceasingly…” He just reiterates it, says it again. “…for the specific objects of necessity for yourself until you get it.” You see you can’t ever bless anybody else until you get blessed first, here it is again. You have to have it. You have to receive it. So, in your personal devotions, you believe and pray in tongues for specific objects of necessity. You stay