Series: Verse-by-verse through Bible; now in Ephesians 3 (New Testament, NKJV).
Paul's history: Spent 3 years in Ephesus (Acts 19-20), planted church amid revival and riot; wrote Ephesians ~5 years later from Roman prison under Nero's persecution.
Purpose: Encourage believers to persevere in faith amid hostility (timeless for today).
Prayers in Ephesians:
Ch. 1:15-19: Know God better, grow deeper.
Ch. 3:14-21: Second prayer (4 requests, each starting with "that").
Prayer Posture
Paul kneels (v. 14) to show seriousness, love, reverence.
Poem shared: No single "proper" posture; key is praying earnestly, esp. for others.
Paul's 4 Prayer Requests
1. Spiritual strength (v. 16): God grant strength via Spirit in inner man/soul ("riches of his glory"); counters weariness (examples: Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:8, Elijah in 1 Kings 19:4, Jonah 4:3, Psalm 42 ["downcast soul"], Luther/Spurgeon).
2. Christ dwell in hearts (v. 17a): Thoroughly/at home (Greek: kataoikeo) through faith; Jesus comfortable with TV/Netflix, phone, hangouts, conversations (anecdote: NFL friend at home).
3. Comprehend God's love (vv. 17b-19): Experientially know Christ's vast love (width/length/depth/height, surpasses knowledge); not intellectual; sacrificial (Ephesians 5:2), demonstrable (Romans 5:8), generous (1 John 3:1), unconditional (character-based, not earned); Karl Barth story: "Jesus loves me."
4. Filled with God's fullness (v. 19): Empty self, more Jesus (John 3:30); song: "Empty Me" (Jeremy Camp).
Closing
Benediction (vv. 20-21): God does "exceedingly abundantly" via His power.
Pastoral prayer: Repeated 4 requests for congregation.