The pastor’s passion and prayer

In these verses, we look into the heart of a faithful caring shepherd—his passion and prayers.
THE PASTOR’S PASSION: The pastor’s passion is the flock given by God to his care. (I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.) Pastor Orr preached from Ephesians 1:15-20 and his sermon was entitled: THE PASTOR’S PASSION AND PRAYER

Notes
In these verses, we look into the heart of a faithful caring shepherd—his passion and prayers.
THE PASTOR’S PASSION: The pastor’s passion is the flock given by God to his care. (I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.) ||||||
The pastor has a precious flock to oversee, one that was bought with Jesus’ blood. (Acts 20: 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.) And who are a people for God’s own posession. (1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.) You must pray constantly for your pastor. The weight of responsibility placed on the shoulders of pastors is big and can be overwhelming.  ||||||
In our text, Eph 1:16, we see that the pastor prays for the flock and thanks God for them. Such passion and deep desire in a pastor’s caring heart will always result in prayer. (Acts 20: 28-31 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,[a] which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.) Here in Acts we see the prayer of the pastor, a man whose heart is broken because of so-called pastors will come to lead the flock in the wrong path. In our text, as we read verses 17-19, we see that Paul does not pray for the wealth of the congregation or health or housing or pleasure or freedom or any other earthly comfort, but about their spiritual wellbeing.
In his pastoral prayer, Paul is asking that God would give them wisdom. They are in a world filled with sin and trial and trouble. What is their greatest need? The answer is found in this prayer: The knowledge of God and wisdom to live for God’s glory. ||||||
There is nothing to compare with the blessing of the knowledge of God. And how can we grow in this knowledge? God has given us many means of grace–*God’s word the Bible *The church with pastors and Bible teachers *Access to the throne of grace in prayer, where as His children, we can ask Him for wisdom. Paul’s prayer for wisdom is three-fold. ||||||
WISDOM TO GLOAT OVER THE HOPE OF THEIR CALLING IN CHRIST. (Vs 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you.) No man or angel has a greater hope and calling than a Christian. (Rom 8:29-30 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.) (1 Jn 3:1-2 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.) Thank you Lord, for saving my soul / Thank you Lord, for making me whole; / Thank you Lord, for giving to me / Thy great salvation so rich and free. ||||||
WISDOM TO GLORY IN THE INHERITANCE. (Vs 18 what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.) Because of our calling in Christ we have a great inheritance. (Heb 9:15 Therefore He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.) (1 Pet 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.) Do you know that you are richer than the richest millionaire? You have something better than gold. If this can be impressed in our minds, then the things of earth will truly grow strangely dim. ||||||
WISDOM TO GRASP THE POWER AVAILABLE TO THEM IN CHRIST (Vs 19 what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.) Paul wants them to understand this power, which is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. This power is three-fold: One, Power to SAVE sinners. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead also raises dead sinners. (Eph 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins.) This is the new birth. (1 Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead) Two, Power to KEEP believers. We are kept by that same power day after day. Three, Power that STRENGTHENS believers. This is the power that is available to believers to overcome all trials. (Eph 6:10-11 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.) Paul directs them to the power that we have in the Lord and to the armour of God, so that we can do all to stand.
We are going to face difficulties in our family, marriage, workplace. But like the psalmist we can be confident. (Psalm 18:29 For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall.) We need Christ’s strength. (Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.) Why do we feel so defeated at times? It is because we try to deal with them in our own strength. We have to continually remember the pastor in our prayers because of the awesome responsibility given to him. And the pastor continually prays for the flock, like Paul does in our text today.