The Hidden Power of the Ephesian Prayer | Bobby Schuller | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

The Hidden Power of the Ephesian Prayer

Shepherd's Grove • Aug 30, 2025 • 38 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this encouraging message, Pastor Bobby Schuller explores the foundational prayer of Ephesians 1 and the biblical model for church growth found in Acts 9:31. He highlights three primary spiritual benefits of opening the eyes of our heart: discovering the hope of our holy calling, knowing that we are God's treasured inheritance, and walking in supernatural resurrection power through prompt obedience. By balancing a reverent fear of the Lord with the comfort of the Holy Spirit, believers overcome worldly anxieties and live empowered, effective lives for God's kingdom.

Themes

The Fear of the LordComfort of the Holy SpiritHoly Calling & EvangelismSpiritual Authority & ObedienceIdentity in Christ

Pastor's Points

1.

The Hope of Your Calling: Realizing every saved believer is called to active ministry and equipped to share the gospel.

2.

The Riches of His Inheritance: Understanding that believers are God's treasured inheritance and deeply loved by Him.

3.

Incomparably Great Power: Walking in supernatural power through prompt obedience to God's spoken word (rhema).

Key Points

1.
A church experiences true growth and numerical multiplication when believers live in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31).
2.
Every saved believer receives a holy calling to active ministry and sharing the gospel, not just pastors or church leaders (2 Timothy 1:9).
3.
Spiritual promptings and Holy Spirit gifts must be actively exercised; like unused petroleum in an engine, spiritual fuel must be ignited through action.
4.
Believers are God's valued inheritance and the precious fruit of the earth, giving Christians absolute identity and worth in Christ (Ephesians 1:18).
5.
Supernatural resurrection power is released in our lives when we open our spiritual eyes and yield in prompt obedience to God's spoken word (rhema) (Ephesians 1:19-20).

Sermon Moments

“The Biblical Church Growth Model: Living in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit leads to divine multiplication.”

“The Fuel Analogy: Holy Spirit power must be actively used through obedience, just as fuel in an engine must be ignited to keep from going bad.”

“The Widow of Zarephath: Generously giving away our bread (God's Word) and oil (Holy Spirit) ensures our spiritual supply never runs dry.”

“God's Inheritance: Believers are not just seeking an inheritance; we ARE God's treasured inheritance and the precious fruit of the earth.”

“Declaring Sainthood: Every believer in Christ is a holy saint justified solely through the blood of Jesus Christ.”

“Authority Under Authority: Like the Roman centurion, true spiritual authority comes from submitting to God's command and spiritual oversight.”

“Overcoming Trail Fears: Calling upon the fear of the Lord on a mountain trail instantly expelled the fear of rattlesnakes.”

“Fearing God Occupies the Brain: Fear of God takes up the same neurological space as earthly fears, driving away all worldly anxieties.”

This Week

Pray the Ephesian prayer from Ephesians 1 over yourself and your church community daily.

Step out in prompt obedience whenever the Holy Spirit urges you to pray for, encourage, or share the gospel with someone, even if it feels humbling.

Actively use the spiritual gifts and Holy Spirit boldness God has given you rather than allowing them to sit idle.

Reject the pursuit of worldly approval and rest securely in the truth that you are God's treasured inheritance.

Declare your true identity in Christ as a holy saint justified through the precious blood of Jesus.

Submit to healthy spiritual authority so that you can operate with true divine authority in your calling.

Confront earthly anxieties and fears by actively declaring and fixing your mind on the reverent fear of the Lord.

Remember This

When believers open their spiritual eyes, walk in their holy calling, and live in both the reverent fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they step into supernatural power and spiritual multiplication.

A Challenge for You

I commit today, Lord, to do what You say in Jesus' name—to walk humbly before You, open the eyes of my heart, hear the Holy Spirit's orders, and obey even if I am humbled or embarrassed.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.