Paul’s Prayer (Part 1)
Evaluation and Summary
This is a sermon preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on August 22, 1993, focusing on Ephesians 3:14-21, which contains Paul's prayer for the church. The episode is part of a series titled "Salvation From the Outside In" and runs 49 minutes. The sermon examines Paul's intercessory prayer as recorded in Ephesians, exploring what Paul asks God to do for believers and what spiritual truths underlie his petition. As a classic Keller sermon, it likely unpacks the theological significance of Paul's words, examining themes of spiritual strength, the indwelling of Christ, and the transformative power of understanding God's love. The episode is presented by Gospel in Life, Keller's ministry platform, which provides sermons, books, study guides and resources. A brief donation appeal is included to support the ongoing ministry work. The sermon represents Keller's characteristic approach: grounding biblical exposition in careful textual analysis while drawing out practical implications for Christian living and spiritual formation.
Verdict: A well-executed biblical sermon from a respected teacher on a meaningful passage, likely to provide solid theological insight and spiritual value for listeners seeking deeper understanding of Scripture.
Religion & Spirituality rubric
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Depth of teaching 4/5 25%
Keller's reputation for substantive biblical exposition and theological depth is well-established; the focus on Paul's prayer in Ephesians suggests careful textual analysis, though the source material doesn't detail specific insights.
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Respect and openness n/a
No information in the source material about how Keller engages with opposing views or questions during this sermon.
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Applicable to life 3/5 19%
Paul's prayer is inherently practical for Christian living, and Keller typically draws out life application, but the source material provides no specific examples of guidance offered.
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Substance 3/5 19%
A 49-minute sermon on a single biblical passage suggests reasonable substance, though without episode details it's unclear whether the time is used efficiently or includes padding.
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Delivers on its title 5/5 19%
The title "Paul's Prayer" directly matches the scripture passage (Ephesians 3:14-21) explicitly stated in the show notes, indicating clear alignment.
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Value for time 3/5 19%
A 49-minute sermon on a focused biblical passage is reasonable length, though without hearing it, pacing cannot be fully assessed; Keller's sermons are generally well-structured.
How we score Religion & Spirituality
Worth it if you appreciate careful biblical exposition, want to understand Paul's intercessory prayer in Ephesians, or value Timothy Keller's teaching approach to Scripture.
Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.
Show notes
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