Prayer: Boldness and Access
A Sermon on Ephesians 3:12
Originally preached Nov. 25, 1956
Scripture
12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Sermon Description
In this sermon on Ephesians 3:12 titled “Prayer: Boldness and Access,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones discusses the privilege and importance of prayer. The apostle Paul makes the point that Christians have access to God in prayer through Christ and can come with boldness and confidence. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also shows the importance of doctrine and practicing in one’s prayer life. If Christians focus on doctrine only, they will miss the point. But if all doctrine is abandoned and one simply hopes to “practice,” then the point is missed again. Rather one must know what God says about the Christian life, prayer, and faith in Christ and then apply those things in practice. How can one expect to come to God with boldness if they do not first understand how? Christians can boldly approach the throne of grace in prayer through faith in Christ; He has made the way. He is the access to God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives two principles to think about in prayer life. First, when coming to God in prayer, Christians must not rely on feelings, mood, or state of being to inform how to pray or if they pray at all. They must realize that these can be tools used by the devil to keep the Christian from prayer, to plague them with doubts, and remind of their sins. Secondly, Christians must preach to themselves. They must remind themselves over and over of the truths of Scripture. They must remind themselves in the throes of doubt that Christ is the redeemer and mediator. He is faithful to forgive and the Christian can boldly approach God in prayer through Him. Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes with this great reminder, “Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you.”
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul wants the Ephesians to understand that the purpose of Christian doctrine and teaching is to bring believers into the presence of God through prayer.
- Christian doctrine is meant to lead to practical results and outcomes in the lives of believers. Truth is meant to be applied, not just known intellectually.
- The ultimate purpose of the Christian faith is to give believers boldness and access in prayer before God.
- Paul uses the terms “boldness,” “access,” and “confidence” to describe the manner in which believers can approach God in prayer. These terms indicate a fearless, unhindered, and assured approach to God.
- Believers can have boldness and access in prayer through faith in Jesus Christ. He is the only way to the Father.
- Because God is holy, eternal, and all-powerful, the only way sinful human beings can approach Him is through Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system demonstrated this truth.
- In order to have boldness and access in prayer, believers must reject reliance on feelings and preach the truth of the gospel to themselves. They must remind themselves of God’s holiness, their own sinfulness, and Christ’s atoning work.
- When believers draw near to God in prayer with boldness and access through faith in Christ, God will draw near to them. They will experience His presence, comfort, and strength.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Ephesians 3:12
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the "highest pinnacle of salvation" in his sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, access to God in prayer is the highest pinnacle of salvation. He states explicitly: "Of all the blessings of Christian salvation, none is greater than this, that we have access to God in prayer." This teaching highlights that prayer is not merely a Christian activity but the ultimate purpose of salvation itself.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define the term "boldness" in relation to prayer?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones defines boldness in prayer as "fearlessness" and "freedom from all apprehension." He elaborates that it means "freedom from all doubt that we may be rejected" and "freedom from all sense of evil, which tends to make true prayer impossible." He describes a bold person as one who "steps straightforward" and is "afraid of nothing," approaching God without restraint or fear.
What is the only way to approach God in prayer according to the sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the only way to approach God in prayer is through Jesus Christ. He emphasizes this point repeatedly, stating: "There is no possibility of prayer or of entry into the presence of God except in and through and by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." He references Jesus' own words: "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me."
What practical steps does Dr. Lloyd-Jones suggest for effective prayer?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones offers several practical steps for effective prayer: 1. Reject feelings, moods, and states that hinder prayer, recognizing they often come from the devil 2. Preach to yourself by reminding yourself of the points of Christian faith 3. Confess your sins and remind yourself of Christ's forgiveness 4. Thank God with prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving before presenting your needs 5. Pray for the Holy Spirit to authenticate these truths in your heart
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones warn about regarding the relationship between doctrine and practice?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns that Christian doctrine must lead to practical results and outcomes. He states: "Nothing is more fatal than to regard it [doctrine] as something in and of itself, as an end in itself." He notes that if doctrine stays merely intellectual without affecting practice, "it can even be a curse, because it is all meant and designed and given to bring us to God." He emphasizes the necessary balance between doctrine and practice.
What does the word "access" mean in Ephesians 3:12 according to the sermon?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the word "access" in this verse can be translated as "entree" - a privilege of entrance or admission. He explains it as "a kind of friendly relationship existing between us and God, whereby we know that we are acceptable to him and have an assurance that he is favorably disposed towards us." It means having a right of entry into God's presence.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the problem with modern approaches to prayer?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones criticizes modern approaches to prayer that suggest "you just at once go into the presence of God" without mentioning Christ. He calls such approaches "pure psychology" and "self-hypnotism," stating they deny the whole teaching of both the Old and New Testaments about the necessity of Christ's atoning work. He warns against the idea that prayer is "just like breathing" or something simple that requires no mediation.
What promise does Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasize will result from drawing near to God?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes James 4:8: "Draw nigh unto God, and he will draw nigh unto you." He describes this as "the greatest thing you'll ever hear in your life." The result is that believers will "meet God," "realize his presence," and be "surrounded by a sense of his glory and his comfort, his strength and his might." They will know they are God's children and nothing can separate them from His love.
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.