I. That Christ may dwell in your hearts
A. This is not an evangelistic plea
1. The error of “asking Jesus into your heart”
B. But Jesus does dwell in the heart of Christians
1. 1 Corinthians 6:19
2. Romans 8:9-11
3. John 14:16-18
4. The Spirit and Christ: The Athanasian Creed
5. 2 Corinthians 13:5
C. A Gospel call to repentance and faith
1. Repent (Mark 1:15, Acts 2:38)
2. Believe (Acts 16:31)
3. Examine Yourself (2 Cor 13:5)
II. Why does Paul pray that Christ might dwell in the heart of
Christians when He already does?
A. That Christ would be more real and regnant
1. It is a matter of degrees
“… in some Christ is just present, in others He is prominent, and in others again, He is preeminent.” Graham Scroggie
2. It involves Christ setting down in the heart
3. Can you confess Gal 2:20 or Philip 1:21 or Col 3:4
B. Understand the magnitude of this prayer request
C. Pray this for yourself and others
1. Do not be content with any less
III. Through Faith
A. Faith makes the fact of Christ in your heart, real to you personally
B. Hebrews 11 is about ordinary people with faith
1. vs.13 – having seen the promise
a. What in the world compares to Christ in your heart?
b. 1 John 2:16
2. vs.13 – having embraced the promise
C. There are things which are incompatible with Christ dwelling in your heart
1. 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
2. A practical application
