A Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

Introduction:

T.S.: Noticde the three requests Paul made for the Ephesian believers:

I- Receive the gift of spiritual wisdom and understanding (Ephesians 1:15 – 17).

Ephesians 1:15–17 NLT

A- The prerequisites for this gift:

1. faith in Christ (1 Corinthians 2:14).

1 Corinthians 2:14 NLT

14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.

2. Love for fellow saints (1 John 2:8 – 11).

1 John 2:8–11 NLT

8 Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining. 9 If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. 10 Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.

3. Filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) (Isaiah 11:2)

Ephesians 5:18 NLT

18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

Isaiah 11:2 NLT

2 And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

B- the prayer made:

1. With Thanksgiving.

2. Without ceasing

3. With submission to God

a. Not accomplished through self effort.

C- particular request:

1. Gift of spiritual wisdom

a. Understanding of Christ

b. A life-changing event

II- Receive spiritual sight (Ephesians 1:18 – 20).

Ephesians 1:18–20 NLT

18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

A- See your hope in Christ.

1- your hope in this life (Colossians 1:12 – 14).

Colossians 1:12–14 NLT

12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

2- your hope in eternity.

B- See the richness of your inheritance.

1- All of the wealth of the father is yours (Psalm 24:1).

Psalm 24:1 NLT

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.

2- All of your needs provided (Philippians 4:19).

Philippians 4:19 NLT

19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

C- See the exceeding greatness of his power toward us.

1- his power operating in us that produces peace.

2- His power operating through us to accomplish his will.

III- Recognize the Lordship of Christ (Ephesians 1:21 – 23).

Ephesians 1:21–23 NLT

21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

A- All things are under his Lordship.

1- he is in control of all things.

2- He will be recognized as King And Lord. (Philippians 2:10 – 11).

Philippians 2:10–11 NLT

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

illustration: Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4)

B- He is the head of the church.

(also Colossians 1:18)

Colossians 1:18 NLT

18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.

1-we must allow him to call the shots.

2-we must listen and obey.

C- The church is his body.

1- we are here to carry out his will.

Conclusion:

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