2 Spiritual Insight

How cool would it be to know that the Apostle Paul was praying regularly for the believers in Shippensburg and the surrounding area? Here at Mt. Rock. What difference would it make in the way we live and serve?

Points

Read NIV

Prayer for Wisdom and Insight

Ephesians 1:15–18 NIV

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

Ephesians 1:15 NIV

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people,

For this reason – in text could point back or forward. Works well for both.

Thought continues in v.16 For this reason I give thanks

Because of rescue from previous section, or more likely because of …

Heard about your faith – or faithfulness

In the Lord Jesus – continues to point to Jesus as the focus.

The audience had a sure trust in Jesus that had been reported back to Paul. Faith(fulness) in Jesus, love for believers.

Ephesians 1:16 NIV

16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

Continuously giving thanks and remember in prayer

Launching into the interceding, requesting prayer to God

Ephesians 1:17 NIV

17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Keep asking – ongoing request

God of Lord Jesus Christ, glorious Father

Glorious – praise worthy, splendorous

Main request is for spiritual wisdom and insight – supernatural, given by God through Holy Spirit

this is the focus of the letter.

Purpose is to get to know and understand God better.

Ephesians 1:18 NIV

18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

Eyes of your heart enlightened = flood of light to heighten inner perception making all clear.

Understanding God better opens up the inner perception and understanding is clear on three things:

Hope, Inheritance, Power

Ephesians 1:18–23 NIV

18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Ephesians 1:18-23

Ephesians 1:18 NIV

18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

Doesn’t detail these but covers them throughout the letter.

Hope to which He has called you or Hope of His Calling – confidence in your future with Him.

learned last week blessings of being chosen and predestined as followers in Christ. United with Him. And the inheritance.

Inheritance – riches/wealth, nothing lacking, far more than we can imagine. Glorious inheritance.

Holy people – saints, believers, followers.

Refers to the believers’ inheritance in Christ, also His inheritance in the believers. Given to Him by the Father.

Ephesians 1:19 NIV

19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength

Power for those who believe. What power is available to those who are in Christ.

Stacking up synonyms - multiple words for power.

Incomparably (hyperbolic, surpassing) great (mega) power (dynamic), energy, mighty (overcoming) strength (capability), exerted/applied/brought to bear

v.19 and His surpassing mega dynamic power for believers. That energy is the same as the overcoming capability He applied, brought to bear when He raised Jesus.

Ephesians 1:20 NIV

20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

Jesus not just coming back to life, but the power of God raising Him from among the dead (not just from death)

Point is - the power available to those who believe is same power that raised Jesus.

Jesus not just coming back to life, but the power of God raising Him from among the dead (not just from death)

Raising Jesus to a high position of honor and authority – the right hand of God the Father. Quote of

In Heavenly realms – phrase used several times in blessed with spiritual blessings in heavenly realms. The realm of God’s Kingdom, both heaven and earth.

Ephesians 1:21 NIV

21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Again stacking similar terms for emphasis. Far above ALL rule, authority, power, dominion, title

All powers – supernatural, political, and personal

Present age – not just now, but for all eternity. Yes now too.

Ephesians 1:22 NIV

22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,

God subjected – all things under Jesus’ feet – quote of

By God’s unmatchable power He raised Jesus from among the dead placed Him in position of power and authority over everything.

Past tense so already happened.

Appointed Jesus as (head) supreme commander over the church

church = believers as a group, called out assembly.

Ephesians 1:23 NIV

23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Metaphor of head and body.

Fullness of Him who fills everything in every way. – Another stacking for emphasis

The church expanding with the power of God through Jesus to rescue and restore all of creation.

Conclusion

What about God?

· God of Lord Jesus Christ is glorious Father

· through His Spirit giving wisdom and insight

· Called His people to hope

· Provides an inheritance both to man through Jesus and to Jesus through man

· His power that raised Jesus is also toward man

· Jesus exalted to position of authority above/over everything

· Jesus is head over body/church which is believers

What about Man?

· faith or faithfulness “in Jesus”

· love toward fellow believers

· Need to understand spiritual insights:

o Understand hope Jesus calls you to

o Understand wealth of inheritance (mentioned in eulogy)

o Understand infinite power to us in Jesus.

· Called to hope

· receive and become inheritance in Jesus

· power of God in Jesus

· believers are part of church/body of Jesus

So What? How does this change the way we live?

Paul cheering the Ephesian believers on. Praying for wisdom and insight so know God better, and know the great hope of His calling, the wealth of His inheritance, and the tremendous power available to them through Jesus.

Paul was praying specifically for the believers in and around Ephesus. Through his letter we also gain the spiritual insight into the hope, inheritance, and power of God our glorious Father toward His people through His Son.

We are not just cleared of guilt so we can sit back and wait for Jesus to return. We have a calling, a hope, true Life to live out now in the power of God as we grow in our understanding of God and in our relationship with Jesus.

Now What? What do we do with it?

Again – It’s all about Jesus!

The death highlighted in the first part vv.1-14 = redemption, forgiveness, grace, adoption

The resurrection is highlighted in this part vv.15-23 = hope, inheritance, power.

This is Good News for all, the calling for all to unite with Christ. To place faith in Jesus. To live in this present evil world as part of His body by His power and under His authority.

Understanding these truths gives us the confidence to live today in that hope and power. Trusting God for the power to overcome sin in our lives, to grow in our faith and faithfulness in Jesus. To grow in our love for others.

Big Idea: Know Jesus better to understand your hope, inheritance, and power in Him.

What About You?

Pray back to God the above points of blessing.

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