Pastor's Connect Blog
Connect Blog
Ephesians 1:15-23
October 15, 2017
“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”
Ephesians 1:15-23
The Report of their Faith
“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints”
What you do is on the witness stand of the world; people know who you are by what you do.
“faith” – not saving faith, but a practical day by day faith … saving faith being lived out in obedience to the Lord (kurios – Master) Jesus (Savior).
“love” – agape … a sacrificial love; a love characterized by service. Agape loves flows from God; out of a heart for God. When you love God you WILL love others
“all the saints” – not just the ones like you, or the ones you agree with …
Share some ways you show love to other believers
The Response to their Faithfulness
“Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers”
While we are commanded to give thanks to the Lord for what He has done, it is good to give thanks to God for what others do. And also to express personally and publically thankfulness for what other do for the Lord. Our thankfulness becomes an encouragement. Sometimes people just need to need what they do is appreciated.
The Request for their Fruitfulness
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power”
Paul prays to God for the saints that they might be given a fuller understanding of their relationship with God, His call to service and His power to accomplish His will.
“Father of glory” speaks to God’s worth and His desire for glory.
“wisdom” – the application of what one knows
“revelation” – to make clear God’s mystery as it relates to salvation and service
SEE: 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 to understand the Spirit’s activity in revealing God …
“eyes of your understanding” - comprehension
PAUL LISTS THREE THINGS HE PRAYS THAT THE SAINTS WILL COMPREHEND
(1) “the hope of His calling” – assurance. Understanding God’s past, present and future salvific activity leads to assurance.
(2) “the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints” – this is not our inheritance, but God (“his”). Paul wants his readers to understand that we are God’s inheritance, His prized possessions, resulting in His glory.
(3) “the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power” – Understanding, which leads to experiencing the unlimited power of God available to those who believe; power demonstrated in:
The Resurrection of Christ
“Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead”
The Ascension of Christ
“… and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places”
The Exaltation of Christ
“Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”
The “exaltation” refers to both power and authority over:
“all principality, and power, and might, and dominion” – spiritual forces of wickedness (See Ephesians 6:12)
“every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come” – Christ will have TOTAL authority over all that is
“And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” – Jesus is the single authority of the church. He is the Head of the church." - The church is under the authority of Christ… not the pastor, not the deacons, not prominent members, not the denomination, not the convention …
Also see: Philippians 2:9-11