thoughts and ruminations while in exile (1 Pet. 2:11)

This is another manuscript of a sermon I preached. The sermon text was Ephesians 1:15-23. I pray it's a blessing to you.

It could be argued, in my opinion, that one of the weakest areas of ministry in most churches is discipleship. Some ministers seem to be so preoccupied with getting new people in the church, that they often forget about their members and forget to keep feeding them the Word. What these ministers forget (and a lot of us forget as well) is that after we become Christians our goal is to grow in the Lord. The author of Hebrews scolded his readers by telling them that they should have been on meat and not only taking in milk.

While knowledge is important, we must be careful not to view knowledge as an end in itself. In other words, we study the Bible not so we merely gain an intellectual grasp of the truth, but rather so that we can respond to that truth with an appropriate affection which then manifests itself in an obedient life.

The natural outgrowth of such a life will inevitably result is sustained growth. And growth is important for our lives because this is the phase of the Christian life in which we find ourselves.

Christian theologians outline the three main dimensions of the Christian life as 1) Justification, 2) Sanctification, and 3) Glorification.

Justification is when God declares His people righteous for the sake of Christ. He counts His people righteous by placing Christ’s righteousness to their account. This righteousness is appropriated or obtained solely through faith.

Sanctification is the process whereby God makes us more into the image of His Son.

Finally, Glorification is when believers are completely sanctified, which will ultimately take place in heaven.

I define those terms for you so that we can all agree that if we are believers, we all find ourselves in the process of sanctification.

So what we have in this passage before us is a prayer of the Apostle Paul. We have a look inside the mind and heart of one of the most amazing Christians of all time. It has been said that you can tell a lot about a person if you listen to their prayers. So obviously we certainly want to pay attention to this prayer.

In this passage Paul prays that God would bring about in us a realization of all of those truths for which he has just praised God in verses 3-14. Verses 3-14 are one of the most beautiful portions in all of Scripture. It is very near and dear to our hearts, as well it should be. Those verses are significant because they outline for us how God accomplishes the salvation of His people. More specifically, they highlight for us the trinitarian nature of our salvation. Paul tells us that the Father elects, the Son redeems, and the Holy Spirit applies that salvation by calling His people effectually. But Paul doesn’t just pass that information on to us and then leave us out to dry. He wants us to understand what we have in God.

The point is that you cannot live out what you do not understand—you can’t function on principles you don’t know. Unfortunately, many Christians are attempting to live out a life that is not clearly defined for them. So Paul doen’t just pass on information to them, he prays that they would understand it.

And if we read all of chapter one what I think you’ll find is a great portion of Scripture that outlines for us what God has done for His people in eternity past and His desire for us in the present, and what awaits us in the future.

Everyday we should be living in light of all that Christ has accomplished for us.

There are clearly many vital truths in this passage and its important that you and I understand this prayer. I see 3 truths in this passage that I would like to pass on to you.

1. God desires for His people to manifest fruit in their daily lives (Vs. 15-16).

V.15- For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, V.16- do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;

As I said, this prayer is in response to the theological truths Paul had just written, thus Paul writes For this reason.

Paul says he has heard of their faith. This is amazing because at this time period he is in prison. Notice what he hears about: their faith and love. That is what excites Paul! He is in prison and he’s thrilled by what he is hearing about this church. Why is he so excited? Is it because he’s getting reports that they are the largest church in the area? Is it because it’s the fastest growing church in the region? No! Paul is ecstatic because they are displaying love and faith.

Friends, these are absolutely essential to the Christian life. These are basic indicators of a true Christian. Why? Because a believer’s faith in Christ is proven by his love for saints. 1 Jn. 2:9-11 says that if you claim to be a believer and hate your brother, you are a liar. One commentator remarks, “It is impossible to be in a right relationship with the head, while being cut off from all the rest of the body. Love for one another is an identifying characteristic of those who believe and follow Jesus” (Boles 213, Galatians and Ephesians).

What about you? Do people hear about your faith? Do people hear about your love that you have for your brothers and sisters in Christ. Ligon Duncan says Christians should have a faith in God that overflows in a tangible love for one another in Jesus Christ.

And the questions is, “Are we doing that?” While I have not been a part of this church that long, I can say that this body of believers certainly does this. There is a genuine concern for one another. There is a concern for meeting the needs of the families in this church. This goes beyond us as well. When natural disasters hit, does the body of Christ respond in a way that reflects the heart of Christ? Is the world able to see our faith in action manifesting itself through selfless actions? Paul says that was the case with the Ephesians.

Notice what he says next. He says I’ve heard of your faith and love, and because of that V.16- I do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;

Paul says when I get these great reports I can’t help myself and I break out into praise.

He says I do not cease. This is continuous action. This Ephesian church was bearing significant fruit. We read about this in Acts 11:27-30 that the Ephesian church hears about churches in Judea that are in need because of a famine in the land. This is significant because the church at Ephesus was predominantly Gentile, and the church in Judea was obviously Jewish. At this time the Jews were just starting to realize that God was welcoming non-Jews into His family as well.

They were displaying true love, and because of that work Paul praises God.

Can that be said of you or your church? When you hear about the wonderful things God is doing in other people’s lives, do you praise God for that? That’s what got Paul excited…when he heard of their faith in Christ, and their love for fellow believers.

John Calvin said, “If we hear anything that ought to make us glad, it is necessary for our mouths to be open to praise God for it.”

Remember…God desires for His people to manifest fruit in their everyday lives, and :

2. God desires for His people to have a comprehensive grasp of His work in our lives (Vs. 17-19a).

Notice what Paul prays

V.17- that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. V.18- I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,V.19- and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

Paul begins to outline his prayer.
Notice to whom Paul Prays- the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is YHWH of the O.T. (Ex. 3:14; Ref. Jn. 8:58). Jesus and the Father are one (Jn. 10:30).

Notice that Jesus is called “Lord” here. Jesus is God and man.

Then Paul gives His God a particular title. He calls Him “The Father of glory.”

In 1 Cor. 2:8 Paul calls Jesus “The Lord of glory.”

This is the God to whom Paul prays. Then Paul begins his prayer, and he prays for 3 things in particular.

1. A spirit of wisdom.

In essence Paul is praying that God would give us wisdom in understanding all of the benefits God has given us. In other words, in this verse Paul does not seem to be talking about the type of wisdom that would help us make wise decisions. While God will certainly do that as well, here Paul is asking God to give us, as much as is humanly possible, wisdom to know all of the riches we possess in Christ. Andrew Lincoln in Word Biblical Commentary says, “In the OT, wisdom often involves practical knowledge, the ability to choose right conduct, while in Paul it often involves understanding God’s activity in Christ and the benefits it brings to believers” (56-57).

I don’t know about you, but I want to know all the benefits and resources I have in Christ. In the verses lying ahead, Paul is going to focus our attention even more on what areas specifically he is talking about.

Paul already knows they are believers, he knows that they know God, but he’s praying that they would know Him even better.

So first Paul prayed for wisdom and secondly he prays for:

2. Revelation

The word “revelation” literally means “uncovering, or unveiling.” It is synonomous with the word “understanding.” In fact some translations have the word “understanding” in this verse.

Since God has blessed us with all that we need Paul prays that we would have understanding. The main difference here between revelation and wisdom is that revelation deals with God imparting knowledge to us and wisdom has to do with putting that knowledge to use. And this is all in the context of our riches in Christ. Paul’s point is very focused.

In whom does Paul want them to have this understanding?

Note vs.17- in the knowledge of Him.

This isn’t just the regular word used for “knowledge” in the N.T. This is a more exact word. It is literally translated “true knowledge.” In other words, Paul prays for them and us, that we would have a clear and exact knowledge of God. But, having a clear knowledge of God includes “an understanding of his ways and his purposes” (O’Brien, Letter to the Ephesians, 133).

Now, at this point we have to ask “Why?” Or, “How would knowing this help us?”, Or, just how in general does this happen? How do we come to know the Lord better?

I mentioned earlier that what this passage shows us is what God has done for us in eternity past and His desire for us in the present, and what awaits us in the future. How, then, would living in light of all of these magnificent benefits we have in Christ make a difference in our everyday lives?

For starters, it gives us a center around which to build our lives. When we are living in light of all of these glorious benefits that Christ accomplished for us, we have a Rock that enables us to stand in the midst of the storm. This has to do with everything in life. When we live with eternity in view, we have hope for the future (v.18 Paul prays that we would know the HOPE to which He has called us). This is the center of our lives. The Word of God, which is our guide, explains to us all of these benefits.

Author Richard Weaver says, “The most painful experience of modern consciousness is the loss of center” (quoted in Wells, The Courage to be Protestant, 97).

This is why I use the word “center.” David Wells asks this thought provoking question: “What happens to our understanding about God when we are constantly experiencing a world that seems centerless and chaotic?” (Wells, 97). We live in a chaotic world, do we not? When we live in light of knowing what God has done for us, what He is currently doing in us, and what awaits us in the future, we have a solid rock on which to stand, we have peace that passes understanding, and we will never cease to stand amazed at the “panorama of His perfections.”

Speaking to this issue David Wells says, The “Biblical writers . . . declare that the only reason there is life and hope is that there is a center. It is in the triune God, the maker and sustainer of all things and the one in whom we find reconciliation through the Son. When we know him, life fits back into a meaningful pattern and we are filled with hope about its end” (Wells, 98).

I would suggest that this truth has not been lost, but what has been lost is our ability to recognize it.

The second question I raised was, “How do I do this?” How do we come to know the Lord better? How do we come to live in light of these glorious promises of Christ more fully?

And if you’re looking for me to reduce this down to a quick fix, a sort of a “do-this-and-your-life-will-be-fixed-program,” I don’t have that for you. This bothers us as Americans. I was listening to the Whitehorse Inn this week, and they were talking about how different American Christianity is from other parts of the world. Those in other parts of the world say what makes American Christianity different is that we have reduced everything down to steps. Think about it. We say things like this:

You want to be saved? 1. Walk the aisle, 2. Say this prayer, 3. Ask Jesus into your heart, 4. sign this card.

You want a better marriage? Do this. You want your kids to obey you? You want your best life now? You want the “Secrets to the Christian life?” As if it is a secret!

If you want to know the Lord better you must expose yourself to the means God has given us to provide us with growth and encouragement: prayer, Bible study, corporate worship, fellowship, and the Lord’s Supper.

The third thing for which Paul prays is that:

3. The eyes of your heart be opened.

The word “Eyes” there refers to the eyes of the mind, or the faculty of knowing. Paul prays for the eyes of the mind to be enlightened.

But Paul uses the word “heart” here. Our culture views the heart as something different than the way Jews did. In our culture we talk about our hearts as being the center of our emotions. When somebody is heart we say, “oh, our hearts were broken.”

For the Jews, the heart is not the center of their emotions. When the Jews thought about the center of emotion they referred to their gut (i.e. splachna).

Jews did not associate the heart with feelings, but rather to thinking. That’s why this word “heart” can be translated as “understanding.” God wants us to use our minds! Christianity is not designed to appeal to emotions; emotions are designed to help us respond by using our minds..

So we’ve seen Paul’s prayers. He prays for three things:

1. A Spirit of wisdom.
2. Revelation
3. The eyes of your heart be opened.

At the end of verse 18 you will see a key phrase in the text that allows us to see a point of transition. These are the two key words, “so that.” We’ve seen what Paul prays for, and these two words allow us to know why Paul prayed what he did. As we will see Paul prayed for us to have these three things for three reasons.

1. What is the hope of His calling.

V.18- …so that you will know what is the hope of His calling

The NIV translates this, “the hope to which He has called you. The word “hope” there means “to anticipate, usually with pleasure.”

This is not the hope of your calling (O’Brien, 135), which would be personal and individualistic.

No, the hope of His calling deals with God’s saving purposes in the totality of its scope: from beginning to end. Paul wanted God to enlighten the believers concerning the great truths of election, predestination, redemption, justification, sanctification, and glorification.


2. What are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.

V.18… what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints

This means that all believers are the inheritance of God. This “inheritance” of which Paul speaks is not something God bestows on us. In Dt. 32:9 Moses says For the LORD’S portion is His people. We are God’s treasured possession. Can you even begin to grasp that? One commentator put it this way: “we get heaven and God gets us.” He goes on to say, “Initially [it sounds like] God is being short-changed” (Boles 215). But that’s because we don’t see the church like God sees it.

The very well known New Testament scholar F.F. Bruce, I believe, explains this verse the best I think I’ve heard it: “That God should set such a high value on a community of sinners, rescued from perdition and still bearing too many traces of their former state, might well seem incredible were it not made clear that he sees them in Christ, as from the beginning he chose them in Christ” (Bruce quoted in O’Brien 136).

Friends, God wants us to appreciate the value God places on us (O’Brien 136). Such love calls us to respond with a humble heart.


The bottom line that God is communication here is that words can’t describe the greatness of this inheritance that God has planned for us.

3. What is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe

V.19- …and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe

Remember what has been said:
God desires for His people to manifest fruit in their daily lives.
God desires for His people to have a comprehensive grasp of His work in our lives.
The third point is:

3. God desires for His people to know that His power is on our side.

V.19b- These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might V.20- which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, V.21- far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. V.22- And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, V.23- which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Here is the question that you need to ask yourself: What is the power of God toward me? Remember verses 18-19?

The power from God that is for believers is the power that God exerted when He (vss.19-23):
1. Raised Christ from the dead
2. Seated Christ at the right hand of God
3. Gave Christ all authority (Matt. 28:18; Col. 1:16)
4. Power
5. Dominion
6. Gave Christ the name above all names
7. Put all things under Christ’s feet (Ps. 8:6; 1 Cor. 15:27).
8. Gave him as head of the Church (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 4:15; Col. 1:18).


God wants you and I to know that He has given us unbelievable power!!

What does his power accomplish in our lives?

1. His power gives you grace- Eph. 3:7- Paul says, I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.

2. His power gives you the strength to work- Col. 1:29- For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

3. His power gives us strength to evangelize- Rom. 1:16- I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation.

4. His power gives us the strength to endure suffering- 2 Cor. 4:7- But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves

Remember the point Paul wants to communicate: The power of God is on your side! Out of all the ways Paul could have illustrated this point, he chooses to use Christ as his illustration. Reread verse 19.

Paul is telling you and me that “one way you can see the power of God, and one way that you can see that the power of God is sufficient to help you along in the Christian life, is to look at the power of God at work in the life of Jesus Christ.”(Ligon Duncan).

You ask, “Lord is there strength to help me in my situation?” He says, “The power that is at work in you is the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. “

Is there strength to help you with your sin? The power that is at work in you is the same power that caused the ascension of Christ

Whenever you begin to question God’s power in your life…look to Christ.

If you think God won’t come through on His promises, remember that He did for Christ.

Knowing that Paul wrote this letter, and understanding that Paul’s protégé Timothy was the last person to whom Paul wrote, it is interesting to note the last piece of instruction Paul leaves with him.

Paul’s son in the faith, Timothy, dealt with many of the struggles you and I face. He may have been timid (2 Tim. 1:7-8) and discouraged because some of the people in his congregation were questioning his youth (1 Tim. 4:12). The false teachers in Ephesus were confusing his people with endless genealogies and myths (1 Tim. 1:3-4). Paul told him to stir up the gift of God that was in him (2 Tim. 1:6) and get his gifts organized (1 Tim. 4:14). But above all he needed to "Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David" (2 Tim. 2:8, NASB). Paul wanted Timothy to remember the greatness of the Person who lived within him.
Short bibliography in case you’re interested to know what helps I used:

Boles, Kenneth. The College Press NIV Commentary: Galatians & Ephesians. College
Press: Joplin, 1993.*

Gaebelein, Frank, Ed. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Volume 11. Zondervan:
Grand Rapids, 1978.

Hubbard, David and Glenn Barker. Word Biblical Commentary: Ephesians. Word
Books: Dallas, 1990.

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Ephesians. Moody:
Chicago, 1986.

O’Brien, Peter. The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter To The Ephesians.
Eerdmans: Grand Rapids, 1999.

Oden, Thomas, Ed. Ancient Christian Commentary On Scripture: New Testament VIII
Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians. InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove, 1999.

Wells, David. The Courage to Be Protestant: Truth-lovers, Marketers, and Emergents in
the Postmodern World. Eerdmans: Grand Rapids, 2008.

* This guy is a big time Arminian.