Getting To Know Him 4 Series

Dakota Community Church

November 28, 2010

Getting to Know Him - 4

Ephesians 1:15-23

15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I 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. 18I pray also 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 the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

We stay out of legalism by getting to know Him better.

What do we need to know?

1. The hope to which we are called

Ephesians 1:18

18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you…

2. The glorious inheritance

Ephesians 1:18

18I pray also 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 the saints…

We want the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we might continually be coming to know God better.

We want the eyes of our hearts to be enlightened – spiritual illumination – so that we might know the hope he has called us to which is connected to the rich glorious inheritance that exists in the saints. In Christ we have this hope, this inheritance that is ours by being in the saints.

And finally Paul wants the Ephesian believers to have revelation from the Holy Spirit concerning:

3. His great power for us who believe

You know that I am Pentecostal in background and affiliation.

I am Spirit filled and speak in tongues and have since the night of my rebirth in August 1983.

I have seen firsthand the supernatural power of God at work.

I have been healed, prayed for people who were healed, and been present in services where things that could only be described as “supernatural” happened.

I have been “slain” in the Spirit.

I have prayed for people and seen them “slain” (Rosie’s nephew)

I have seen demonic manifestation and one time actually felt the cold hand of what I believe was a demon, wrap its fingers around my neck and attempt to choke me as I prayed.

In spite of all of that I am not really comfortable with this topic.

I am skeptical most of the time – God help me.

I believe I have seen far more false supernatural activity than genuine.

I have been deceived.

I have for a time - believed and taught a false gospel – for which I have repented in many tears.

I know that God is still supernaturally working amoung us.

Michelle is in remission.

Leann heard from God and saw prayer answered immediately during Azalea’s operation.

I still struggle when dealing with this topic though – but let’s get into it anyway!

Ephesians 1:18-21

18I pray also 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 the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Paul wants us to have spiritual eyes that see, revelation knowledge, Holy Spirit inspired understanding and wisdom concerning the power of God for us who believe.

What is that power like?

Verse 19-20

That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms…