Growing In Knowing God Series

“Growing in Knowing God"

Ephesians 1:15-18

Growing in Faith and Love

Growing in God

Growing in Understanding

When Charles Spurgeon was pastor at New Park Street in London, God used his words to bring about amazing changes in the lives of people. A man who was on his way to get some gin saw the crowd at the church door and pushed his way in to see what was going on. At that moment, Spurgeon turned and faced the man and said that there was a man in the gallery who had a gin bottle in his pocket and had come with no good motive. The startled man listened to the rest of the message and was converted. One evening a prostitute, on her way to Blackfriars Bridge to commit suicide, stopped at the church, hoping to hear some word that would prepare her to meet her maker. Spurgeon was preaching from Luke 7:36-50, the story of the prostitute who wiped Jesus feet with her tears. His text was verse 44; "Seest thou this woman?" As Spurgeon preached, the woman saw herself but also saw the grace of God and trusted Christ. W. Wiersbe, Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching and Preachers, Moody Press, 1984, p. 231.

Let us give God’s word and knowledge so intimately that His merest thought is heard and given to those in need by us…

Growing in Faith and Love

Ephes. 1:15-16 (NIV)

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, [16] I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

Something was happening in the Christian family in Ephesus.

People were talking about their “faith” in Jesus Christ and their “love” for all of God’s people.

Paul heard of their “pistis” Gk; which means persuasion, assurance or simply “faith” in the Lord Jesus.

We can see that our heavenly Father desires that we depend on Him in faith, whoever has faith is able to have all that we truly need.

Whoever does not have faith in and of God can and will have nothing.

Where are you standing on this faith issue today?

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12 (NIV)

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. Acts 3:16 (NIV)

I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. Acts 20:21

Another important aspect of our faith is being faithful in prayer.

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephes. 1:16 (NIV)

Paul says he never stops giving thanks “eucharisteo”, yoo-khar-is-teh’-o, Gk., which means to give thanks to God for His grace.

Paul also remembered the believers in prayer “proseuche”, pros-yoo-khay‘, Gk., which means to pray earnestly for.

As Brother’s and Sister’s let us remember to pray for each other.

Paul knew that the Ephesian Christians needed to grow in their knowledge and relationship with Christ.

If they failed to grow in their knowledge of God they would slip back to their former ways.

Let us remain faithful in fellowship and our desire to grow and to know Christ more.

Will you commit to this today?

Growing in God

Ephes. 1:17-18 (NIV)

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 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,

How well do you know God? Does He want to be known by you?

The primary verb know Him “eido” is used and inferred some 25 times. It seems that God does indeed desire for us to know and grow with him.

Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. [29] But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me. John 7:28-29 (KJV)

Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. John 8:55 (KJV)