Intro: Last week as we began studying Paul’s letter labeled Ephesians we began to learn about our identity. Remember that I said that our identity is important because it determines our activity. What we will see this morning is God’s power in us. Paul got extremely excited in the first 14 verses that he almost babbled. Paul was recounting the plan of God from before time to the end of time. We were chosen, we were predestined, adopted, sealed, and promised.
Now Paul begins thanking God for how he worked in lives of the Ephesians and how He will work in us. He also prays for the benefit of the Ephesians. One thing that you discover as you read the prison letters of Paul he never prays with material requests. He does however again and again pray for their growth of character and their nearness to God (spiritual growth).
I. Evidence of God working in you
Paul was praying and giving thanks to God but what for? He was thanking God for the Ephesians genuine faith. Wouldn’t you love to have someone thank God for the faith they heard you had?
It was evident in the life of the Ephesians that God was at work in them. Philippians 2.13 tells us that it is God at work in us to will and to work for His good pleasure.
A) Faith in Christ alone 15a
Saving faith finds is foundation and focus in Christ. You are saved by grace through faith in Christ.
A fairly unknown verse of Rock of ages says it well
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
Paul was thanking God for grace working out in the lives of the Ephesians. There is no creed or statement we can accept, there is no work or activity we can complete. If only people could really understand this. When we surrender to Jesus we are cleansed, we are set apart, we are now able to enjoy a relationship to God with nothing hanging over our head. Faith here means assurance, confidence in Christ’s finished work of salvation. Salvation is saying yes to a person you encounter by faith Jesus Christ. He becomes the foundation of your life. Not all of them were confident in Christ. There was faith among the Ephesians but not all of them had faith. Faith in the Lord Jesus uses a preposition that pictures a fixed position. Hebrews 6.19 tells us this hope, this confidence we have anchors our soul. It fixes us to God in Christ. He firmly connects us to God.
Are you confident in Christ, have you said yes to God?
B) Love for all the saints 15b
The Bible only gives one great proof that we are followers of Jesus. John 13.35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Saving faith should produce serving love. What is the true mark of a Christian, a Christ follower? Love. When God works in us in faith He then works through us in love.
I am talking of the God kind of love. Serving love.
Instead of us defining lets let the Bible define it.
Turn to 1 Corinthians 13 The great love chapter.
Are you enduring religion or enjoying a relationship? Paul said the Ephesians had love for all the saints! Why is this so amazing, because it is so unlike us as Christians.
Jonathan Swift observed, “We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.” Surface Christianity gives us enough reason to criticize and keep people at arms length.
Paul uses agape for love in this passage. A love that is described in 1 Corinthians 13, a thoughtful, choosing, serving God like love.
Do you praise God when others are growing spiritually?
As you read this is love working out in you?
II. Experience of God working for in you. (Paul’s prayer)
1.17 (read) Paul petitions God to give the Ephesians a closer intimacy.
A) Better knowledge of Christ
Verse 17 finds Paul praying for the continual growth of believer’s relationship to Christ. He desired for them to move from milk to meat. Paul is for the Epehsian believers to mature in their faith. He is praying that their personal knowledge of Christ would increase. There is probably the Hebrew word yada behind this statement. It was translated in Genesis “Adam knew Eve his wife. That their spiritual life would become deeper and stronger. Do you take time to get below the surface with God? Do you have an exchange with Jesus Christ.
Many of the Ephesians appear to have known Jesus. Paul is praying for a real deep thorough knowledge.
How appropriate a word for today! The world says know yourself. Paul is yelling know Christ.
Deep knowledge, connection to Christ comes only by the ministry of the Spirit.
1Corinthians 2.10, 11 “The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”
The great need of our church and every church is a real, deep, abiding fuller knowledge of Christ. Is that your prayer?
1.18 “that you will know”
B) Better discernment (spiritual vision)
1) Understanding God’s plan for you
The hope of His calling. This is a future aspect of God’s plan. The seal of the spirit gives us this hope this confidence.
What is God’s plan for you? Salvation is a confident trust that is cultivated into a maturing walk. In chapter 4 Paul is challenging the Ephesians to walk worth of the calling. Sanctification is God cultivating in you the character of Christ. Glorification is God fulfilling His promise to make us like Him. That is the hope of our calling. The most mature Christ follower in this life struggles with sin. Yet in 1 John 2.28-3.3 we ar promised to be made like Him. We will never be God. We will always be like Him, he is the radiant glory we will reflect His glory. He is the source of life and light we are the sponges and blessed ones. This goes so far beyond physical blessing. This is a promise of being filled completely, fill my cup lord I lift it up.
This is the promise of having our desires drowned in the presence of God. One day the hunger and thirst to be like Christ will be quenched. God will glorify us and take away forever the sin nature and its influence on creation. We have every reason to shout and share our hope.
2) Understanding God’s inheritance
We are God’s inheritance. Paul asked that their spiritual eyes would be opened to see the great value God placed on the saints at Ephesus in Christ. The understanding is important so that they will live in a way that is appropriate for people of such a high calling. God is owner of all creation. The vast galaxies, and universes as far as the hubble telescope can see. Yet we are His inheritance!! Because it is all based solely on what God did in Christ.
3) Understanding God’s power in you
Paul uses various words that speak of power in verse 19. “Power” dynamis – dynamite explosive dynamic power, “working” energy working in us, “strength” an ability to conquer in abundance, “might” physical force.
Paul is doing all he can to talk about the superior power at work in you! It is the power that raised Jesus from the dead, it is the power that he ascended with, it is the power that placed all things under His feet.
We are given Jesus who is over all things superior in authority and power, He is head of the church.
The church is not an institution. We are an organism, given supernatural power and life by our vital connection to Christ.
The power that raised Him from the dead and exalted Him to a place of authority and power is available to us His body! We are rich. We are blessed in the heavenly because God’s power is at work in us to transform us into the image of Christ!
Conclusion: If God’s power is to work in us to make us like Him it is at work now. Paul prayed that our spiritual eyes would be opened. That we would grow in our love relationship with our Jesus Christ. These promises are not just for the future they are also available presently.
Is your faith maturing into love? You will not find this knowledge in merely attending a Worship time, or joining a small group or church. As your spiritual eyes are enlightened and you grow to know Him better you will never be the same.
