SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). That We Might Know God (vs 17b):
(2). That We Might Know Gods Calling (vs 18a)
(3). That We Might Know Gods Riches (vs 18b)
(4). That We Might Know Gods Power (vs 19-23).
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• Many years ago, the prince of Grenada, who was an heir to the Spanish crown,
• Was arrested and sentenced to life in solitary confinement in Madrid’s ancient prison.
• The prison was so dreadful, so dirty, and so dreary nature,
• That it had earned the nickname, “The Place of the Skull.”
• Everyone knew that once you were in, you would never come out alive.
• The prince was would be in that prison and in solitary confinement for 33 years.
• He was only ever given one book to read during the entire time: The Bible.
• With only one book to read,
• You can imagine that he read it hundreds and hundreds of times.
• The book became his constant companion.
• After 33 years of imprisonment, he died.
• When they came to clean out his cell, they found some notes he had written,
• He made them by using nails to scratch on the soft stone of the prison walls.
The notations were of this sort:
• Psalm 118:8 is the middle verse of the Bible.
• Ezra 7:21 contains all the letters of the alphabet except the letter J;
• The ninth verse of the eighth chapter of Esther is the longest verse in the Bible.
• No word or name more than six syllables can be found in the Bible.
• This individual spent 33 years of his life,
• Studying what many believe to be the greatest book of all time.
• Yet he could only glean trivia.
• Sadly, from what we know from his etchings,
• He never made any sort of commitment to Christ.
• He simply became an expert at Bible trivia.
• TRANSITION: May God keep us from knowing facts about God,
• May our studies in the Bible lead us to a deeper knowledge of God.
• That was the prayer of the apostle Paul for this Church in Ephesus,
• And it should be the prayer echoed by all of God’s people.
Note: A true knowledge of God starts at a person’s conversion.
• If you are not converted, saved, born-again, a follower of Jesus,
• You will only ever have knowledge in the sense of facts about God,
• But when a person is saved they can start to experience friendship with God.
Ill:
• In the News this week (August 2020).
• There was a story from Wellington, New Zealand.
• [Let’s watch it: YouTube: https://youtu.be/_Uzm33empvo]
• Three men were rescued from a tiny Pacific island,
• After writing a giant SOS sign in the sand that was spotted from above,
• The men had set out to reach another island called Pulawat,
• But something went wrong with their 23-foot boat,
• And they sailed off course and ran out of fuel.
• The men had been missing (in the Micronesia archipelago) for nearly three days
• And were living on the uninhabited Pikelot Island.
• When rescuers spotted their distress signal.
• The men were found about 118 miles from where they had set out.
• And you will be glad to know that they were found in good condition,
• And an Australian military helicopter was able to land on the beach
• And give them food and water until a patrol vessel was able to pick them up.
TRANSITION: We noted last week in the apostle Paul’s prayer of praise,
• That he gave thanks that these Christians had been rescued.
• 10 times in the first 14 verses of chapter 1.
• We read the expression or phrase “in Christ,” “in him,” or “in whom.”
• Without Christ we are like those stranded men lost on Pikelot Island.
• But when we cried out S.O.S. (Save Our Souls),
• God in his grace and mercy heard that cry and rescued us.
• And like those people in the Amazing Grace video we watched earlier on in the service*,
• Whatever country you are from and whatever language you speak,
• And whatever time you were born in history,
• Every Christian will tell the exact same story.
• They were unable to save themselves,
“'Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear,
And Grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.”
• It was all of grace, of God.
• He saved us, he rescued us, he wanted us!
• [*Video: 50 Countries Affected By COVID-19 Sing Amazing Grace
• https://youtu.be/BA7pdABvpnc]
And that is the start of when any person really starts to know God:
• Up until then if you had Christian parents,
• Or were sent to Sunday school etc you will have known about God (information).
• But when we came to faith, we started a relationship of knowing God.
Ill:
• It has often rightly been said in our type of Churches,
• That Christianity is not a religion.
• It is a relationship with the living God.
• Now any personal relationships will not run on autopilot.
• Relationships require work, sometimes hard work!
• TRANSITION: Like most people in the world,
• We all appreciate a good short-cut,
• But there has never been a shortcut discovery regarding building a relationship,
• Not with people, and especially not with God.
• All of us as Christians can have a greater knowledge of God.
• But that will not happen instantly,
• It will always require two things, hard work and time.
Ill:
• Søren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher, theologian, poet,
• Social critic and religious author.
• A very clever but hard to read man,
• Yet he often used the simplest illustrations in his writings.
• Once he said that Christians reminded him of schoolboys
• Who want to look up the answers to their math problems in the back of the book?
• Rather than work them through.
• TRANSITION: In other words, we all yearn for shortcuts.
• But shortcuts usually lead away from growth, not toward it.
• I believe that is one reason why God does not answer all our prayers instantly?
• Because prayer and study, and meditation,
• Are designed primarily for our sakes, not for God's.
• Human beings grow by striving, working, stretching,
• And in a sense, human nature needs problems more than solutions.
• That is why EVERY Christian must travel the same path of spiritual discipline,
• That path may at times seem tedious, monotonous, and hard work,
• But that is the way God has designed it!
(1). That They Might Know God (vs 17b):
“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.”
Ill:
• An atheist may claim there is no God for us to know,
• An agnostic may say that if there is a God, we cannot know Him.
• But the apostle Paul says there is not only a God,
• But he is knowable,
• Remember Paul encountered him on the road to Damascus (Acts chapter 9).
We can know (experience) God in two ways:
(a).
• To know God personally – this is what the Bible calls salvation.
• We have mentioned this already.
• Jesus spoke about it in one of his prayers, e.g. John chapter 17 verse 3:
“And this is the way to have eternal life - to know you, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth”.
Ill:
• There are many ways to Jesus,
• If we had a testimony time this morning, we would all have a different story to tell.
• Those stories would show a real mix, a variety of ways to encounter Jesus.
• But there is only one way to God the father.
• Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life….”
• (John chapter 14 verse 6).
(b).
• To know God increasingly – this is called sanctification,
• Chapter 1 verse 17b: “…may know him better.”
“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.”
When it comes to knowing God, we all start at the same point:
• For some having a famous parent or good family name might help them in life,
• e.g. Prince William or Romeo Beckham will probably be favoured,
• For a job or membership to an exclusive club before the likes of you and me.
• e.g. For some their school or university might open up career opportunities for them.
• Going to Harrow or Oxford or Eaton is more impressive than Mosley Junior School!
• TRANSITION:
• Did you notice knowing God has nothing to do with our social standing,
• It has nothing to do with our education,
• It has nothing to do with our talents or natural gifting.
Every Christian can know God because of two things:
• God through the Holy Spirit gives to Christians ‘wisdom & revelation’
• L.B.: “Wisdom to see clearly & really understand who Christ is…”
• Wisdom: means, insight to understanding the things of God.
• ill: Spiritual spectacles to help us focus and see clearly.
• Revelation: means we will always be learners,
• Because God is always revealing truth and knowledge about himself.
• ill: Bible is a bottomless ocean, always more to discover.
• So, the apostle Paul’s first prayer point,
• Is that Christians will get to know God and not just know about him!
(2). That We Might Know Gods Calling (vs 18a)
“pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you…”
ill:
• (a). Most days I get a calling,
• Normally it is from someone who says, “I’m not trying to sell you anything”
• And then they proceed to try and sell me something.
• Once I sarcastically point this out to them,
• The caller hangs up and we part company.
• (b). My wife Penny on the other hand gets lots of callings,
• Often from friends and she can be on the phone for long periods of time.
• To her the phone is an important way to keep in touch with people.
• TRANSITION: This verse tells us that God has a calling on our lives:
• That calling is not to annoy us or to get something from us,
• But rather his calling is to pleasure us, to benefit us.
Note: The word ‘called’ or ‘calling’ is an important word in the Christian’s language.
• e.g. The apostle Peter wrote in his letter:
• Every Christian has been “called out of darkness into his marvellous light”
• (1 Peter chapter 2 verse 9),
• e.g. Every time we use the word ‘Church’ it is a reminder of God’s calling.
• The word Church means, “called out.”
• e.g. In his letters, the apostle Paul often testified that God called him “by His grace”
• (Galatians chapter 1 verse 15).
• e.g. And he once reminded Timothy that every Christian has a “holy calling”
• (2 Timothy chapter 1 verse 9).
• e.g. And in this chapter, the apostle Paul reminds us in verse 18,
• “That you may know the hope to which he has called you,”
• He also repeats this idea in chapter 4 verse 4,
• “There is one body& one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called”
• That every Christian has hope because of this calling.
• For everyone in Christ, the future is positive for it is in him and one day with him.
Ill:
• These Christians lived in Ephesus which was a wealthy city:
• It was a Roman capital, and a seaport,
• It was a wealthy commercial center that experienced trade from all over the world.
• The temple of the Greek goddess Artemis (Diana) stood as its crown jewel.
• This pagan religion dominated the city and the people.
• This temple was one of the wonders of the ancient world.
• Today, Ephesus might be an archaeologist’s paradise,
• And a tourist hotspot.
Ill:
• Show an illustration drawing of temple of the Artemis (Diana).
• Then show what its ruins are today (a single pillar).
• It was one of the wonders of the ancient world.
• But all of its former wealth and splendour are gone.
• But the Christians who once lived in Ephesus:
• The recipients of this letter are today in with their Lord in heaven,
• They are enjoying the eternal things of God that can never perish!
• TRANSITION: The apostle Paul is reminding us in this letter,
• That we too have that same living hope,
• That should motivate us to live like Christ today.
(3). That We Might Know Gods Riches (vs 18b)
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,
• We noted last week that those riches are all found in Christ.
• Verse 3b: “who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
Note:
• This phrase does not refer to our inheritance in Christ,
• But his inheritance in us. “…the riches of HIS glorious inheritance in the saints,”
• This is an amazing, mind blowing truth,
• That God should look on us as a part of his great wealth!
Ill:
• John D. Rockefeller was the world’s first billionaire.
• It is said that for many years,
• Although he could afford the best food and have it cooked by the best chefs,
• He lived on a diet of crackers and milk because of stomach troubles,
• That were caused because he worried about his wealth.
• He rarely had a good night’s sleep,
• And had security guards constantly standing at his door or by his side when he went out.
• He was wealthy—but miserable!
• Ironically when he began to share his wealth with others,
• In great charitable activities,
• His health improved considerably,
• And he lived to be an old man.
• TRANSITION: Today, Rockefeller’s name is forever linked with money.
• He invested it wisely and his wealth brought glory to his name,
• In a similar way God has invested in us.
• And his name will be glorified by the church,
• Because we are God’s inheritance,
• We should live to please and glorify Him.
(4). That We Might Know Gods Power (vs 19-23).
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.
Ill:
• The American newspaper publisher, William Randolph Hearst,
• Invested a fortune collecting art treasures from around the world.
• One day he was flicking through an art magazine,
• And he came across some works of art that took his fancy.
• Hearst decided he had to have them,
• And so, he gave one of his members of staff the task to track them down and buy them.
• After months of searching, the members of staff reported back to him,
• He had finally found the owner of the treasures.
• They were in storage in one of Mr. Hearst’s own warehouses.
• Hearst had been searching frantically for treasures he already owned!
• Had he been aware of what was his,
• He would have saved himself a great deal of money and trouble.
• TRANSITION: You and I as Christians:
• Must realise that like William Randolph Hearst,
• We have great riches, great treasures at our disposal.
• In verse 18 the apostle Paul does not ask God to give them what they do not have,
• Instead he prays that God will reveal to them what they already have!
Ill:
• Did you notice that one word was not enough to describe God’s power:
• So, the apostle Paul actually uses four different Greek words to get his point across.
• Greek word: dunamis— “power” as in dynamo and dynamite.
• Greek word: energeia— “working” as in energy.
• Greek word: kratos— “mighty”.
• Greek word: ischus— “power.”
With all that divine dynamic, eternal energy, available to us!
• The good news is this,
• We don’t have to feel so weak!
• We don’t have to live powerless lives.
GOD GIVES US HIS POWER FOR SEVERAL REASONS:
(1). Because by nature we are weak.
• And no-one can live the Christian life in their own power, their own strength.
• It is not hard to live the Christian life in our own strength it is IMPOSSIBLE!
• e.g. The words of Jesus in John chapter 15 verse 5.
• “Apart from you can do nothing!”
• e.g. Jesus words to the disciples when they fell a sleep in Matthew chapter 26 verse 41:
• “The spirit indeed is willing, but the body is weak”.
• By nature, we are weak.
• But filled by his Spirit we can be strong!
(2). We are in a battle.
• There are enemies who want to rob us of our wealth,
• Other spiritual forces are mentioned in chapter 1 verse 21: and chapter 6 verses 11-12.
• We could never defeat these spiritual foes in our own strength and power,
• But we can through the Spirit’s power.
Notice: How he describes this power.
• The power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
• The power that was needed for Christ to ascended back to heaven,
• Is the same power available for you and me today!
Question: But how does this apply to you and me today?
Answer: Is found in a simple illustration (vs 22-23).
“And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way”
• Using the body as an illustration,
• The apostle Paul reminds us that Christ is the Head.
• Each Christian makes up the body of Christ.
• This means that there is a living connection between you and Christ.
• The head controls the body and keeps the body functioning properly.
• Physically speaking if you injure certain parts of the brain.
• And you handicap or paralyze corresponding parts of the body.
• Verse 23 reminds us that Christ is our spiritual Head.
• If he is ruling then we will be strong and victorious,
• We will know his power in our lives.
• If, however, to mix my metaphors, the tail tries to wag the head,
• We will be weak and fail.
Quote: John Stott:
“Knowledge is the ladder by which faith climbs higher, the springboard rom which it leaps further. They need each other. Faith cannot grow without a firm basis of knowledge; knowledge is sterile if it does not bring forth faith.
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=pMANjwQmGJmPCie0UFfHutmqmPQJNiyU
SERMON VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/tRMeMamAzAQ
