Traits Of The Truly Rich

Traits of the Truly Rich

Ephesians 1:15-23

Lady Diana. Married into the Royal Family of England, wife of Prince Charles, the very beautiful Diana had all that anybody could ever dream of. She had two most beautiful children in the world. One would wonder, what more did she want in life? But, no, she was not happy. She did have bouts of depression.

Tiger Woods. A famous professional golf player, who has over one billion dollars. He is linked to many sex scandals, dragging his marriage into a tough divorce. His sex addiction is causing him to spend thousands of dollars on women to have group sex. He has been getting treatment for his sex addiction. Tiger has a list of 20 ladies in his scandalous life.

Richard Lang. A Lottery winner who won nearly $ 2 million five years ago hanged himself at his luxury four-bedroom home. After winning the lottery in 2005, Richard Lang, 31, went on expensive holidays and bought expensive cars. But friends and family were left shocked when he was found dead at his $ 800,000 house.

What is true wealth? Is it having more money? Is it having multiple residences? Is it being able to take a 2 month vacation whenever you want to, and wherever you want to go? Is it having the most expensive car?

Title: Traits of the Truly Rich (Ephesians 1:15-23)

This morning we will try to understand what it means to be truly wealthy. We will try to look at what makes a person wealthy… True richness is not really all about what you have… but it is really all about who you are. It is not so much about what life brings to you… but it is really all about what you bring into life.

Big Idea: Knowing Your Wealth in Christ Enables You to Walk for Christ.

Suggested Outline of Ephesians

I. Doctrine: The Believer's Blessings in Christ (1-3)

II. Duty: The Believer's Behavior in Christ (4-6)

Ephesians balances doctrine and duty. First Paul reminds us of what God has done for us; then he tells us what we must do for Him in response to His mercies. Christian living is based on Christian learning. The believer who does not know his wealth in Christ will never be able to walk for Christ. Our conduct depends on our calling. Too many Christians live in chapters 1-3 and study the doctrines but fail to move into chapters 4-6 and practice the duties.

Ephesus was one of the great cities of Asia Minor: a Roman capital, a center for the worship of Diana, and a wealthy commercial center, located on an ample harbor that invited world trade. The temple of Diana was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and the worship of this goddess was jealously guarded (see Acts 19:23ff).

There are two prayers in Ephesians:

(1) "that you might know," 1:15-23; and

(2) "that you might be," 3:13-21.

The first is for enlightenment, the second for enablement. Paul prays first that we might know what Christ has done for us; then he prays that we might live up to these wonderful blessings and put them to work in our daily lives. (Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament)

Eph 1:3 TLB

How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every blessing in heaven because we belong to Christ.

Eph 1:6-8 TLB

6 Now all praise to God for his wonderful kindness to us and his favor that he has poured out upon us because we belong to his dearly loved Son. 7 So overflowing is his kindness toward us that he took away all our sins through the blood of his Son, by whom we are saved; 8 and he has showered down upon us the richness of his grace-for how well he understands us and knows what is best for us at all times.

Eph 1:15-23 NIV

15 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. 17 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, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far 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. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.