TEXT:
"[15] For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, [16] I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, [17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, [18] having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might [20] that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. [22] And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
While suffering in prison, Paul celebrates how God is working through the churches in Ephesus. Do you find it difficult to celebrate the life of another believer whenever you’re suffering? Why? How can we combat this jealousy in our hearts?
How should Paul’s prayer here shape the way that we pray for one another?
In communicating God’s power, there are a multitude of things Paul could have pointed to. But he chose to point to the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Why do you think he did this?
SERMON MANUSCRIPT:
If I had to go out on a limb today, I would assume that many of us understand the importance of prayer while feeling guilty over our lack of prayer. We know that we should pray, yet we don't pray.
If I were to take a poll asking why we don't pray, I would assume I would receive a wide variety of answers.
"I'm just too busy."
"It's boring."
"It's hard."
"I forget."
"I don't know how."
Many of us learn best by watching. We learn how to do math by watching the professor do math. We learn how to fix our cars by watching YouTube. We learn how to hit a baseball by watching Ken Griffey Jr.
So, could it be that, when it comes to prayer, we do not know how to pray because we haven't watched anyone do it well? Could it be that we simply don't know how to pray? And we need someone to teach and show us?
As we work through the book of Ephesians, we will encounter different moments of Paul showing us how to pray. He's going to show us how to pray by demonstrating to us how he prays. In Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul allows us to peek behind the curtain of his prayer life, which should hopefully teach us how to pray. We can learn best how to pray by watching those in the Bible pray.
Before we dive into these verses, let me be clear: although these verses can teach us how to pray, that is not their purpose. The purpose of these words is to encourage, prepare, and comfort our hearts regarding what we have in Christ. Paul is praying the church will grow to know God better.
So, let's dive in.
"[15] For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, [16] I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, [17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, [18] having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might [20] that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. [22] And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."
A POSITIVE REPORT
Paul first says, "For this reason…" So, what he's doing is linking what he's going to say with everything he's just said. In verses 3-14, we see God's sovereign and gracious work on our behalf in Christ, and now, in verses 15, we see the church's response to this work. They have placed their "faith in Jesus" and are "loving all the saints." Therefore, Paul is excited over what the Lord is doing in and through the lives of God's people!
The language Paul uses to describe the churches in Ephesus reminds us that faith and love go hand in hand. Faith is not a loveless action. The fruit of faith in Jesus is love for Jesus. Those who have placed their faith in Jesus love Jesus, and those who love Jesus will love His people.
So, the churches in Ephesus are seemingly doing well. They're not unraveling at the seams like the churches in Corinth (who are suing each other and sleeping with their dad's wife) or Galatia (who has forsaken the gospel). The talk of the town is that the churches in Ephesus are doing well. Their faith in Jesus is strong, and they are loving each other well.
Brothers and sisters, what would they say if someone were to report on the state of your life? Would they say they've heard of your faith in Jesus and your love for all of the saints?
If someone were to report on the state of Harbor Community Church, what would they say? Would they say they've heard of our faith in Jesus and our love for all of the saints?
If someone were to report on the state of the churches in Mobile, what would they say? Would they say they've heard of our faith in Jesus and our love for all of the saints?
What is our reputation? Are we known as faithful and loving people?
PRAYERFUL THANKFULNESS
Things seem to be going well in Ephesus. And in response to this positive report, Paul thanks God for them. I think this teaches us that prayerful thanksgiving is the proper response to hearing of God's work in another believer's life. A key element of prayer is thankfulness. When we see God save someone, we shout with prayerful thankfulness. When we see God working in and through other believers, we shout with prayerful thankfulness.
Brothers and sisters, as we pray, we should make a habit of thanking God for the work he's doing in the lives of other believers. We should never stop giving thanks for the work God is doing in and through the lives of other believers.
Now, a threat to thankfulness is jealousy and pride. When things aren't going well for ourselves, it's hard to thank God for his work in another believer's life. When we lose our job, it's hard to celebrate our friend who just got a promotion. When we're sick, it's hard to celebrate our friend's health. When our church doesn't seem to be growing, it's hard to celebrate another church's growth.
Do you know where Paul is writing this letter from? Prison. So, while in chains, Paul is writing to those who are free. While he suffers, he celebrates another person's blessing.
Church, listen to me closely. The mark of a mature believer is found in their willingness to celebrate God's blessing on another person's life, even while they suffer. When you see God's blessing on someone else, do you shake your fist at God because you're not the one being blessed? Or do you throw your hands up in prayerful thankfulness?
PRAY FOR THE HURT & HEALTHY
I believe Paul's words here also teach us that prayer isn't only for those who are struggling. Prayer is not only for those who are hurting.
Chances are, if someone asks you, "How can I pray for you?" you immediately start thinking about ways you might be struggling. You think, "Okay, works good, so I don't need prayer there. Our family's okay— everyone's healthy— so we don't need prayer there. Everything is fine." Therefore, you turn down the offer of prayer because everything seems to be okay. Yet, here, Paul prays for those who are seemingly doing well.
Yes, we pray for the sick. Yes, we pray for those who are brokenhearted. Yes, we pray for those who are hurt. But prayer isn't only for the ill but also the healthy. Prayer is for all people in all seasons.
TRANSPARENT PRAYER
Notice what Paul does here. He tells those that he's praying for that he's praying for them— "I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers…"
So, although prayer is often private, our prayers shouldn't be secret. Letting people know you're praying for them is a good practice. Paul picks up his cell phone and calls the church to say, "Hey, I just want you to know I hear what God is doing in your life. I'm thankful for you, and I'm praying for you."
The Bible tells us that "open rebuke is better than hidden love (Prov. 27:5)." So, a healthy practice for a believer is to voice your love and appreciation for others. Who are you thankful for? Do they know you're thankful for them? Who do you love? Do they know you love them? Who are you praying for? Do they know you're praying for them? Our prayers shouldn't be secret.
PRAY WE KNOW GOD
Look at what Paul prays. He prays that God will give them "the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him." In other words, he prays that they will grow in their knowledge of God. This is knowledge based on experience and understanding, the type of knowledge that seeps deep into the heart of a believer. I heard it once described as a knowledge of taste.
Up until college, I hated coffee. I had a sip of it at the age of 10, and I hated it. So I never drank it again.
But, when I graduated college, I accepted a job at a cafe. At this cafe, we sold coffee. So, to be a good employee, I needed to learn the menu. I needed to learn the ins and outs of each beverage so that whenever someone had a question, I could answer it.
But, at that time, I could only answer questions based on intellect alone.
Customer: "How's your vanilla latte?"
Me: "Many love it. It's two shots of espresso, steamed milk, and two pumps of vanilla?"
Customer: "Tell me about your house blend.
Me: "It's roasted locally. It's two parts Honduran and one part Nicaraguan, with notes of chocolate and nuts."
My knowledge of coffee was only intellectual. It was only based on what I had read and heard.
But here's the thing. Over time, I slowly began to drink coffee, and I began to realize coffee is good. So, my knowledge of coffee shifted from intellectual to experiential. My knowledge of flavors had transitioned from my mind to my heart. I had tasted and seen that coffee is good, and I had grown to know coffee in a way I never knew before. The words I read about coffee took on a new meaning because of my experience with the flavors.
This is what Paul is praying will be true of the church. He's praying that they will grow in their knowledge of the God they already know. He's praying that they taste and see that the Lord is good. He's praying that what they learn on paper will impact their hearts and shape the way they live. He's praying that they will know God better.
Church, this should be a prayer we pray often for one another. We should pray that others will know God better. We should pray that we will be a people who understand God, not just with our minds, but with our hearts. True knowledge should impact our hearts and minds. Paul prays that the eyes of their hearts will be enlightened. That the words of Christ will dwell in them richly and that they will know God more fully.
KNOW HOPE
But what does he want the eyes of their hearts to be enlightened to?
Well, first, "to the hope to which he has called them."
Often, in our day and age, hope has a question mark attached to it. I hope Florida State wins on Saturday. I hope I get this job. I hope this sickness goes away. It's a term closely attached to something we look forward to in uncertainty.
But hope in the Bible doesn't have a question mark attached to it. It's a term of certainty. God has called us to something we look forward to in confidence. The Christian life is a life of confident assurance.
As we survey the Scriptures, we see that everything God has said will happen in the past has happened. Therefore, we know that everything God says will happen in the future will happen.
We know how the story ends for us because God— who is faithful and true— has called us to Himself. God has called you. He has saved you. He has redeemed you. He has sealed you. Therefore, you have hope.
So, as we pray for one another, it would be helpful to pray that our hearts will be comforted by the reminder of the hope to which God has called us.
KNOW THE RICHES OF HIS INHERITANCE
The second thing we see Paul pray is that their hearts will be reminded of the "riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."
There's a divide among commentators here. It's one of those divides where both interpretations are theologically true. So, I believe there's freedom to disagree. Perhaps it's a both/and situation?
Some believe this refers to an inheritance we will receive in heaven one day. The New Testament talks about this often. In chapter 1, for example, Paul says, "In him we have obtained an inheritance." So, an inheritance— something far more significant than anything in this life— is kept in heaven for us. It is an inheritance described as imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. So, some believe Paul is building off this point by praying that the church will remember their inheritance in Christ. He's praying that the church will remember that heaven is better.
Others, however, point to the language used here and say, "No, Paul isn't speaking of our glorious inheritance. He's speaking of God's glorious inheritance— "and what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."
This would mean that Paul highlights that the saints— the church, you, and I— are of significant value to God. We are his glorious inheritance. The richness of God's glorious inheritance resides within his bride; the church is his prized possession. Therefore, you are numbered in God's glorious inheritance. You are of significant value to God. You are a part of God's people that he looks forward to being with for all eternity. Paul is praying that the church will understand that they are God's prized possession. He is praying they will know that God desires to be with his people for all eternity. He desires to be with you forever and has taken extreme measures to purchase you as his own.
While praying to the Father, Jesus, in John 17, says, "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world." Jesus allows us to peek behind the curtain of his desires, allowing us to see that he wants us to be with him so that we can see his glory. So, God desires for us to be with him for all eternity so that we might declare his glory for all eternity. You and I are a part of God's glorious inheritance in the saints.
KNOW HIS POWER
He then prays that their hearts will be reminded of the "immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe."
If your faith resides in Christ, if you have believed upon Jesus, then you have access to the immeasurable power of God that resurrected Christ from the dead and seated him at the Father's right hand.
Friends, we are weak, but he is strong. And his strength now resides within us.
How strong is this strength? It is… "according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."
Paul could have pointed to a multitude of things to signify God's power. He could have pointed to the creation of all things. He could have pointed to the parting of the sea. He could have pointed to the fact that he's holding all things together at this particular moment in time. But, he chose to point to the death and resurrection of Jesus. The death and resurrection is the ultimate display of God's power toward us who believe. It's not a moment of defeat; it's a moment of victory. It's not a moment of weakness; it's a moment of power. It's not a moment to scoff at; it's a moment to stand in awe of.
Christ did not simply die on the cross; he was resurrected from the grave. And Christ did not merely resurrect from the grave; he ascended back to the Father, where he sits and reigns over all things right now at this very moment in time.
Brothers and sisters, you and I have the opportunity to walk in power, not weakness. The one who possesses power over all things resides within our hearts today, and Paul is praying that we will know this power.
We have been given the power to proclaim the gospel with effectiveness, speaking life into lifelessness, and hope into hopelessness. We have been given the power to put sin to death. We have been given the power to endure pain, hardship, sickness, persecution, and death. We don't remain steadfast throughout our lives by our own strength but by the power of the Holy Spirit within us.
As we close today, I want to direct our attention to Revelation 2, where the Lord speaks to the church in Ephesus, "[2] I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. [3] I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. [4] But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. [5] Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. [6] Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. [7] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."
I think the life of the church of Ephesus and the prayer of Paul is an essential reminder for us today. It's easy to drift from our first love. Those who once loved well had developed calloused hearts and forsaken that love. They had abandoned the love they had at first. So, may we be intentional in praying for one another. May we pray that we know God deeply and intimately.
Holy Spirit, help our hearts to remain tender. Help us to know you and the hope to which you've called us. Help us to know the richness of your glorious inheritance in the saints. Help us to know what is the immeasurable greatness of your power toward us who believe.