In studying the Bible, a distinction must be made between position and practice. If you don't understand which statements are positional and which are practical you'll never interpret the Bible correctly. For example, in 1 Corinthians 3:17 Paul told the Corinthians they were holy. But he also said to them, "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness" (2 Cor. 7:1). On the surface you might think the Corinthians were holy some of the time and filthy the rest of the time. The fact is that positionally they were holy before God in Christ but not in their practice. Positionally a believer is perfectly holy and righteous in Christ. That is an eternal, unchanging reality. But his practice is weighed down by any unholy and unrighteous behavior. The goal of the Christian life is to make your practice equal your position.
EPHESIANS 1:11-23
15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I 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, 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.
Supporting Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
1 John 3:16
1 Corinthians 2:11
John 14:26
Romans 8:19
Ephesians 5:22-23
Colossians 1:18-20
15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
- “For this reason” or “therefore” references v. 3-14 (chosen, redeemed, adopted, sealed, Holy Spirit as a deposit… “to the praise of His glory.”)
- Paul’s ministry always included intercessory prayer & thanksgiving.
- Paul’s prayer is based on the believers’ tremendous inheritance in Christ.
- “I have heard” … how? Messengers travelled great distances to bring messages to & from Paul.
- Faith and love are the basic indicators of a true Christian. A believer's faith in Christ is proven by his love toward all saints. First John 2:9-11 says that if you claim to have saving faith yet hate your brother, you're a liar. Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). Love is defined as self-sacrificing service of to. True faith will result in love.
- Love for all the saints …
- “all” = Indescriminate (we don’t get to choose
who)- How is “love” defined in Christ?
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8; 1 John 3:16)
- Church community = Mutual sacrifice, bearing burdens, spiritual support (prayer,
forgiveness, accountability & encouragement).
STUDY QUESTION #10 - How would you describe the quality of faith you see around you today? Elevator faith or Stairway faith?
17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I 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,
- Paul carefully identifies who is receiving his prayer and who is all powerful to answer it.
- “spirit” is not referring to Holy Spirit, or even man’s spirit (or soul). Rather, it is an attitude of wisdom and revelation, or a oneness in spirit with God, allowing for increased wisdom and revelation.
- “know him better” = not “knowledge.” Rather “know” translates to an intimate, personal and experiential understanding of God – that He would flow through us; that our essence would be transformed to His essence.
- “eyes may be enlightened = Holy Spirit granting us understanding of God’s word and what they had been taught. (1 Corinthians 2:11 & John 14:26)
- “hope” – not “wish for” … rather “certainty of expectation in the future.” … “the sun will rise”
- Why? “called” is a calling from Christ and a summons to Him. Perfect deliverance and perfect fellowship.
- “glorious inheritance” – God owns all, but his most precious possession is His church. And, we are reminded that His glorious inheritance also is ours, as adopted co-heirs.
#2 – Paul prayed for the Ephesians to have a spirit of wisdom and revelation to know God better. Describe the process of knowing God better.
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,
- “incomparably great power” – how often do we pray that God will grant us power that He already has given us? We pray for strength, we pray for wisdom, discernment, etc. All granted in our “deposit” of the Holy Spirit.
- Why then, do we sometimes feel so powerless?
- Acting on our own power - Not walking in close fellowship/communion with God
- How powerful? He raised Christ from the dead
- “In the heavenly realms – again, reference to the spiritual realm within which all of this happens.
#4 – The same power that raised Christ from the dead works through our faith. In what way should we be using the power of our faith?
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,
- In that time, throughout that region, there was great fear of spiritual powers, demons, etc. dominating life. Paul reminds believers that, as Christians, we have nothing to fear.
- What is Jesus Christ’s inheritance as the natural son of God? – seated at His right hand – with authority over ALL (and we are co-heirs!)
- What are the parameters of His reign?
- Eternal (now and in the age to come).
- Titles or Names = every one you can think of and more!
- Christ again referenced as the “head” of the Church.
#5 – If God is over all rulers, kings, and powers in this world, why do evil dictator exist? More directly, why does evil exist, or tragedy, etc. (HINT: See Romans 8:19).
23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
- Christ is the full expression of God and the church is the full expression of Christ.
- Jesus Christ walking on earth as a man allowed us to see God
- When people look at His church, they should see Jesus
#9 – Describe God’s relationship to his church, as Paul states it in this passage (See also Ephesians 5:22-23 and Colossians 1:18-20)
#11 – Paul says the church is the body of Christ. In what way is the church filled with Christ?
No comments:
Post a Comment
Post Comments Here: