EPHESIANS ONE
Part 4
Summary
In this powerful exploration of Ephesians 1:15-23, we're challenged to seek a deeper understanding of our identity in Christ. The central message revolves around Paul's prayer for spiritual wisdom and revelation. We're reminded that our Christian journey isn't about material blessings, but about comprehending the immense power and inheritance we have in Jesus. The scripture emphasizes that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to us. This revelation should transform our perspective, elevating us above life's challenges and spiritual warfare. As we grasp this truth, our prayer life, relationships, and daily choices will naturally align with God's will. Let's commit to praying for spiritual enlightenment, opening our eyes to the fullness of what it means to be a child of God.
Points Made
Title: Enlightened Understanding: Unlocking the Power and Inheritance in Christ
Sermon Summary: This sermon explores Paul's prayer for the Ephesian church, emphasizing the importance of spiritual enlightenment and understanding of our identity in Christ. The pastor stresses the need for believers to grasp the depth of God's power and the inheritance available to them through Christ. He encourages the congregation to seek a revelation of their true nature in God, moving beyond material pursuits to understand the spiritual riches and authority they possess as children of God.
Key Points:
- The importance of understanding what God has placed in Christ for believers
- The need for spiritual enlightenment to comprehend our inheritance and calling
- The power available to believers is the same power that raised Christ from the dead
- Believers are seated with Christ above all principalities and powers
- The church is Christ's body, sharing in His authority and position
- Prayer should focus on gaining spiritual wisdom and revelation rather than material blessings
Scripture Reference:
- Ephesians 1:15-23
Stories:
- The pastor mentions Kenneth Hagin praying Ephesians 1:17 for a year, keeping his Bible open to this passage
- An analogy of walking with closed eyes to illustrate spiritual blindness
- A reference to people in Ghana paying others to fast for them instead of seeking God themselves
Sermon Summary: This sermon explores Paul's prayer for the Ephesian church, emphasizing the importance of spiritual enlightenment and understanding of our identity in Christ. The pastor stresses the need for believers to grasp the depth of God's power and the inheritance available to them through Christ. He encourages the congregation to seek a revelation of their true nature in God, moving beyond material pursuits to understand the spiritual riches and authority they possess as children of God.
Key Points:
- The importance of understanding what God has placed in Christ for believers
- The need for spiritual enlightenment to comprehend our inheritance and calling
- The power available to believers is the same power that raised Christ from the dead
- Believers are seated with Christ above all principalities and powers
- The church is Christ's body, sharing in His authority and position
- Prayer should focus on gaining spiritual wisdom and revelation rather than material blessings
Scripture Reference:
- Ephesians 1:15-23
Stories:
- The pastor mentions Kenneth Hagin praying Ephesians 1:17 for a year, keeping his Bible open to this passage
- An analogy of walking with closed eyes to illustrate spiritual blindness
- A reference to people in Ghana paying others to fast for them instead of seeking God themselves
Scriptures References
Here are the scripture references mentioned or alluded to in the sermon, along with some relevant verses for the main themes discussed:
Explicitly Mentioned:
1. Ephesians 1:15-23 (main passage)
2. Ephesians 1:13-14
3. Romans 8:29
4. 1 John 3:2
5. Psalm 8 (general reference)
6. Ephesians 1:17-18
7. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
8. Acts 1:8
9. Ephesians 6 (general reference to spiritual warfare)
10. Luke 10:19 (alluded to with "power to tread upon lions and scorpions")
11. Hebrews 2 (general reference)
12. Galatians 1:18 (though this seems to be a mistake, as the content doesn't match Galatians 1:18)
Relevant verses for main themes:
1. On the power of God and believers' authority:
- Philippians 3:10
- Colossians 1:11
- 2 Timothy 1:7
2. On spiritual enlightenment and wisdom:
- James 1:5
- Proverbs 2:6
- Colossians 1:9-10
3. On identity in Christ:
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Galatians 2:20
- Colossians 3:3
4. On inheritance in Christ:
- Romans 8:17
- Galatians 4:7
- 1 Peter 1:3-4
5. On the sealing of the Holy Spirit:
- 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
- Ephesians 4:30
6. On Christ's supremacy:
- Colossians 1:15-20
- Philippians 2:9-11
These references cover the main themes of the sermon, including spiritual enlightenment, identity in Christ, God's power, and the believer's position and inheritance in Christ.
Explicitly Mentioned:
1. Ephesians 1:15-23 (main passage)
2. Ephesians 1:13-14
3. Romans 8:29
4. 1 John 3:2
5. Psalm 8 (general reference)
6. Ephesians 1:17-18
7. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
8. Acts 1:8
9. Ephesians 6 (general reference to spiritual warfare)
10. Luke 10:19 (alluded to with "power to tread upon lions and scorpions")
11. Hebrews 2 (general reference)
12. Galatians 1:18 (though this seems to be a mistake, as the content doesn't match Galatians 1:18)
Relevant verses for main themes:
1. On the power of God and believers' authority:
- Philippians 3:10
- Colossians 1:11
- 2 Timothy 1:7
2. On spiritual enlightenment and wisdom:
- James 1:5
- Proverbs 2:6
- Colossians 1:9-10
3. On identity in Christ:
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Galatians 2:20
- Colossians 3:3
4. On inheritance in Christ:
- Romans 8:17
- Galatians 4:7
- 1 Peter 1:3-4
5. On the sealing of the Holy Spirit:
- 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
- Ephesians 4:30
6. On Christ's supremacy:
- Colossians 1:15-20
- Philippians 2:9-11
These references cover the main themes of the sermon, including spiritual enlightenment, identity in Christ, God's power, and the believer's position and inheritance in Christ.
Discussion Questions
- How might our lives change if we truly understood and embraced the 'spirit of wisdom and revelation' that Paul prays for in Ephesians 1:17?
- In what ways does our focus on material blessings potentially hinder our spiritual growth and understanding of God's true provisions for us?
- How can we practically apply the concept of having our 'eyes of understanding enlightened' in our daily walk with God?
- What does it mean to you personally that believers are seated with Christ 'far above all principalities and powers'?
- How might our prayer life transform if we shifted our focus from asking for things to seeking a deeper revelation of who God is?
- In what ways do you think Satan 'blinds' our understanding, and how can we combat this spiritual blindness?
- How does understanding our true identity in Christ impact our ability to resist sin and live a godly life?
- What are the implications of Paul's statement that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to believers?
- How can we cultivate a deeper appreciation for our spiritual inheritance in Christ, as mentioned by Paul?
- In what ways can the church today embody its role as 'the fullness of him who fills all in all'?
Helpful Quotes
- Understanding God is your proof. It's almost as if I'm going to a battlefield and I'm wearing a bulletproof vest. The bullets cannot hit me.
- Ladies and gentlemen, what we are doing in the Christian walk is that we are walking with our eyes closed.
- You know the reason why most of Christians still sin? Because you don't have a clue. You don't have a clue who God is and what he's made you.
- Whatever is available to you is far above principalities. It's far above dominions. It's far above power. In other words, everything else that operates in this universe, God's power is above it and God's power is made available to you.
- So wherever my body is, Augustine is present. So we just read that God has placed Jesus somewhere. Somewhere. Somewhere. He sat him down above all principalities and powers. All the ruling spirits, God set Jesus above them on his right side. And now Bible says that we are in Christ. That means that wherever Jesus is seated, that's where you are.
- Your Christian journey, your walk with God, begins when you come into understanding of what is going on. Your prayer life changes. The decrees you make changes. Your expectations changes. Your friendship relationship changes. The way you communicate changes. Your hope in life changes. Everything about you changes.