Ephesians 1:15-23. Spiritually focussed! 20/5/07
{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.
Today we particularly remember Jesus’ ascension. That is his physical departure from this earth to now sit at the right hand of God the Father in all his glory. Now in this reading, Paul's uses Jesus’ ascension as an inspiration and basis for his prayer of encouragement for the Ephesians, and for us today. He prays that we might be given the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we may know the Lord Jesus even better. Also so that we might have the spiritual insight to know the hope that we have as Christians, because of what Jesus has done for us through his life, death, resurrection and ascension. Here particularly what he has accomplished in his ascension for us.
Now it is interesting to ponder over this prayer and begin to understand in a deeper way what Paul has in mind for us. I believe we today need this just much as the Ephesians of Paul’s day. All of us are constantly in need of what Paul is praying for here. We all struggle with the faith. We know somewhat, what it is to be Christian but somehow it doesn't seem to always be there for us. We lack that sparkle – that something extra – that we believe should be there; we get caught up in life and so often our Christian life suffers as a result. We look here, and around us, and everything seems a long way from what it should be. We face various situations and many times cannot see and hope beyond – and so feel trapped and alone. Spiritually we are only firing on one cylinder. We feel that life is a real battle and we seem to be failing miserably.
That is why Paul prays, that our great God might give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we might know him better. He prays that God's Spirit will continually give to us and be at work in our lives with his wisdom. Now more than ever before we need the Spirit’s guidance to help us to know how to best deal with and live our life as a Christian, every day. But also, and particularly, to never lose sight of that which is important for us: that is to know God - to really know him. Not just to have some knowledge about him and what he has done for us. The devil knows that too.
Now that basic knowledge of God and Christ and other aspects of the Christian faith that are important for us, has been made known to us over and over again. We have come to know that we are unable, in any way shape or form to be acceptable to God, by our own goodness or merit. But then thankfully we also have had revealed to us all that God has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ and his life, death, resurrection and ascension. You have come to know of the importance of Baptism, Holy Communion and prayer. These are all basic to the Christian faith.
But the Spirit also wants us to really know and be in a close personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. He does this so that we can look to him and trust him completely as we go through life. He and what he says and does is what is all important for us.
As the Spirit brings us into this relationship where we know Jesus as not only a friend but as God Almighty himself, we can have the confidence to face life, however it might come, knowing that our Lord has the where-with-all to care for us and get us through this life and into heaven. Jesus is the one who died for each one of us so that we can be forgiven. He was raised again so that we can be sure that there is life for each of us, beyond death, with himself. At our baptism he has come to each of us personally to seal that forgiveness and assure us that we are now members of his family. Then week by week he comes to us in a very real way at the Lord’s Table so that we can go forward confidently, knowing that we are forgiven, and that he is with us always. So Jesus is there with us and for us as go about life. And this is what the Spirit brings, gives and makes us aware of. This is great stuff; if only we would realize it.
But Paul goes on and prays that eyes of our heart might be opened up to know the hope to which he has called us, the riches of his glorious inheritance in heaven. He wants each of us to see beyond the here and now: beyond me and what I want, to that which has been won for us; to the One who is all important, great and powerful; incomparably so. And to know that power which raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above every other rule, authority, power and title. To know that this power is at work for our good: That every thing is under his all powerful feet and authority.
And that is his great point here. Jesus was raised from the dead and has ascended on high so that together with his heavenly Father he may be able use his power for good - our good and the good of others. And that power; and that great God who has done so much, is there: he is all powerful; he is almighty; and he has won a place for us in this glorious inheritance. We are a part that greatness in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. It is all there - our great God is there – and he is for us – and he wants us to know this as we go about our lives every day.
And that is what Paul prays that God's Spirit will make you and me aware of in a greater and greater way: That the Spirit will give us this knowledge and understanding more and more all the time. Yes that we may know this great hope that is there for us through Jesus and his life, death, resurrection, ascension and reigning on high; and also that we might be given the wisdom to see it all in its right perspective. It is of far greater importance than what we see and experience here and now, in so far as our earthly world is concerned.
Now that surely gives you and me the confidence to go forward each day and face life in whatever way it comes; because we know that our Lord and saviour rules in all his glory, guaranteeing our inheritance with him. So I would like to conclude with Paul’s words, leading up to this reading here before us.
(Eph 1:3-14)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
To him be glory and honour now and forever. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba
{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.
Today we particularly remember Jesus’ ascension. That is his physical departure from this earth to now sit at the right hand of God the Father in all his glory. Now in this reading, Paul's uses Jesus’ ascension as an inspiration and basis for his prayer of encouragement for the Ephesians, and for us today. He prays that we might be given the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we may know the Lord Jesus even better. Also so that we might have the spiritual insight to know the hope that we have as Christians, because of what Jesus has done for us through his life, death, resurrection and ascension. Here particularly what he has accomplished in his ascension for us.
Now it is interesting to ponder over this prayer and begin to understand in a deeper way what Paul has in mind for us. I believe we today need this just much as the Ephesians of Paul’s day. All of us are constantly in need of what Paul is praying for here. We all struggle with the faith. We know somewhat, what it is to be Christian but somehow it doesn't seem to always be there for us. We lack that sparkle – that something extra – that we believe should be there; we get caught up in life and so often our Christian life suffers as a result. We look here, and around us, and everything seems a long way from what it should be. We face various situations and many times cannot see and hope beyond – and so feel trapped and alone. Spiritually we are only firing on one cylinder. We feel that life is a real battle and we seem to be failing miserably.
That is why Paul prays, that our great God might give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we might know him better. He prays that God's Spirit will continually give to us and be at work in our lives with his wisdom. Now more than ever before we need the Spirit’s guidance to help us to know how to best deal with and live our life as a Christian, every day. But also, and particularly, to never lose sight of that which is important for us: that is to know God - to really know him. Not just to have some knowledge about him and what he has done for us. The devil knows that too.
Now that basic knowledge of God and Christ and other aspects of the Christian faith that are important for us, has been made known to us over and over again. We have come to know that we are unable, in any way shape or form to be acceptable to God, by our own goodness or merit. But then thankfully we also have had revealed to us all that God has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ and his life, death, resurrection and ascension. You have come to know of the importance of Baptism, Holy Communion and prayer. These are all basic to the Christian faith.
But the Spirit also wants us to really know and be in a close personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. He does this so that we can look to him and trust him completely as we go through life. He and what he says and does is what is all important for us.
As the Spirit brings us into this relationship where we know Jesus as not only a friend but as God Almighty himself, we can have the confidence to face life, however it might come, knowing that our Lord has the where-with-all to care for us and get us through this life and into heaven. Jesus is the one who died for each one of us so that we can be forgiven. He was raised again so that we can be sure that there is life for each of us, beyond death, with himself. At our baptism he has come to each of us personally to seal that forgiveness and assure us that we are now members of his family. Then week by week he comes to us in a very real way at the Lord’s Table so that we can go forward confidently, knowing that we are forgiven, and that he is with us always. So Jesus is there with us and for us as go about life. And this is what the Spirit brings, gives and makes us aware of. This is great stuff; if only we would realize it.
But Paul goes on and prays that eyes of our heart might be opened up to know the hope to which he has called us, the riches of his glorious inheritance in heaven. He wants each of us to see beyond the here and now: beyond me and what I want, to that which has been won for us; to the One who is all important, great and powerful; incomparably so. And to know that power which raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above every other rule, authority, power and title. To know that this power is at work for our good: That every thing is under his all powerful feet and authority.
And that is his great point here. Jesus was raised from the dead and has ascended on high so that together with his heavenly Father he may be able use his power for good - our good and the good of others. And that power; and that great God who has done so much, is there: he is all powerful; he is almighty; and he has won a place for us in this glorious inheritance. We are a part that greatness in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. It is all there - our great God is there – and he is for us – and he wants us to know this as we go about our lives every day.
And that is what Paul prays that God's Spirit will make you and me aware of in a greater and greater way: That the Spirit will give us this knowledge and understanding more and more all the time. Yes that we may know this great hope that is there for us through Jesus and his life, death, resurrection, ascension and reigning on high; and also that we might be given the wisdom to see it all in its right perspective. It is of far greater importance than what we see and experience here and now, in so far as our earthly world is concerned.
Now that surely gives you and me the confidence to go forward each day and face life in whatever way it comes; because we know that our Lord and saviour rules in all his glory, guaranteeing our inheritance with him. So I would like to conclude with Paul’s words, leading up to this reading here before us.
(Eph 1:3-14)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
To him be glory and honour now and forever. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba
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