A Prayer for Enlightenment (Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalm 119:17-24)
Rev. Dr. Sid Dyer, May 5, 2024Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Mankind is incurably religious, yet in the kingdom of darkness, pursuit of the truth is futile. Only when transformed by the Holy Spirit can mankind discern spiritual things. We need increasing discernment. In vs.16 Paul states he has heard of the faith of the Ephesians. Paul recognizes them as believers, and he gives thanks for the blessings of faith and love that they have received. He prays for enlightenment of the Ephesians. He looked at the character and quality of their faith. What is their faith according to? Is it vibrant and strong or weak, mere mental assent? Strong faith brings forth confidence, corporate as well as individual. What characterizes your faith? Is it love for all the saints, love for each other? Verse 18 is a prayer for illumination of the Ephesians' eyes of their hearts. There is no exercise of wisdom apart from revelation. Our eyes must be opened as the Psalmist says in Psalm 119. Knowledge of God comes to us principally through the Son. By the Holy Spirit's calling comes hope. For the believer hope is an expectation that fulfillment of God's promises is assured. Hope is an assurance that good is coming from God. We have a blessed hope that grows with enlightenment. Before calling there is no hope. We are prone to despair. We are prone to despair for situations such as loss of job, marriage, a child or the death of a loved one. God's calling relieves your despair by receiving an inheritance as that of an adopted child, one child among a family of adopted children, who are His people. God brings to us a rich and glorious and good inheritance, received among the saints. The corporate inheritance is the Body of Christ. Hope brings this inheritance, which brings help. Verse 19 talks of the greatness of God's power. As we study the scriptures, we see the power of His might, strength and force working. Worry on our part indicates a lack of faith. Verse 20 proclaims God's power in Jesus' resurrection and His enthronement. God exerts his power for us. God's power is not for us if it is not in us. Do we have doubts? God gave Jesus who is the Head over all things because the church is His body. Every true church is in union with Christ, connected with the Head at the heavenly throne. Hope, inheritance and power are the things that Paul prayed for in the church. Are these things precious to us?
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « I Believe In The Resurrection Of The Body For The Purpose Of Life | None | For This Reason - We Must Worship! » |
Ephesians 1:15–23 (Listen)
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.
(ESV)
Psalm 119:17–24 (Listen)
Gimel
17 Deal bountifully with your servant,
that I may live and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
19 I am a sojourner on the earth;
hide not your commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your rules at all times.
21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
who wander from your commandments.
22 Take away from me scorn and contempt,
for I have kept your testimonies.
23 Even though princes sit plotting against me,
your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24 Your testimonies are my delight;
they are my counselors.
(ESV)