A Prayer that Christians would know the Gospel
Notes
Transcript
I. Why pray this Gospel prayer?
I. Why pray this Gospel prayer?
Because Paul appreciates the greatness of our spiritual blessings in Christ. [“for this reason”].
The Father chose us to be blameless in Christ, he predestined us to be his children, because he wanted everyone to praise God for his grace.
The Son redeemed us through his blood, to lavish this grace on us, because God wanted to unite all things in Christ.
The Spirit seals our inheritance in God - even better God inherits us as his people. We receive that inheritance by believing the truth of the Gospel, and the Spirit is only the down-payment of that rich inheritance that is waiting for us. God predestined us to this, because when God does anything, he only consults with himself, and chooses all ends and each means he wants to use to accomplish that end.
Because Paul has seen abundant evidence that the Ephesians already possess these great spiritual blessings.
One might imagine that Paul wants everyone to know and be saved so they also can enjoy these great blessings, and indeed he does. But he also wants every Christian to solidly grasp just how good he’s got things going for him. So when he saw the rich evidence that the Ephesians are possessors of this rich inheritance, he prays that they would know what they’ve got.
The evidence that Paul has is
Vertical - their faith in the Lord Jesus. That is, he heard about their bold declaration that they believe that Jesus is the one who saves us from the wrath to come.
Horizontal - their love for the Saints. That is, he heard about their actions that they have brotherly affection for other Christians as they should.
II. What about the Gospel can Christians learn?
II. What about the Gospel can Christians learn?
To possess the attitude that lets in the wisdom of greater Gospel understanding. Contrast 2 Tim 3:7-8. So how to get this spirit of wisdom?
always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;
Humility to acknowledge one’s own sins and need for God’s instruction Prov 15:33
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.
Faith in God’s Word Heb 4:1-2
Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.
For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
To know the hope of God’s effectual call
To know the riches that are yours because God inherits you.
To know the fathomless resurrection power that works for us through the resurrection.
Notice the number of words for power
This power is the power of Christ’s resurrection - the greatest display of power in history.
The power that works in us is resurrection power because the entirety of the blessings due us through the Gospel comes through Christ’s resurrection.
III. What does this Gospel do?
III. What does this Gospel do?
Since all of the blessings of the Gospel are tied up in Christ, it is logical to ask exactly what does Christ get? Because if he is exalted, so are we.
Jesus has all authority
Every sphere of authority finds its legitimacy in him
Governmental authority Rev 17:14
These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
Parental authority Luke 14:26
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
Spiritual authority Matt 7:28-29; Mark 2:10, 28
And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching,
for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic,
Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”
business authority - which is an outgrowth of household authority John 21:4-6
But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.”
And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
The age to come will have much greater authority, much greater status than today. The normal person in the age to come will have greater status and authority than kings do today. Rev 3:21
Yet Jesus will still have the greatest authority, even then.
Jesus is the head of the Church
“all things under his feet” Ps 8:6
You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,
Jesus, as he has all authority, also possesses the ultimate ecclesiastical authority. The head of a body has total control over it. Jesus is the real boss of the church.
he is the boss in that his providential hand judges the church
In the letters to the seven churches in Revelation, Jesus specifically judges each church in each situation. Each church is judges according to its actual local faithfulness, in many cases, the problems that plagued the churches are today unknown. Rev 2:6 [Ephesus] Rev 2:13 [Pergamos]
But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
“I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
He declares that the churches will know that he is the one who searches the minds and hearts Rev 2:23
I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
He is the boss in that all must stand before his judgment seat Rom 14:10; 2 Cor 5:9-11
But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
the church is his body
Note that Jesus already has a body, so this is a metaphor
Because Jesus is in heaven, and he normally chooses not to directly appear to those on earth, his primary way of accomplishing his purposes on earth is through the church, just as your body is the way you interact with things on earth.