What Christ Offers Us

Introduction

Paul desires all believers to experience the fullness of our salvation. When we trust the work of Jesus on the cross as the way of our salvation, we receive his gifts of forgiveness and adoption into his family. We no longer have to fear for our eternal future. We are secure in his salvation.

But if the only benefit we experience of knowing Jesus is assurance we will not go to Hell, this is so much less than what the Lord Jesus has to offer us.

Review

We looked at Ephesians 1:1-14 last week, and saw Paul’s list of blessings that we have received through the Trinity.

In Ephesians 1:1-2, Paul tells the Ephesians who they are:

Ephesians 1:1–2 (ESV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Ephesians 1:3-6, we see the Father’s sovereign work.

Ephesians 1:3–6 (ESV)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

In Ephesians 1:7-12, the spiritual blessings that come through Christ’s work are listed

Ephesians 1:7–12 (ESV)

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

And then in Ephesians 1:12-13, the Spirit’s special work is seen

Ephesians 1:12–13 (ESV)

12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

All this has been accomplished for us in our salvation. But this is all just a foundation. There is so much more for us to receive, and Paul now begins to pray for us to understand what we have available!

Paul’s prayers are great models for us in how to pray BIG things, and his two major prayer in Ephesus are very good examples of this. Here is his first one.

Why Paul Prays

Ephesians 1:15–16 (ESV)

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,

He is Thankful

Thankfulness prompts prayer!

Specifically, he is thankful for a report on the faith and love of the Ephesian church.

This is a great church—see Acts 19 to learn of its founding

There have been some warnings—the elders in Acts 20 are told to watch out for false teachers and leaders who try to take control of the flock

Timothy has specific instructions to deal with problems there.

BUT, Paul has learned that the church has continued to hold on to its faith in Jesus.

More than that, they have manifested real love within the church, and toward believers elsewhere.

We are only truly Christians if we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, but the way the world will know we are Christians is if we have love for one another.

So, Paul thanks God for the continuing good testimony of real faith in the church.

This should be true of us, and we should pray for this for ourselves, our church, and other churches and believers.

What Paul Prays

Prayer is Specific and Generous

Eph. 1:17-23

That God will give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation vv. 16b–17

He prays to God…the Father

The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who invited us to pray in his name

“The Spirit of Wisdom” is one of seven titles of the Holy Spirit is Isa 11:2

Isaiah 11:2 (ESV)

2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,

the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and might,

the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

and, the reference to “revelation” here relates to the second title— “understanding”

These are so that believers might have “the knowledge of him”—God. We must know the Father and the Son better, always more. Any progress in our faith, any growth, will be because we know God better, but we cannot know him better, or understand his Word, or even believe the gospel, without the Spirit at work. Spurgeon said that “apart from the Spirit it is easier to teach a tiger vegetarianism than an unregenerate person the gospel”

2. That they will know God’s great grace vv. 18–23

The rest of the prayer speaks of different ways that God gives believers blessings. Gifts are always gifts of grace, and that is what we see here.

As the Spirit works, we receive light from God through his Word—illumination—and learn of his blessings...

Including the hope to which God called them v. 18

Including the riches of his glorious inheritance v. 18

Including the immeasurable greatness of his power v. 19

Examples of this power are...

This power raised Christ from the dead v. 20a

This power seated Christ at God’s right hand in heaven vv. 20b–21

This power subjected all things under Christ’s feet v. 22a

This power made Christ head over the church vv. 22b–23

If God’s power is this great, what need can you and I have that he cannot take care of?

How can we apply this?

Do you pray for others?

Are your prayers for others weak because you are not thankful?

Do you pray spiritual blessings for others?

Do you remember what is yours?

All that Paul prayed for the Ephesians is what God wants you to experience and know as well.

You can pray for these blessings for yourself, and then pray them for others.

Start with a prayer for the Spirit to give you wisdom and knowledge, and to open your eyes to the promises of the Word

Recount the blessings God has given you

Do you trust God to answer your prayers?

He has the power, and he loves you.

He is working to make you like Jesus.

His answers will always be in line with his purposes for you, even if they aren’t what you may think you want or need.