Prayer for Knowledge and Wisdom

Ephesians 1:15–23 ESV

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 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, 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, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 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. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Spiritual Understanding

Ephesians 1:17 ESV

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,

Spirit of wisdom and knowledge

Holy Spirit living within you

All spiritual wisdom and Knowledge comes through revelation by the spirit living within you

knowledge is the facts, information, and/or skills acquired by a person through experience or education

hvac/electricity/lightning illustration

Wisdom - proper application of Knowledge

Know God

Ephesians 1:17 ESV

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,

Know God

Know his character

His attributes how he acts what makes him tick

Know his word

What does he say his thoughts his desires

Know His will

What does he want what does he desire what are his plans

Wisdom God

How does his character change my behavior

Holy/Just - Makes me want to do right

Gracious/loving - makes me thankful and reciprocate love

Mighty/caring - causes me to call out when in need

How does his word affect me

knowing what he says about sin repentance and eternity causes me to desire salvation

Knowing his desire that none perish causes me to be concerned for others changes how I treat others

How does his will affect me

I want to do his will to be a part of it

It changes my plans

Hope of our Calling

Ephesians 1:18 ESV

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,

knowledge of hope

Salvation

Judgement day -

declared not guilty

Rewarded for faith and good works

Final Cleansing

God strips us of our sinful nature

Replace it with holy nature

Heaven

talked last week that this is a great place

no death no crying no pain new bodies no sin friends and family God himself the saints of old beauty safety

Wisdom of salvation

judgement day live lives full of good works not for salvation but because of it

final cleansing

We long for and strive towards the final cleansing seeking always to do the next right thing

Heaven

Powerful motivator and inspiration to keep striving forward to the goal and to call others to the path

Power of God

Ephesians 1:19–20 ESV

and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,

Power is force

immeasurable greatness are two words that describe the level of strength

unreadable off the charts cant describe it words fail to capture it.

He then goes on to explain that it is by this great power that Christ was raised from the dead and now is seated at the right hand of the throne of God in Heaven.

He also states this power is working toward us who believe

another words this great immeasurable power is to our benefit.

not that it is necessarily harnessed by us and directed by us but rather that God in his wisdom and mercy uses his power for our good

Wisdom says that if God is all powerful and he is using his power for our good and seeking good on our behalf then what have we to fear of the world or the devil for God will overcome them and has overcome them in the cross.

You see my brothers and sisters we need not fear for our lives or for our losses here on earth what can this world do to us Matthew 10:28

Matthew 10:28 ESV

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Authority of Christ

Ephesians 1:20–23 ESV

that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 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. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Christ is the supreme authority

His rule is certain and his name above all

no one is greater than Christ

Everyone is under his feet - sign of servitude

Everlasting rule

Head of the church

Not the council

Not the deacons

Not the pastor

Christ is the head of the church

paid for by the blood and body

prayer before council/business meetings

Church is the body of Christ

Wisdom says

Christ is the supreme authority

I Do what he says first

if world contradicts we obey Christ

Your job your housework all you do is really for Christ so do it well

Everlasting rule

Christ is not going to be overthrown voted out or give up the throne therefore we need not fear he wont be in charge

Head of the church

Its about seeking his will and being obedient to it we as the body simply do the work the head tells us to do

(Goes back to discovering the will of God.)

Invitation