Rooted In Our Wealth #6

Read The Bank Book

Text: Ephesians 1:14-23

Introduction

True story: On January 6, 1822, the wife of a poor German pastor had a son, never dreaming that he would one day achieve world renown and great wealth. When Heinrich Schliemann was seven years old, a picture of ancient Troy in flames captured his imagination. Contrary to what many people believed, Heinrich argued that Homer’s great poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, were based on historic facts and he set out to prove it. In 1873, he uncovered the ancient site of Troy, along with some fabulous treasure which he smuggled out of the country, much to the anger of the Turkish government. Schliemann became a famous, wealthy man because he dared to believe an ancient record and act on his faith.

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 14.

True Story: They are like the late newspaper publisher, William Randolph Hearst, who invested a fortune collecting art treasures from around the world. One day Mr. Hearst found a description of some valuable items that he felt he must own, so he sent his agent abroad to find them. After months of searching, the agent reported that he had finally found the treasures. They were in Mr. Hearst’s warehouse. Hearst had been searching frantically for treasures he already owned! Had he read the catalog of his treasures, he would have saved himself a great deal of money and trouble.

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 14.

There are two things Paul is overwhelmed with: hearing the report of the genuine faith of these believers and the priority they placed on loving ALL THE SAINTS.

We understand that believers in Christ are to both be thankful “in” and “for” all things.

Sometimes that is not an easy task!

However, this moment of thanksgiving in the heart of Paul was of no difficulty.

Paul said, “I never stop giving thanks for you.”

As a pastor, I can understand Paul’s thankfulness for these believers.

I am always thankful for every child of God, within and outside this church.

However, I am extremely thankful for those who’s faith is evident and love is their priority.

Paul understood that the Christian life is made up of faith toward God and love toward men.

Faith and love were the beginning.

They needed to know so much more!

In the prison prayers of Paul (Eph. 1:15–23; 3:14–21; Phil. 1:9–11; Col. 1:9–12), we discover the blessings he wanted his converts to enjoy. In none of these prayers does Paul request material things. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 14.

He does not ask God to give them what they do not have, but rather prays that God will reveal to them what they already have. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 14.

Paul continues by saying he never stopped praying for them. His prayers covered specific requests:

1) The Knowledge Of God

VERSE 17

If I were to send out a questionnaire asking “who is God?” How many different answers would I get? Probably several.

The word “god” is attached to so many things by humanity. In so doing, it really becomes not very beneficial to us.

The word “God” becomes very beneficial only when develop the disciple to block out all other versions and only accept how the God of the universe describes Himself.

This request for wisdom and revelation of knowing God should be one you continually pray for yourself and others.

Without this wisdom and revelation, humanity will never see themselves as they truly are nor will they place a high priority on worshiping Him.

Question: What do you think is the number one reason for corruption and condemnation? IGNORANCE OF GOD!

Quote: To know God personally is salvation (John 17:3). To know Him increasingly is sanctification (Phil. 3:10). To know Him perfectly is glorification (1 Cor. 13:9–12). Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 15.

His request was directed to God

This request was not submitted to any other source other than God!

This is because there are some specific things about God’s relationship with them that is essential for them believe.

Question: how many of you think it truly makes a difference what you believe? It set the stage for how you live and interact with the world around you.

1 Corinthians 2:9–16 KJV 1900

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

The Spirit wrote the word, therefore it requires him to reveal His word.

2) The Knowledge Of God’s Calling

VERSES 18

There was a particular place he wanted this wisdom and revelation of God to be firmly planted; THEIR HEART!

First, Paul wanted them to understand the hope of God’s calling:

Because we become the chosen of God “in Christ,” our blessed hope DOES NOT rest on our goodness but on His amazing grace.

Ephesians 1:18b (WEONT): The Christian who does not know his high calling (Phil. 3:14), holy calling (2 Tim. 1:9), and heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1) will never be able to walk worthy of that calling (Eph. 4:1, where “vocation” is “calling”).

Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

2 Timothy 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

Hebrews 3:1 “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;”

Ephesians 4:1 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”

What you learn about all of God’s calling is that it is not because of any merit from you but grace provided by Him.

Let us not overlook this word HOPE.

It is not used in the sense we often use it; I “hope” this works, I “hope” I get that gift.

This is speaking of an “assurance for the future.”

1 John 3:1-3 “1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

Every unbeliever is without hope.

3) Knowledge Of God’s Riches

VERSES 18

We often consider the inheritance we have been given by our love Father in Christ.

How often have you considered yourself being God’s greatest inheritance in Christ?

Isn’t that an humbling truth?!

“Riches” often refers to nothing lacking or in need of no other.

We shall be “to the praise of His grace” when He returns.

This very truth is what drives the Christian forward to live a life that brings nothing but joy to the heart of God.

God deals with us on the basis of our future, not our past. He said to cowardly Gideon, “The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor” (Judg. 6:12). Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 16.

This is exactly why Christians live in the future tense.

Our lives are controlled by what we shall be when Jesus comes back.

4) Knowledge Of His Power

VERSES 19-23

This is one of the those things that simply soars above our understanding!

The very resurrection power that brought Jesus out of the grace DWELLS WITHIN YOU!!!

Paul enlisted many different words from the Greek vocabulary to get his point across: dunamis—“power” as in dynamo and dynamite; energeia—“working” as in energy; kratos—“mighty”; ischus—“power.” Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 16.

The next logical question then arrises, “Why are we in need of such power?

You are simply too weak to use the wealth He has given you.

How grand of a life would it be to have such wealth and not either to weak or to afraid to enjoy it?

True story: John D. Rockefeller was the world’s first billionaire. It is said that for many years, he lived on crackers and milk because of stomach troubles caused by worrying about his wealth. He rarely had a good night’s sleep, and guards stood constantly at his door. Wealthy—but miserable! When he began to share his wealth with others in great philanthropic endeavors, his health improved considerably and he lived to be an old man. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 16.

Matthew 26:41 “41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Illustration: It would be like putting Henry in the driver seat, starting it, locking the pedal down, pointing him down 127 and letting him go!!!

SECONDLY, the enemy would love to steal our wealth from us.

Ephesians 1:21 “21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:”

Ephesians 6:11-12 “11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Read Ephesians 1:19 “19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,”

Supplied by His grace and obtained by your faith.

You are both saved and do live by grace through faith!

Quote: God’s people do not fight for victory but from victory! — Warren Weirsbe

Conclusion

Do you know what I love about the book of Acts? You get to witness this same power in the lives of ordinary men and woman! People just like me and you!

Walk by faith in what you have been given through your resurrected Savior.