Enlightment - Ephesians 1:15-19

Introduction

Have you ever had that “ahah” moment? When it all finally made sense? Share my Ahah moment of coming to salvation.

As we continue on in this series, remember the context these early believers were living in:

Massive trade city of 300,000 with tons of different cultures and religions, one of the ancient wonders of the world was a massive temple to a goddess in Ephesus

Culture trying to work it’s way into the church

Paul writes this letter from prison to encourage the believers in Ephesus to seek the Lord and to rejoice in him through these difficult times.

Last week we talked about God’s rich blessings in our lives and we were encouraged to rejoice in those blessings in our difficulties.

Today we are going to build off of that idea from last week, Paul wrote this portion of Ephesians for the sole purpose of Christians being enlightened to comprehend God’s gifts toward us.

What does it mean to be enlightened?

The illumination of the mind, especially by the word of God, leading to delight and increased pleasure in God.

In other words, Enlightened is that moment with God when the light bulb comes on. It’s that ahah moment after tons of trial and error.

My hope for you today as we read this passage is that you’re heart can be enlightened to see the rich blessings of God in your day to day life.

Why Be Enlightened?

Example of seeing mustangs EVERYWHERE when I wanted a mustang for my first car. When we are seeking something we begin to start seeing something.

Keeps us on mission, we see the opportunities God has placed around us, when we seek him.

Shapes everything about day to day life from the attitude you have about going to school, to the way you treat other students, and even the way you treat yourself.

Reminds us that even in our dark moments, God has richly and eternally blessed us and that he is there for us.

My question for you to think about as we read the passage today is are you enlightened? Have you had that ahah moment with God?

read with me today:

Body

Ephesians 1:15–19 CSB

15 This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

The 3 gifts of God that we need to be enlightened on:

Our Hope in Christ, that even while we may face incredible difficulties here on earth, our eternity lies with him if we are a Christian.

Matthew 11:28 CSB

28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

See to have the hope of Christ for eternity, you have to be in a relationship with God.

Is that the ahah moment that you are still waiting on like I was waiting on when I was 15? Are you waiting to be enlightened on the spirit?

I don’t believe you are here by accident, perhaps tonight can be the night for you to start a relationship with Jesus.

Our Riches eternally over presently

Easy to get caught up in the here and now

We have spiritual riches in Christ now

Philippians 4:13 CSB

13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

When we read this verse in context, Paul is in prison as he wrote Philippians, he states before this verse that he has basically had all the wordly riches and power that a man could ask for and that he has also had nothing except pain and pen. Then in the famous verse he says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.;

Paul models an eternal mindset. A mindset that in our culture today is all to easy to forget. We want it now. Perhaps today for you is an ahah moment with God and reminder to seek his eternal blessings over earthly blessings.

When you seek the eternal blessings of God over earthly blessings, you find a Joy that the world can’t understand.

God’s Power despite our weakness

Even when we are at our weakest, we can rejoice in the mighty power of God that brings salvation to the world.

We didn’t deserve, but he freely gave it when he sent his son to die on the cross for our sins.

The same power that God used to raise Jesus from the grave and put him on the throne, is the same power and spirit that he has given each of us to glorify him. We can rejoice in our future because we know God’s mighty power never fails

Conclusion

So again, as we conclude. I’ll ask you the question

Are you enlightened? Have you had that ahah moment with God.

I wholeheartedly believe that God didn’t bring you here by accident. Whatever business you need to do with God tonight, I want to give you that opportunity.

I want to open these alters us for you to do business with God.

Don’t let another day go by without being enlightened on how great of a God we serve.