Ephesians Part 3
Notes
Transcript
Scriptures:
Scriptures:
15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Introduction:
Introduction:
There a benefits to knowing God:
A. Wisdom
A. Wisdom
15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
Strong's Lexiconsophia: Wisdom
Original Word: σοφία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: sophia
Pronunciation: so-FEE-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (sof-ee'-ah)
Definition: Wisdom
Meaning: wisdom, insight, skill (human or divine), intelligence.
Word Origin: Derived from the Greek root σοφός (sophos), meaning "wise."
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - חָכְמָה (chokmah) - Strong's Hebrew 2451, often translated as "wisdom" in the Old Testament.
Usage: In the New Testament, "sophia" refers to the wisdom that comes from God, encompassing both practical and spiritual understanding. It is often contrasted with human wisdom, which is limited and flawed. Divine wisdom is characterized by insight into God's purposes and the ability to live righteously. It is a gift from God, available to those who seek it earnestly.
Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, wisdom was highly valued and often associated with philosophy and intellectual achievement. However, the biblical concept of "sophia" transcends mere intellectual knowledge, emphasizing a moral and spiritual dimension. In Jewish tradition, wisdom was personified and seen as a divine attribute, as reflected in the Old Testament books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
Wisdom is the application of Knowledge in divine truth. He indicates that wisdom is grounded in the knowledge of God.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.
Worldly wisdom comes from a limited perspective and can only be effective so far. Godly wisdom comes from an eagle eye view. Our viewpoints are incomplete without the word of God.
Power Principle:
Many people make good decisions. They just do it with bad information.
One of the benefits of being connected to God is having access to divine wisdom. How many of us have ever uttered the phrase “If I knew then what I know now?…..”
How do I get Wisdom? Ask.
How do I get Wisdom? Ask.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Paul is praying for wisdom in the church to navigate our decisions in a biblical way. He wants to know him in the deepest possible way. Paul also asks for revelations for the new believer
D. He rules All Things
D. He rules All Things
We have blessed access to him who is the ruler of all things. The placed all things at the feet of Jesus. We are seated with Him in heavenly places.
20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
B. Revelation
B. Revelation
apokalupsis: Revelation, unveiling, disclosure
Original Word: ἀποκάλυψις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: apokalupsis
Pronunciation: ah-po-KAH-loo-psis
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ok-al'-oop-sis)
Definition: Revelation, unveiling, disclosure
Meaning: an unveiling, uncovering, revealing, revelation.
Word Origin: Derived from ἀποκαλύπτω (apokaluptō), meaning "to uncover" or "to reveal."
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "apokalupsis," the concept of divine revelation is present in terms such as גִּלּוּי (gilluy, "revelation") and נָגַד (nagad, "to make known").
Usage: The term "apokalupsis" primarily refers to the act of revealing or unveiling something that was previously hidden. In the New Testament, it is often used to describe the disclosure of divine truths or the manifestation of God's will and purposes. It can refer to both the revelation of God's word and the ultimate revelation of Jesus Christ at His second coming.
Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of revelation was not uncommon, often associated with the disclosure of divine mysteries through oracles or visions. However, in the biblical context, "apokalupsis" carries a distinct theological significance, emphasizing God's initiative in making known His divine plan and purposes to humanity. This revelation is not merely informational but transformative, calling for a response of faith and obedience.
11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Paul is praying for them to have understanding of the divine plan and mysteries of God. The gospel seems foolish to those who have not recieved the message of the cross.
Paul knows they will need wisdom and revelation to truly grasp in the natural what has happened in the spiritual.
18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
When you have received adoption you have both a unique calling and purpose within the kingdom of God. He has an assignment for your life from the foundation of the world. That assignment may not end in worldly notoriety but it will have the attention of the creator of the Universe!
God has blessed the believer spiritually with a rich inheritance. We need to know the word of God so we will know the terms and conditions of the inheritance he has for us. We have access to a great God with Great Power
C. The Greatness of His Power
C. The Greatness of His Power
19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
I want to see the power of God working in my life. I want to see the fruit of souls!! I want to see the testimony of healing from the saints. I want to see the professions of deliverance from the former sinner!
