Ephesians 1:15-23 • Eyes Wide Open Pt. 2

HOOK:

You are not defined by your efforts, but by God’s amazing calling on your life.

Imagine possessing a power so mighty it transforms you from ordinary to unstoppable, carrying the legacy of Jesus Himself. 

Review & Overview

1. Ephesians’ Overview

Paul wrote Ephesians to remind believers of who they are in Christ and to encourage them to live like it.

The first half of the letter (chapters 1–3) focuses on what God has given us—adoption, redemption, inheritance, power, grace, and His incredible love.

It’s all about our identity in Christ. Interestingly, there are no commands in these chapters, just reminders of what God has done and who we are in Christ.

So Chapters 1-3 deals with the Christian’s Position Spiritually.

Then, in chapters 4–6, Paul shifts gears. He lays out what it looks like to live out our faith, with 35 specific instructions on how to walk worthy of our calling.

He moves from big spiritual truths to practical, everyday life—how we relate to others, live in unity, and even fight spiritual battles.

Ephesians starts in the spiritual but ends in the physical regarding relationships, and in the real world.

So Chapters 4-6 deals with the Christian’s Position Physically.

2. Previous Study’s Review

Paul reminded us that prayer isn’t just for hard times and it’s not just for good times. But for every hour of our lives.

He celebrated the Ephesians who turned away from old idols and embraced Jesus, showing that real faith naturally brings love for others.

Paul prayed for Enlightenment. God’s wisdom to light up our hearts, much like switching on a light in a dark room, so we can see clearly and live the life God has planned for us.

3. Current Study’s Overview

That brings us to Verse 15 and our portion of Scripture. Read…

The Title of Today’s Sermon is: Eyes Wide Open Pt. 2

Because we are going to explore a truth that goes deep into who we are as believers—a truth that isn’t measured by our deeds but by the gift we’ve already received from God.

It’s about understanding that our calling isn’t earned; it’s a divine invitation to live with a living hope, to be part of a legacy that’s God’s very own inheritance.

Think about it: instead of striving to add something extra, Paul reminds us that we already possess an incredible power—the kind that comes from knowing who Jesus is.

This isn’t just about the might we can muster on our own, but the mighty power of God that’s at work in us, affirming that Jesus reigns over every part of our lives.

Today, we’re gonna discover how embracing our calling, our inheritance, and the power within can transform every area of our lives.

There are 3 sections in this study regarding Paul’s Prayer:

The Reason for Paul’s Prayer Vs. 15-16

The Revelation of Paul’s Prayer Vs. 17-18a

The Reward of Paul’s Prayer Vs. 18b-23

1. The Reason for Paul’s Prayer Vs. 15-16

1.1 He heard of their Faith in Jesus Vs. 15a

What a blessing to know they turned from Diana and the other pagan idols…  to Jesus.

1.2 He heard of their love for the Saints Vs. 15

Friends whenever you have true faith in Jesus, it will result in a love for others…

For faith & love go hand in hand…

He didn’t just pray when things were going bad…     but      when things were going good…

1.3 The Consistency in Paul’s Prayer Vs. 16

These verbs are in the present tense…  Paul was constantly, continually praying for them.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV

17 pray without ceasing,

Ephesians 6:18 NKJV

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

And Not to get our will done…      but to get the Father’s will done…  

Luke 22:42 NKJV

42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

John 6:38 NKJV

38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

2.  The Revelation of Paul’s Prayer Vs. 17-18a   

2.1 Enlightenment Vs. 18a

Paul’s prayer here is laser‑focused on two gifts from God: heavenly wisdom and heavenly revelation.

He isn’t asking for clever human insight or academic knowledge; he’s pleading that the Spirit would “enlighten the eyes of your heart” so we see realities that lie beyond the surface of everyday life.

The Greek verb for “enlighten” (φωτίζω, phōtizō) literally means “to give light,” implying that before Christ our spiritual vision was clouded in darkness.

Photons…

But now, by God’s grace, our inner eyes can perceive truths about His character, His purposes, and the glorious inheritance He has prepared for us.

This divine illumination leads to a deeper, experiential knowing (epignōsis) of God Himself—not just head knowledge, but heart transformation.

ILLUSTRATION: Imagine you’ve just moved into a new home. It’s late at night, and you wake up needing a glass of water.

Groggy, you shuffle down the hallway in pitch darkness, tripping over shoes, bumping into furniture, feeling around the wall for the light switch.

You know there’s a switch somewhere—but until you find it, everything feels uncertain, even a little scary.

Then finally—click! Light floods the hallway. Suddenly you see exactly where you are, where to step, and how to get to the kitchen without bruising shins or stubbed toes.

APPLICATION: That’s what Paul means when he prays for our “eyes of the heart” to be enlightened.

Before Christ, we stumble through life in spiritual darkness—uncertain of our purpose, identity, and destiny.

But when God flips on the switch of His wisdom and revelation, our whole world changes.

We see clearly who He is, what He’s done for us in Christ, and the hope we possess.

No more blind groping—just the bright assurance of God’s presence guiding every step.

1.2 Wisdom Vs.17a

sophia,  52 times,    knowledge, to know, intelligence… 

James 1:5 NKJV

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.

Spiritual wisdom not worldly wisdom…

1 Corinthians 3:19 NKJV

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”;

James 3:14–16 NKJV

14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

We are to have heavenly wisdom…

1 Corinthians 2:9–10 NKJV

9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV

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.

1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJV

16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

1.3 Revelation:  vs.17b 

bring to light,    reveal,    make naked…

Matthew 16:15–17 NKJV

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

And again we are talking about having the eyes of our heart our spiritual eyes enlightened or opened, regarding Him…

But He’s the one that does it…

Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV

13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV

9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

Jeremiah 24:7 NKJV

7 Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.

This is why the Bible says…

Colossians 2:3 NKJV

3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Romans 11:33 NKJV

33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

1. The Rewards of Paul’s Prayer Vs. 18b-23

1.1 His Calling Vs. 18b

Our calling is not based on our works…

2 Timothy 1:8–9 NKJV

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Not our good deeds…

Colossians 1:27 NKJV

27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Because of this calling, we have a living hope…  

1 Peter 1:3 NKJV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

——

2 Corinthians 5:18–19 NKJV

18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

1.2 His Inheritance Vs. 18c

This is not speaking of our inheritance in Him…     but         His inheritance in us…    We are God’s inheritance…

This speaks of our worth to God…     because of Christ in us…

1.3 His Power Vs. 19

Paul is not praying that God will give them something they don’t have…  but   that they realize that which they already do have…

He use 4 words to drive that point home:

1. Power: dunamis, inherent power, within Himself.        

2. Working: energeia,  energy, super human...

3.  Mighty:  ischus, strength, might.                                   

4.  Power:  kratos, great force, dominion…

This is what we as believers have whether we know it or not.  Act 1:8,  we need this everyday…

Acts 1:8 NKJV

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Now he talks about and elaborates on the “Mighty Power of God”,  vs.20-23 regarding Jesus.    Note 4 things:

1. His Resurrection Vs. 20a - The resurrection is the cornerstone of the hope of our calling…  without the resurrection there is no Christianity…

1 Corinthians 15:14 NKJV

14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.

2. His Exaltation Vs. 20b - Why is Jesus’ exaltation so important…  

Ephesians 2:5–7 NKJV

5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Since He was exalted, we too are exalted…   

right now only positionally…     but one day practically…     1 Thes.4:16…

Find proper verse of glorification and exaltation.

3. His Authority Vs. 21 - Friends Jesus has authority over everything and everyone… if you are a believer

Matthew 28:18 NKJV

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

Read the book of Job…  Satan’s leash is only as long as God allows it…

1 John 4:4 NKJV

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

4. His Position Vs. 22-23 - Jesus is the Head of the church, you and me…   and He fills all in all, vs.23b. 

Jesus has filled us with His fullness…

John 1:16 NKJV

16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.

For believers it’s not a matter of    Receiving…  but      Resting…

ENDING…