Eph 1:15-23 - Auditing the Bankbook

Introduction

2 weeks ago I recounted a story of Hetty Greene, who lived poor and died rich.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Three: Read the Bankbook (Ephesians 1:15–23)

One day William Randolph 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

After observing all the riches that are ours in Christ, this week the text goes on to describe the wealth that Paul prayed his readers would embrace.

Last week we saw all 3 persons of the Godhead involved in bestowing abundance. In our prayer lives all 3 persons are also present. Jesus taught his disciples to pray to our Father. He also instructed that we are to ask in his name. [this is not a magical phrase, it means according to his purpose and within his authority.] Here we see in Ep 1.17 that it is the Spirit who accomplishes in the believer the things that Paul is praying for.

This indicates a spiritual understanding. Growing up in what used to be considered a Christian country, most of us heard early in life about the biblical Christmas and Easter stories. Some of us learned about Noah, Abraham, the Exodus from Egypt, David & Goliath, Daniel and Jonah. These are stories that do not require spiritual understanding in order to grasp the plot. But there comes a time when the story of Good Friday and Easter takes on a new level of reality.

There comes a time when “Jesus died on a cross” becomes “Jesus paid for my sins on that cross, Jesus died for me!” This new awareness is what Scripture describes as conviction or illumination or regeneration. This is the first step of biblical repentance. It is a change of mind that leads to a change in behavior and it is done in us through God’s Spirit. Without this work of God’s spirit, “John 3:16” is just a sign in the endzone or some characters written under the eyes of an athlete.

TRANSITION: What are the specifics that Paul want the Spirit to arouse within the readers of this letter?

The Royalty of Knowing God (Eph 1:17)

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Three: Read the Bankbook (Ephesians 1:15–23)

“The atheist claims there is no God for us to know, and the agnostic states that if there is a God we cannot know Him. But Paul has met God in the person of Jesus Christ, and he knows that

Capitalization

look with me at the word spirit in Eph 1:17. In your translation is it capital or lowercase “s”? God, Lord, Jesus Christ, and Father are all capitalized, right? why not Spirit? This is a very similar problem to the New World Translation (done by Jehovah’s Witnesses) claiming the Word was a God in John 1:1

People with limited understanding want to come up with some novel interpretation.

In the actual language Paul wrote:

Ephesians 1:17 UBS5

ἵνα ὁ θεὸς τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὁ πατὴρ τῆς δόξης, δώῃ ὑμῖν πνεῦμα σοφίας καὶ ἀποκαλύψεως ἐν ἐπιγνώσει αὐτοῦ,

In that world there were lots of gods, there were lots of lords, and there were lots of fathers, so for us to know Paul is talking about a specific person he adds the definite article, he literally says “the God”, “the Lord”, and “the Father”. There were lots of Y’eshuas and lots claim to be annointed/Christ, but it become much more rare to encounter a person who is both Y’eshua AND Christ so the article is not necessary. And the concept of a divine spirit was also much more rare so it doesn’t need the article.

It is like if I mention Chuck M, you don’t know if I’m talking about Maggard or Magathan. Unless I make it specific.

All this to say, even though the NASB translators use lower case (because “the” is not actually there, so it is more literal) I think the ESV/NIV/CSB are correct in capitalizing in English so that we know this is talking about The Holy Spirit of God. Because in English it gets weird to call somebody “the Dave Thomas” or “the {someone near front}”

Descriptors

Lord, glory, wisdom, and revelation are words that inspire mystery or awe. Compared to a great pizza or a sports highlight, God is truly AWSOME. Paul wants us to capture the wonder of who God really is.

Knowing God begins with our salvation based upon what the Son has done. It continues in our sanctification as the Spirit conforms us to the perfect image of our Savior. It is finally consummated in our glorification when the Father’s plan is completed in us for eternity.

Knowing God is not an academic exercise, it is an experience as we walk with and closer to the one who loves us completely.

TRANSITION: But God is not only awesome in His person, He is pretty sweet in what He does.

The Riches of a Sure Calling (Eph 1:18a)

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Three: Read the Bankbook (Ephesians 1:15–23)

Paul never tired of testifying that God called him “by His grace” (

Wiersbe, Warren W. 1996. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Vol. 2. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Enlightened & Hope

The eyes of the heart speaks poetically of your worldview. The optic nerve, the cornea, the lens do not belong on the muscle that pumps blood through your body.

Paul is asking the God of eternity to speak through His holy Spirit to cause believer to become aware of the hope that He has called us to indwell.

This is so much more than “Hope and change”, or “Forward” with one political candidate, or “building back better”, or “America Great Again”. This is a world apart from consumer confidence.

This is an existential perspective that we are appropriating a glorious inheritance that has already been accomplished by the finished work of Christ and is sealed by His Spirit until the inheritance is obtained.

I recall visiting with a missionary to Mexico who was called to the “up and outers”. We tend to think of missionaries as going to those who are broke and destitute, but sometimes the gospel must extend to those who are broken and wealthy in worldly terms; those with education, influence and resources. The “up and outers” may appear as power brokers in this world, but the grave is a great leveler.

In influential Ephesus (think Beverly Hills or Miami Beach) Paul wants readers to realize the riches of a calling beyond the wealth of this world. A calling to a REAL hope.

TRANSITION: This real hope is grounded in...

The Reserve of a Guaranteed Inheritance (Eph 1:18b)

the power of a 2 letter word

in the saints - if we read too quickly, we read this as for the saints.

If the hope is our calling (v.18a), the riches (v.18b) are us. The fact that we will spend eternity with the triune God is what He views as glorious about the future. He has always had beauty, but what He desired was for humans to enjoy Heaven with Him.

Have you seen the bumper sticker on the back of a 6-figure RV that says, “We’re spending our kids’ inheritance”?

As executor of my parents’ estate, I recall a conversation with my dad when he explained the ministries he wanted to bless with his trust and the provisions he wanted to make for my sisters and myself and our children. I’ve been within the circle of some unscrupulous ways that benefactors treat the elderly because they want to preserve a large inheritance.

This verse is saying that the most valuable thing about eternity is not the stuff, it is the people, the relationship that we be fuller and complete. If people will go to great extent to protect what they hope to inherit, how much more do you think God is active to protect His inheritance—us!

The Resource of Divine Power (Eph 1:19-23)

4-fold emphasis

Ephesians 1:19 ESV:2016

and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might

power - dunamis (dynamic) - [potential]

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. δύναμις

potential for functioning in some way

working - energieia [active]

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. ἐνέργεια

the state or quality of being active,

great - kratos [enduring]

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. κράτος

ability to exhibit or express resident strength

might - ischys - [effectiveness]

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. ἰσχύς

capability to function effectively

“Power” is not a flex like Arnold Schwarzenegger striking a Mr. Atlas pose. These 4 words combine to paint a picture of strength and ability to finish a task.

As of yesterday, two of our youth group girls and 2 of our youth group guys have qualified to participate in the state wrestling tournament. I have not seen a single one of them pose with a bicep flex. But each of them has demonstrated the power to overcome obstacles in noteworthy fashion. [not to overlook one more, who has the power to compete on that level, but the bracket didn’t work out in his favor this year.]

This is the resource that Paul wants God to impress upon us as we read this text. He wants us to realize we have access to power that can “git er done!”

Power that is victorious over the ultimate obstacles (Eph 1.20)

Resurrection level power.

Power that is greater than spiritual obstacles (Eph 1.21)

The spiritual forces of temptation that you face are stronger than you can withstand in your own. But with God’s power at work, they can be effectively resisted.

When Jesus was tempted, his battleplan was to quote Scripture. When we are attacked we also must appeal to what God has said, because His power, His strength, is what makes us more than conquerors.

Power that is bound up in Christ (Eph 1.22-23)

Just as Romans 8 gives a detailed list of the things that can never separate us from God’s love, here Paul gives an all-inclusive list of things that must subject themselves to God’s power available to believers.

Conclusion

There is an episode of the Andy Griffith Show when Opie is being bullied and surrendering his milk money each day. Barney wants to teach Opie his karate moves, but wise father Andy just says, “Square up, take the punch, you will find it doesn’t hurt as much as you imagine, and the boy will never get your money again.”

At the end of the episode, Opie is beaming with pride about his new shiner, he says, “Pa, you were right, I didn’t even feel it. And you know what else? A peanut butter sandwich sure taste better with milk.”

We are being instructed to take our stand in Christ. We will find out how powerful our God is, and the enemy will stop robbing us of the joy of our salvation.

Light and Lamps

Light for the Path

We must grow in our understanding of our riches if we are ever going to use them to the glory of God

Lamps for my Steps

Think – Heavenly citizenship means we are only tourists here.

Feel – When feeling insecure or overwhelmed, pray for the assurance to live as royalty.

Do – Enlist 2 people to hold you accountable for living godly in a godless culture.