Hello my name is enlightened

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Communion

John 15:4–11 ESV
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Commentators on Duck game last night...”Every color...”
Jim Gaffigan…People that love fall, they go crazy for the foliage: "The foliage! Let's drive by the foliage. It's so beautiful the way the leaves die. They're so pretty right before they fall to their death." We think it's beautiful. It's the leaves' hospice. It also helps that the leaves can't talk. If they could talk, they'd be like, "Aaaahhhhh! Get me chlorophyll! Why are these people driving by and smiling at me? You monsters!" We're rather insensitive to the leaves' tragedy. They die, they fall to the ground, we just rake them up. "Kids, you want to jump on this pile of dead leaves? No? All right, I'll just light them on fire."
John 15:4–11 ESV
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
This table we come to is a celebration and affirmation of our unity. We are a part of his body, the church, which though not perfect, is God’s chosen tool to glorify himself in Christ. The Christian life was not meant to be one of isolation, but connection. To one another in our local body, to the broader mission of Christ in the church across this community, county, and the world.
1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
1 Cor 11:23-
Pray

Introduction

Jab 1

Genie…Shows Heart…lottery, athletes

Jab 2

Our deepest desires reveal our heart. God through Ezekiel called out the leaders for taking their idols into their hearts. What are the things we would take if we could have anything? Idols? Good things, which have become to us ultimate things, and therefore bad things. Things of God? Things for our benefit and joy?

Transition

What we have in the text today is a look inside Paul’s heart. As we have and will continue to see, he believes in God’s power as the greatest...
Because we know Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we know that this is not only Paul’s desire for the church, but God’s as well...

Text

Ephesians 1:15–20 ESV
For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
Ephesians 1:
Pray

Enlightened to Know God

Ephesians 1:15–17 ESV
For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,
Ephesians 1:15

To know God is of highest importance

Jeremiah 9:23–24 ESV
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

It is salvation itself

John 17:3 ESV
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

Apart from that knowledge is destruction

2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 ESV
and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
2 thess

Knowing a person...

Involves knowing about them
Involves understanding them
Involves intimacy with them

Enlightened by Revelation

Ephesians 1:17 ESV
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,

What is revelation?

Ephesians 3:3–4 ESV
how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,
Ephesians 3:
John 16:13 ESV
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
1 John 2:20 ESV
But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
It comes authoritatively through his word
It comes subjectively by his spirit (Not a feeling!)

Enlightened of the Hope in the Call

Ephesians 1:17–18 ESV
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians 1:18 ESV
having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians 1:

In Christ we have been called

Through the gospel
2 Thessalonians 2:14 ESV
To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 th
To his kingdom
1 Thessalonians 2:12 ESV
we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
1 th
out of darkness and into light
1 Peter 2:9 ESV
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

There is hope in this calling

Paul has already told us about this hope in the call
Ephesians 1:4–5 ESV
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
and he will continue...
Ephesians 2:19–22 ESV
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Eph 2:

Enlightened of the Riches of God’s Inheritance

Ephesians 1:17–18 ESV
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Paul has already told us about this as well
Ephesians 1:5 ESV
he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
Ephesians 1:11 ESV
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
Eph 1:
Ephesians 1:14 ESV
who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
He will write more..
Ephesians 2:7 ESV
so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:12–13 ESV
remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Paul not only prays…Paul acts with God to answer the prayer

Enlightened about the Power of God

Ephesians 1:19–20 ESV
and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,

Power Described

Immeasurable Greatness

Toward us who believe

According to the working of his great might that

Raised Jesus from the dead!
Seated him at the right hand

Concerning that power...

We were made alive!
Colossians 2:12–13 ESV
having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
Co 2:
Matthew 9:2–8 ESV
And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Mt 9:
The power source:
Ephesians 3:16 ESV
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
John 3:5 ESV
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Titus 3:5 ESV
he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
ti
This power is great
Ephesians 3:20 ESV
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
Paul will call us to be strong in this power
Ephesians 6:10–20 ESV
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Eph 6:10-

Conclusion

“Pray as if it all depends on God, work as if it all depends on you” Ok…but… “Pray as if it all depends on God, work as if God is working in and through and alongside you”
Paul not only prayed that we might know God, but his life and letters are examples of the effort he undertook that we might see it.
Do you know God? Could you know him better? Are you working toward that knowledge of him, knowing he not only desires it, but it working inside and alongside you to see it done?
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