Ephesians 1:15-23
Notes
Transcript
Textual Idea: Thanksgiving and Prayer
Textual Idea: Thanksgiving and Prayer
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
17 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, 18 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,
19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that 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 rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Pantan - ALL is used 6 time…let’s do something simple...
What is hte predominite theme here in this section?
9 times in chapter 1 - WOW...
count it out…what more is there to say?
What if we honored the least among us? What if we celebrated another week of God’s faithfulness to us, rather than our own accomplishments? What if in team meetings and from other church channels, we rehearsed the greatness of those among us who quietly, humbly plod along in faithful trust of Jesus, even if it means spending time with people who cannot offer us anything, even if it doesn’t have an immediate “return on investment?”
RC. Sproal comments the following:
I like to explain it this way: if there is one molecule in the universe running loose, outside of the control of God’s sovereignty, what I like to call “one maverick molecule,” then the practical implication for us as Christians is that we have no guarantee whatsoever that any future promise God has made to His people will come to pass...
If we have one maverick molecule running loose out there, we have no assurance whatsoever that this single molecule may not be the grain of sand in the machinery of God’s eternal plan. It may be the thing that runs amuck and makes it impossible, ultimately, for Christ to return to this planet. It may be the thing that destroys any hope for the consummation of the kingdom of God, leaving all those promises of God unfulfilled. There are no maverick molecules in a universe where God is sovereign.
Look at
ILLUSTRATION - what is the most important thing about - got to put the ball in the hoop…you can do a lot of things right but if you don’t get the ball in the hoop you are in trouble. Ball in the hoop…that’s a given…so let’s move on to the second most important thing. Basketball failure (travel each time) - I knew the rules, i could actually spot shoot the ball, i could encourge my team…i was horrible at dribbling. Do you know what is essential to basketball…somethign that is just taken for granted? You got to dribble. but you still got to make the shot (Mike Campfield basketball coach).??? “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” ― Jim Elliot (When you live like this…you have power…and that makes those of you who know Jesus the strongest.
2. How am I the strongest person? (now you aren’t weak, you are strong with His strength that powerfully works in you).
what can a man gain if you gains the whole world and lose his soul? RUBBISH…I am dead it is not longer i who live, but Christ lives in me. (persecution - men’s bible studies…bartholamew - fileted alive…milan holding his skin.