Lesson 12

Review:

Overview next section: pick up on the thought flow of the context!

2 Sections: #1 - 1:15-23; #2 - 2:1-10

#1 - Is a strong section on our spiritual resources;

What is available to us in Christ!

Basic thrust is that when Christ was raised from the dead, it was by the power of God; As believers in Christ, you have the same power available to you!

#2 - Review of our spiritual history;

2:1-3 Our past;

2:4-10 Our present under grace, being the objects of mercy;

Notes very strongly that we're saved by grace and not by works, but for good works;

We are His workmanship; His poi,hma, work of art, His masterpiece!

3. Paul's intercessory prayer for these believers in Ephesus, 1:15-23.

a. It's motivation; 1:15-16 Why did he pray for them? What prompted this prayer?

What we need to ask and answer is just what is this referring to?

Is it looking back to the previous section? Or is it looking ahead to what Paul is about to say?

What did Paul say in his praise of the Trinity?

#1. We have a destiny designed by the Father.

#2. We are redeemed by the Son.

#3. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit.

One of the things that we should have learned in this section is that what glorifies God brings man the greatest blessing!

** Summary looking back: God has a plan for you, its a plan wrapped in grace with tremendous blessing attached and Paul says I'm going to pray that you'll realize that plan to its fullest degree experientially in your lives!

How about looking forward?

Faith and love are the manifestation of the Purpose of 1:3-14.

What Paul is saying here in vs:15 is that I pray that the purpose of God will be realized in your lives.

Need to examine the phrase: "faith in the Lord Jesus"

The key to this phrase is the preposition in (evn) really defines the use of faith and its importance.

proj

eij

*** Therefore faith in the Lord Jesus then describes a faith rooted and grounded in Him; for the believer He is everything!

What's the emphasis of our faith being grounded and anchored in Christ!

- The idea is one of total value!!

- As a believer we find nothing of value apart from Christ!

- It recognizes the meritlessness of our part;

It means basically what we have that's meaningful must come from the source of Him.

What's the emphasis of "and your love for all the saints."

What is love manifested toward the saints indicate?? 2 things!

#1 That you are His disciple, a learner, obedient to the Word John 13:34-35

#2 That your living life empowered by the Holy Spirit and therefore manifesting the fruit of the Spirit's rule.

1:16 Paul's response to the report received of their growth!

"do not cease giving thanks" euvcariste,w

? Is thanks or giving thanks a moral quality? Or just an etiquette?

He's thankful for their foundation in Christ; which overflows in love toward others.

- "While making mention [of you] in my prayers;"

3. Paul's intercessory prayer

b. It's Content; 1:17-19a

1. In General 1:17

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, "

"may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him."

What's the emphasis of a conditional statement?

- What Paul is recognizing is the responsibility of these believers in the church at Ephesus to make many decisions over a period of time to make this knowledge of Him a reality in their lives.

What is the objective here? What is Paul praying for?

"knowledge of Him"

Idea is that there is a greater participation by the "knower" in the object known with the result there is more influence on the "knower" because of that knowledge.

- What epignosis is not is an emphasis on just academic understanding of truth.

For this to become a reality Paul asks that God would give them 2 things; "a spirit of wisdom" and "revelation"