Ephesians 1:18-20 - "That Your May Know..."

Wefinished the book of Luke several days ago and today we're going to start ourstudy in the book of Ephesians and will be looking at it for the next severalmonths. I love the book of Ephesians. I love it because I believe it gives usthe essence of what it really is to live out our Christian faith. The reasonmany people give for not becoming a Christian is because they meet a so-calledChristian who is not living out their Christian faith. I believe that Ephesiansis a powerful book that gives us a strong foundation for our Christian walk so thatwe might truly live a life that pleases God and also will give us the greatestfulfillment as we participate in His body life.  Hoseathe prophet proclaims a message to Israel revealing to them what is at the rootof their failure to live for Jehovah was their lack of knowledge of God’s truth.Hosea repeats this message several times here in chapters 4 and 6. "Hearthe word of the Lord, you children of Israel, for the Lord brings a chargeagainst the inhabitants of the land. There is no truth or mercy or knowledgeof God in the land” (4:1). And then in chapter 4:6 he says, "Mypeople are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge,I'll also reject you from being priest for me. Because you have forgottenthe law of your God, I will also forget your children." In Hosea6:3, he writes: “Let us know. Let us pursue the knowledge of theLord. His going forth is established as the morning. He will come to uslike rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth”. And finally inHosea 6:6; “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice and the knowledge of Godmore than burnt offerings”.  Todaywe are looking at the spiritual reason and the purpose we have for this studyof the book of Ephesians. I believe that the Lord has led me to make this ournext biblical study. In Ephesians 1:18, Paul said, he is praying several thingsfor them, but especially that “the eyes of your understanding beingenlightened." He says, "Here's my prayer. Here's what I’m writingthis book about:" First, "That you may know what isthe hope of His calling." Secondly, "That you may knowwhat are the riches of the glory of the inheritance in the saints? And third,"That you may know what is the exceeding greatness of His powertoward us who believe according to the working of His mighty power”.  Aswe look at this book over the next few months, I've outlined the whole book bylooking at each chapter to keep our focus and emphasis on Jesus. Jesus is thecenter. He is what our belief, our Christian life is all about. Matter of fact,a repeated phrase in this book and especially the first couple chapters aboutour position that we have in Christ. In Christ, in Christ, in Him, in Christ. Amajor issue for believers today is that we do not know our position inChrist. And the first three chapters have to do with our position in Christ.The last three chapters is how to live out practically what we knowabout our position in Christ.  Mysimple outline of the book is: Ephesians 1 is knowing Jesus. Ephesians 2is living Jesus. Ephesians 3 is loving Jesus. And then the lastthree chapters, the practical chapters are: Ephesians 4 is talking Jesus.Ephesians 5 is walking Jesus. And then finally, Ephesians 6 is standingwith Jesus. We stand in Him and we overcome the wiles of the evil one. Rememberwe are being destroyed and overcome by the world and the evil one because ofour lack of knowledge of God and His Son Jesus Christ Today,just to get us started, think on these things. Are you being destroyed for lackof knowledge of who you are in Christ? I trust today God will speak to yourheart to love Him, to know Him, to live for Him, and to make a difference inthis crazy world in which we live for eternity.  Godbless!