No Ordinary Prayer

A Review of Ephesians 1:1-14We have received a spiritual blessing, that is, our salvation through Jesus ChristOur salvation comes by the grace of God, not by any worth that we might bring to the table. God chose us before the foundation of the world, with the purpose of making us holy and blameless, demonstrating that we did nothing to contribute to our salvation, and God provided the sacrifice we needed to be saved and sanctified.Out of God’s great love for us, he planned our adoption into his family. We now have sonship or daughtership and God as our Father. This demonstrates God's love for us, our value in Jesus Christ, and the promise of an inheritance.Also, in 1:7-10 we say the redeeming purpose of God. Through the overwhelming graciousness of God, he redeemed our lives through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.Then he promises us an inheritance that is sealed and kept by the Holy Spirit. 1. Paul is celebrating all God has done in the church of Ephesus.Ephesians 1:15–16 Giving thanks is a common theme in Paul’s letters to other believers. His letters often start with warm greetings and gratitude for the work of the church or God’s work in them.For these things, Paul gives thanks in his prayers, but Paul doesn’t pray ordinary prayers.TWO REASONS PAUL GIVES FOR GIVING THANKS:The faith of the Ephesian Church in the Lord Jesus.Paul was not the first person to bring the good news of Jesus to Ephesus, but he found a small group of believers there already, and he found they needed further teaching and a baptism that included the Holy Spirit. The change in the Ephesian church was so radical that it led to riots in Ephesus. Throwing away their idols. Paul also had been away from these believers for some time, and now is in prison, so he is hearing updates of their faith.Saints are not a special group of believers but all of God’s believers. Throughout the OT and NT, the Hebrew and Greek words for saint are used to refer to believers.Psalm 16:3, Psalm 34:9, Acts 9:3, Romans 1:6–7, Romans 8:27The love of the Ephesian Church toward all the believers.In this area of Asia Minor or what we would call Turkey - The churches depended on generosity between each other.Philippians 4:10–23 HOW DO WE AS BELIEVERS SHOW LOVE TO ONE ANOTHER?Taking care of one another.Giving to one another - benevolence, blessing box, and helping hands ministryDisaster reliefMontana and VermontGuatemala - homes, churches, and now a crusadeIndia - the church was built to be dedicated.2. Remember to whom we are praying.Ephesians 1:17 The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory . . . Again, Paul is using this title of God and Jesus that emphasizes their relationship. Piper points out that Jesus's connection to God in this way reminds us that Jesus is our mediator. Jesus makes it so that we can approach God - or the throne of Grace. The Father of Glory - the only time Paul uses this exact wording but what does it mean? Father of Glory?1 Corinthians 2:8, Romans 6:4Many people struggle with this concept of God being at the center - and being worthy of worship. But there is none greater than God. Our lives should reflect his glory.3. What is Paul asking God to do for the Ephesians Church?Ephesians 1:17-19
Similarly, Colossians 1:9–11That God would give them . . . The spirit of wisdom . . . And of revelation . . . in the knowledge of him,This wisdom is more than just factual knowledge but a sense of understanding how to apply what we know from the Bible about Jesus and our calling to live a holy life.2 Timothy 1:7 And it is how God has revealed Himself to us through His word so we can know him. General revelation v. special revelation.. . . Having the eyes of your heart enlightened . . . Open the eyes of my heart as compared to what happened in the Garden of Eden. 2 Corinthians 4:4–6, Romans 1:21–22, Romans 2:1–5, Colossians 3 . . . That you may know . . . The hope to which he called youThe riches of his glorious inheritance in the saintsThe immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe4. By God’s Power He is at work in our lives, in creation, and in the heavenly places.Ephesians 1:19–23 His Great Might.He worked in Christ :Resurrection PowerPhilippians 3, Job 19:25, Romans 8:34, 1 Peter 1:3, John 11:25–26 Sovereign PowerEphesians 3:20, Hebrews 10:12–14 Paul uses language that refers to OT passages:Isaiah 40:25–26, Psalm 147:4, Psalm 8 From Adam to Israel to the 2nd Adam - God is at work bringing all things back in order under the Lordship of Christ and as head of the church. LAST QUESTION: HOW DO WE PRAY THIS PRAYER? Ephesians 1:15-23. No Ordinary Prayers: The Greatness of God in Paul’s Prayer