My Sermon on Ephesians 1:15-18

Stop me when you understand
Ephesians 1:15-18
Intro: 3 Types of Prayer in churches today.
1. The Sick Prayer
2. The Lost Prayer
3. The Gossip prayer
Paul specializes in praying for the saints.
I. Paul gives thanks for the Ephesians faith in the gospel
Ephesians 1:15-16 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you
Application: Do we give thanks for the faith of our brothers and sisters in Christ?
Things to be thankful for:
1. They are part of the family of God
Turn to the person on your right and say I am so thankful that you are part of my family.
2. As a part of the family of God they are playing a role in your sanctification and the growth of the church as a whole.
Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Each of the saints has a God given role in the growth of the church and our personal edification.
Turn to the person on the left and tell them thanks for being part of my sanctification
3. They have displayed Christ’s love to you.
Turn to the person on the right and say, I love you and am so thankful that God loves you too.

II. Paul makes mention of them in his prayer to God that they would understand the gospel better
Ephesians 1:16-17 I cease not making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Exhortation: Ever since I watched the Secret with you I have been praying that you will grow in your understanding of the sole sufficiency of God, that you would move past the lies of the prosperity gospel and see God as more than just a Divine Stock Market
A view that says God is an investment opportunity attacks God’s 1. Self Sufficiency 2. Divine Grace
A. As owner of everything God cannot be indebted to man.
Rom 11:33-36 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Act 17:24-28 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
B. All God’s gifts are an act of grace not debt.
Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
And, in many more areas I pray that you will grow in your understanding of God and his work on the cross for you.
I pray that you will get to the point where whether you were rich or poor you would be happy only in God. That you would not rate your life on how rich you are or what you own but on whether your relationship with God is growing. I hope that his glory becomes that real for you.
III. Paul does not cease to pray
Eph 1:16 I also Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

The sentence structure Paul used enhances this point that he did not cease in his prayers for them.
Explanation: Advantage of Continuous Prayer:
Shows the love you have for the person and your strong faith that only God is responsible for their salvation and growth.
1. Paul exhibits Faith in God’s sovereignty
a. Paul gives thanks to God for their faith
Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you,
b. Paul prays that God would give them understanding?
Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
2. Paul displays his love for the saints
Eph 3:13-14 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
Application: Do we consistently bring our fellow church members to God in prayer?
IV. The beauty of God’s gospel is what fueled Paul to ceaselessly pray for the Ephesians
For this cause (1:15)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Paul realized that the gospel was greater than what the Ephesians have figured out yet. He had tasted the greatness of it and desired that they would understand it too.
Illustration: Listening to the game on the radio vs being courtside.
What about the gospel did Paul want the Ephesians to understand?
V. Understand the hope of his calling
A. His Calling
1 Thessalonians 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
1. Kingdom: Can you imagine the greatness of heaven, being in God’s presence day after day, seeing God face to face, learning new and exciting things every day from God’s mouth, watching as every tribe tongue and nation uses their unique cultures to worship God. Joining with them in your own unique voice, basking in God’s glory, engaging in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Can you imagine anything greater? This is what we are called to
2. Glory-
1 Corinthians 15:42-44So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.
Can you imagine the day when we get to throw off this old body with all its aches and pain, and put on our new body. When we can finally cast off the heavy burden of sin and release the chain of wickedness that has been holding us back from our true glory. Can you imagine the day when we will no longer be shamed by the stain of sin, but we will be honored by being clothed in the beauty of holiness. Can you imagine that day.
Paul wants us to understand not only that we are called to be part of such great things, but also to know how to hope for them.
B. Hope
1. The strengthening of Hope
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
To live a life of hope is not to allow anything in the world to shame us, because we know that we have a better future in heave waiting for us. It causes us to reject all the things of this world that would normally be great temptations for us because we know we have something better waiting for us later. To understand the hope of our calling is to be able to reject lesser joys now to experience greater joy later.
VI. Understand the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints
A. This is Christ’s inheritance in us
Ephesians 1:20-23 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
a. His inheritance is a name above all names
b. Power over every thing
c. The church, which is his body the fullness of him that fills all in all. The fullness language indicates that every thing that Christ is doing to display his glory to the world is done through the church. To understand the riches of his inheritance in us is to understand what great privilege it is to be the witnesses of Christ to the world. This is not something that can or should be taken lightly.
Conclusion In the end, the gospel is not just a get into heaven free card. It is the culmination of God’s grand plan for history. It is Jesus displaying the unique nature of God in the clearest way. It explains our past, it shows us how to live in the present, and it tells us what to look for in the future. It shapes our understanding of history, mankind, God, love, grace and oh so much more. It tells us our purpose and what we should live our lives for. Understanding the gospel gives you so much more than a ticket to heaven. I pr