Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom  PDF Document

Imagine before the universe was created, the Lord knew who you were; God knew everything about you and has amazing plans for your eternity. God the Holy Spirit lives in you as a security deposit to guarantee the promise of your redemption in Heaven. You are destined for greatness through the blood of Christ who has paid for your sins.  You are adopted into the family of God.

            This is who you are in Christ! Do you know who you are in Christ?  In the first 14 verses, Paul’s goal is for you, the believer, to understand your destiny.  We need to know our identity in Christ.  As Christians we have to have the right vision or worldview of our Christian faith.

            In the second part of chapter 1, Paul prays that the realization of our identity in Christ becomes real, not just theory.  We need to KNOW the inheritance coming to us and live according to our future, not our past.

 

  

Ephesians 1:15-23

(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.                                 

(15) this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,

 

For this reason: Refers to earlier points in Chapter 1, the guarantee of the Holy Spirit, the promise of the completion of redemption to come. Paul connects the reality of our identity in Christ.  It has been at least two years since Paul last met with the Ephesian church. The last time, he warned them of the threats of “ravenous wolves” who would come against them, and men who would speak perverse things arising from their own group (Acts 20:29-30).  The reputation of the church’s strong faith preceded them; they had established a reputation through the demonstration of love.  They treated their fellow saints with love and respect, setting a model for future churches. The excitement of this church would later be wanting, forty years later, Jesus warns the Ephesians of losing their first love (Revelation 2:1-4).

            Everyone who is saved has the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, they are saints.  We are saved by the blood of Christ, not by our own righteousness.  The word saint, translated from the Greek word hagios, means consecrated, separated.  When we accept Christ, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are distinct from those who are in the world, and God sees us covered with the blood of His Son. Because of the blood of Christ, we are declared righteous and stand righteous before God.

 

Romans 5:8-10  (8)  but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.(9)  Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.(10)  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

 

 

(16)       I do not cease: Paul was a spiritual warrior to the highest degree, he knew the power of prayer, Paul also understood that Satan had a spiritual agenda, countering the advance of the Kingdom of God.  The “saints” are the LORD’s army to advance the Gospel on enemy territory.

            To give thanks for you: The church and faithful believers came to Christ during the 3-years of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus and the surrounding region. Paul specifically and strategically planted a church in Ephesus to counter the demonic influence of Diana worship and the influence it had on part of the world. The followers of Christ were chosen by the Spirit of God, to come to faith in Christ.  

            Remembering you in my prayers: The power of Prayer is not just theory, it is power. Prayer enables the “Power” of God to act in accordance to the prayer. Even though Paul was not in Ephesus, he could still be involved in the spiritual realms through the power prayer.  Countering the demonic forces at work against the Gospel and the newly birthed church. Daniel set the example, he prayed 21-days before the message could reach him, the demonic force called the “Prince of Persia” fought against Daniel receiving the message in the spiritual realms.  

 

Daniel 10:11-13

(11)  And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.

(12)  Then he said to me, "Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.

(13)  The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,

 

 (17) Understanding the position and power we have in Jesus Christ is not the clearest thing for believers. We are at war, Satan goal is to make us feel defeated and powerless. The Holy Spirit, the very presence of God dwelling in the believer counters the “Old man” (Romans 6:6) our old nature, fed by Satan’s lies. It is Father of Glory who gives us the reality of our position in Jesus Christ. Paul prays that the saints would come to know the reality of Christ. Wisdom, Revelation and the knowledge of God are all empowered by the Spirit for the believer. When we believe the lies of the enemy we can easily feel defeated and powerless, that is Satan’s goal. A defeated believer is less effective than an empowered saint.

 

(18) You can live in house filled with gold coins, and yet still go out begging on the street for food,if you don’t know how to access the wealth you possess. In the same way, believers in Jesus Christ are the richest people in the Universe, we are co-heirs with the Creator (Romans 8:17), Jesus Christ. We have direct access to God’s power in Heaven, yet many of us never fully understand who we are in Jesus Christ. Paul at the start of Ephesians (Eph. 1:4-5) let us know, before God laid the foundation of the Universe, we were chosen, predestined to be adopted as “Sons” through Jesus Christ. Paul prays the knowledge of this Spiritual reality would become part of the knowledge and thinking of the believer in Jesus Christ.

 

Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened: The reality of who we are in the Spiritual realms would be unveiled to the saints. We all look the same in the physical world, the reality is we are “Sons” of God though Jesus in the spiritual realms. Demons at war with the saints.

That you may know what is the hope to which he has called you: Knowledge of this reality is not always apparent to the believer.

 What are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints: Our wealth in Christ is beyond anything this world could ever know or imagine.

 

This knowledge of the believers position is reiterated in Paul’s other epistles.  In Romans Chapter 8, explains the “Saint” is more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ.

 

Romans 8:37-39

(37)  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (38)  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,(39)  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

(19) What is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe: God’s plans and blessings for the believer are “Hyperbole” and “Mega”, in other words it exceeds greatness… You can’t even measure or comprehend the great things God has in store for you.   It’s beyond your understanding and ability to even imagine the blessings planned for the believer.

 

According to the working of his great might: God’s power and might is working for the saint, not against us. He wants to bless us and use us to advance His Kingdom.

 

 (20) God demonstrated this power in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, all earthly power and authority was opposed to Jesus, yet God raised Him from the dead and Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father.  Jesus sits at the throne of God interceding on the behalf of the saints, Jesus is our “Kinsmen” redeemer. At this very moment, every believer, synonymous with saint has direct access to Throne of God because our “Brother” Jesus sits in the heavenly places to act on our behalf.

Hebrews 4:14-16

(14)  Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

(15)  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

(16)  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 

We are called to go boldly, not timidly but boldly, like a “Son” coming before His father, we are to cry Abba Father, in other words Daddy Father, signifying the intimate relationship we the believer have with our Heavenly Father though the blood of Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6, Mark 14:36)

 

(21) Who is Jesus? A great man? A great prophet? Yes and so much more, Jesus is God incarnate, God became “Man” our kinsman to redeem us from our fallen state. God became man, He became our kinsman redeemer, God the “Creator” of the Universe is now in Heaven, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion that means Jesus our brother is above the Roman Empire in Paul’s Day and above every kingdom or power that every existed or will exist. Jesus is also above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. Jesus is our lawyer or advocate, waiting to intercede for the saints.

 

 

Hebrews 7:25

(25)  Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Romans 8:34

(34)  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Hebrews 9:24

(24)  For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

 

 

(22) Jesus is in charge of the universe. For many that might raise the question, if He is, why are there so many problems? God is also patient, He has chosen to work through His people to accomplish His plans. God does not need us, He chooses to use us to accomplish His plans in the Earth. All authority is under the feet of Jesus Christ, and Jesus is the head of the Church, His body. Therefore His body is ruling and reigning on the earth. Gave him as head over all things to the church: The Church has been given the authority to act on the behalf of Jesus the head of the Church.

 

The word Church is used 9 Times in Ephesians, it is the vessel of power Jesus choses to use on the earth. The Church is the body of Jesus Christ. We are empowered by the Spirit to act for Jesus the Head of the Church. (Eph_3:10; Eph_3:21 Eph_5:23-25; Eph_5:27; Eph_5:29; Eph_5:32)

 

(23)  Which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all: The church is the body of Christ, we are the LORD’s army, the Saints who will inherit all things. After the resurrection, Jesus commissioned the Church to act on His behalf. This commission and chain of authority is delineated in Matthew 28:18-20.

 

1. Jesus took back the authority given to Adam in the Garden that Adam lost.

2. Jesus our brother, the Second Adam has all authority in Heaven and on earth

3. Jesus has commissioned His Apostles to make disciples of all nations.

4. This power is transferred to the Disciples, through the Spirit of God.

5. Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

6. The world is to be taught the commands of Jesus Christ

7. His power and authority follow the Believer until the end.

 

 

Matthew 28:18-20

(18)  And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.(19)  Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:(20)  teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

The Kingdom of God, under the Messiah is portrayed as a physical kingdom, with the Son of God ruling over the nations.  We see this both in Daniel and the Psalms.  In Daniel the “Saints” are the inheritors of the kingdoms of humanity, the kingdom of God is the “Everlasting Kingdom” belonging to the saints who are under the authority of the “Son of Man” (Daniel 7:13)

Daniel 7:27

(27)  And the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

In Psalms 2, the Messiah rules from Mount Zion (Jerusalem) over the ends of the earth. He rules the nations with a “Rod of Iron”, absolute authority. 

Psalms 2:6-9

(6)  "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill."

(7)  I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you.

(8)  Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.

(9)  You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."

 

These portraits in the Old Testament will ultimately achieve their fulfillment at the “Second Coming” when Jesus Christ returns with Glory and power to establish His Kingdom. The Church returns with Jesus in Glory and power riding on white horses as described in Revelation 19:14. The greater revelation, the mystery not known before the New Covenant is the rule the Church plays in the plan of God.