Ephesians-A Rich Inheritance

[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. Ephesians 1:15–23 ESV

 

What brings forth spontaneous prayer in you?  Most people who pray consistently have routine habits of when they pray.  Before a meal, in preparation for bible study, or at the end of the day as they settle in to bed may be times most Christians think to pray.  

 

Spontaneous prayer is another thing.  It comes forth in a believer when the Spirit within them connects with the soul of a man.  In my life, this “deep calls to deep” experience usually happens in times of pain or fear.  Recall the words of a son of Korah in the Psalms: 

 

Psalm 42:7–8

 

            [7] Deep calls to deep

                        at the roar of your waterfalls;

            all your breakers and your waves

                        have gone over me.

            [8] By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,

                        and at night his song is with me,

                        a prayer to the God of my life. (ESV)

 

Yet As we close chapter 1 of Ephesians, we notice Paul’s spontaneous prayers seem very different.  Instead of prayer rising to express his own need, Paul’s prayers are stirred by his recognition of the great salvation God offers us and magnifies the supremacy of Christ.  

 

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For this reason (v. 15)

 

A helpful routine when encountering this phrase as you study is to stop and think what is the reason?  What thought is connected to the next statement as a cause of why Paul prays? The last paragraph was all about the glorious inheritance of the saints.  In verse 13 Paul describes them this way: “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”

Paul’s recollection of the Ephesian church’s response to the gospel causes a prayer of thanksgiving to come out of him.  

 

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you (v. 17)

 

After spontaneous praise, Paul prays specific blessings and spiritual benefits for continued fruit to be produced in their life, magnifying the salvation God has brought.  

 

First, he asks that the spirit give wisdom and revelation to the believers.  These gifts of knowledge have two different nuances.  In this context, to be wise is to see Good as the object of our devotion--thus seeing life through the reality of who He is.  Revelation is deep, personal insight into what God has said about Himself and the reality of our salvation. 

 

Then, in extending his requests for the gifts of knowledge each believer needs, Paul prays for enlightened hearts.  In biblical thinking, the heart represents the core center of being and needs divine illumination to understand salvation.  We are to cherish the hope we have, and live as Christians with the confident expectation that our salvation is secure and leading us to our inheritance.  Paradoxically, this inheritance we are to participate is dual; not only do we receive inheritance but we are the object of an inheritance!  We are God’s legacy.  He takes marred people and perfects them into a pure reflection of His image.  We are to know the greatness of this power deep down to transform and renew.  

 

 

that he worked in Christ (v. 20)

 

Now in a glorious climax, Christ as sovereign ruler emerges in Paul’s prayer.  Our salvation is great because the work of Christ is great.  This is our Jesus and what He did on our behalf.  He was raised from the dead.  He now sits at the right hand of God.  His authority is far above every lordship-human or angelic.  His name, His title, is superior above all for all eternity as He rules.  All things are below His power and guidance as He is in charge of all things but especially the church.  He completes each member and unifies us into one body.  

 

Great indeed is our salvation and the One who won it for us!

 

 

Reflection Questions: 

-Have you ever got to experience the fruit of seeing someone come to faith?  Have you prayed for that person lately as they mature? After conversion, did you also pray this type of prayer for your friend/family member? 

 

-What Holy Spirit empowered understanding do you need to guard your mind?  

·      The wisdom of a life oriented around God

·      Special revelation of the character of God

·      Solid belief in the hope of our inheritance

·      The power of God to change and save

 

-We often think of Jesus as wise teacher or suffering servant.  How often do you think about Him as ruling and reigning king?