INTRODUCTION: Like Moses and Joshua, calling Israel to possess her inheritance in the land flowing with milk and honey, Paul yearns that the church of Jesus Christ may understand, desire and appropriate unto herself the blessings that are ALREADY HERS "in Christ". While there is, today, a clamor for material gain among the saints, it is sad to note that many are living in spiritual poverty - far beneath their dignity, standing and wealth "in Christ". This Ephesian letter, like Joshua in the Old Testament, is a clarion call for a COVENANT PEOPLE to "POSSESS their possessions", claim their inheritance and enter experientially into the true LIFE OF REST!

I. FOR THE BESTOWMENT OF DIVINE GRACE PAUL GIVES THANKS, (vs. 15-16).

        15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

1. PAUL'S LIFE WAS DEDICATED TO AN ENDURANCE OF ALL THINGS FOR THE ELECT'S SAKE, (2 Tim. 2:10).
   
2. WITH JOY HE HEARD, IN PRISON, OF THE SPIRITUAL PROGRESS OF HIS BELOVED BRETHREN, (comp. Col. 1:4; Philemon 5).
1. His heart thrilled to hear of their exemplary faith in Christ Jesus!
2. And he was greatly encouraged to learn of their love which reached out unto ALL saints.


3. ONE OF THE MOST ADMIRABLE THINGS ABOUT PAUL'S LIFE WAS HIS UNCEASING PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING FOR HIS BRETHREN, (comp. Rom. 1:8-9; I Cor. 1:4; Phil. 1:3; Col. 1:3-4; etc.).

II. HE PRAYS THAT THE SAINTS MAY RECEIVE A FULLER ILLUMINATION OF THEIR WEALTH, (vs. 17-18a).

        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: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;

1. THIS PRAYER IS DIRECTED TO "THE GOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF GLORY", (Jn. 20:17).
1. Though Jesus was the Divine Son of God, He still worshipped and prayed to His Father-God, (Mk. 1:35; 6:47; Luke 6:12; 9:18; Matt. 11:25; Jn. 11:41; 17:1).
2. "Glory" is one of God's chief attributes, (Psa. 29:3; Acts 7:2; Rev. 21:11, 23).
3. "Father of glory", as "Father of lights" (Jas. 1:17), suggests His fatherhood over those with whom glory and light are shared.
1. The fatherhood of God, for mankind, is through a spiritual re-birth that comes from above, and through the divine initiative. (Jn. 3:3-7; 1:12).
1.) Though Israel called God her "Father", she never entered into an experiential enjoyment of divine sonship.
2.) Only with the coming of Jesus Christ, and the bestowing of the indwelling Spirit on the church, did ANYONE enter into the liberty, joy and confidence of this blessing, saying: "Abba, Father", (Gal. 4:4-7).
2. "Father of glory" suggests God's fatherhood over those ultimately destined to share His very nature, deity and glory in the coming age; it is LIMITED and conditional, (Rom. 8:14-17; 2 Tim. 2:12).
3. "Father of lights" suggests God's fatherhood over the church which Jesus designated "the light of the world", (Matt. 5:14-16; Rev. 1:20; Phil. 2:15-16; 2 Cor. 4:4).
4. Israel never prayed to God as "Father"; and it is highly questionable that Jesus actually authorized "ALL the saved" in our day to say: "OUR Father", (Matt. 5:9). (It seems difficult for some to understand that, though the New Testament beautifully sets forth the WAY of FULL SALVATION, which is open to ALL MEN, the blessings of the New Covenant are only for those who have, in faith-obedience, committed themselves to THE WAY OF GOD'S APPOINTMENT - something that is inadequate, to say the least, apart from the identity of one's life with God's people within a local, New Testament church!)
5. But Jesus urged the church to pray to the Father "in my name" - that is, with His authorization, consent and authority; thus, assuring our acceptance before the throne of grace, (Jn. 16:23-24).


2. PAUL'S PRAYER IS FOR "THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION" WHEREBY THEY MAY KNOW GOD MORE FULLY.
1. Such an experience of understanding and fellowship is GIVEN to willing and hungry hearts, (Jn. 7:17; etc.).
2. It involves a progress in experience BEYOND the initial knowledge of salvation from sin-guiltiness, (Col. 1:9; 2:2).
3. It suggests an intimacy of experience with God.
1. Even Paul longed to know God more fully and intimately, (Phil. 3:10).
2. He desired for all saints the same wealth of spiritual resources and strength that he claimed for himself.


3. HE DESIRES THAT THE EYES OF THEIR HEARTS MAY BE ENlightened; otherwise, they can never comprehend such glorious fullness! (Lk. 1:77-79; Jn. 8:12; 2 Cor. 4:4; Acts 26: 18).
1. A head full of knowledge, even BIBLE knowledge, is NOT ILLUMINATION! (Rom. 11:25; 12:16; 2 Tim. 3:7).
2. As the Holy Sprit brings understanding to the heart, through the channel of the mind, it then becomes experiential, and divine radiance is so shed abroad that man may see the finger and power of God in such a way as will redound to His glory and praise. THIS IS ILLUMINATION!

III. PAUL PRAYED THAT THESE SAINTS MIGHT KNOW A NUMBER OF VERY IMPORTANT THINGS, (vs. 18b-23).

        ... that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 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: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

1. HE PRAYED THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THE HOPE OF GOD'S HIGH, HOLY AND HEAVENLY CALLING, (Phil. 3:14; 2 Tim. 1:9; Heb. 3:1; contrast Eph. 2:12-13).
1. It is a living and blessed hope, (I Pet. 1:3; Tit. 2:13); of eternal life, glory and conformity to Christ's image at His coming and kingdom, (Tit. 1:2; 3:7; Col. 1:27; I Jn. 3:2-3).
2. We are NOW called from darkness to: light, holiness, liberty and peace, (I Pet. 2:9; I Thes. 4:7; Eph. 4:1; Gal. 5:13; Col. 3:15).
3. We are called to share the high quality of eternal (Gk. "aionios") life and glory in the coming age, (I Tim. 6:12; 2 Thes. 2:14; I Pet. 5:10; 2 Pet. 1:3).
4. And we are RESPONSIBLE for the use we make of this calling, (2 Pet. 1:10-11).


2. HOW HIGHLY GOD VALUES HIS HERITAGE IN THE CHURCH! "the riches of the glory of HIS INHERITANCE in the saints".
1. So deep was His love, and so high His esteem, for her that Jesus purchased the church with His own precious blood, (Acts 20:28).
2. He desires her presentation to Himself as a "glorious church" - without spot or blemish, (Eph. 5:27).
3. At His second coming He will be "glorified in His saints", (2 Thes. 1:10).
4. His glory and power will be evident when it appears "what we shall be" in Him - not as we now are, but as we will be when conformed to His own glorious likeness in the resurrection, (Rom. 8:29; I Jn. 3:1-3).


3. AND PAUL PRAYED THAT THE SAINTS MIGHT KNOW THE EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF GOD'S POWER IN THEIR BEHALF. Here he stacks synonym on top of synonym in describing how God's power (dy-namis) operates according to the in working (inergia) of the strength (kratos) of His might (ischys).
1. It was this very power that raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead - seating Him at the Father's right hand, in the heavenlies, (Acts 2:24; 7:55-56).
1. In deep humiliation, He was made a curse for us, (Gal. 3:13).
2. But, He is now exalted unto the highest possible position of dignity and glory!
4. By this power He has been exalted above every other power or person in God's creation - in this age, or in that which is to come, (Phil. 2:9-10; Col. 2:10).
1. He now occupies a position of authority at the Father's right hand, (Psa. 110:1; I Pet. 3:22; Mk. 16:19; Luke 22:69; Acts 7:55; Rom. 8:34; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; Rev. 3:20-22).
2. There He waits, expectantly, until His enemies are made His footstool.
5. This power has subjected ALL THINGS under Jesus' feet; He has been given authority over all things in behalf of His church, (1:22-23).
1. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above what we ask or think, (3:20).
2. He is able to make "all grace abound" toward those who trust in Him!
6. This same power is working for the church today - enabling us to abandon the dominion of sin and walk in "newness of life" with Christ, (Rom. 6:4-14).
1. The church is HIS BODY, and He is her LIVING HEAD, (Eph. 4:15-16; Col. 1:18; Heb. 2:7; I Cor. 10:17).
2. More than a mere possession, He lives in His body-members, (I Cor. 10:27; Eph. 4:25).
3. Endowed with the fulness of Christ, the church is complete - to function as His witness in the earth, (Col. 2:10).
4. In the church He has become "incarnate" for this age, (Gal. 2:20; Col. 1:27).
5. But, in order for men to KNOW this fullness, they must experience it in a very definite way:
1.) They must repudiate and turn from their sin, Luke 13:3).
2.) By faith, they must turn TO the Lord Jesus Christ - trusting in Him as their personal Sin-bearer, Savior and Lord, (Acts 20:21; Jn. 3:16-18, 36; 5:24; Acts 16:30-31).
3.) Submitting to His authority, they must become publicly identified with Him (through baptism) in His body, the church, (Matt. 28:18-20).
4.) In this relationship, they must then walk in faithful obedience and loving fellowship with Him - reckoning HIS RICHES to be their very own; God's call IS to THE FELLOWSHIP (sharing of all things common) OF HIS DEAR SON, (I Cor. 1:9).

        CONCLUSION: Such knowledge will enable the believing soul to: rest securely in Christ's sufficiency; rejoice unceasingly in the inheritance that is ours in Him; and to labor, with untiring faithfulness, in the vocation to which He has called us by His marvelous grace!

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW

1. How may one summarize Paul's concern for the church?
2. In what way is this letter like the book of Joshua?
3. For what does Paul give thanks? for what did he pray?
4. What blessings would be theirs through "the spirit of wisdom and revelation"?
5. Why was it so important that the "eyes of their hearts" should be enlightened?
6. What else did the apostle want his brethren to know?
7. What sort of value does Christ place on His church?
8. What was Paul's desire for the brethren with regard to the store of power that was available for their benefit?
9. What sort of power was it?
10. How will God's people be blessed by such knowledge as Paul yearned for his brethren to possess?