1 1 - incomparabley great power, 7 aug. 2011

Text: Ephesians 1:15-23

= Motivation for Prayer:

• Vs. 15-16 - For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

= Extent of Prayer:

•Vs. 18-19 - I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, …. and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

Topic: Incomparably Great Power for You

Song – I don’t Know

I don’t know about tomorrow….

Many things about tomorrow,

I don’t seem to understand,

but I know who holds my future

and I know who holds my hands.

How Can We Work Out Our Hope for Success in

this world?

1. BETTER KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

• Vs. 17 - I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

= What is One of the Common Topics of Paul’s Letters for churches?

• 1Tim 2:4 - God wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

• Col 1:9 - For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

= Why do You think You have to Know God more and more?

• Vs. 17 - I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

• Gal 4:8 - Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.

• Phil 3:8 - What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

= How Do You Have to Apply the Knowledge of God to be Successful in this world?

• Vs. 17 - … may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

• HOPE #1 to Success – Better Knowledge of God.

What God Has What Satan Has1

2

3

What God Has What Satan Has1 Prosperity,

Favor, Success 2

3

What God Has What Satan Has1 Prosperity,

Favor, Success Doubt, Defeatism

2

3

What God Has What Satan Has1 Prosperity,

Favor, Success Doubt, Defeatism

2 Training for Greater Success

3

What God Has What Satan Has1 Prosperity,

Favor, Success Doubt, Defeatism

2 Training for Greater Success

Complacency, Stagnancy,

3

What God Has What Satan Has1 Prosperity,

Favor, Success Doubt, Defeatism

2 Training for Greater Success

Complacency, Stagnancy,

3 Negative, Afraid,

What God Has What Satan Has1 Prosperity,

Favor, Success Doubt, Defeatism

2 Training for Greater Success

Complacency, Stagnancy,

3 Be Courageous, Don’t be Terrified

Negative, Afraid,

What God Has What Satan Has1 Prosperity,

Favor, Success Doubt, Defeatism

2 Training for Greater Success

Complacency, Stagnancy,

3 Be Courageous, Don’t be Terrified

Negative, Afraid,

4 Be Strong

5

6

7

4 Be Strong Not Strong, but Weak. Others are Strong

5

6

7

4 Be Strong Not Strong, but Weak. Others are Strong

5 Pruning of Branches

6

7

4 Be Strong Not Strong, but Weak. Others are Strong

5 Pruning of Branches

Misunderstanding

6

7

4 Be Strong Not Strong, but Weak. Others are Strong

5 Pruning of Branches

Misunderstanding

6 Confusion of the Future, Unbelief,

7

4 Be Strong Not Strong, but Weak. Others are Strong

5 Pruning of Branches

Misunderstanding

6 More Fruitful Confusion of the Future, Unbelief,

7

4 Be Strong Not Strong, but Weak. Others are Strong

5 Pruning of Branches

Misunderstanding

6 More Fruitful Confusion of the Future, Unbelief,

7 Good Plan for You

4 Be Strong Not Strong, but Weak. Others are Strong

5 Pruning of Branches

Misunderstanding

6 More Fruitful Confusion of the Future, Unbelief,

7 Good Plan for You

Whatever!!!! ……… Who Cares?

2. RICH INHERITANCE OF GOD

• Vs. 18 - I pray also that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

= Why Do You Think Our Eyes are to be Enlightened to know the Hope to which God has called Us?

• Vs. 18 - I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you,,

• Acts 26:17b-18 - I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

• 2Corinthians 4:4 - The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

A Case Study on Invisible World of God

•2Kings 6:8-23 - Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.” The man of God sent

• word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.

• This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?” “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”

• “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

• When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

• And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

= How does the Calling of God Work for His Children in this world?

• Vs. 18 - I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you

• Romans 8:30 - And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

= What is the Value of the Riches of God’s Glorious Inheritance to which we are called?

• Vs. 18 - I pray also that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

• HOPE #2 to Success – Rich Inheritance of God

A Case Study on Riches of God’s Inheritance

(Ephesians 1:3-14)

(1) Heavenly Blessing

•Vs. 3 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

(2) From before the Creation

• Vs. 4 - For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

(3) Adoption into His Family

• Vs. 5 - In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

(4) Free Gift

•Vs. 6 - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

(5) Salvation by Jesus’ Blood

• Vs. 7 - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

(6) Showering of Blessing

•Vs. 8 - that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

(7) Mystery is Revealed

•Vs. 9 - And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment

(8) We are Included

•Vs. 13a - And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.

(9) The Receiving of the Spirit

•Vs. 13b - Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.

• 2Corinthians 4:18 - So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

3. GREAT POWER OF GOD

• Vs 19 - and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength

= What are the Potential Realms of God Open to All Christians?

(1) Better Knowledge of God

• Vs. 17 - I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

(2) Rich Inheritance of God

•Vs. 18-19a - I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

(3) Great Power of God

•Vs. 19 - and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

= How Can We Use the Incomparably Great Power of God to Be Successful?

• Vs. 19 - and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,

• HOPE #3 to Success – Great Power of God

(1) The Scale of Power – From Death to The right hand of God

• Vs 20-21 - which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given

(2) The Center of Power – the church, the body of Christ

• Vs. 22 - And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,

(3) The fullness of Power – Everything in every way

• Vs. 23 - which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

HOW CAN WE WORK OUT OUR HOPE FOR SUCCESS

IN THIS WORLD?

• Better Knowledge of God

• Rich Inheritance of God

• Great Power of God