Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesian Saints
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
6/11/2017 PM
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Text:
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Ephesians 1:15-17
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Psalters: |
351, 221, 30, 160 |
- For whom he prayed.
- The Ephesian Christians are saints and faithful (1); blessed with all spiritual blessings (3); chosen to be holy (4).
- About these Ephesians Paul says he “heard” two good things which are the acid tests of genuine salvation.
- The first and essential test is their “faith in the Lord Jesus.”
- Secondly, it is their “love unto all the saints” which love (God and fellow-saints) flows from faith (I Peter 1:22; I John).
- For what Paul prays for the Ephesians saints.
- The first thing mentioned in his prayer for them is that Paul gives thanks for them, and does so ceaselessly.
- Paul asks for “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him” (God our Father) – God-centered!
- That which is most essential and necessary and precious is the knowledge of God and of Jesus (John 17:3).
- “Knowledge” is a strong, powerful term referring to precise and correct intellectual grasp of things ethical and divine.
- The “eyes of your understanding (heart) being enlightened,” i.e., given spiritual perception.
- The eyes of our heart are enlightened by the “Spirit of wisdom and revelation.”
- To whom does Paul pray? “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory.”
- Knowing the One to whom he is making this request explains why he knows that his request will be answered.
- He is the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, i.e., Jesus’ God is our God (John 20:17).
- And He is the “Father of glory.”