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Living In Poverty While You Are Rich…EPHESIANS 1:15-23

Living in Poverty…•The World Bank estimated 1.29 billion people were living in absolute poverty around the world in 2008•World Bank Definition, <$1.25/day•Imagine being the son of a billionaire•Like this, many believers don’t know of the riches in Christ from the H.S.

15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are

the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about 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 every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one

to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection 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, NASB

Praying for all the Saints•Vv 15-16 common to all of the “Prison Prayers” of Paul (Eph, Phil, Col)•We discover the “blessings” he wanted his converted children to enjoy—always spiritual– he never asks for material stuff•“Reveal to me what I already have” (Prays for us too!)

For…•Spirit of Wisdom, and Revelation in the Knowledge of Him…•V-17, this is the highest knowledge a human can have•The Atheist can claim there is no God to know, and the Agnostic can say “if there is” He is unknowable•Because they don’t have the above!

Spirit of Wisdom, Knowledge of Rev…•Dave Silverman, president of the American Atheist Assoc. said, “America has never been a Christian nation and never will…”•Obviously this educated idget knows nothing of U.S. history•My point? All the info on Earth will not give you the Wisdom of God

Spirit of Wisdom, Knowledge of Rev…•Romans 1 tells us that this willful ignorance of God led mankind to corruption and condemnation• Paul describes the stages in man’s devolution: from willful ignoranceof God to idolatry – substituting a lie for the truth – to immorality and indecency

Spirit of Wisdom, Knowledge of Rev…•Where does it begin? •It begins with an unwillingness to know God as Creator, Sustainer, Governor, Savior, and Judge

“…For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…”

Romans 1:18, NASB

Spirit of Wisdom, Knowledge of Rev…•Where does it begin? •It begins with an unwillingness to know God as Creator, Sustainer, Governor, Savior, and Judge•All the believers of Jesus Christ must grow in the knowledge of God– not just fire insurance

For Knowing what is the Hope..•V 18 a, nobody but Jesus is better than Paul for the “light bulb”•Greek word for enlightened is “photizo”, from this photograph•Means ‘light in’•V 17 says from the HS—•Enlightens us to understanding the hope of God’s calling (Isaiah 11:2)

“The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.”

Isaiah 11:2, NASB

For Knowing God’s Riches…•V 18 b, notice a very important point here– he did NOT say “your inheritance in Christ”•He said, “His inheritance in the saints”-God sees us as His riches•Because God invested His Son in You! This is why we live for His Glory!

For Knowing God’s power…•Vv 19-23, Since man fell, all of Creation has suffered•Since sin, death, decay, aging•In other words No One can reverse the power of death•No wonder the Bible calls death the Last enemy

“…The last enemy that will be destroyed is death…”

1 Corinthians 15:26, NASB

For Knowing God’s power…•But- 3 days after the crucifixion, Death was History!•Greek word power is “dunamos”•Dyno-mite!” no power in the universe greater than Jesus•No enemy past or future can overcome Him b/c He has been exalted above all powers

Skeptics would say..•“So, what has that got to do with Christians?” Answer 22-23 •Because we are believers, we are in the church, which is Christ’s body – and He is the Head. This means that there is a living connection between you and Christ. •Physically speaking , the head controls the body and keeps the body functioning properly. Through the Spirit, we are united to Him as the members of His body. This means that we share His resurrection, ascension, and exaltation.

Take Home!•To Christians, Heaven is not only the final destination, but also a motivation for godly life on earth•We Christians live in the future tense, our lives controlled by what we shall be when Christ returns•Because we are God’s inheritance, we live to please and glorify Him