Lesson 3 – Ephesians Chapter 1:18-23
Last week we talked about the fact that we are predestined by God unto salvation, we were on God’s mind before He created anything. With that, we obtained an inheritance from God that is coming, whether we are raptured or if we die and pass on to the other side. As evidence of this wonderful truth, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance. As we closed things out, we were reminded to have a love for all the saints, then pray for others and pray for wisdom.
We saw Paul’s prayer request in verse 17:
(17) “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,”
Eph. 1:18
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,”
The NASB says, “that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened.” In Paul’s day the heart didn’t mean the center of our emotions or feelings like it does today. In this context, it was more about the heart being the center of knowledge and understanding. Immature Christians can get all wrapped up in feelings over understanding. Don’t do that. It can’t be what “feels” good to us, but what God’s Word declares to be right. We must always be careful when it comes to dealing with our feelings, and this isn’t to say that our feelings don’t matter, they do.
Here, the phrase “eyes of your understanding” or your “heart” is talking about us having a spiritual understanding.
This becomes part of the believer’s make-up when we are diligent in our devotion to Christ. This doesn’t happen to us through osmosis, you can’t put the Bible on top of your head and hope that it seeps into your brain, it takes time and effort on our part.
If we make the effort to study God’s Word and pray, we will find that over time our heart will become more enlightened as our verse says, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Zech. 4:6
“Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.”
The Holy Spirit is key when it comes to our knowledge and understanding.
That you may know what is the hope of His calling…
His calling; means to be called into God’s salvation. We can say, to know and understand this salvation and then receive it, thus hope is injected into the believer’s heart.
Rom. 1:6
“And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.”
Our hope begins with Jesus Christ, our hope is in Jesus Christ!
Titus 2:13
“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,”
We’re all waiting for Jesus to return!
Rom. 8:30
“Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”
I know I keep repeating this verse, but it is so packed with truth that it bears repeating.
God has called each and every believer, and through that calling comes everlasting life… salvation. Once we are saved, the hope of heaven is planted in our hearts, and we hold on to that hope until we are with Christ.
Heaven is real, and we have the hope that once we’re done with our life on earth, we will go to heaven. No matter what happens to us now in this life, we know it won’t last forever, and ahead of us is the joy of heaven.
Heb. 6:19
“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”
This hope is Jesus, our High Priest, He is the very anchor of our souls. Paul wants hope to be a deep-seated reality in every believer’s heart. The more we study the things of God, the stronger our hope is going to be.
Col. 1:4-6
“For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.” (NLT)
Knowing and understanding the truth of God’s Word brings hope, which carries over to our behavior. The hope of Christ is what separates us from the rest of the world.
What are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints… it might be a little easier to understand this phrase if we use the word “which” instead of “what.” which are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints…
In Matt. 13:44 Jesus gives us; “The Parable of the Hidden Treasure.”
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
Here is a guy who, for some reason, was going through a field. He could’ve been working in the area, or maybe he was just out for a walk. But as he’s in this field he comes across a hidden treasure. He knows the only way he can uncover this treasure for himself is to buy the land. So, he pools all his resources together and buys the land… the treasure is finally his!
Now, the man didn’t want the land, he wanted the treasure. This is a great picture for us to see what God did to obtain His inheritance. In the beginning, God gave Adam the whole world. Then Adam messed everything up by falling into sin, thus handing the world over to satan. That’s why this world is so messed up, there’s death, disease, pain, suffering, and evil. Jesus came to buy the world back. Did He do this so that He could enjoy all the wonders of this world? No. He’s not interested in the world. He bought the world to get the hidden treasure. He bought the world through His sacrifice to get you! Every believer is God’s inheritance, which is pretty amazing when you think about it.
Hopefully, this helps us understand a little bit better, that it actually pleases God when we become His children. The only inheritance God wants is His children. Therefore, the only inheritance we should want is God.
Eph. 1:19
“And what (which) is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.”
“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power.” (NLT)
The exceeding greatness of His power… this is everything to us… that we should know and understand that God is all powerful. Then it says, His power toward us, God is blessing us with His power.
Power: strength, ability, inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth, power for performing miracles, moral power and excellence of soul.
(Doo’-nam-is) this is the Greek word for power, where we get the words dynamite and dynamo.
God has all power, over all things, at all times, and in all ways.
Job 42:2
“I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.”
Psalm 33:6
“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.”
God spoke everything into existence.
When we are saved, we are given all of God’s grace and all of His power, and that gives us the confidence of our eternal hope. The great mystery is, that God’s power can be shared by believers who are united to God in Jesus Christ. Does this mean we become all powerful like God? No.
God’s power rested on His servant Moses…
Exo. 9:16
“But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.”
There’s no denying when we see God’s power in action. All the things Moses did for God’s people showed the power of God.
Paul tells about his experience…
II Cor. 12:9
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness’. Wherefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
It’s good for us when we get to the end of ourselves such as Paul did, then we have to rely on God’s power to carry us through. The problem is, we have a tendency to become too full of ourselves and insist on doing things all on our own… in other words, we get prideful.
John MacArthur, “Physical suffering, mental anguish, disappointment, unfulfillment, and failure squeeze the impurities out of believers’ lives, making them pure channels through which God’s power can flow.”
We can experience God’s power when we’re hit with the toughest trials of life. We can experience His power when we’re having a mountain-top encounter as well. God is with us through thick and thin, no matter what.
James 1:2-4
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Whether we go through good times or bad times, it’s amazing how we can grow closer to God. It’s in our weaknesses, that God displays His grace and His power in our lives.
According to the working of His mighty power…
The word Working in the NT is used only of superhuman power. The Holy Spirit is the energizing power that enables believers to live for Christ. You didn’t think you could do that on your own, did you?
John 5:17
“But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”
God never stops working.
Previously in chapter 1, Paul explained that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit, this indeed shows us that the Holy Spirit is in us working.
I Cor. 6:19
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”
We can’t feel the Holy Spirit, it takes faith to know that He is in us. Paul is conveying to us, that “belonging” to God changes everything for us. As a child of God, we possess God’s working strength within us, which again, is the energizing force of the Holy Spirit in us.
Acts 1:8
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
John MacArthur, “We need not pray for power to evangelize, to witness the gospel to others. Believers already have that power.”
MacArthur’s statement might surprise you a little because we can’t necessarily feel God’s power (remember we have to be careful with feelings). We don’t need to pray for power to spread the gospel, we need to pray for opportunities to tell others about Christ.
I Thess. 1:5
“For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you.” (NLT)
This is a perfect example of why it’s important for us to dig deep into God’s Word, we find these little jewels that remind us of what we already have… we already have God’s power in us.
Eph. 3:20
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,”
Star Wars fans are famous for saying, “May the force be with you.” The power of God is in us, and will never leave us!
Eph. 1:20
“Which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,”
The “wonder working power in the blood,” is the same power that raised Christ from the dead.
• Who raised Christ from the dead?
In Acts 2:24, Peter says that “God raised [Jesus] from the dead.” God resurrected Jesus. As we read more Scripture, that answer becomes more and more clear to us.
Gal. 1:1
“Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),”
The Father raised Jesus from the dead.
I Peter 3:18
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,”
The Spirit raised Jesus from the dead.
John 10:17-18
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
Jesus raised Himself from the dead. The Bible indicates that all three Persons of the Trinity were involved in Jesus’ resurrection. Who resurrected Jesus from the dead? God did, and by that, I mean all three Persons of the Trinity were involved.
All three Persons of the Trinity participated in creation. All three are involved in salvation. And all three are responsible for the resurrection of Christ Jesus. God is amazing! The same power that lifted Jesus from the grave, will lift us up from our grave, if the Lord tarries.
And seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places…
This fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 110:1
“The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’”
Matt. 26:64
“Jesus said to him, ‘It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.’”
Jesus sits at the right hand of God the Father interceding on our behalf.
Eph. 1:21
“Far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”
Principality and power and might and dominion… these are all words used to describe all the different categories of demonic beings as well as angelic beings, with differing degrees of rank and power. Jesus is above them all.
Rom. 8:38-39
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
There is nothing above God. There is no greater power, there is no greater love, than from God. The point is, nothing compares to Jesus, there is no power greater than His. The power that He brings to every believer will never be overthrown by satan and his demons.
I John 4:4
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
There is a war in place, it’s God with His angels, against satan and his demons. This conflict spills over into the life of every believer as well, but the victory belongs to God.
I Peter 3:18-22
“Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. So he went and preached to the spirits in prison those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.” (NLT)
There is a grand plot by satan to try to destroy God’s plans, he’s been doing this from the very beginning in the Garden. Satan never lets up, he always attacking… he is a constant enemy of God, His angels, and the children of God. But, we’ve read the end of the book as they say. Satan is the ultimate loser, he can never stand against God.
Rev. 20:10-15
“Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from His presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Eph. 1:22
“And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,”
“God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.” (NLT)
All things are under Jesus’ feet! What things?
All dominions, powers, addictions, problems, pornography, profanity, gossip, depression, tempers, sadness, laziness… whatever it is that gets the best of you, the things you can’t quite get over.
God “put all things in subjection under His feet” (NASB). Jesus is above everything and everyone. Jesus is in absolute control of everything. Jesus secured His victory at the cross. There is no power greater than in Christ, there is no sin so terrible that He can’t forgive. He is worthy of our praise, worship, and adoration.
Then Paul declares Jesus to be the head of the church… and gave Him to be head over all things to the church…
John MacArthur, “Since He (Jesus) has such a unique and intimate relationship with the redeemed whom He loves, all His power will be used in their behalf to fulfill His loving purpose for them.”
What every group, organization, company, or team has in common is the need for a leader, and the church is no different. The church has Jesus. And, it goes without saying, that Jesus is the greatest leader it could ever have.
Commentator and Bible scholar Harold Hoehner writes, “Though the final manifestation of Christ’s headship over all Creation will be in the future, He is now Head over the fellowship of believers. He is also called the church’s “Head.”
“Fellowship” is an excellent word to focus on when it comes to the church. It’s vital that believers come together to worship, pray, fellowship, and yes, eat together. But most importantly, they take in the Word of God together. When the body of believers, whether large or small, when they experience all of these things together, there comes a real sense of community, and Christ is at the center of it.
Eph. 1:23
Which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
The church is the body of Christ!
John MacArthur, “The incomparable Christ is incomplete until the church, which is His body, is complete.”
Col. 1:18-20
“He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”
We have the distinct honor and privilege to be a part of the body of Christ. There is a time in the future, when the Millennial Kingdom will come to a close, and every soul that is predestined to come to Christ, will have made their choice for Him. This will be the fullness of Him who fills all in all. In a way, not that Christ lacks anything, He is incomplete until He is united with His believers.
God is looking forward to completion. Jesus prayed for this in John 17:
(24) “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”
The day is coming when we will be “one” with God.
Tonight, we talked about the hope that we hold onto in our hearts. Also, the fact that we are God’s inheritance… what a privilege that is. Then we lightly touched on God’s amazing power… I say lightly because God’s total power is unknowable. God’s power is always working and His power is in us. Last, but not least, Jesus is the Head of the Church.
In the future, the end of all things will be the beginning of all things… There is a glorious future coming! Abide in Jesus!