ephesians 1:18 the message
When He died, we died. God never has museums. We so selfishly begin in our thinking with ourselves. If Gods power toward us is so great, why do so many Christians fall into serious sin. As an introduction to mentioning the many afflictions he had endured for the Lord, Paul commented, But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves (2 Cor. Ephesians 1:19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. Where do we find the power to overcome anger, resist greed, offer forgiveness, or pursue sexual purity? 6:5 = in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ;; Eph. You cannot do anything for your salvation, but you must do something to manifest it, you must work out what God has worked in. This day is as a thousand years because in your day of difficulty and dilemma, pressure and pain, sadness and sorrow, you have the unique opportunity to share the fellowship of the Lords suffering and to pray for others in a way you never would have been able to otherwise. The surpassing-all-limit power of God can be limited in its working only by the believer's failure to believe. Knowing of Jonahs disobedience beforehand, God had already prepared a great fish to swallow him and spit him out when he was humbled enough to repent (Jonah 1:172:1). 5 Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name (1 Chron. Nahum No spendthrift hand can scatter or over-spend its treasures. You have given us freedom, my chains are gone And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. So pray for others and for yourself, that God will enlighten the eyes of your heart through His Word so that you will know what is the hope of His calling. Haggai It is the active exercise of supernatural power." When we are faithful to the call to obedience, He can call us to more specific areas (seeLuke 16:10).GotQuestions.org. He is able! Why? Amazing grace! Because My coming is near, and your heavenly account is pretty small, Im giving you an opportunity to make some huge investments in the few days that remain before you go to heaven., You for whom this day has seemed as a thousand yearsrejoice. Thus power unto salvation (Ro1:16): the kingdom coming in power (Mk 9:1): God himself called powerthe right hand of the power (Mt. I PRAY THAT THE EYES OF YOUR HEART MAY BE ENLIGHTENED: pephotismenous (RPPMPA) tous ophthalmous tes kardias [humon] : Psalms 119:18+ Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law. Jesus answered and said to him (to Peter who was a bit "put off" that Jesus was preparing to wash his dirty feet! The heart is the inner man, including the emotion and will; it is the whole self, mans inward being. He is powerless to apprehend spiritual things. This time, Jonah did. (NLT - Tyndale House), Phillips: that you may receive that inner illumination of the spirit which will make you realise how great is the hope to which He is calling you - the magnificence and splendour of the inheritance promised to Christians - (Phillips: Touchstone), Wuest: the eyes of your heart being in an enlightened state with a view to your knowing what is the hope of His calling, what is the wealth of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,(Eerdmans Publishing- usedby permission), Young's Literal: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, for your knowing what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. 31:10; Ezek. 15-19 That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for youevery time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened By the Spirit of God already, to see the exceeding sinfulness of sin; the insufficiency of their own righteousness; the beauty, glory, fulness, and suitableness of Christ, as a Saviour; the excellency, truth, and usefulness of the doctrines of the Gospel; in which their understandings were before dark, but now had light into them: wherefore these words are not to be considered as part of the apostle's petitions, but rather as what was taken for granted by him; and are to be put into a parenthesis, and the following words to be joined in connection with the preceding verse; unless it should be thought, that the apostle prays for greater illuminations, and for more spiritual light, and that the eyes of their understandings might be more and more enlightened; the phrase, (lkvh Nye) , (omma thv dianoiav) , "the eye of the understanding", is Rabbinical, and often to be met with in Jewish writings F6; the Alexandrian copy, and several others, the Complutensian edition, the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, read, "the eyes of your heart"; and to, (twbblh ynye) , "the eyes of the hearts, or minds", is a phrase used by the Jewish writers F7: that ye may know what is the hope of his calling; by which is meant, the effectual calling of the saints; which is not a call to an office, or a call merely by the external ministry of the word; but which is internal, special, powerful, high, and heavenly: and this is the calling of God, of which he is the author; who calls with an holy calling, unto eternal glory by Christ Jesus; and which is without repentance: and the hope of this calling, is either eternal happiness, which is the thing hoped for; or Christ, who is the ground and foundation of it; or the grace of hope, which is exercised on both; or all three: for hope of eternal glory, as it is founded on Christ, may be said to be the hope of the calling of God, because it is wrought in the soul at the time of the effectual calling, and what saints are then called to the exercise of; and calling grace, is an encouragement to hope for eternal life; since whom God calls, he justifies and glorifies: and now the apostle prays, that these saints who were called by the grace of God, might know more of Christ, the foundation of their hope; and what that is they are hoping for, and more and more what it is to hope for the same, upon the view of Christ's person, blood, and righteousness: and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints; the saints themselves are the Lord's portion, and the lot of his inheritance, in whom he is, and will be abundantly glorified; but here it rather seems to design the heavenly inheritance before spoken of, of which the Spirit is the earnest; and this is the Lord's, it is of his preparing, and it is his gift, and a very rich and glorious inheritance it is: hence it is not only signified by mansions, and everlasting habitations, by an house, and by a city, but by a kingdom; the riches of grace are preparatory to it, and the riches of glory are comprised in it; and this is in, or among the saints, who only have a right unto it, and a meetness for it; and what this inheritance is, with the riches and glory of it, will not be fully known in this life; and indeed but little of it is known; so that such a petition as this is always proper and pertinent. Paul is praying "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes . 1 Peter 4:11 (note) Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. The owner put his hand into the jar, grabbed a handful of candy and handed it to the boy. Cf. Acts 26:18+ to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.. How blessed is God! Isaiah This certainty is provided in Jesus Christ. It is available. Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jul 18, 2019 (message contributor) . Help Them To Achieve (Ephesians 1:15-23) - Newspaper columnist Jean Calmen once wrote about a teacher she called Miss K. In her youth, Calmen had been a student of Miss K's, so she sent the teacher a copy of a column she was especially proud of. I askask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of gloryto make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust himendless energy, boundless strength! Daniel Ischus is inherent power or force. So we, being raised from the dead, go not back to our dead works nor to our old corruptions, but we live unto God. 1:18). QUESTION -What does it mean to be called by God? Part of that prayer is, I pray that . It grows even taller when he prays that we would know the glory of Gods inheritance in the saints. It is a mystery that God should find his inheritance and portion in the love of men and women like ourselves. This was even Paul's desire expressed so powerfully in Philippians writing that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death (Php 3:10+). Mark To which is added another, and that is redemption; the author of which is Christ; the price, or procuring and meritorious cause of it is his blood; a branch of which is forgiveness of sins; and the whole is according to the plenteous and free grace of God, Eph 1:7, the entire plan and scheme of which is the produce of abundant wisdom and prudence, Eph 1:8, and is no other than the mystery of the will of God revealed in the Gospel, according to his sovereign will and purpose, Eph 1:9, which lay hid within himself until the fulness of times, or the Gospel dispensation, in which Christ being sent, has gathered all together in himself, Eph 1:10, through whom the saints enjoy the inheritance they are adopted to in predestination, which is the effect of an unfrustrable purpose, and a wise counsel and will, Eph 1:11. 1:9), God has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity. Knowing that you are saved because in eternity God purposed to save you and that His purpose is certain, will give you assurance you when youre struggling with doubt or failure. There are a good number of folks who have believed and been saved who's faith hasn't grown. We will be with Him forever in heaven, where there will be no suffering or tears or death. Notice that pisteuo is in the present tense which describes those who are continuously believing as for example would be demonstrated by their lifestyle, which is generally (not perfectly) directed God-ward and Heaven-ward (homeward). Believe (4100) (pisteuo) refers not just to an intellectual assent to the truths of the gospel but to a saving belief that effects the heart, resulting in a transformed, supernaturally directed conduct based on the truth believed. This power is only for Christians, for those who believe. Gods power is awesome! (Ephesians 5:18+) The filling of the Holy Spirit will result in power for service with souls being won to Christ and Christians growing in grace and knowledge. You have given us freedom, hallelujah In the parallel prayer in Colossians 1:11-12, Paul prays that we would be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. In other words, Gods glorious, mighty power enables us to endure trials steadfastly, patiently, and joyously, with a thankful heart to the Father. 15:56). But, as we do with so many owners manuals, we read it superficially or hardly at all and then wonder why the Christian life isnt working the way its supposed to! It is said that for many years, he lived on crackers and milk because of stomach troubles caused by worrying about his wealth. The Hope of His Calling: A sermon on Ephesians 1:18 - MLJTrust.org dunamis) refers to a spiritually dynamic living force. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! Note that all three clauses (hope, inheritance, power) are linked to the verb "will know". The gospel is dynamic, Gods dynamic, and so is powerful in the transformation of human lives. The Blame God Game - A 2 Part Message - sermoncentral.com These things are brought about by the power of God for the believer. But you cant understand this manual by mere human insight or wisdom. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. How much divine energy is at my disposal? Is (2076) is the present tense of eimi = to be, and so conveys the idea "what is continually the hope.". Its certainly not because of the power of the believer, but the power of God. To say it another way, Paul prayed that believers would know the hope, inheritance and power not in their head but in their hearts, the very essence of their being. The Message (MSG). Now they needed to understand the hope of that calling so that they would then walk worthy of that calling. The boy responded, "I wasn't shy. ", Revelation 7:12 (note) saying, "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Joel Esther God never gives niggardly to His children but according to the (infinite) riches of His grace! Bruce adds (p. 271), Paul prays here that his readers may appreciate the value which God places on them, his plan to accomplish his eternal purpose through them as the first fruits of the reconciled universe of the future, in order that their lives may be in keeping with this high calling and that they may accept in grateful humility the grace and glory thus lavished on them., Our future is that throughout eternity we will actually share in Christs glory! But there are many good reasons to interpret the text this way. For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. 2 Peter Proverbs J C Philpot -It is no great mystery that the Son of God should be exalted to the throne of power. 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. That is what Paul desires for them and for all believers. The uses of eido will not be listed because of the large number (656 hits in 619 verses searching on Strong's Number in the NT - if you want to see these usesCLICK HERE and go down to the "Frequency Lists" and you can study the uses in different translations book by book). 18:23, 24.; 32:18, 19.; Josh 17:4; cf. TECHNICAL NOTE - There are 25 compounds with huper in the NT, and 16 are found only in the Pauline Epistles. Ephesians 1:1920is not stating that believers have received the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. 10:32; Rev. It abounded with orators and philosophers, and men of great wisdom and learning {c}; and was formerly a very rich, trading, flourishing city, but now a village, and a poor desolate place; it retains the name of Efeso, though the Turks call it Aia Salik. 6:5; 22:18; 24:2, 4; 1 Ki. The Council's report, released in September 1991, concludes that subliminal messages simply don't work. So he should not be judging Adam who shows concern for his unborn child. The hope of your calling is grounded in Gods promises and in Christs accomplishments. to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called". It means to make known in reference to the inner life or transcendent matters and thus shed light upon. (Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith), John MacArthur- UNDERSTANDING YOUR CALLING. Rader said that without Christ people are in a moral and spiritual cave, blinded, darkened, and unaware of the glories God has in store for them. The perfect tense speaks of an enlightenment that has occurred at a point in time and which persists. Thats why Jesus said no one can snatch you out of the Fathers hand (John 10:29). Comment: Here they would see and they would know beyond a shadow of a doubt about Jesus' authority. BGT [] , , Amplified: By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), (Amplified Bible - Lockman). Reportedly, Crowfoot put the pass in a leather pouch and wore it around his neck for the rest of his lifebut he never once availed himself of the rights and privileges it spelled out. I'm no longer bound by sin and darkness The real work of a Church depends upon the power of the Spirit." The deadline for submitting an application for a higher pension has been extended to May 3 from March 3.. Employees who were in service prior to September 1, 2014, and continued to be in service . Yes, we are, indeed, the conquered captives of his omnipotent love. Also of the angelic powers (Eph1:21; Ro8:38; 1 Pet3:22). Freedom, You have given us freedom YouVersion uses cookies to personalize your experience. Observe, Those who have their eyes opened, and have some understanding in the things of God, have need to be more and more enlightened, and to . In Ephesians 1:14+ (cf Eph 1:11) Paul spoke of our inheritance, but here the request seems to speak of God's inheritance in believers. For fifteen years the Romans defended their homeland against the brilliant Carthaginianand could never drive him out. Nothing will rob you of your assurance quicker than unconfessed sin. Our dear Father "has blessed (past tense - it is a completed act!) He argues (p. 391) that Pauls object in this section is to give the saints assurance and certainty in their faith. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Sometimes familiarly with the glorious superlatives of our heavenly calling, and the eternal hope of glory that is set before us, causes our eyes to become dimmed and our hearts to become complacent. A second way to interpret it is that it refers to the inheritance that God has in His people. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might- Paul piles one word upon another in this incredible description. Theyre depressed and discouraged because they dont see the big picture of eternity. The Son has accomplished redemption through His death (Ephesians 1:7) and provided the necessary provisions for an inheritance for the believer (verse 11). Huperballo is used only 5x in the NT but 3 are in Ephesians. A blessing found at Qumran reads, May He illuminate your heart with the discernment of life and grace you with eternal knowledge (1QS 2:3; cf. To correct this problem, we must embrace all aspects of prayer. It is a great truth that God does choose the inheritance for his people. The power of God is most neglected resource in the Church. That's why Calmen was disappointed when her aging teacher responded with a handwritten note that said, "I was aware of the fact that you were intelligent, but I never thought that someday I would be reading articles from your pen in the newspaper." As saints, were Gods inheritance, His treasure, His prize! Spiritual enlightenment doesnt come through self-effort or introspective meditation but through Gods Holy Spirit. (SURPASSING) Exceeding what? Isaiah 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. 1:19; Eph. And not just barely free, either. 2 Samuel Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the security of your salvation. by Theodore Epp - Ephesians 1: 19-23 The Scriptures frequently refer to God's power as it relates to the believer. Faith must be exercised in all areas of Christian growth. Now my whole lifes aims and ambitions are changed. Hebrews 10:32+ But remember (present imperativeseeour need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings. (ED: AKA AS NOT "ABIDING IN CHRIST!" After salvation, we are further called to grow in Christian virtue and serve God by good works; in fact, it is this maturation process that confirms our calling by God (2 Peter 1:510). And so inspired by the Spirit, Paul emphasizes that God has even more blessings to bestow on His children, the blessing of "resurrection power" so that saved sinners so that we might be enabled to live a supernatural life! In later Christianity this enlightening was equated with baptism (cf. To shine or to brighten up. Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Luke used ophthalmos figuratively in recording Christ's charge to Paul that He was sending him to the Gentiles to open (anoigo) their eyes so that they may turn (epistrepho) from darkness (cf "prince of the power of the air" in Eph 2:2+) to light (cf Col 1:13, 14+) and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness (sending away) of sins and an inheritance (for which they were predestined before the foundation of the world, Ep 1:5+) among those who have been sanctified (set apart - here referring to the initial act of belief although more commonly in NT referring to the ongoing day to day salvation of the believer = sanctification, which is also by faith) by faith in Me.
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