Sermons on Ephesians 1:17
The various sermons below interpret Ephesians 1:17 by emphasizing the relational and experiential aspects of wisdom and revelation knowledge. They collectively highlight that wisdom is not merely about intellectual understanding or decision-making but is deeply rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus. This relational wisdom is seen as a divine encounter that transforms one's identity in Christ. The sermons also stress the importance of revelation knowledge, which is not acquired through traditional learning but through intimacy with God. This knowledge is portrayed as essential for understanding and applying God's will, and it is accessible to all believers, not just a select few. The sermons collectively underscore the idea that knowing Jesus personally allows believers to access the mysteries of the kingdom and experience God's transformative power in their lives.
While the sermons share common themes, they also present unique nuances in their interpretations. One sermon emphasizes the distinction between intellectual knowledge and experiential knowledge, using the Greek terms "gnosis" and "oida" to illustrate this difference. Another sermon focuses on the theme of resurrection power, explaining that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to believers for transformation. Additionally, one sermon highlights the theme of believers sharing in Christ's authority, encouraging them to live victoriously over sin and worldly challenges. These contrasting approaches offer diverse insights into how believers can deepen their relationship with God and live out their faith in practical and transformative ways.
Ephesians 1:17 Interpretation:
Encountering Jesus: The True Essence of Wisdom (LIFE NZ) interprets Ephesians 1:17 by emphasizing that wisdom is not merely about making good decisions but is a divine encounter with Jesus. The sermon highlights that Jesus himself is the wisdom from God, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1, and that wisdom is relational, both with others and with God. This interpretation suggests that wisdom is a way to know Jesus better, aligning with the passage's prayer for wisdom and revelation to deepen one's relationship with God.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Living in Revelation Knowledge (WAM Church) interprets Ephesians 1:17 as emphasizing the importance of revelation knowledge, which is not learned from books but comes through intimacy with God. The sermon highlights that this knowledge is available to every believer and is essential for understanding and applying God's will in one's life. The use of the Passion Translation of Ephesians 1:17 is noted, which emphasizes deepening intimacy with God as the source of revelation knowledge.
Understanding the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God (Matt Bachtold) interprets Ephesians 1:17 by focusing on the idea that believers have access to the mysteries of the kingdom through a relationship with Jesus. The sermon stresses that knowing Jesus personally allows believers to understand the mysteries of His will, as mentioned in Ephesians 1:9. The interpretation suggests that revelation is a process of growing in understanding and intimacy with Christ.
Experiencing God's Power: From Knowledge to Transformation (Grace CMA Church) interprets Ephesians 1:17 by emphasizing the difference between knowing about God and knowing God personally. The sermon highlights the Greek word "gnosis," which denotes a deep, personal, and experiential knowledge of God, as opposed to "oida," which refers to intellectual knowledge. This distinction is used to encourage believers to seek a transformative relationship with God, rather than merely accumulating facts about Him. The sermon uses the analogy of mistaking someone for Elon Musk to illustrate the difference between knowing about someone and truly knowing them.
Ephesians 1:17 Theological Themes:
Encountering Jesus: The True Essence of Wisdom (LIFE NZ) presents the theme that wisdom is a relational and divine encounter with Jesus, rather than just practical decision-making. This perspective emphasizes that wisdom involves understanding and empathy in relationships, aligning with God's character and purposes, and is a supernatural experience that transforms one's identity in Christ.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Living in Revelation Knowledge (WAM Church) presents the theme that revelation knowledge is fundamental to living a victorious Christian life. It emphasizes that this knowledge is not just for pastors or apostles but is available to all believers, enabling them to be in command of their circumstances through intimacy with God.
Understanding the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God (Matt Bachtold) introduces the theme that revelation knowledge is a lifelong pursuit and is essential for understanding and walking in God's will. The sermon highlights that believers are not outside the "club" of understanding God's mysteries, as they have been given access through their relationship with Jesus.
Experiencing God's Power: From Knowledge to Transformation (Grace CMA Church) presents the theme of resurrection power, explaining that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to believers. This power is not just for intellectual understanding but is meant to be experienced in a transformative way in the believer's life. The sermon emphasizes that this power enables believers to overcome sin, guilt, and defeat, and to live a life defined by God's power rather than by worldly struggles.
The sermon also introduces the theme of believers sharing in Christ's authority. It explains that because Jesus reigns with authority, believers, through their union with Christ, also share in this authority. This theme is used to encourage believers to live victoriously, without being dominated by sin or worldly challenges.
Ephesians 1:17 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Ephesians 1:17 Cross-References in the Bible:
Encountering Jesus: The True Essence of Wisdom (LIFE NZ) references 1 Corinthians 1, where Paul states that Jesus has become wisdom from God for us. This passage is used to support the idea that wisdom is a divine encounter with Jesus, reinforcing the interpretation of Ephesians 1:17 as a call to experience Jesus through wisdom.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Living in Revelation Knowledge (WAM Church) references John 14:26, which speaks of the Holy Spirit teaching believers all things, supporting the idea that revelation knowledge is available to all believers. It also references Psalm 62:11 to illustrate the concept of hearing God's word and receiving revelation.
Understanding the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God (Matt Bachtold) references several passages, including Ephesians 1:9, which speaks of knowing the mystery of God's will, and Colossians 1:26-27, which discusses the mystery revealed to the saints. These references support the idea that believers have access to the mysteries of the kingdom through their relationship with Jesus.
Experiencing God's Power: From Knowledge to Transformation (Grace CMA Church) references several Bible passages to support the interpretation of Ephesians 1:17. Acts 1:8 is cited to illustrate the concept of receiving power through the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 3 and 2 Corinthians 12 are mentioned to further explain the concept of "dunamis" (power) in the life of a believer. Galatians 2:20 and Romans 6 are used to explain the believer's identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, emphasizing the transformative power available to believers.
Ephesians 1:17 Christian References outside the Bible:
Encountering Jesus: The True Essence of Wisdom (LIFE NZ) references James, the early church leader, who emphasized the role of wisdom in encountering Jesus. The sermon draws on James' teachings to illustrate how wisdom is relational and involves divine insight, aligning with the prayer in Ephesians 1:17 for wisdom and revelation.
Ephesians 1:17 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Encountering Jesus: The True Essence of Wisdom (LIFE NZ) uses the analogy of a sports team to illustrate the value of wisdom. It compares the most valuable player on a team to a person who understands the relationships and dynamics among team members, emphasizing that wisdom is about relational understanding and not just individual skill or strength.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Living in Revelation Knowledge (WAM Church) uses the analogy of raising children to illustrate the need for revelation knowledge. The sermon suggests that just as parents need guidance in raising their children, believers need revelation knowledge to navigate life's challenges.
Understanding the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God (Matt Bachtold) uses the analogy of a secret club to illustrate the concept of having access to the mysteries of the kingdom. The sermon also uses the example of learning to trust God in finances to illustrate the process of growing in revelation knowledge.
Experiencing God's Power: From Knowledge to Transformation (Grace CMA Church) uses a story about a man named Alex who mistakes someone for Elon Musk at a tech conference. This story is used to illustrate the difference between knowing about someone and truly knowing them personally, paralleling the sermon's message about knowing God. Additionally, a Peanuts cartoon featuring Lucy and Linus is used to explain the difference between power and authority, with Lucy's fist representing power without authority, contrasting with Jesus, who has both power and authority.