Empowered by Hope: Paul's Prayer for Believers

 

Summary

In our study of Ephesians, we delve into a passage that I believe is pivotal for the future of our church. Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23 is a profound reminder of the spiritual riches and power available to us as believers. Paul begins by expressing gratitude for the faith and love demonstrated by the Ephesians, which is evidence of the Holy Spirit's work within them. He then prays for them to receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened. This enlightenment is crucial for understanding three key aspects: the hope to which God has called us, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe.

The hope we have is not just a distant dream but a present reality that should transform our daily lives. It is the assurance of eternal life and the promise of being in God’s presence, free from pain and sin. Understanding this hope should fill us with joy and perseverance, regardless of our current circumstances.

Paul also speaks of God’s inheritance in us, His saints. This is a profound truth that we are God’s treasured possession, and He eagerly anticipates inheriting us. This understanding should fill us with a deep sense of worth and security, knowing that we are desired and loved by God.

Finally, Paul emphasizes the power available to us, the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at God’s right hand. This power is at work in us, enabling us to overcome sin, live holy lives, and fulfill God’s mission. It is a call to live with confidence and boldness, knowing that we are empowered by God Himself.

As a church, we are called to pray for one another, asking God to grant us this spirit of wisdom and revelation. By doing so, we can become a community that truly embodies the fullness of Christ, living out our faith with love and power.

Key Takeaways:

- The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation: Paul prays for believers to receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation, which is essential for understanding the deeper truths of our faith. This spiritual insight goes beyond intellectual knowledge, allowing us to truly grasp the hope, inheritance, and power we have in Christ. [07:07]

- The Hope of Our Calling: Understanding the hope to which we are called transforms our perspective on life. It is the assurance of eternal life and the promise of being in God’s presence, which should fill us with joy and perseverance, regardless of our current circumstances. [15:05]

- God’s Inheritance in Us: We are God’s treasured possession, and He eagerly anticipates inheriting us. This truth should fill us with a deep sense of worth and security, knowing that we are desired and loved by God. [19:09]

- The Immeasurable Power of God: The same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in us. This power enables us to overcome sin, live holy lives, and fulfill God’s mission, calling us to live with confidence and boldness. [21:48]

- The Importance of Prayer: Praying for one another to receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation is crucial for the spiritual growth of our community. It is through prayer that we can become a church that truly embodies the fullness of Christ. [29:42]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Introduction to Ephesians Study
- [00:38] - Reading Ephesians 1:15-23
- [02:12] - The Holy Spirit's Guarantee
- [03:04] - Evidence of the Spirit in Us
- [04:08] - The Importance of Prayer
- [05:22] - Paul's Prayer for Wisdom and Revelation
- [07:29] - Enlightenment of the Heart
- [09:25] - Revelation and Understanding
- [11:18] - Stories of Transformation
- [14:53] - The Hope of Our Calling
- [18:01] - God's Inheritance in Us
- [21:48] - The Immeasurable Power of God
- [26:37] - Christ as the Head of the Church
- [29:42] - Challenge to Pray for One Another

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 1:15-23

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three key aspects Paul wants the Ephesians to understand through the spirit of wisdom and revelation? ([01:21])
2. How does Paul describe the power that is available to believers? ([01:38])
3. What evidence does Paul cite to show that the Ephesians have the Holy Spirit within them? ([03:04])
4. How does Paul express his gratitude for the Ephesians in his prayer? ([03:49])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for the "eyes of your hearts" to be enlightened, and why is this important for believers? ([07:29])
2. How does understanding the hope of our calling transform a believer's perspective on life? ([15:05])
3. In what way does recognizing ourselves as God's inheritance impact our sense of worth and security? ([19:09])
4. How can believers practically experience the immeasurable greatness of God's power in their daily lives? ([21:48])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current understanding of the hope to which God has called you. How does this hope influence your daily decisions and outlook on life? ([15:05])
2. Consider how you view yourself as God's treasured possession. How does this truth affect your self-worth and relationships with others? ([19:09])
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to rely on God's power to overcome a challenge. What steps can you take to tap into this power? ([21:48])
4. How often do you pray for others in your church community? What changes can you make to ensure you are regularly praying for the spirit of wisdom and revelation for them? ([04:49])
5. Think about a time when you experienced a revelation or deeper understanding of a spiritual truth. How did it change your relationship with God or others? ([09:25])
6. What practical steps can you take this week to live with more confidence and boldness, knowing that you are empowered by God? ([21:48])
7. How can you encourage others in your small group to embrace their identity as part of the body of Christ and live out their faith with love and power? ([28:25])

Devotional

Day 1: The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation
Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is a profound request for them to receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation. This is not merely about gaining intellectual knowledge but about having a deep, spiritual insight that transforms understanding. The enlightenment of the heart is essential for grasping the hope, inheritance, and power available to believers. This spiritual insight allows believers to see beyond the surface and understand the deeper truths of their faith, leading to a more profound relationship with God. [07:07]

Ephesians 1:17-18 (ESV): "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need God's wisdom and revelation to see beyond the surface and understand His deeper truths?


Day 2: The Hope of Our Calling
The hope to which believers are called is not a distant dream but a present reality that should transform their daily lives. It is the assurance of eternal life and the promise of being in God's presence, free from pain and sin. This hope is meant to fill believers with joy and perseverance, regardless of their current circumstances. Understanding this hope changes how one views life, providing a foundation of joy and strength in the face of challenges. [15:05]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,"

Reflection: How can you let the hope of your calling transform your perspective on a current challenge you are facing?


Day 3: God’s Inheritance in Us
Believers are described as God's treasured possession, and He eagerly anticipates inheriting them. This truth should fill believers with a deep sense of worth and security, knowing that they are desired and loved by God. Understanding that they are God's inheritance provides a profound sense of identity and purpose, encouraging them to live in a way that reflects their value in God's eyes. [19:09]

Deuteronomy 32:9 (ESV): "But the Lord's portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage."

Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself daily of your worth and identity as God's treasured possession?


Day 4: The Immeasurable Power of God
The same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in believers. This power enables them to overcome sin, live holy lives, and fulfill God's mission. It is a call to live with confidence and boldness, knowing that they are empowered by God Himself. Understanding and accessing this power can transform how believers approach their daily lives and challenges, providing strength and courage to live out their faith. [21:48]

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to rely more on God's power rather than your own strength?


Day 5: The Importance of Prayer
Praying for one another to receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation is crucial for the spiritual growth of the community. Through prayer, believers can become a church that truly embodies the fullness of Christ, living out their faith with love and power. This communal prayer fosters unity and spiritual maturity, encouraging believers to support and uplift one another in their spiritual journeys. [29:42]

Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: How can you commit to praying for someone in your community this week, asking God to grant them wisdom and revelation?

Quotes


Paul says for this reason because I've heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints I do not cease to give thanks for you remembering you in my prayers that the god of our Lord Jesus Christ the father of Glory may give you the spirit of wisdom and of Revelation in the knowledge of him having the eyes of your hearts enlightened that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the Saints and what is is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe according to the working of his great might. [00:47:43]

Paul says because I see your love for each other I have this love for you and I'm always thanking God for you and I'm remembering you in my prayers quick question how many minutes did you spend this week praying for the church did you spend even 30 seconds this week praying for me praying for your pastor praying for one of the elders even 30 seconds like how much of your time do you spend pray because this is a this is a very revealing question it shows how much you believe in prayer and it shows how much you love your church. [04:00:12]

Paul's saying God would you give them would you give them the spirit of wisdom and Revelation now you got to understand Paul is praying for believers right because he says I've heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints he goes so that's why I keep giving thanks for you remembering you in my prayers and yet here's my prayer for you I pray that God would give you the spirit of wisdom and Revelation this is big he goes because I want the eyes of your hearts enlightened. [06:36:19]

I remember for me saying the Lord's Prayer you know I I would say it I I memorized it in Chinese but I had no idea what I was saying you know and then one day it was like who this is big what I'm so so it's it's what happened it was like a a revelation you ever you ever have that where it's like oh my gosh I've heard that verse my whole life and I finally get it that's what Paul is praying for because I could teach you stuff we could throw things you know on the PowerPoint and and for you to intellectually go okay I understand that but that's that's not that's not the knowledge we're looking for. [09:00:55]

I want you to know the hope to which he has called you we've been talking about this right how there's one day when God is going to Lavish us with his grace how in one moment he says you know you are objects of Wrath and now in the coming ages you're going to receive you're going to be just his grace is just going to be poured the riches of his grace are going to be poured upon you and so try to imagine try to imagine like seriously being in the presence of the most powerful holy being in existence and him embracing you and loving you as his own child. [15:08:24]

I want you to know what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the Saints okay this is this is important whose inheritance is he talking about right now cuz earlier he was talking about our inheritance but now what is the modifier is that the right word where's Mercy um it's his inheritance wait whose inheritance God's inheritance he goes I want you to know what are the riches of his glorious inheritance well what does he inherit the Saints okay I don't know if some of you have ever thought about this you may have thought about your inheritance but but honestly it is way more exciting when you understand his inheritance. [18:19:24]

Paul is praying that you would understand how much power is in you that he is put towards you by the spirit who our inheritance that he just talked about do you understand the immeasurable greatness of power toward you so like we again we we talked about this how we can casually say oh the holy spirit is in me it's like do you know what that means do you know what it means that God is inside of you think about the power for this Almighty being to go Earth and the entire Earth comes into existence from nothing light and there's light and now to think that all of that immeasurable greatness of power is right here inside of me. [21:52:59]

I want you to act with wisdom the spirit of wisdom and re ation where your eyes of your heart are enlightened and you realize wait I I can defeat this sin I can overcome this pain I can actually be a loving person I actually have gifts for the body see it's this Revelation that puts to death all these lies you've been told some of us are whole lives that you're not good enough you never amount to anything and Paul says I'm praying that God would just give it to you and suddenly a light goes on and you realize who is in you and you're going wow that much power is towards me he was able to take a dead body and raise it to the highest place ever what can he not do through me. [24:55:76]

I want you to understand the immeasurable greatness of power towards you I want you to understand that what with Christ as the head of this church you now become the fullness of him who fills all in all so let's stop with the pity parties and let's realize what we've been given let's stop with these you know with with what the world is doing scrolling through Instagram going oh I don't match up I don't match up I don't match up now I'm depressed to praying for one another that God would open our eyes so that we know the hope to which we've been called The Riches of his glorious inheritance of us the immeasurable greatness of his power towards us who believe and to understand that we are the body of Christ and Jesus himself who has everything under his feet is our head this is great news. [28:31:39]

I want to challenge you to do something this week I want to challenge us to do something because I'm not saying I do this regularly I did this this week I just started praying this for everyone I could think of in the church and I started with my own family for my wife each one of my kids then I started praying for the elders pray for the elders families I prayed for Jared for Sammy for Alisa for the other ones viente Eden I I I it took me a while but I got them all you know I was praying for each one of them of each of the elders I prayed for Caris little Ellie for Juju for he young for I just started praying each one individually like God would you just give like would you just right now wherever they are I don't know what they're doing but could you just give them the spirit of wisdom and Revelation have that aha moment where I get it I get it now just give it to them lord it's got to be an internal thing it's got to be in their hearts. [29:40:79]

I really think I I mean this if you could sincerely pray this if everyone of us prayed for every person in our house church every day this week I think we'd come back next week as a different church I honestly believe that so all of our work towards like if I'm I spend all my time crafting a perfect sermon and we we get the perfect song order and we do some emotion it none of that compares like if you would literally pray this sincer I mean it takes a minute a minute for me to genuinely come before the throne of grace and I'm I'm I'll do it right now just as an example but I'm really going to do it and I'll just pray for Joe and say God would you just give Joe the spirit of wisdom and Revelation just give it to her so the eyes of her Hearts enlightened so she would know like she would know the corver being this hope to which you've called her that she would know like the The Riches of your glorious inheritance in her how much you can't wait to have her I want her to know that in her heart and would she know this this immeasurable greatness of power towards goes beyond her intellect or anything else just immeasurable greatness of power towards her because of her belief. [31:14:78]

I want to pray that over our pastors regularly in fact I want our church to be marked by this to where if you ever said oh man I I hate that church I'm leaving these guys whatever you'll feel it you'll because there's a covering here where everyone's praying this over you and suddenly you leave and you're like huh Everything feels a little different I thought I was free though and you i' I've had that where people these last two weeks I'm like gosh something's off something's off what is it and then it hit me yesterday I'm like KP died two weeks ago and he used to tell me he was Francis outside of my family I can count on one hand the people I pray for every single day and you are one of them and it hit me that's some of this Darkness this weird Funk that I've been feeling I haven't felt in years he's not on the earth anymore I'm not under the covering of that prayer you guys I believe this is something we feel and I believe that if we seriously start praying this for one another we're going to feel it. [34:46:52]

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Transcript
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