Seeking Intimacy with God Through the Holy Spirit

 

Summary

The essence of our faith is to know God intimately and personally. This is the ultimate goal of Christianity, encompassing every other blessing. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that this knowledge is only possible through the Holy Spirit, described as the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Without the Holy Spirit, the natural man cannot attain this knowledge, regardless of intellect or ability. The world, with all its wisdom, cannot know God; it is a knowledge that must be imparted by the Spirit. This is why modern challenges and advancements are irrelevant in this realm; the knowledge of God transcends human understanding and must be revealed by the Spirit.

Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is that God would grant them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. This is a comprehensive petition, and Paul then breaks it down into three specific requests: to know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward believers. However, before delving into these specifics, Paul reiterates the necessity of having the eyes of our understanding enlightened by the Spirit. This enlightenment is not merely intellectual but involves the whole being, contrasting the darkened understanding of the natural man.

The natural man, due to sin, has a darkened understanding, akin to a cataract over the eye, preventing the reception of light. The Holy Spirit removes this opacity, enabling us to see and understand spiritual truths. This process is essential for Christians, as Paul prays for those already in Christ, indicating that we continually need the Spirit's enlightening work. Spiritual knowledge is progressive, and we must constantly seek this enlightenment through prayer and engagement with the Word.

Paul's prayer is a reminder that we should never become complacent in our spiritual journey. We must continually seek to grow in grace and knowledge, recognizing our dependence on the Holy Spirit. This growth is not about accumulating knowledge but deepening our understanding and relationship with God. The Christian life is a journey of ever-increasing understanding, moving from glory to glory, pressing forward in our pursuit of knowing God more fully.

Key Takeaways:

- Knowing God is the ultimate goal of Christianity, and this knowledge is only possible through the Holy Spirit. The natural man cannot attain this knowledge, highlighting the necessity of the Spirit's work in our lives. [03:21]

- The Apostle Paul emphasizes the need for the eyes of our understanding to be enlightened by the Spirit. This enlightenment involves the whole being, contrasting the darkened understanding of the natural man. [06:12]

- Spiritual knowledge is progressive, and we must continually seek the Spirit's enlightening work. This growth is not about accumulating knowledge but deepening our understanding and relationship with God. [17:21]

- The Christian life is a journey of ever-increasing understanding, moving from glory to glory, pressing forward in our pursuit of knowing God more fully. We must never become complacent in our spiritual journey. [18:36]

- Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is a reminder of our constant need for the Spirit's work. We should continually pray for enlightenment, recognizing our dependence on the Holy Spirit for spiritual growth and understanding. [20:14]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:34] - The Supreme Goal: Knowing God
[03:21] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[05:03] - Paul's Comprehensive Petition
[06:12] - Enlightenment of Understanding
[09:02] - The Condition of Natural Man
[11:14] - The Need for Spiritual Enlightenment
[13:46] - Dual Operation of the Spirit
[15:09] - Continuous Need for Enlightenment
[17:21] - Progressive Spiritual Knowledge
[18:36] - The Journey of Christian Growth
[20:14] - Praying for Enlightenment
[22:03] - Understanding the Hope of His Calling
[23:26] - Theological Implications of Calling

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 1:17-19
- 1 Corinthians 2:14
- 2 Corinthians 3:18

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Ephesians 1:17-19, what are the three specific things Paul prays for the Ephesians to understand? How does this relate to the overall theme of knowing God? [05:54]

2. In the sermon, how is the natural man's understanding described, and what analogy is used to explain this condition? [11:14]

3. What role does the Holy Spirit play in enlightening the eyes of our understanding, according to the sermon? [06:12]

4. How does the sermon describe the progressive nature of spiritual knowledge and growth? [17:21]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean for the "eyes of your understanding" to be enlightened, and why is this necessary for spiritual growth? [06:12]

2. How does the sermon explain the difference between intellectual knowledge and spiritual understanding? Why is the latter more important for Christians? [08:46]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that modern advancements and human wisdom are irrelevant to knowing God? How does this perspective challenge contemporary views? [04:12]

4. How does the sermon illustrate the ongoing need for the Holy Spirit's work in the life of a believer, even after they have come to faith? [15:09]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual journey. Are there areas where you feel your understanding of God is still darkened? How can you seek the Holy Spirit's enlightenment in these areas? [15:09]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of not becoming complacent in our spiritual growth. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are continually growing in your knowledge of God? [18:36]

3. Consider the analogy of the cataract used in the sermon. Are there "cataracts" in your life—habits, beliefs, or distractions—that are preventing you from seeing spiritual truths clearly? How can you address these? [11:14]

4. How can you incorporate prayer for spiritual enlightenment into your daily routine? What specific prayers or practices might help you remain dependent on the Holy Spirit? [20:14]

5. The sermon suggests that spiritual knowledge is progressive. What new spiritual insights or understandings have you gained in the past year? How can you build on these insights moving forward? [17:21]

6. How do you balance the pursuit of intellectual knowledge with the need for spiritual understanding in your personal study of the Bible? What changes might you make to prioritize spiritual growth? [08:46]

7. Identify one area of your life where you feel you need more of the Holy Spirit's power and enlightenment. What steps can you take this week to invite the Holy Spirit into that area? [13:46]

Devotional

Day 1: The Holy Spirit as the Gateway to Knowing God
The ultimate goal of Christianity is to know God intimately and personally, a knowledge that transcends human understanding and is only possible through the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that the natural man, regardless of intellect or ability, cannot attain this knowledge. It is a divine revelation imparted by the Spirit, highlighting the necessity of the Spirit's work in our lives. This understanding is not influenced by modern challenges or advancements, as the knowledge of God is beyond the realm of human wisdom and must be revealed by the Spirit. [03:21]

1 Corinthians 2:10-12 (ESV): "These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God."

Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to reveal more of God's character to you today?


Day 2: Enlightenment Beyond Intellectual Understanding
Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is that God would grant them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. This enlightenment involves the whole being, contrasting the darkened understanding of the natural man. The natural man, due to sin, has a darkened understanding, akin to a cataract over the eye, preventing the reception of light. The Holy Spirit removes this opacity, enabling us to see and understand spiritual truths. This process is essential for Christians, as Paul prays for those already in Christ, indicating that we continually need the Spirit's enlightening work. [06:12]

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: How can you open your heart to the Spirit's enlightenment in areas where you feel spiritually blind or confused?


Day 3: The Journey of Progressive Spiritual Knowledge
Spiritual knowledge is progressive, and we must continually seek the Spirit's enlightening work. This growth is not about accumulating knowledge but deepening our understanding and relationship with God. The Christian life is a journey of ever-increasing understanding, moving from glory to glory, pressing forward in our pursuit of knowing God more fully. We must never become complacent in our spiritual journey, recognizing our dependence on the Holy Spirit for spiritual growth and understanding. [17:21]

2 Peter 3:18 (ESV): "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

Reflection: What is one specific area in your spiritual life where you feel called to grow deeper in understanding and relationship with God?


Day 4: The Continuous Pursuit of Christian Growth
The Christian life is a journey of ever-increasing understanding, moving from glory to glory, pressing forward in our pursuit of knowing God more fully. We must never become complacent in our spiritual journey. Paul's prayer is a reminder that we should continually seek to grow in grace and knowledge, recognizing our dependence on the Holy Spirit. This growth is not about accumulating knowledge but deepening our understanding and relationship with God. [18:36]

Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to ensure you are actively pursuing growth in your spiritual journey?


Day 5: Praying for the Spirit's Enlightenment
Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is a reminder of our constant need for the Spirit's work. We should continually pray for enlightenment, recognizing our dependence on the Holy Spirit for spiritual growth and understanding. This prayer is not just for initial understanding but for ongoing revelation and insight into the hope of His calling, the riches of His inheritance, and the greatness of His power toward believers. [20:14]

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 incorporate regular prayer for spiritual enlightenment into your daily routine, and who can you pray for in this regard?

Quotes


The essence of our faith is to know God intimately and personally. This is the ultimate goal of Christianity, encompassing every other blessing. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that this knowledge is only possible through the Holy Spirit, described as the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Without the Holy Spirit, the natural man cannot attain this knowledge, regardless of intellect or ability. [00:02:19]

The world, with all its wisdom, cannot know God; it is a knowledge that must be imparted by the Spirit. This is why modern challenges and advancements are irrelevant in this realm; the knowledge of God transcends human understanding and must be revealed by the Spirit. [00:04:21]

Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is that God would grant them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. This is a comprehensive petition, and Paul then breaks it down into three specific requests: to know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward believers. [00:05:00]

The Apostle emphasizes the need for the eyes of our understanding to be enlightened by the Spirit. This enlightenment involves the whole being, contrasting the darkened understanding of the natural man. Without this enlightenment, we are altogether undone. [00:06:20]

The natural man, due to sin, has a darkened understanding, akin to a cataract over the eye, preventing the reception of light. The Holy Spirit removes this opacity, enabling us to see and understand spiritual truths. This process is essential for Christians, as Paul prays for those already in Christ, indicating that we continually need the Spirit's enlightening work. [00:09:25]

Spiritual knowledge is progressive, and we must continually seek the Spirit's enlightening work. This growth is not about accumulating knowledge but deepening our understanding and relationship with God. The Christian life is a journey of ever-increasing understanding, moving from glory to glory, pressing forward in our pursuit of knowing God more fully. [00:17:21]

Paul's prayer is a reminder that we should never become complacent in our spiritual journey. We must continually seek to grow in grace and knowledge, recognizing our dependence on the Holy Spirit. This growth is not about accumulating knowledge but deepening our understanding and relationship with God. [00:18:36]

We must never depart from this consciousness of our dependence upon His power and His enlightening. That anointing that the Apostle John speaks of, that unction from the Holy One, we need Him constantly, we need Him increasingly. [00:19:44]

Paul prayed that these people might ever have an increasingly greater spiritual knowledge and understanding of the truth. Therefore, my third principle is that we should constantly be praying for this ourselves. [00:19:59]

Do we day by day pray to God, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, to enlighten the eyes of our understanding? It should be our constant prayer. We should seek this day by day. [00:20:06]

The trouble with most of us is that we've never awakened to this realization. We seem to think that we've arrived, that we know more than those liberals, those modernists, those people who are not Christians. We seem to think that we have encompassed the whole of Christian truth. [00:24:47]

What God wants us now to do is to grow in understanding of truth and of doctrine, that we should be more concerned now about this than anything else, that the eyes of our understanding, our comprehension may be enlightened. [00:29:02]

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Transcript
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