15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 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, 18 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, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. —Ephesians 1:15-23

Reveal Answer

is one thing, but it is also important that we use this knowledge to come into

Reveal Answer

with God. —Dr. Tom Constable’s Notes on Ephesians

I. Prayer of praise 1:15-16

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, —Ephesians 1:15-16

• A. Their vertical relationship - faith in Christ 1:15a
• B. Their horizontal relationship – love for the Saints 1:15b
• C. Paul’s continual praise 1:16

When our vertical relationship and our horizontal relationships are

II. Prayer of petition 1:17-23

• A. Comprehension of truth 1:17-18

  17 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, 18 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, —Ephesians 1:17-18

  1. Ability to understand – “eyes of the heart” 1:17
     a. Spirit of wisdom – refers to an attitude of wisdom/accurate perception
     b. Revelation in knowledge – refers to the unveiling (revelation) resulting in a knowledge that is intimate/complete
     c. Enlighten – refers to bringing light/inward illumination – when coupled with eyes of the heart, it means heart knowledge, not just head knowledge
     d. Know – refers to intuitive or inward consciousness
  2. Specifics for understanding 1:18
     a. Hope – because the comprehensiveness of God’s plan
     b. Value – this time to God as a precious inheritance He purchased through the finished work of Christ
     c. Power – the surpassing greatness of His power available to us
     

• B. Comprehension of power 1:19-23

  19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. —Ephesians 1:19-23

  1. Descriptions of power 1:19
     a. Power – the word from which our word dynamite is derived = raw power/strength
     b. Working – refers to inner power or energy
     c. Great (some translations “strength”) – refers to dominion or the ability to conquer
     d. Might – refers to physical force/ability
  2. Illustrations of Power 1:20-23
     a. The same power that raised Christ 1:20-21a
     b. The same power that subjected all things to Christ 1:21b
     c. The same power that made Christ the head of the body 1:22-23

Our problem is not the lack of

Small Group Questions

1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

3. Why should our faith in Christ lead to loving one another?

4. Of the three truths (Hope, Value, Power) that Paul prays that the church at Ephesus will comprehend do you need to embrace and experience more?

5. What has been your experience with the power Paul describes in Ephesians 1:19-23?