Ephesians 1:15-23
Introduction
As believers, the deeper our spiritual focus, the more we experience Christ’s power. In Ephesians 1:15, Paul conveys the three prerequisites for Christ’s power. First, Paul heard about the testimony of the Ephesians because they were public Christians, not private ones. For believers to experience more of Christ’s power, we must have a public testimony for Christ. Second, Paul heard about the Ephesians’ faith in the Lord. Having faith in Christ means we need to trust Christ as our source. Third, Paul knew about the Ephesians’ love for all the saints. We must demonstrate the love of Christ to our brothers and sisters. We must have this loving horizontal relationship, a vertical trust in Christ, and public testimony to release more of God’s power.
Along with the prerequisites for power, we need prayer. Paul prays that the Ephesians receive three spiritual things: wisdom, revelation, and enlightenment. Spiritual wisdom allows us to look at things from a biblical rather than a secular standpoint. When we look at things from a biblical standpoint, we can receive spiritual disclosure (divine revelation). Through spiritual enlightenment, we see things through God’s eyes, not just through our physical eyes or our culture’s eyes. We need to pray that we can look at life through this lens.
With this new perspective, we are ready to participate in what Christ is doing. To share in Christ’s power, He must be central in our lives. He is the unique, one-of-a-kind, Son of God. Christ has an elevated position overall; He can be called on for anything and engage in any area of life. Nevertheless, we must not expect Christ to do everything without our participation in it. He chooses to work through us as His body. Whatever Christ requires us to do will require us to have His power flowing through our actions. Operating as a conduit of Christ’s power while embracing a spiritual perspective is the only way to witness the full power of Christ.
Getting Started
- What happens when things that need electricity are not plugged in or connected to their source?
- How do different lenses affect our view of things—glasses, sunglasses, binoculars, telescopes?
Let’s Get Personal
- Are you living as a public or a private Christian? Have others seen and heard your testimony, and if not, why not?
- Have you recently struggled with trusting Christ as your source, and/or with love for your brothers and sisters in Christ? What is causing that struggle?
- In what areas do you need spiritual wisdom and revelation from God right now?
Take the Next Step
- What is Christ calling you to do that you need His power to accomplish? How can you work toward accomplishing that goal this week? Begin with prayer and accountability.
- Think of one unbeliever you know and make a plan to share your testimony with that person this week. Then think of one believer you know and find a way to demonstrate the love of Christ to that person this week.
- Want to go deeper? Take time to look at the following passages: Ephesians 1:15-23; Hebrews 1:3; Romans 16:20; Revelation 12:11; 2 Peter 1:3: Colossians 2:6-12; Ephesians 2:5-6; Ephesians 3:14-21; Philippians 3:11-18; Luke 24:49.
Renew Your Mind
“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.”
Ephesians 1:18
