Knowing God Better

Knowing God Better
Ephesians 1:15-23

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit [6] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (NIV)

The blessings of God
- Familiarity breeds contempt. Have faith, wisdom and know Go dmore and more.

God's priorities for us

Having heard (v15)
Faith brought about radical life change - Their love for Jews ('saints' - Jews are people of God) as well as Gentiles confirms that their faith is genuine. They love all of God's children.

Thanks (v16)
Mutual responsibility to care for each other

To know God better (v17)
See God, receive His Spirit - They already have all the gifts (see my sermon on 1Cor 12), so he asks that they will open their eyes and see the Holy Spirit - receive as in open to it.

Knowing God better (vv17-23)

Avoid the Errors! (v17)
How? - by receiving the Spirit of wisdom and revelation from God.
- wisdom and knowledge of God and His Word.

Knowing the Hope (v18)
Eternal Life, revealed to us by God.
Receive knowledge from God.

Knowing the Riches (v18)
Our inheritance of Christ, eternal life - Knowledge of this received from God.

Knowing the Power of God (vv19-23)
Exerted in Christs reserrection, exultation and rule.