Praying in the New Year part 1 (Understanding What We Have)
Download as PPTX, PDF0 likes1,224 views
Paul prays that the Ephesians would grow in their knowledge and understanding of God through the Spirit's wisdom and revelation. He asks God to enlighten their hearts so they comprehend the hope of their calling, the riches of God's inheritance in the saints, and His immense power available to believers. Christ has been exalted above all rule and authority and been appointed head of the church, which is His body through which He fills all things. Paul wants the Ephesians to understand better all that God has given them in Christ so they can live in the fullness and power of their blessings.
Praying in the New Year part 1 (Understanding What We Have)
- 1. Ephesians 1:15-16 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. www.networkbible.org
- 2. Ephesians 1:17-18 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that they 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, www.networkbible.org
- 3. Ephesians 1:19-20 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, www.networkbible.org
- 4. Ephesians 1:21-23 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. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. www.networkbible.org
- 5. The reality is that we do not fully UNDERSTAND all that God has given us in Christ. Paul doesn’t want them to remain where they are, but to GROW in the faith they hold. We cannot know God better or walk in power apart from the PRESENCE of God’s Spirit and the spiritual discipline of PRAYER.
- 6. Praise God that in Christ all spiritual blessings are ours and keep praying that we may know the FULLNESS of what He has given us (John Stott) Paul prays that we can know God BETTER. Imagine all that we still have to LEARN about God. There is a difference between quoting Biblical truths and LIVING them. Paul’s prayer is that they will PERCEIVE what they have received.
- 7. The HOPE to which God has called you. God’s glorious INHERITANCE in the saints. God’s POWER for us who believe. May we understand more fully what God has given us that we may better be the body, the very PRESENCE of Christ to our community. What does Paul want us to UNDERSTAND better?
- 8. Please take a moment to fill out your Communication Card My Next Step Today is to: ( ) Do the home life help (in bulletin) ( ) Evaluate where I have grown complacent spiritually with routines. ( ) Identify where I may be walking away from Jesus rather than toward ( ) Ask myself how interested I am in the things of God. Is there hunger? ( ) Identify what God may want for me in the new year. ( ) Other________________________