EphesiansLesson 3

Ephesians 1:15-23• Paul’s prayer: “For this reason”• Because of who they are in Christ• God gives a spirit of wisdom• And revelation• In the knowledge of Him• “Knowledge” – epignosis: to possess information,

participation in the acquiring of knowledge, experiential knowledge, exact or full knowledge

• Knowledge of God by enlightening their hearts

What did Paul want them to know?• The hope of His calling• Hope: elpis – expectation of what is sure• The hope is in Christ• Romans 8:28-30 Be conformed to Christ’s image• Phil. 1:3-6 Completion of the good work begun• Phil. 1:19-21 He did not want to be put to shame• 2 Tim. 1:9-12 They were saved and called for His

purpose and grace• 1 Thess. 5:23-24 Be blameless at His coming• Eph. 4:1,4 Walk in a manner worthy

What is yours because you are His?• The riches of His grace• The inheritance• Holy Spirit IN you, the pledge of your inheritance• Col. 1:9-12; 2:2-3 Filled in the knowledge of His

will, in all spiritual knowledge and understanding• Surpassing greatness of His power in you• The power that raised Jesus from the dead

Where did God’s power seat Jesus?• At God’s right hand• Far above rule• Far above authority• Far above Power• Far above Dominion• Far above every name in this age and the one to

come• So where are YOU seated?

Ephesians 2:1-10• Former life:• Dead in trespasses and sins• Walked in sins• Followed the world’s course• Followed the prince of the power of the air• Sons of disobedience• Lived in passions of flesh and mind• Children of wrath…..as the rest

Ephesians 2:1-10• BUT GOD• Rich in mercy• Loved us with a great love• Made us alive together with Christ• Saved us by grace through faith• Raised us up with Him• Seated us with Him in the heavenly places• Faith: pistis – conviction, belief in the truth, firm

conviction, personal surrender• Believe: pisteuo – to place confidence in, to trust, to

be firmly persuaded, to believe with the idea of hope and certain expectation

Grace• John 1:1, 14-17 Jesus: full of grace and truth• Acts 15:6-11; 20:24 Jew and Gentile saved• Gospel of the grace of God• Romans 3:19-26 Justified by His grace• Titus 3:1-8 We become heirs

Satan/Devil• Eph. 2:2 Prince of the power of the air• I John 5:19 Evil one, whole world in his power• John 8:44; Rev. 12:7-9; 20:2 Father of lies• A murderer • Serpent of old, deceiver of the whole world

God/ Jesus and Satan• Col. 1:13-14 Man was under the domain of

darkness• Matt. 12:22-28 Satan is ruler of demons/his

kingdom• Heb. 2:14-15 Jesus’ death rendered Satan powerless• John 12:30-33 He will be cast out at the judgment• Those who are saved by God’s grace are no longer

under the devil’s control

PONDER

Right conduct is NEVER the product of wrong knowledge