I know it's been somehow so far and I'm sure a voice is already telling some of us not to take it too seriously, but don't listen to that voice, that's the devil. He doesn't want you to know what the Bible says because when you know the truth, it'll set you free. Lack of knowledge is bondage.
So, let's pray as we start. Father, we are here again please speak to us, let your word mix with faith in our hearts so that it can produce results, in Jesus name we have prayed. Amen
Verse 12
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
I believe this is self explanatory. Paul is simply saying that they that first believed in Christ, their lives will become in such a way that God's glory will be praised, this is because of the inheritance we have in Christ. But this doesn't apply to they that first believed alone, it also applies to every believer.
Verse 13 -14
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Please always take note of those in Christ clauses, they apply to us as believers i.e only those that have given their lives to Christ and are living accordingly
Because we believed in Christ, we have the Holy Spirit.
Image source : twitter.com
Many people don't know this, that after you give your life to Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to dwell in you. Every believer has the Holy Spirit living in him. Now the purpose of the Holy Spirit is many but the one talked about here is him being the guarantee of our inheritance in Christ.
The word "inheritance" keeps occurring and sincerely I don't understand it fully yet, but part of it is this:
God is the father, Jesus is the son, we are also sons of God, that makes Jesus the firstborn and our brother, Elder brother if you may. Now the son owns everything that belongs to the father and because we are fellow heirs and joint heirs with Christ Jesus, we have inherited that which belongs to him. In essence, we have a claim and a right to everything that Christ possesses
Verse 15 - 16
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
Paul, because of what he heard about the believers at Ephesus, he prayed for them. It's important that we pray these prayers for ourselves.
These prayers have actually being difficult for me to understand but God helped me while studying to simplify them.
Verse 17-19
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: note
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
He prayed
That's God the father gives them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.
Take note please, it's in the knowledge of him, not for academics or making money. You see God is much more interested in your spiritual well-being because it's paramount. Also, it will eventually diffuse to other parts of your life. Remember, seek God's kingdom first, money, beautiful wife, wonderful children, fast cars, peace of mind, and others will be addedThe knowledge of Jesus will now enlighten the eyes of their understanding because in Psalms 119 the Bible says "the entrance of your word gives light"
The enlightened eyes will now enable them to know three important things
i. The hope of his calling
ii. The riches of the glory of his inheritance
iii. The exceeding greatness of his power to the believers
The power referenced here is the same power that raised Christ from the dead, the power of resurrection. That power is available to you.
Verse 20-22
20.Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all thingsto the church,
Now, Paul is tellimg them something very important and that's Christ's current position. Yes we know Christ has gone to heaven. I've heard many things like he's weeping for the Saints, please don't believe anything that's not in the Bible.
It says here that's he's seated at the right hand of God,
Far above principality and the rest.
Now this is important because Christ position is also your position, remember we inherited everything that belongs to Christ, we also inherited his position. We also are seated far above principality and power and might and all those things, even village people
Let me show you something
1 John 4:17
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
So you see, as Jesus is in heaven, so are we in this world. I pray God will help us believe these things.
Thank you for your time always. Please let's endeavor to study and go through it again. All questions are entertained, prayer points too.
Let's pray
Father we bless you for another successful meeting, we ask that these words will bring forth fruits and results in our lives.
We declare that this week is prosperous, fruitful and favours us in all ways, we cast all our cares on you for you care about us. Thank you for we trust that you will do much more than we have asked in Jesus name. Amen