Know God's Glorious Grace (Ephesians 1:15-23)
It has been said that we can know the price of everything, yet know the value of nothing. Perhaps this was the case, when a family in the US bought a plain-looking bowl from a garage sale in New York some years ago. For some time, the bowl was displayed on a shelf in their home. But one day, out of curiosity, they decided to have the bowl appraised to find out what it was worth. The result was shocking. It turns out this was no ordinary bowl. It was a rare Chinese artefact from the Northern Song Dynasty. The bowl was around 1,000 years old and greatly sought after by collectors. The only other known bowl of similar form and size is in the British Museum in London. The bowl was auctioned and sold for almost $3 million. Guess how much the family originally paid for the bowl? The princely price of $4. I feel bad for the person who sold the bowl!
Do we know the price of everything, but the value of nothing? It’s timely to consider the question, given that “Huat, ah!” is a common greeting this holiday season. We live in a materialistic culture that pursues prosperity and possessions. Success equals health and wealth. Live our best life now. Tangible things are what we tend to treasure.
Our passage today calls us to see with new eyes, to value what is truly invaluable. Last week, Ryan helped us to see from Ephesians 1:3-14 how following Jesus involves our heads as well as our hearts. Truth and praise are inseparable. Theology, rightly understood, should lead to doxology. Ephesians opens with worship. In the Greek, Ephesians 1:3- 14 is one long sentence praising the God of glorious grace, for He has chosen, redeemed, and sealed us in Christ. The apostle Paul wants God’s people to join him in worshiping the Triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit. If we have heard the gospel and believed in Jesus, then we too should make Paul’s praise our own.
But how does truth lead to praise? How does theology become doxology? If we are honest, we would confess that our hearts are often cold towards Christ and the gospel. Maybe some of us are disinterested, because we think we’ve heard the old, old story so many times before. Has familiarity bred contempt? Maybe some of us are too distracted to pay attention. Life is busy and stressful. We have work to do, a family to take care of, our health to worry about. The high praise of Ephesians 1 goes over our heads. Or, maybe some of us are too discouraged. It’s hard to hear the exuberance of Ephesians 1 amid our pain.
Our situation today is similar to that of the original readers of Paul’s letter. The Ephesians faced opposition for following Jesus. Ephesus was famous for being a centre of occult magic and pagan worship. Some of the Christians may have been discouraged by Paul’s imprisonment. Some may have been tempted to return to their former lifestyles and habits. It’s easier to blend in than to stand out. The Ephesians needed encouragement to keep following Jesus. Hence, Paul reminds them of what God has done for them, and who they are in Christ. God has saved them by His grace, so they should live as one church in holiness and love.
Give thanks for God’s glorious grace. Pray to know God’s glorious grace.
For us to live as God’s people, the truth of the gospel must fill our heads and hearts, overflowing in a life of worship. So, how does theology become doxology? God must open our hearts to his truth. For this reason, Paul moves from praise to prayer. In our text, Paul gives thanks for the Ephesian Christians and prays that they might grasp the glories of God’s grace. This is the big idea: Give thanks for God’s glorious grace. Pray to know God’s glorious grace. These are also the two sermon points, and we will spend more time on the second point.
Give thanks for God’s glorious grace (Eph 1:15-16a)
Where do we see evidence of God’s grace? It is through the lives of God’s people. Therefore, Paul constantly gives thanks for the Ephesians because they have trusted in Jesus for salvation. Although the apostle has been away from Ephesus for some seven years, he continues to be concerned about the church. Paul is an example of how we should care about the wellbeing of other believers and churches. This is one of the reasons why we pray regularly in our services for other gospel-preaching churches in Singapore and abroad. Be attentive to reports of the gospel’s progress in other places. Be thankful for God’s work among the nations. The more we hear, the more reason we have to be grateful to God.
News of God’s work among the Ephesians has reached Paul, who is in prison in Rome. Despite his difficult circumstances, Paul’s heart is full of gratitude to God because he has heard of (the Ephesians’) faith in the Lord Jesus and (their) love toward all the saints (Eph 1:15). The connecting phrase “for this reason” links these verses to Ephesians 1:3-14. The Ephesians heard the gospel and believed in Jesus. Because they are in Christ, Paul praises God for blessing them with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Eph 1:3). They have been chosen and adopted by the Father, redeemed by Jesus Christ, and sealed by the Spirit. Notice Paul does not thank the Ephesians for believing, as if they did it on their own, but he thanks God for them, because he has enabled them to believe.
Before we affirm and receive new church members at our members’ meetings, we publish their conversion testimonies. I encourage us to read about how they have repented of their sins and believed in Jesus. Not only are we getting to know prospective members, but it is also an opportunity to give thanks and praise to God. May we take a keen interest in God’s work in one another’s lives!
The Ephesians’ faith is shown through their love toward all the saints. We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone, not by works. But true faith works through love. Our love for other believers is evidence of salvation. How do you know if you are a Christian?
One of the biblical marks of following Jesus is that you will love other followers of Jesus as fellow members of a local church. The Ephesians’ love was for all without distinction. They loved one another, both Jews and Gentiles, regardless of their differences.
Beloved, may our love for one another also be generous and all-encompassing. Let us not draw any lines or put any barriers in the way of love, for Christ has laid down His life to remove them. Instead, let’s look out for evidences of God’s grace in one another’s lives. We still have many flaws and faults, but there is also much we can be thankful for in one another.
Pray to know God’s glorious grace (Eph 1:16b-23)
Having given thanks to God for the faith of the Ephesians, Paul assures them that he continually prays for them. Although he has been away for so long, they are still very much on his heart. Paul’s intercession makes up the majority of his prayer, so we will be spending more time on this point. To whom does Paul pray? Look at Ephesians 1:17. It is to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul prays to the Father, through the Son. Thanks to Jesus, we have access to the Father. So, we can confidently come to God with our requests. The Father hears us, for He has saved us in his Son. He is also the Father of glory. He is glorious in his perfections. He is a limitless source of goodness for His people. He is more than enough to meet our need and answer our prayers.
A child-like faith is not a childish faith.
What does Paul pray for? He asks the Father to give the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him (Eph 1:17). In other words, he prays for God’s Spirit to enable the Ephesians to know God. But Paul, aren’t they already Christians? Don’t they already know God? Indeed they do, for to have eternal life is to know God and to know Jesus Christ, whom he has sent. But Paul prays that they might know God more and more. He is the Father of glory. We can never know too much of the infinitely glorious God. So, do not be content or complacent with a little knowledge of Him. I have been asked, “What is the minimum we need to know of God in order to be saved?” Well, the good news that Jesus died and rose to save sinners is simple enough for a young child to understand. But this is no excuse to remain immature. A child-like faith is not a childish faith.
Notice Paul does not pray for any new blessings for the Ephesians. He simply prays they might know God even more, and that they might grasp in a deeper, life-transforming way what God has already done for them in Christ. There is a difference between knowing something in theory and knowing something by experience. I can know a lot about tennis—the rules of the game, the techniques and tactics. That does not mean I am going to win Wimbledon. We may know a lot about God and the Bible. But if our knowledge does not lead to a new life of worship, then do we actually know Him? It is one thing to read Ephesians 1:3-14 and agree with it intellectually; it is another thing altogether to let these glorious truths change our lives.
This is why Paul prays that the Ephesians might truly know God. He prays for the truth to not only inform their heads, but also to inflame their hearts. He prays for their knowledge of God to fuel a passion for his glory. One of the most helpful books I have read as a Christian is J. I. Packer’s Knowing God. Packer encourages us to know God in this way. He writes, “There’s a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve Him, boldness to share Him, and contentment in Him.” Beloved, shouldn’t we want to know God more and more?
How do we know God more? He must give us the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation. The knowledge of God is a gift from God, whose Spirit enables us to know Him. This is why it is entirely by God’s grace. God’s Spirit gives us sight to behold God’s glory. He is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation because he makes us wise by revealing the truth to us. This does not mean the Spirit gives us extra-biblical revelation. No, the Spirit of God works through the word of God. He who inspired the writing of God’s word also illumines our understanding of God’s word. The Spirit shines the spotlight on God and Jesus Christ.
Paul describes the Spirit’s work in Ephesians 1:18a: He enlightens the eyes of our hearts. The Spirit helps us to see with new eyes. He presses God’s truth on our hearts. In the Bible, “heart” does not just mean our emotions. The heart refers to the inner core of our person. It is who we really are on the inside. The heart includes our mind — what we think, our affections— what we love, and our will — what we want, our motivations, desires, ambitions. In a nutshell, Paul prays for the Spirit to help us know God, so that we are completely transformed from the inside-out. This is how we grow. God’s Spirit applies God’s truth to our hearts. So, whenever we read, study or hear God’s word, pray for God to open our hearts by His Spirit. We need His help.
What, specifically, does Paul pray for believers to know of God? He focuses on three truths: the hope of God’s call, the riches of God’s inheritance, and the greatness of God’s power. These truths encompass the entire span of our salvation— past, present and future. Let us consider each in turn.
The hope of God’s call (Eph 1:18a)
Paul prays, “That you may know what is the hope to which he has called you. (Eph 1:18)” To know this is to know how God is at work from eternity past to eternity future. Even before God created the universe, He chose us in Christ to be saved. He predestined us to be adopted into His spiritual family. All this was according to the purpose of His sovereign will. Then, God called us to Himself when we heard and believed the gospel. He called us to belong to Jesus Christ. He called us into the church, which is the people of God. He called us to a new status as his holy ones — saints — to be holy as He is holy.
God’s calling reaches from the past into the present, and it stretches far into the future.
God’s calling reaches from the past into the present, and it stretches far into the future. God has called us to a glorious eternity that is yet to come. In Christ, we have all been called to the one hope. We are headed to the same destination. God chose us for this goal: that we should be holy and blameless before Him. However, we still struggle with sin now, although we are already called saints. We still fall short of our new status. But this is our hope: that God will not fail to finish the work He began in us. We shall be fully sanctified and glorified. One day, when Jesus returns, the church will be presented to Him in splendour, without spot or wrinkle. We will be holy and without blemish. This is the hope to which God has called us. And until this hope reaches its glorious consummation, God will holds us fast. He is working all things together for our eternal good. If we are in Christ, we can be sure that we shall be like Him and share in His glory.
In the trenches of life, it is easy to lose heart when we feel overwhelmed by worry and uncertainty. So, Paul prays that we not lose sight of the hope we have in Christ. May we know in a deeper way our place in God’s big plan to unite all things in Christ. We have a certain hope of glory. Our end is never in doubt. So, be encouraged. Our past, present and future are safe in God’s hands. He has planned our end from the beginning. May knowing the hope of God’s call make us bold and confident in living for Jesus today.
The riches of God’s inheritance (Eph 1:18b)
This is the second truth Paul prays for believers to know. Look again at Ephesians 1:18: That you may know... what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. Knowing the hope of God’s call reveals where we are going. Paul also wants us to know whose we are. In Ephesians 1:11, the focus was on how we have obtained an inheritance in Christ. Similarly, Ephesians 1:14 tells us the Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance. But here, the focus is not on what we possess but on how we are God’s possession.
How can it be, that sinful people like us should be God’s treasure? How can we ever be worthy to be His inheritance? Certainly, it is not because of anything good in us or because of any good that we have done. Hear what God says about his people in Deuteronomy 7:7-8: “The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery.”
God the Father loves us because He loves His Son, Jesus. We are beloved in the Beloved. God sees us in Christ, who has bought us with his own precious blood. In a world that compels us to earn our worth, the gospel freely gives us the matchless worth of Christ. We merit nothing. Yet, we are of great value to God because the Son is of great value to the Father. Therefore, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ. God will never leave us nor forsake us. He will have to reject the Son first. And, that will never, ever happen. We are secure in Christ.
Some warn of a “loneliness epidemic” spreading around the world. More are grappling with isolation and the loss of meaningful social interaction. The irony of our age is that while technology has made it easier for us to communicate with others, it has also allowed us to be less engaged with one another. More are struggling to fit in. More are experiencing alienation and estrangement. We crave genuine community.
We are precious to God. He is ours and we are His forever.
Amid the troubles of the age, what a blessing it is to belong to God as his people. Jesus has redeemed us for relationship. We are no longer strangers and aliens, but we are one with Christ and with one another. We enjoy the riches of being God’s children, and citizens of His kingdom. We have been reconciled to God and to one another. The church is God’s inheritance — a people for his own possession. We have not earned this identity for ourselves; it has been graciously given to us by God. Why strive to make a name for ourselves, when God has given us a far better name? Paul prays for us to know we are precious to God. He is ours and we are His forever.
The greatness of God’s power (Eph 1:19-23)
Third, Paul prays for believers to know God’s power. Look at Ephesians 1:19 — “What is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe.” What an astounding prayer, coming from a man in prison! Paul’s lengthy absence and his imprisonment for the gospel might have been disheartening for the Ephesian church. In Ephesians 3:13, he asks them to not lose heart over what he is suffering. Living in a fallen and broken world, we are well acquainted with our own weakness, whether physical or spiritual. Troubled by trials outside of us and turmoil inside of us, we may well wonder if we will make it to the end. Paul prays for us to realise that God’s grace is sufficient for those who have trusted in Jesus. God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. Our lack is God’s opportunity to display his sufficiency. His power is unlimited, super-abundant, all-surpassing. This power is for all who believe. His power is toward us. He gives generously, ungrudgingly. He uses His boundness power for us, for our eternal good. O that we would trust Him more! God will bring us to an end of ourselves, that we might rely not on ourselves but on Him who raises the dead.
Jesus’ resurrection is his victory over sin and death.
Indeed, God has shown the greatness of his power through Jesus’ resurrection. Look at Ephesians 1:19-20. The power at work in God’s people is according to the working of His great might that He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. The power at work in us is the very same power that raised and exalted our Lord. This confirms, beyond any doubt, that God’s power is effective. Jesus’ resurrection is his victory over sin and death. His exaltation is His appointment as King. God’s power is life-giving, defeating sin and death. Once we were dead in sins, but God has made us alive together with Christ. So, do not lose heart. Our present weakness will pass. We shall certainly be raised and glorified with Christ in the age to come. Till then, keep presenting ourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life. We who were in darkness are now light in the Lord. Sin no longer rules over us. We are not powerless in our struggle against sin. We can, with God’s help, put sin to death. God’s power has given us new life. So, live in righteousness and holiness.
Christ has conquered. Look at Ephesians 1:21 — He is “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come”. Ephesus was a centre for pagan practices. Like the Ephesians, some of us may have been saved out of a background of superstition and the worship of idols and spirits. No longer be in fear of such things. They are impotent, for Jesus has defeated all hostile spiritual powers through his death and resurrection. In Christ, we share in his victory. So, be strong in the Lord. He is our strength and shield.
Jesus is Lord, thanks to God’s power. What is even more amazing is that this King is for us! God has established Christ’s rule for the church’s benefit. Jesus’ rule is for our good, because of our union with Him. Look at Ephesians 1:22-23 — And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. God gave Jesus as a gift to the church, which is made up of all who believe the gospel. Jesus is head over all things, and He is especially the Head of the church. He uses His power and authority to bless His people. O friend, Jesus is the only king worth following. Will you trust in Him?
Jesus is high and lifted up, because He made Himself low. He loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Because we have all sinned against God, we deserve His judgement and wrath against us. But God, who is rich in grace and mercy, sent His beloved Son to save sinners like us. He died the death we deserved, bearing God’s wrath in our place, so that we can be forgiven if we believe in Christ alone to save us. Jesus’ resurrection is proof of his victory over sin and death. Therefore, Jesus can give us new life if we repent and follow Him as our Lord and Saviour.
Jesus is the Head of the church. We are His body, united to him by faith and nourished by Him who gives us life. We grow by holding fast to Christ, our Head. He fills the church with His presence, just as God filled the Old Testament tabernacle and temple with His glory. Jesus dwells in us by His Spirit, giving us every grace and gift to make us more and more like Him. Jesus fills us with His fullness that we might grow to His fullness.
Brothers and sisters, we are fellow members of the one body. Because we are united to Christ, we are also united with one another. Since we share in Christ, let us live together in unity, holiness and love. Speak the truth in love to one another, to help one another grow in Christ. Use our words to build up, that we might give grace to others. If we love Jesus, then shouldn’t we also love the church, which is his body?
Paul prays that we might value what is truly invaluable. Do we know the incomparable worth of what God has done for us in Christ? May we press on to know God more and more, by knowing the hope of His call, the riches of His inheritance, and the greatness of His power. May God help us know the value of His glorious grace.