Paul's Prayer: Know Greater Hope

Ephesians: Paul's Prayer: Know Greater Hope

  1. Thanksgiving for ___________________.

15 This is why, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. (Eph 1:15–16)
29 I know that after my departure savage wolves, who will not spare the flock, will come in among you. 30 Even from your own group men will rise up, twisting the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. (Ac 20:29–30)
For it is with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and it is with the mouth that a person confesses, resulting in salvation. (Ro 10:10)
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters. Rather, it is faith working through love that matters. (Ga 5:6)

  1. That believers may have _______________ _____________.

Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge, experience, and understanding in a way that leads to living according to God’s will.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. (Pr 9:10a)
I keep praying that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ fully. (Eph 1:17)
Jesus told her, “Do not continue to cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father—to my God and your God.’ ” (Jn 20:17)
41b Father, I thank you that you heard me. 42a I knew that you always hear me. (Jn 11:41–42)
he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ. (Eph 1:5a)

  1. In their _________.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, (Eph 1:18)
While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” (Ac 7:59)
And this is the will of him who sent me: that I should lose none of those he has given me, but raise them up on the Last Day. (Jn 6:39)
By the power that enables him to subject all things to himself, he will transform our humble bodies to be like his glorious body. (Php 3:21)
Who will bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies! (Ro 8:33)
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Mt 25:34)

  1. In their _______________________.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know … just how rich his glorious inheritance among the saints is, (Eph 1:18)
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. (Jn 10:28)
Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. (1 Th 4:17)
Now we see indirectly using a mirror, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I was fully known. (1 Co 13:12)
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain, because the former things have passed away. (Re 21:4)
They will never be hungry or thirsty ever again. The sun will never beat upon them, nor will any scorching heat. (Re 7:16)
For I conclude that our sufferings at the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. (Ro 8:18)

  1. In God’s ___________.

and just how surpassingly great his power is for us who believe. and just how surpassingly great his power is for us who believe. (Eph 1:19)
20 It is as great as the working of his mighty strength, which God worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. (Eph 1:20–21)
44b Pilate …  summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had been dead for a long time. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he granted the body to Joseph. (Mk 15:44b–45)
Joseph bought a linen cloth, took him [Jesus] down, and wrapped him in the linen cloth. He laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of rock, and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. (Mk 15:46)
[I – Jesus] sat down with my Father on his throne. (Re 3:21)
God also placed all things under his feet and made him head over everything for the church. God also placed all things under his feet and made him head over everything for the church. (Eph 1:22)

Points to Ponder

  1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
  2. Why does Paul give thanks for the Ephesian believers in verses 15-16?
  3. What does it mean for "the eyes of your heart" to be enlightened (v. 18)?
  4. How can we grow in our knowledge of God (v. 17)?
  5. What are some practical ways to remember the "the hope to which he has called you" in daily life (v. 18)?
  6. Paul says that all things are under Christ’s feet (v. 22). How does this truth affect the way we live as Christians?
  7. How can we, as the church, reflect Christ’s rule and authority in our community?

Homework: Ephesians 2