Key Scriptures: Ephesians 1:15-23
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 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 that the 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 his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, 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.
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Lesson One: God has called us to a hope-filled future.
• God wants us to understand that our lives have purpose and that he has called us to live for him.
Ephesians 1:18-19, I pray that the 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 his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Teaching Truths
- God has a purpose for our lives; we are not simply here taking up space.
- Our calling gives us a reason to live for Christ today and a future to look forward to with Him.
- Our lives have been changed because we have been brought into the family of God through Jesus Christ.
- Our hope is not limited to what we experience on this broken planet; our story ultimately ends in the presence of God.
- Understanding our calling helps us live with purpose rather than simply going through the motions of life.
Application
- Ask God to open your eyes to the purpose he has for your life.
- Evaluate whether you are living intentionally for Christ or simply taking up space.
- When you face discouragement or uncertainty, remember that God has called you to a hope-filled future.
- Look for opportunities to live out your calling through your relationships, responsibilities, and service to others.
- Let the promise of eternity with Christ shape how you live today.
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Lesson Two: God has given us a glorious inheritance.
• We need to understand who we are in Christ and recognize the riches of what we already possess through him
Ephesians 1:18-19, I pray that the 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 his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Ephesians 1:3–14, God has blessed us in Christ, chosen us, adopted us into his family, redeemed us through his blood, forgiven our sins, revealed his will, and given us the promised Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance.
Teaching Truths
- Through Jesus Christ, we have been brought from having nothing to possessing every spiritual blessing in him.
- We are no longer outsiders or second-class believers; we have been adopted into the family of God.
- Our identity is found in being children of God, not in our past, our circumstances, or what we lack.
- The riches of God’s glorious inheritance are beyond measure; the blessings of salvation are not something we can exhaust.
- The Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee of our inheritance and the promise of our future with him.
- When we understand who we are in Christ and what we already possess, we stop searching for something more to complete us.
Application
- Spend time reflecting on what God has done for you through Jesus Christ.
- Remind yourself that your identity is rooted in being a child of God.
- When you are tempted to believe that you are missing something essential, return to the truth of what you already possess in Christ.
- Thank God for your salvation, forgiveness, adoption, and the presence of His Spirit.
- Live from the security of your identity in Christ rather than striving to find your worth in other things.
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Lesson Three: God has given us incomparably great power.
• We need God to open the eyes of our hearts so that we recognize and live out of the resurrection power available to us through the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:18–20, I pray that the 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 his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms…
Ephesians 1:21–23, Christ is seated far above every rule, authority, power, dominion, and title, and God has appointed him head over everything for the church, which is his body.
Teaching Truths
- The same power God demonstrated in raising Jesus from the dead is the reference point for understanding his incomparably great power.
- God’s power is available to every believer; we should not believe the lie that it is reserved for everyone else.
- This power comes through the Holy Spirit, not through positive thinking, personal determination, or some impersonal spiritual force.
- God wants us to live out of the victory of the resurrection rather than remain trapped in an “I can’t” narrative.
- The presence of God’s power does not necessarily mean our problems disappear; it means we can endure them through his strength.
- God’s power is available in the ordinary moments of life, not just in dramatic or miraculous circumstances.
- The power of the Holy Spirit is primarily given to equip us to advance the gospel and help others come from death to life in Jesus Christ.
Application
- Pray for God to open the eyes of your heart so you can recognize the power he has made available to you.
- When you find yourself saying, “I can’t,” remind yourself that you do not have to face the situation in your own strength.
- Before work, difficult conversations, responsibilities, or challenging circumstances, intentionally depend on the Holy Spirit.
- Stop pretending you have everything under control. Be willing to admit your need for God’s help and the support of other believers.
- Instead of focusing only on what you have lost, look at what you have gained through Christ and the power of his resurrection.
- Ask God for the strength to endure difficult circumstances, even when he does not immediately remove them.
- Look for evidence of God’s work in your everyday life and acknowledge his power when He makes a way, sustains you, or helps you overcome.
- Pray for people who do not know Jesus, asking God to open their eyes and give you wisdom, sensitivity, and courage to share the gospel.
Additional Teaching: Truths about God’s power
1. God’s power is available to everyone.
- God’s power is not reserved for a select few.
- Do not believe the enemy’s lie that God can work in everyone else’s life but yours.
- Mary Magdalene, who had experienced profound deliverance through Jesus, was entrusted with sharing the news of his resurrection.
Application: Believe that God’s power is available to you as you trust in Christ and depend on His Spirit.
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2. God’s power is available through the Holy Spirit.
- We are not talking about tapping into an impersonal force or finding an extra level of strength within ourselves.
- The Holy Spirit seals, fills, leads, guides, helps, and sustains believers.
- Jesus instructed his disciples to wait for the promised Holy Spirit before going out to carry out their mission.
Application: Don’t rush into your responsibilities in your own strength. Depend on the Holy Spirit in your work, relationships, decisions, and daily responsibilities.
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3. God’s power operates as we acknowledge our need for it.
- Sometimes the thing keeping us from experiencing God’s power is our unwillingness to admit that we need it.
- We must be willing to cry out for help with our marriages, finances, anxiety, addictions, responsibilities, and everyday struggles.
- Admitting our need does not offend God; it positions us to seek His help.
- God’s power can help us endure a problem even when the problem does not immediately go away.
Application: Identify the area of your life where you need God’s intervention. Be honest with Him, ask for His power, and be willing to reach out to other believers for support.
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4. God’s power is primarily to help us propel the gospel story to the ends of the earth.
- God’s power is not primarily about making our lives easier; it is about equipping us to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth.
- God’s power enables us to persevere through life’s challenges while continuing to serve Him faithfully.
- The Holy Spirit empowers us to love others, serve others, and help people come to faith in Jesus Christ.
- Prayer helps us develop God’s heart for those who do not know Christ and prepares us to participate in His mission.
- God wants to work through us to help others move from spiritual death to life in Christ.
- As we depend on the Holy Spirit, our lives become testimonies to God’s power and opportunities to proclaim the story of Jesus.
Application: Pray for someone who does not know Jesus, ask God to open their eyes to the truth, and intentionally look for opportunities to love them, serve them, and share the gospel—trusting the Holy Spirit to work through you to advance the story of Jesus.
