That You May Know<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pastor Don Carpenter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Greater Vision \/ Ephesians 1:18\u201319<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Kenneth Chafin, a well-known Baptist author, tells about the pastor and deacon who were visiting prospective members and drove up to a beautiful suburban home surrounded by a velvet lawn and gorgeous landscaping. Two expensive cars stood in the driveway, and through the picture window, the men saw their prospect, lounging in an easy chair and watching color TV. The deacon turned to his pastor and said, \u201cWhat kind of good news do we have for him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How prone we are to confuse prices and values. Ephesus was a wealthy city. It boasted the temple of Diana, one of the wonders of the ancient world. Today, Ephesus is an archeologist\u2019s paradise, but all of its wealth and splendor are gone. But the Christians who once lived there are today in heaven, enjoying the glory of God!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 15). Victor Books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we continue to explore this prison prayer for enlightenment that Paul records in scriptures, we come to the reason Paul is praying this prayer. He yearns that the light of their understanding is turned on, not simply so they can comprehend or articulate great and deep theological truths, but so they can KNOW Christ more intimately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/em>Ephesians 1:18<\/em> (KJV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know…<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n oida (Perf. of ????, 1492), \u201cto know by perception,\u201d is the word in Pilate\u2019s remark \u201cmake it as sure as ye can\u201d (marg. \u201csure, as ye know\u201d), Matt. 27:65. The phrases \u201ccannot tell,\u201d \u201ccanst not tell,\u201d etc., are in the rv rendered \u201cknow not,\u201d etc., Matt. 21:27; Mark 11:33; Luke 20:7; John 3:8; 8:14; 16:18; 2 Cor. 12:2\u20133. See know1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). In Vine\u2019s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, p. 88). T. Nelson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To Know The Hope of Christ\u2019s Calling<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/em>Ephesians 1:18<\/em> (KJV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n … that ye may know what is the hope of his calling…<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The first is that they may know \u201cwhat is the hope of their calling.\u201d The word \u201cwhat\u201d is tis (???), not \u201chow great,\u201d nor \u201cof what kind,\u201d but \u201cwhat\u201d\u2014what the hope really is. \u201cThe \u2018His calling\u2019 is the call of which God is the author, and that is an effectual call.\u2026 The hope is not the object hoped for, \u2026 but the attitude of mind, the subjective hope, the assured Christian expectation\u201d (Expositors).1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest\u2019s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Vol. 4, p. 53). Eerdmans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ephesians 4:4<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Some callings offer no hope, but the calling we have in Christ assures us of a delightful future. Keep in mind that the word hope in the Bible does not mean \u201chope so,\u201d like a child hoping for a doll or a bike at Christmas. The word carries with it \u201cassurance for the future.\u201d The believer\u2019s hope is, of course, the return of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 15). Victor Books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Thessalonians 4:13\u201318<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wherefore comfort one another with these words.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 John 3:1\u20133<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n To Know The Riches of Christ\u2019s Inheritance In Us!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/em>Ephesians 1:18<\/em> (KJV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n …that ye may know …what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n This phrase does not refer to our inheritance in Christ (Eph. 1:11), but His inheritance in us. This is an amazing truth\u2014that God should look on us as a part of His great wealth! Just as a man\u2019s wealth brings glory to his name, so God will get glory from the church because of what He has invested in us. When Jesus Christ returns, we shall be \u201cto the praise of the glory of His grace\u201d (Eph. 1:6).<\/p>\n\n\n\n God deals with us on the basis of our future, not our past. He said to cowardly Gideon, \u201cThe Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor\u201d (Judg. 6:12). Jesus said to Andrew\u2019s brother, \u201cThou art Simon \u2026 thou shalt be called Cephas [a stone]\u201d (John 1:42).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gideon did become a mighty man of valor, and Simon did become Peter, a rock. We Christians live in the future tense, our lives controlled by what we shall be when Christ returns. Because we are God\u2019s inheritance, we live to please and glorify Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This truth suggests to us that Christ will not enter into His promised glory until the church is there to share it with Him. He prayed for this before He died, and this prayer will be answered (John 17:24). Christ will be glorified in us (2 Thes. 1:10), and we will be glorified in Him (Col. 3:4). Knowing this should lead the believer into a life of dedication and devotion to the Lord.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 16). Victor Books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 28:9<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Save thy people, And bless thine inheritance: Feed them also, and lift them up for ever.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ephesians 1:12<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Philippians 2:13<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n To Know The Greatness of Christ\u2019s Power Toward Us.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ephesians 1:19<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Paul offered something to challenge our faith: \u201cthe exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe\u201d (Eph. 1:19). So tremendous is this truth that Paul enlisted many different words from the Greek vocabulary to get his point across: dunamis\u2014\u201cpower\u201d as in dynamo and dynamite; energeia\u2014\u201cworking\u201d as in energy; kratos\u2014\u201cmighty\u201d; ischus\u2014\u201cpower.\u201d Ephesians 1:19 can be translated, \u201cWhat is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the operation of the might of His strength.\u201d He is talking about divine dynamic, eternal energy, available to us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 16). Victor Books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ephesians 1:19<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ephesians 3:7<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2 Corinthians 13:4<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Romans 8:11<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Peter 1:5<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Corinthians 2:5<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ephesians 3:20<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like the president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn\u2019t really know Him. But later on when I recognized this Higher Power, It seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that God was in the back helping me pedal. I don\u2019t know just when it was that he suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since\u2014life with my Higher Power, that is. God makes life exciting! But when He took the lead, it was all I could do to hang on! He knew delightful paths, up mountains and through rocky places\u2014and at breakneck speeds. Even though it looked like madness, he said, \u201cPedal!\u201d I worried and was anxious and asked, \u201cWhere are you taking me?\u201d He laughed and didn\u2019t answer, and I started to learn trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into adventure. When I\u2019d say, \u201cI\u2019m scared,\u201d He\u2019d lean back and touch my hand. He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, our journey, God\u2019s and mine. And we were off again. He said, \u201cGive the gifts away; they\u2019re extra baggage, too much weight.\u201d So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and our burden became light. At first I did not trust Him in control of my life. I thought He\u2019d wreck it. But He knows bike secrets\u2014knows how to make it lean to take sharp corners, dodge large rocks, and speed through scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places. I\u2019m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant Companion. And when I\u2019m sure I just can\u2019t do any more, He just smiles and says, \u201cPedal!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) pp. 247-248.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:35 PM March 2, 2022.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" That You May Know Pastor Don Carpenter Greater Vision \/ Ephesians 1:18\u201319 Dr. Kenneth Chafin, a well-known Baptist author, tells about the pastor and deacon who were visiting prospective members and drove up to a beautiful suburban home surrounded by a velvet lawn and gorgeous landscaping. Two expensive cars stood in the driveway, and through … Continue reading That You May KNOW!<\/span>