1. Thanksgiving(vs 15-16)
a. Why was Paul Thankful?
i. Good news of spiritual blessings
ii. Good news about others
1. “I have heard of your faith in the Lord
2. “I do not cease to give thanks, remembering
2. Intercession(vs 17-20)
a. Paul recognizes who provides spiritual
growth
i. Who is responsible for growth?
1. “The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory”
ii. How does God accomplish it?
1. “may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him”
iii. What does the Spirit do?
1. “eyes of your hearts enlightened” vs 18
b. Paul prays for their spiritual growth
i. “Know what is the hope to which he has called
you”
ii. “What are the riches of His glorious inheritance”
1. “It is amazing that God should so treasure as His
inheritance a gathering of people who were once dead in trespasses and objects
of His wrath.” -RC Sproul
iii. “What is the immeasurable greatness of His
power toward us who believe”
a. The form of this Greek word means “a degree that
extraordinarily exceeds a point on a scale of extent.”
b. The greatness of God’s power is beyond measure.
1. “that he worked in Christ when He raised Him
from the dead and seated Him at his right hand in the heavenly places”
1. “Far above all rule and authority and power
2. “Above every name that is named”
3. “not only in this age but also in the one to
4. “He put all things under his feet and gave
Him as head over all things to the church”
a. “to the church” (or “for the church”)
b. “Christ’s supremacy and preeminence over
everything is in some sense given for the benefit of the church. And His authority over all competing authorities and powers paves the way for believers to receive the wealth of riches promised to them in Christ.” -Constantine Campbell
5. “which is His body, the fullness of Him who
b. Grow in Knowledge of God