“The Power of God and the Preeminence of Christ”

(Ephesians 1:15-23)

Series: Christ and the Church[on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

January 17, 2021

The Passage

Ephesians 1:15-23

15 This is why, 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 as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

20 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens— 21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Introductory Comments:

Well, here we are continuing our series in the book of Ephesians. Last week’s passage was rich with mysterious knowledge and deep grace. 

In chapter 1 of Ephesians, Paul is building a foundation for us to understand who Jesus is so that we can understand how He relates to the Church. Last week was about discovering the riches of God in Christ. Today, Paul moves beyond that introductory systematic theology course to get a little more specific about Jesus’ place in the world and the Church.

Last week had to do with our salvation in Christ. This week has to do with Christ’s relationship to the world and the Church. 

Before we continue, let’s pray and ask God to speak to us. 

(prayer)

Introduction (vv. 15-16)

As with last week, there are a few introductory verses to this passage. 

Let’s take a sneak peek. Look at verse 15. Paul says, “This is why, . . ..” I’m preaching out of the Christian Standard Bible. Some other translations say, “For this reason . . . ,” or “Wherefore . . .” in the King James Version. 

“This is why,” implies that Paul is starting a new discussion based on the previous discussion. So, pay attention to see what Paul is saying and why He is saying it. 

Look at verses 15 and 16:

15 This is why, 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 as I remember you in my prayers.

Remember, the previous discussion was about being in Christ, receiving adoption as God’s children, and being sealed with the Holy Spirit. Paul says for that reason, because the Ephesians are in Christ and have experienced God’s riches also, he has heard of their faith in Jesus and love for the saints, and he never stops giving thanks for them in his prayers. 

Well, what does Paul pray for the Ephesians? That leads right into our first point:

I. God’s provision for the Church (vv. 17-19) [on screen]

Paul is continually praying for the Ephesians. He is praying that they will experience and realize God’s provision for them. In short, Paul is praying that they will experience that which He described in last week’s passage, verses 1-14. 

Let’s look at our passage for today. Look at verses 17-19:

17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his str