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River Church Sermons


May 12, 2019

Authentic Spirituality #3

Illuminated to Know God Better, Eph. 1:15-23

By Louie Marsh, 5-12-2019

 

IF I’M AUTHENTICALLY SPIRITUAL I…

 

1) Respond to God’s Work with THANKSGIVING.

 

15  For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16  I do not cease to give thanks for you… Ephesians 1:15-16a (ESV)

 

2) Always seek God for deeper SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

 

16  I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, Ephesians 1:16-17 (ESV)

 

  • I have a HOLY DISCONTENT.

 

I believe in the Kingdom come
Then all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
But yes, I'm still running

You broke the bonds
and you loosened chains
carried the cross of my shame, of my shame
You know I believe it

But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for

 

 

3) Constantly pray for the Spirit’s ministry of ILLUMINATION.

 

17  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, Ephesians 1:17 (ESV)

 

  •  The Goal is to FULLY KNOW GOD.

 

4) Pray for authentic spiritual knowledge.

 

18  having the eyes of your hearts enlightened… Ephesians 1:18a (ESV)

 

  • HEART KNOWLEDGE

 

So the king sent horses and chariots and a large fighting unit there. They came at night and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God got up in the morning and went outside, he saw troops, horses, and chariots surrounding the city. Elisha's servant asked, “Master, what should we do?” Elisha answered, “Don't be afraid. We have more forces on our side than they have on theirs.” Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, please open his eyes so that he may see.” The Lord opened the servant's eyes and let him see. The mountain around Elisha was full of fiery horses and chariots. 2 Kings 6:14-17 (GW)

 

  • BALANCED KNOWLEDGE – mind, will, emotion.

 

  • SEEING  - real through knowledge and experience.

 

FOUR GREAT TRUTHS I NEED TO SEE:

 

1) THE PAST: God planned a great PURPOSE FOR ME.

 

18  … that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you …Ephesians 1:18b (ESV)

 

2) THE FUTURE: My life ends IN GLORY!

 

18  … what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, Ephesians 1:18c (ESV)  

 

3) THE PRESENT: God’s Power is IN & FOR ME!

 

19  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might Ephesians 1:19 (ESV)

 

and what the surpassing greatness of his power towards us who believe, according to the working of the might of his strength, Ephesians 1:19 (Darby)

 

HIS POWER IS:

 

  •  DYNAMIC

 

  • ENERGETIC

 

  • MIGHTY

 

  • STRONG

 

  • INCOMPARABLY GREAT

 

 

4) The Resurrection continues today IN ME!

 

20  that he 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 and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:20-21 (ESV)

 

5) I must SUBMIT to Christ’s authority to find authentic wholeness.

 

22  And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23  which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:22-23 (ESV)

 

He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. Ephesians 1:22-23 (MSG)