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Message from Ephesians 1:17c-18a

Message from Ephesians 1:17c-18a

by John Allen · 93 things on Twos

Wisdom for the Believer
"May give unto you the spirit of wisdom
Paul wrote unto them as though they had not yet obtained the spirit of wisdom nor the revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Could this have been his purpose for the epistle?
Could Paul’s intention have been for the Spirit to use his letter to give them wisdom and revelation: growth?
He wrote to them as though they could receive the spirit of wisdom but at his writing had not yet received this spirit.
Does he mean that the saints in this church did not have the Holy Ghost within them? Hardly for we know that the Comforter takes up residence in the soul of the believer upon their trusting in Christ.
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16 )
"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (2 Corinthians 6:16)
"In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:21-22)
"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5)
What then is the spirit of wisdom that they had not yet fully received?
"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins." (Isaiah 11:1-5)
This is known as the seven spirits of the Lord.
Spirit of the LORD
Spirit of Wisdom
Spirit of Understanding
Spirit of Counsel
Spirit of Might
Spirit of Knowledge of the Lord
Spirit of the Fear of the Lord
From this we see the work of the Holy Ghost is divided into seven parts. The second being that of the wisdom as is connected with our text - Ephesians 1:17c.
"And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office." (Exodus 28:3)
These folks were given wisdom from God to make the priestly robe for Aaron so that Aaron may minister unto the LORD.
"And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses." (Deuteronomy 34:9)
Near the end of the life of Moses, he, under the direction of the LORD, laid his hands upon Joshua, in similar fashion to the ordination by the presbytery. From this event came the fullness of the "spirit of wisdom" within Joshua.
Why did Joshua require the fullness of the spirit of wisdom?
To follow the Lord and to obey
To lead Israel to follow and obey
To reveal to the Gentiles the Lord so they may follow and obey
Just as Joshua, every born again believer, child of God, requires the spirit of wisdom so they may do as did Joshua.
** The same is true of parents **
To follow the Lord and to obey
To lead Israel to follow and obey
To reveal to the Gentiles the Lord so they may follow and obey
The wisdom as referred to often by Paul (see cross references below) was "a knowledge of the divine plan, previously hidden, of providing salvation for men by the expiatory (atoning) death of Christ; hence, all the treasures of wisdom are said to be hidden in Christ.
Cross References
"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:" (1 Corinthians 1:30 KJV)
"Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (1 Corinthians 2:6-8 KJV)
"Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;" (Ephesians 1:8 KJV)
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;" (Colossians 1:9 KJV)
"In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:3 KJV)
With an understanding of the wisdom, as mentioned here, what then is the spirit of this wisdom?
The work of the Spirit to understand the Gospel.
The work of the Spirit to understand why the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
The work of the Spirit to understand why Jesus was His name and why He came in the form of a servant (Philippians 2) to become the atoning sacrifice for all mankind.
The work of the Spirit to understand why Jesus died vicariously and arose victoriously.
The work of the Spirit to understand why the Gospel is to be the most important part of every church, every family, and every individual.
Paul did not covet the spirit of wisdom for himself alone but also for other Christians.
True leadership desires for the followers to know what they know and even beyond.
True Christianity desires for people to grow in the wisdom of the Lord and in Christ.
Revelation for the Believer
"And revelation in the knowledge of him:"
Along with wisdom, Paul desired revelation for the church.
What, though, is this "revelation in the knowledge of him"?
"When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 16:13-17)
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:9-16)
As used in this passage we see it is "a spirit received from God disclosing hat and how great are the benefits of salvation"
Notice: one cannot understand the great benefits of salvation unless the Spirit reveal them and this must proceed one’s new birth.
Explaining the greatness of salvation to a lost person is akin to explaining the greatness of marriage to an unmarried person or the greatness of parenthood to those without children. One can see what they do not have but they will never know the greatness of it until they possess it.
Lifestyle evangelism is wrong because of this verse. To make people want salvation because of the benefits is like a person wanting to be married for the benefits. When showing the Gospel to a lost soul, we must always begin with their disparity, their need for Christ as their Savior; not the benefit of going to Heaven upon their death, nor the benefit of escaping Hell. The Gospel is rooted in conviction and repentance and not the great benefits of salvation.
As used in this passage we see it is "a spirit received from God disclosing hat and how great are the benefits of salvation"
Notice: one cannot understand the great benefits of salvation unless the Spirit reveal them and this must proceed one’s new birth.
Explaining the greatness of salvation to a lost person is akin to explaining the greatness of marriage to an unmarried person or the greatness of parenthood to those without children. One can see what they do not have but they will never know the greatness of it until they possess it.
Lifestyle evangelism is wrong because of this verse. To make people want salvation because of the benefits is like a person wanting to be married for the benefits. When showing the Gospel to a lost soul, we must always begin with their disparity, their need for Christ as their Savior; not the benefit of going to Heaven upon their death, nor the benefit of escaping Hell. The Gospel is rooted in conviction and repentance and not the great benefits of salvation.
Perhaps another way to express this is growth in the Lord in the form of understanding what it means to be saved.
This ought to be our desire for every child of God - to learn what it means to be His child more and more each day.
Rather than squabble over the little things, let us rejoice in our salvation.
"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Matthew 5:12)
"Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:20)
"Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;" (Romans 12:12)
"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." (Philippians 4:4)
"Rejoice evermore." (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
Paul not only desired for them to receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation of Christ but prayed for it as well.
Enlightenment for the Believer
"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;"
In reference to the "eyes of the soul", Paul expresses yet in another fashion how he desires for the saints to grow.
That they may see Christ high and lifted up in all of His glory.
That they may know him as the Savior, as the Redeemer, as the Deliverer, as God in the flesh.
For one to be enlightened they must look at the Light.
“The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (John 1:7-9)
"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:" (Ephesians 5:8 KJV)
"Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures," (Luke 24:45 KJV)
" Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." (Acts 26:12-18)
"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:1-6)
"But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;" (Hebrews 10:32)
Do we yearn to grow in the spirit of wisdom, in the revelation of the knowledge of him, and in the Light of Christ?
Let us decide today to spend the rest of your days growing!
Do we desire that for our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord?
Let us decide today to desire growth for your brethren!
Do we truly understand the Gospel?
Let us decide today to become students and teachers of the Gospel!
Do you know Christ as your Savior?