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The Unsearchable Riches of Christ #15

After Conversion . . . . What Then? Pt 2.

Scripture: Eph 1:15-23.

Stream or download After conversion…what then?, Pt2

II. THE PROCESS OF LEARNING
1. Enduement by the Holy Spirit. He is called the the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, verse 17. You cannot be taught by the Spirit until you have been born of the Spirit. Wisdom = knowledge. Pro 9:10 – here is where it begins.
See 1 Cor 2. {Verse 4}
• Divine truth is a mystery to sinners – verse 7.
• Absence of enlightenment results in rejection of Christ, v8. The essentials of knowledge centres upon God. After we know God, all other things related to life, its purpose and meaning,  fall into place.
• God has opened (revealed) them to us, v 10.
• The Holy Spirit is the One Who teaches us, v 12-13.
2. Enlightenment of our understanding. There is both a quickening and enliving of our minds as well as a granting of light. We have the revelation of the Holy Spirit in the Bible but we need His continual instruction in order to understand the Bible. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law, Psalm 119:18.

III. THE SPECIFICS OF THE KNOWLEDGE WE SHOULD SEEK
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us–ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,” verses 18-19.
1. The hope of our calling.
2. The riches of our inheritance.
3. The exceeding greatness of God’s power
Manifested in the raising of Christ.
Setting Him on His right hand.
Putting all things under His feet.
Making Him head of all things.

The unsearchable riches of Christ, Pt14

After Conversion . . . . What Then?

Scripture: Eph 1:15-23.

Stream or download The unsearchable riches of Christ, Pt14

Paul’s response to the news of the conversion of the Ephesian believers was one of thanksgiving, 16.

Please note before we move on from verse 15 that faith in Christ is linked to love for the saints. Col 1:4; Philemon 1:5; 2 Thess 1:3; 1 John 4:21.

Paul did more than offer thanks for the conversion of the Ephesians. He began to intercede for them. What he prayed for indicates the needs of believers today and what it is we should seek after.

I. HE PRAYED FOR KNOWLEDGE TO BE GIVEN TO THEM
God sends His children to school and that under the best of teachers and instruction — the Holy Ghost and the Word of God. The knowledge spoken of is  a full, clear, thorough knowledge.
1. They that know God would know Him better. Verses 8-9.
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, 1 Cor 2:12.  Philips 3:1-8.
2. The knowledge of God is a given knowledge.Verse 17. Cannot be gained by our efforts and labour. It must gifted to us.
3. The teacher is the Holy Spirit. Verse 17. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you, John 14:26. There must be a submitting to His teaching and leading if we are to learn.

Bright and shining lights in the Bible #18

Scripture: Hebrews 11:11-12 “Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.”

Stream or download Bright and shining lights in the Bible #18

We are to note that ladies also are listed amongst those who had great faith. Sarah had faults but she also had FAITH.

This was the case with the menfolk also!

1. CHILDREN ARE THE GIFT OF GOD. This is important for us to note.
A. All life is precious. You may not know this but many people believe that babies that are not wanted may be killed! Such a thing is a great crime in God’s eyes.
B. Because the Lord is the Author of life, the human spirit will return to Him at death. “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it,” Eccles 12:7.
C. From the dust, God will call all before Him one day. “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation,” John 5:28-29.

2. IN MAKING AN OLD MAN LIKE ABRAHAM THE FATHER MILLIONS WE HAVE 1 COR 1:26-29 EXPLAINED TO US.
There we are told:
A. Who it is God chooses for His service. Verse 27.
B. Those whom God passed by. Verse 26.
C. God’s purpose in acting so. ‘To confound’, ‘To bring to nought’, all who are not of God.
D. God has acted so that none may ‘flesh’ may glory in His presence. When ALL things are completed, it is the Lord alone who will get the glory, verses 29-31. See Galatians 6:14.