1

The Ascension of Christ and the Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost – Part 5 Powerful Praying in light of Christ’s Ascension and Pentecost Ephesians 1:3-23 19b That power is like the working of His mighty strength, 20 which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1:19b-23 (NIV84) 2 2

The Ascension of Christ and the Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost represent the culmination of Christ’s earthly ministry and the beginning of His superior heavenly ministry. 3 3 3

John 14:15–20 (NIV84) 15 “If you love Me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see Me anymore, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. 4 4

When the Spirit comes it is He, Jesus, who comes to them but now in an invisible form. 17 the Spirit of truth. … you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 5 5

As the sacrificial Lamb of God; As the One who has conquered death; Because of the ascension, Jesus now comes to us in a new and superior capacity. As the sacrificial Lamb of God; As the One who has conquered death; As King over the entire universe. 6 6

Jesus ascended to heaven to be exalted as Lord and Christ, to rule and reign on earth from His throne in heaven by means of His Holy Spirit powerfully living in and among God’s people. The mission of the Holy Spirit is to empower Christ’s disciples, to boldly proclaim the Gospel message. 7 7

Ephesians is incredible by how it speaks of Christ and how it speaks of how Christ transforms our lives. Ephesians 1:3 (NIV84) 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:23 (NIV84) 23 the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way. 8 8

John 14:20 (NIV84) 20 On that day you will realize that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. 9 9

Blessing #1 The blessing of being chosen by God in order to be holy. Ephesians 1:4, 11 (NIV84) 4 For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. … 11 In Him we were also chosen, … Only in Christ can we become what He created us to be. 10 10

He chose us … to be holy and blameless in His sight. Blessing #1 That transformation will set us apart from those who refuse God’s invitation. He chose us … to be holy and blameless in His sight. 11 11

Do you want to be holy and blameless? Questions Do you want to be holy and blameless? 12 12

Blessing #2 The blessing of a predestined adoption to generate praise for His grace. Ephesians 1:5-6 (NIV84) In love 5 He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. The Father’s purpose for us as adopted sons and daughters is that we would be to the praise of His glorious grace. 13 13

Questions Do you want your life to radiate praise directed at God’s glorious grace? 14 14

Sin enslaves us. But Christ’s blood frees us. Blessing #3 The blessing of redemption and forgiveness to live in freedom and not bondage. Ephesians 1:7-8 (NIV84) 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Sin enslaves us. But Christ’s blood frees us. 15 15

Questions Does this blessing from Christ set your heart to singing and rejoicing? 16 16

The blessing of having the mystery of God’s will revealed - Christ will bring His plan to fulfillment. Ephesians 1:9-10 (NIV84) 9 And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. The outworking of Christ’s ascension into heaven … crowned Him King over all things. 17 17

Does it give you hope that in the end we will be on the winning side? Questions Does it give you hope that in the end we will be on the winning side? 18 18

Blessing #5 The blessing of being included in Christ. Ephesians 1:13 (NIV84) 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. He is our home. We live in Him. 19 19

He confirms that we are “in Christ.” …, we are His possession. Blessing #6 The blessing of being marked with a seal, the Holy Spirit, guaranteeing our inheritance. Ephesians 1:13 (NIV84) 13 … Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of His glory. He confirms that we are “in Christ.” …, we are His possession. 20 20

… intended to make us into displays of God’s glory. Incredible blessings … intended to make us into displays of God’s glory. What difference does it make in our daily lives that we have been blessed with these awe-inspiring blessings?

Ephesians 1:15 (NIV84) 15 For this reason, . . . For this reason!

We’d be fools not to surrender our lives to the One who loves us so much. 23 23

Ephesians 1:15-16 (NIV84) 15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

Paul turns his observations into prayers of thanksgiving. Ephesians 1:16 (NIV84) 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Paul turns his observations into prayers of thanksgiving. Paul informs these believers how he is praying for them.

It gives me the opportunity to respond in agreement to the prayer. How important is it that others hear the prayers we are praying on their behalf? I hear that prayer. It gives me the opportunity to respond in agreement to the prayer. Be more willing to tell those for whom we are praying how we are praying for them.

We need to pray daily for our daily needs. Ephesians 1:17 (NIV84) 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. We need to pray daily for our daily needs. How to know God better: We need the spirit of wisdom and revelation.

Paul’s request is an expression of God’s will for those believers. A strategic way to pray: Paul is simply taking God’s will and turning it into a request of God.

Do we want to know God better? Questions Do we want to know God better? 29 29

that we would 4 . . . be holy and blameless in His sight. God’s will: that we would 4 . . . be holy and blameless in His sight. 12 . . . that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.

What would happen in us if God gave us the spirit of wisdom and revelation? Ephesians 1:18-19a (NIV84) 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and His incomparably great power for us who believe.

… if you really know these things about being IN Christ: This is HIP praying! … if you really know these things about being IN Christ: First - H. Our Hope Second - I. God’s Inheritance Third - P. Our Power IN Christ. 32 32

First - Our Hope Ephesians 1:18-19a (NIV84) 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and His incomparably great power for us who believe. HOPE: The day when Christ will strip away our sin nature and give us new bodies. 33 33

Second - God’s Inheritance Ephesians 1:18-19a (NIV84) 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and His incomparably great power for us who believe. God’s Inheritance: what He will inherit in the future. 34 34

God has invested His best treasure, Jesus, in us. Jesus is the rich treasure! 35 35

Third - Our Power IN Christ. Ephesians 1:18-19a (NIV84) 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and His incomparably great power for us who believe. POWER: A present reality … to be victors, … to be contributors, … to be trusting in God, … to be loving! 36 36

Want to know God better? Learn of the hope you have in Christ. Explore the riches that are inherently in Christ. Experience God’s power in defeating the enemy.

Ephesians 1:19-23 (NIV84) That power is like the working of His mighty strength, 20 which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.

In the act of faith, God releases the power to enable us to do as He commands.

Why you’re not seeing God’s will coming to pass in your life? 1. lacking in knowledge - bathe your soul and mind in God’s word. 2. lacking desire - expose ourselves to the glory of God. 3. lacking in faith or obedience - Ask God to strengthen your confidence in His truth and your courage to walk in it. 4. resisting His will - Soak your mind and heart in His word. 5. your heart has become a stronghold of the enemy - you need God’s power to break those chains. 40

Paul’s prayer for you and God’s will for you. Ephesians 1:18-19a (NIV84) 18 … that you may know the hope to which He has called you, … (that you may know) the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and … (that you may know) His incomparably great power for us who believe. 41

What an amazing and miraculous thing to behold when God, through His Word and His Spirit, transforms the life of God’s people as a community to be a living presence of Christ in a local community. 42

43 43

44

45

www.christnow.com www.christnow.com www.christnow.com