GROWING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S GRACE

 Our Text is taken from Ephesians  1:15-23 

Why the Knowledge of God is so important in Christian life today?  Because there are too many knowledge of God based on feelings or experience and hearing on others testimonies.  We need to know God who God is and experienced Him personally ourselves.

We need to know not only what privileges we have and what God has done for us.  We can live in the experience of the breakthrough in His Power, Revelation, faith, life, workings of God.
Paul specific requested in Prayer for the Ephesian church for Spiritual Wisdom and Revelation so that they might know Him and the Enlightened Understanding so they may know His Hope, His Riches, His Power and Grace.
Paul emphasis is on spiritual perception and real Christian character.  He does not ask God to give them what they do not have but rather prayed that God will revealed to them what they already had.  Paul prayed the requests “prayer for enlightenment”

1)    Enlightenment comes form the Holy Spirit. He is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Isaiah 11:2, John 14:25-26).  The Holy Spirit reveals the truth in His Word then gives us the wisdom to understand and apply it.  He also gives us the power to practice the truth.

The Spirit of Wisdom: He gives us the spirit of 'sophia' to us.  God gives you wisdom to help you make good decisions and help others. With this spirit we can make right good and profitable decisions.  A Spirit of Wisdom will keep you out of debt. You will be wise about your finances.  It will keep your home together. It will help you to choose the right mate and will never be involved in a divorce.

The Spirit of Revelation: Greek is “apocalupsis – “Apocalpyse” means “the unveiling” or uncovering. For everything about God cannot be explain and understand by the human mind.  So God unveils the purpose and meaning of God for us and we see it with our eyes and feed it with our souls, hear it with our ears and understand it with the power of the Spirit.
   
2)    Enlightenment comes to the heart of the believer. “Eyes of your heart being enlightened.” 

To see with the eyes of the soul – that is what the painter does, architect and engineer does. Our eyes must be filled with light. (2 Corinthians 4:6) The Holy Spirit will enlighten our inward souls the things of God and take them to reveal to us. Our spiritual eyes will be opened to see – Psalms 119:18 David says,“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Word.”  Jeremiah 33:3 says,“Call unto Me …and I will answer and show you great and might thing that thou knoweth not."

Our eyes must be opened to see spiritual realities:

a.  That we might know God
 Paul know the knowledge of God was life itself – John. 17:3; Phil 3:10)  and that is spiritual maturity. This is to know Him experientialy.  The Holy Spirit will lead us into experiential knowledge of God. Our faith is something real and experiential. “O taste and see that the Lord is good …Psalms 34:8”  One has to try Him for himself whether He is good.

J.I. Packer in his book “Knowing God” makes three distinct points on knowing God:
1.    Knowing God is a matter of personal dealing as in all direct acquaintance with personal beings.  It is a matter of dealing with Him as He opens up to you. Knowing about Him is no test of one’s knowledge of Him.

2.    Knowing God is a matter of personal involvement in mind, will, and feeling.  To know another person, you have to commit yourself to his company and interests and be ready to identity yourself with his concerns.

3.    Knowing God is a matter of grace.  It is a relationship in which the initiative throughout is with God, not us.  We do not make friends with God; God makes friends with us. Ask God to grant us Wisdom and Revelation so that we may have an experiential knowledge God Himself.

          b. That we might know God’s calling – All of us have a holy calling  (2 Tim. 1:9). And we are called out of darkness into His marvelous light and “called to glory” – 2 Peter 1:3  This calling have a hope.  Some callings offer no hope but the calling of God in Christ assures us of a delightful future.

        c.  That we might know  His Hope and Riches: -
The Believers Hope.  What is it?                 The Believers Riches:-
•    Present Salvation      - Romans 8:24               *  Unsearchable riches of Christ 
•    Resurrection -             I Cor. 15:19-22          *  Riches of Wisdom and Knowledge
•    Hope of the Gospel –  Col 1:22,23                *  Riches in Christ – Phil 4:19
•    Hope of Eternal Life – Titus 1:2
•    Hope for faith           - Hebrews. 11:1
•    Hope to be like Him – I John 3:2,3 

   d.    That we might know His Power of His Resurrection. – Ephesians 1:19

Paul uses four words for “power” –
•    dunamis – Gods power and ability  eg.  His Eternal energy
•    energeia – authority delegated, right to act
•     kratos  – strength
•     ischus  – ability or force (personal)

The Word is used 100 times in Greek in Acts 1:8  It denotes “being able”, or having the capacity to control another or situation.  In this verse Paul speaks of God’s power toward us who believe. The highest act of His power on our behalf is the resurrection of Christ -  (Ephesians 1:20-22; Rom 1:4) Easter is at the corner.
The power of salvation and power for Christian living is included.  Why we need God’s Power?  - Ephesians 6:11-12 speaks of "God’s Armor."
 
How does Gods power apply to us?  Vs. 22,23     It tell us that power is invested in the Church. Power comes form the Church itself.  That is the Source, since Jesus is the Head and we are His body.
Paul wanted us to understand the tremendous power available to us from God. This is the power of God not only raised Jesus from the dead, but also elevated Him to a place of honor and authority at the Father’s right hand.  Which we as the Church were seated with Him in the heavenlies realm to rule His Kingdom.

There is Power is in His Name. The Name of Jesus has Power.  What kind of power is resident in His name see Acts 4:12
           
Bring yourself to Jesus and lay yourself at His feet. Look upward in faith and let the Holy Spirit reveal to you the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 Let the Holy Spirit illuminate your soul and fill you with light so that you can see with the eyes of your heart.

Let God take the veil away from our hearts.  He will take the scales away from our eyes, and we will find that holy rest and peace in Jesus.  Let us ask for the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation.
 
Let the Power of God and His anointing comes upon us so great that we can release it out to change lives and touch others for Christ. May the Gracious Lord Bless All of You Saints of Grace!

CALEB THE MAN OF FAITH

TEXT: JOSHUA  14:5-14

INTRO: The men of the Bible have generally one trait in their character which is more prominent than another.  Moses is the man of meekness; Abraham, the man of separation; David, the man of courage; Joseph, the man of purity; John the man of love; Peter the man of zeal; and Caleb, the man of faith.

Let me shall share with you a sixfold aspect of faith as brought out in Caleb’s life.

1)    CLAIM OF FAITH  vs 6.
Faith’s claim is always based on God’s promise. Joshua 14:6 says “The thing the Lord said concerning me,” is ever the language of faith. Faith has nothing to say about itself, other than “The Lord says.”
      a)  What the Lord says about us believers in His Word. Quote some.
b)    What we are in the Lord. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.

2)    CONSECRATION OF FAITH   vs.  8.
Caleb said.“I fulfilled after the Lord.”  Caleb’s devotion in following the Lord fully is noted in Deut. 1:36;. Joshua  14:8,9,14.  Faith’s consecration is summed up in one word –“Obedience.”

3)    CONFESSION OF FAITH  vs. 10
“The Lord hath kept me,” – is the glad confession of faith. Caleb had kept himself in the Lord’s keeping by his whole heartedness and he can proclaim what the Lord had done for him.

4)  COURAGE OF FAITH   vs. 11
      Caleb said, “Í am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as 
       vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.” Caleb feels that he is still able to go to war for his strength is great. The secret of courage in the Christian life for warfare and witnessing is found in walking with the Lord. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.
5)    CONFIDENCE OF FAITH  vs. 12
“The Lord was with me”   The presence of Jehovah was Caleb’s joy.  He felt he could do anything, be anything, and go anywhere if only the Lord was with him. If the Lord is with you victory is sure, our faith is bold and comforted.

  6)   COMPENSATION OF FAITH  Vs.  13,14.

CONCLUSION: Without Faith it is impossible to please God, he that comes to God must believe HE IS and HE is a Rewarder to those who diligently SEEK HIM.

Anonymous Writer

Jesus Loves Me Childrens Song

Father's Love Letter, HQ

REVELATION OF JESUS LOVE

Our Text taken from Ephesians 3:14 to 19

Here Paul was emphasizing on the love of Christ.  Paul was not praying for the love for God – he prayed for the Revelation of God’s love upon the Christians there.  As a result, that they would be “filled with all the fullness of God.”  This includes His blessings, peace, joy, love and divine character, etc… 

Yes, unless we realize how much God love us not only good things happen to us – the floodgate of His blessings will open wide.  And all kinds of good things begin to happen around you.  Salvation of your family will happen, miracles will happen, things that never happen will happen.

First John 4:16-18   points out that we should be conscious of God's love. It needs to be more than just a biblical fact for us…we need to experience it daily.

Keep a record of what God has done for you and you will be conscious of His Gracious Love. This process will help you to become more conscious of His love.  You find out that the love of God is the cure for  insecurity. It’s a cure for the hurts and broken- heart.  It consoles and soothes the mind, soul and spirit.

God’s love is non judgmental.  It is personable. 

 It relates to everything and situations in life. God’s 

 love is sacrificial and unconditional and it is beneficial

 to all. We can get drunk in the love of God. 

 David says, “your loving kindness is better than life,” 

 Song of Solomon says, “your love to me is better

 than wine.”  It is an intoxicated love.

God wants us to wake up to eat, enjoy and to breathe his love daily.  He says, “I love you with an everlasting love”.  God says, “My love for you is very real and personal and you will be intoxicated with my love.”

Jude 21 – says give instruction to believers at the end times – “Keep yourself in the love of God”. Keep yourself in the conscious enjoyment of God’s love for you. That’s why John can write his epistle for us today.  How many knows that God love all of us? But not all of us could enjoy that love or aware of that love for us.  Our growth in God are growth in that love, we don’t grow in getting God love us more but in understanding how much God love us – we grow up and rooted and grounded in His love.  The more you experience His love the more you will grow as a Christian.

I John 4:16 – “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love and he that dwell (abides) in love, dwells (abides) in God and God in him.”

It is one thing to know and another to believe the love that God has for us. As we know God’s love we see boldness and faith arises and releases in us daily.

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.  (I Corinthians 13:13)

Most commentators have supposed that Paul is speaking here only of this life, and that he means to say that in this life these three exist; that "faith, hope, and charity exist in this scene "only," but that in the future world faith and hope will be done away, and therefore the greatest of these is LOVE". The Love of Christ is eternal and forever and ever.

NINE DIFFERENT WORDS

HOW CAN WE BLESS ONE ANOTHER UNLESS WORDS COMES OUT OF OUR MOUTH.  OUR WORDS ARE POWERFUL AND THEREFORE GOD WANTS TO RELEASE IT THROUGH OUR ANOINTED MOUTH. 
BELOW ARE SOME 9 DIFFERENT WORDS FOR US.
 
1.     WORD OF EXHORTATION
And after the reading of the law & the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”  Acts 13:15

To the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak.  I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.  Now this I do for the gospel’s sake.  I Corinthians 9:22-23

And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.  Hebrew 13:22

2.    WORD OF RECONCILIATION
That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.  Now then, we are ambassador for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.  II Corinthians 5:19-20

Leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way.  First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 
Matthew 5:24

3.    WORD OF PROPHECY
(II PETER 1:19; REVELATION 19:10)

4.    WORD OF WISDOM  
(I CORINTHIANS 12:8)

5.    WORD OF KNOWLEDGE 
(I CORINTHIANS 12:8)

6.    WORD OF PATIENCE 
 (REVELATION 3:10)

7.    WORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS 
(HEBREW 5:13-14)

8.    WORD OF TRUTH 
(II CORINTHIANS 6:7; EPHESIANS 1:13)

9.    WORD OF FAITH 
 (ROMAN 10:8)

Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.”  - Jeremiah 1:9

“Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”
 - Jeremiah 23:29