We began our series in Ephesians last week talking about the first part of chapter one. This passage of Ephesians described the foundation of our salvation in Christ. Let’s read the latter part of chapter one today and focus on why Paul could prayed for the Church the way he did.

This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the perception of your mind may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength. He demonstrated this power in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens — far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put everything under His feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of the One who fills all things in every way. (Ephesians 1:15-23)

The words “this is why” tell us that what he had just talked about earlier is the reason he would now talk so highly and pray for these people. Paul now prayed that his readers might know God personally and intimately. Verses 15-23 are one sentence in the Greek, as are verses 3-14.

Paul heard of the Ephesians' faith in Christ, their vertical relationship, and their love for all the saints, their horizontal relationship (cf. Colossians. 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:3). A proper relationship with God should lead to a proper relationship with other Christians. Interestingly Paul wrote about "love with faith" in Ephesians 6:23.

Paul prayed for this church’s understanding in three things: We can claim this same prayer Paul had for this church for our church today. He prayed…

That we will have an understanding of our Hope in Christ (V18)

A believers Hope begins at salvation

And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified. (Romans 8:30)

He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. (2 Timothy 1:9)

This Hope is the total confidence of victory in God

And not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits —we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. Now in this hope we were saved, yet hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? (Romans 8:23-24)

Our Hope is built on the promises which are ours in Christ. We need to know our spiritual future is based on the promises of God and find strength and courage in that hope to live in the present. To understand and accept that hope in present living requires spiritual progress.

That we will have an understanding of Christ Inheritance in us and we in Him (V18)

The Believers inheritance is the final redemption from the presence of sin (V14)

Nothing profane will ever enter it: no one who does what is vile or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:27)

God’s Inheritance is the saints themselves

I pray that the perception of your mind may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, (V18)

It is tempting to focus on our present need. But Paul challenges us to focus on what God has promised. These riches may refer to our present spiritual riches in Christ in being freed from sin and made ready for fellowship with God. They may also refer to our heavenly possession of the riches and glories of God. It's likely both aspects are meant. These riches are part of our inheritance.

That we will have and understanding of God’s power in Christ (V19)

Paul describes three manifestations that are seen in Christ.

He prays that we might be enlightened to understand the scale of God’s Power. This power is directed toward believers in bringing us our salvation. The first is the energetic power which was exercised in Christ when God raised Him from the dead and when He was seated at the right hand in heaven.

The second manifestation is seen in God placing all things under Christ’s feet. Adam lost his headship over creation when he sinned, but Christ was made Head over all creation (Ephesians 1:10). We will see this in its full reality in the future (1 Corinthians 15:26-28).

The last manifestation is seen in God’s appointment of Christ as Head over the Church. Although Christ being head over all creation will be seen completely in the future, He is at the present the Head over the fellowship of believers.