Living from Revelation into Manifestation
Primary Text: Ephesians 1:15–23; Ephesians 3:14–21 (KJV)
Theme:
God's desire is not merely to inform our minds but to transform our lives through the revelation of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit.
Introduction
The Apostle Paul prayed two of the greatest prayers ever recorded—not for wealth, protection, or even ministry success, but for spiritual revelation.
Before asking God to change their circumstances, Paul prayed that God would change their perception.
Many believers are trying to live the Christian life through education alone. Paul teaches that true Christianity begins with revelation.
As Jesus said,
Matthew 16:17 (KJV)
"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."
Everything begins with revelation.
I. Pray for Revelation Before Information
Ephesians 1:17-18
**"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling..."**
Paul does not pray for more information.
He prays for:
- Wisdom
- Revelation
- Enlightened eyes
- Experiential knowledge
Information Changes the Mind
Revelation Changes the Life
The Pharisees possessed enormous biblical information.
Yet they missed the Messiah.
Jesus said,
John 5:39-40 (KJV)
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."
The Scriptures are intended to lead us to Christ, not merely to increase our knowledge.
The Holy Spirit is our Teacher
Jesus promised:
John 16:13-14 (KJV)
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth...
He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you."
The Holy Spirit never reveals something contrary to Scripture; rather, He illumines the meaning of Scripture and glorifies Christ.
David prayed:
Psalm 119:18 (KJV)
"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."
The Bible becomes living when the Holy Spirit opens our spiritual eyes.
Paul likewise writes:
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (KJV)
"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..."
Application
Before opening your Bible, pray:
"Lord, don't merely let me read Your Word.
Let Your Word read me."
II. Live From Your Position in Christ
Ephesians 1:20-23
Paul declares Christ has been raised and seated:
"...Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named..."
Then he adds:
"...and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is his body..."
Where the Head is,
The Body belongs.
Our Position
Paul later says,
Ephesians 2:6 (KJV)
"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
Notice:
Not "will seat."
Not "might seat."
Already seated.
This is our spiritual position in union with Christ.
Because of this:
We do not fight for victory.
We fight from victory.
Paul writes,
Colossians 3:1-3 (KJV)
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above...
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
Living from our heavenly position produces:
Confidence
Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace..."
Humility
Because everything we have comes from Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:10 (KJV)
"But by the grace of God I am what I am..."
Obedience
Jesus said,
John 15:5 (KJV)
"I am the vine, ye are the branches... for without me ye can do nothing."
III. Let Christ Make His Home in Every Area of Life
Ephesians 3:17
"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith..."
The Greek word implies:
To permanently settle down.
To make Himself completely at home.
Many Christians invite Jesus into the living room.
But keep certain rooms locked.
Paul prays:
Give Him the whole house.
Jesus said,
John 14:23 (KJV)
"If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."
Christ desires lordship over:
Our thoughts
2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)
"Casting down imaginations... bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
Our words
Colossians 4:6 (KJV)
"Let your speech be alway with grace..."
Our body
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost...
Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
Our possessions
Proverbs 3:9 (KJV)
"Honour the LORD with thy substance..."
Application:
Ask:
Lord,
Is every room of my heart open to You?
IV. Grow Deeper in the Love of Christ
Ephesians 3:17-19
"...being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend... what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge..."
Love is both:
The root
The foundation
A tree without roots falls.
A building without foundation collapses.
Likewise,
Ministry without love eventually fails.
Jesus declared:
John 13:34-35 (KJV)
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another...
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples..."
Paul teaches,
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (KJV)
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass..."
Gifts impress people.
Love transforms people.
John reminds us,
1 John 4:19 (KJV)
"We love him, because he first loved us."
We do not manufacture God's love.
We respond to His love.
The more we know Christ,
the more we love Him.
The more we love Him,
the more we resemble Him.
V. Depend Upon God's Power Working Within You
Ephesians 3:20
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."
Notice carefully.
Not merely power around us.
Power within us.
Jesus promised,
Acts 1:8 (KJV)
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you..."
Paul explains,
Philippians 2:13 (KJV)
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
Likewise,
2 Corinthians 3:5-6 (KJV)
"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament... for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."
Even our weakness becomes God's opportunity.
Paul testified,
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (KJV)
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness...
For when I am weak, then am I strong."
Jesus concluded,
John 15:4-5 (KJV)
"Abide in me, and I in you...
for without me ye can do nothing."
The Christian life is not achieved by self-effort but by abiding in Christ and depending on the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion: Paul's Pattern for Spiritual Maturity
Paul's two prayers in Ephesians reveal the divine order of Christian growth:
- Revelation before information—Seek the Holy Spirit's illumination so that the written Word becomes living truth in your heart.
- Identity before activity—Live daily from your heavenly position in Christ, knowing that you are united with the risen and exalted Lord.
- Lordship before ministry—Allow Christ to dwell fully in every area of your life, holding nothing back from His rule.
- Love before labor—Be rooted and grounded in the immeasurable love of Christ, for love is the foundation of true spiritual maturity and fruitful ministry.
- Dependence before performance—Rely on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than human strength, for God's work is accomplished through God's power.
The revelation prayers of Ephesians invite every believer beyond mere religious knowledge into a deep, transforming relationship with Christ. As the eyes of our hearts are enlightened, we discover the hope of God's calling, the riches of His inheritance, the greatness of His resurrection power, and the fullness of His indwelling presence. Such a life glorifies Christ, strengthens His Church, and becomes a living testimony of God's eternal purpose in the world.
Closing Prayer
Ephesians 3:20–21 (KJV)
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
No comments:
Post a Comment