WEBVTT

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 Reading in Ephesians chapter 1, we can read again at verse 16.

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 We read these words, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,

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 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of

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 revelation and the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know

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 what is the hope to which he has called you, and so on. The psalms that we've sung together already

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 this evening, there were words that came up in them that give a sense of how we are to approach God.

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 Psalm 135 spoke of coming to him, even in the midst of a world that was full of idols, coming to him

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 with a sense of praise. Praise the Lord was words that kept ringing in that psalm. Psalm 62, as mentioned,

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 there was the word expectation, the idea of coming to God in worship and praise with that sense of

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 expectation. And in the psalm we've just sung there, Psalm 122, well-known words, we have these words of

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 approaching God in worship with a sense of joy. I joyed when to the house of God go up, they said to me,

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 there's joy and there's a prayer for peace. And as we approach this weekend, where we come to remember

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 the Lord's death, as we share in the communion weekend, we ask ourselves, how are we approaching it?

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 How is it that we are coming to this time? Do we have that sense of praise that Psalm 135 spoke of?

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 Do we come with a sense of expectation, as we sang off in Psalm 62? Do we come with a sense of joy,

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 as Psalm 122 spoke of? Well, as we come to this weekend, we should come prayerfully. And as we've

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 heard the men pray already, with that sense of wonder and amazement at what God has done for us,

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 and at what we come to remember as a people. How God, in all his enormity and his majesty,

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 came down to us, sinners as we are, and gave his own son, that we might find life through him.

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 Well, as Paul writes to the church at Ephesus, he's writing to a church there that was a people

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 gathered in God's name, who were seeking to realize who God was more and more.

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 And he's filled with this desire for them. You see that, you know, in this first chapter,

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 how in verse 15, he speaks of having heard about their faith and your love towards all the saints.

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 I do not cease to give thanks for you. He's heard about their faith, their love, and he does not cease

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 to give thanks for them in his prayers. But what is his prayer for them? Well, as Paul writes to the

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 church at Ephesus here, as you see in verse 3 to verse 14, there's one long sentence there in the

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 original. It just goes on, and it's like Paul is pouring out his heart to the church at Ephesus about

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 the wonder and the glory and majesty of God. There's a great sense of praise, as Paul describes

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 all that God has done for his people through Jesus Christ, how he has blessed them, how he has blessed

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 us in so many ways. You read there in verse 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he blessed

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 us in the beloved, his own son. The mystery that was made known of his will, the plan that came to

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 fruition in the fullness of time, everything that God was working together, and the wonder of it,

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 the amazement of it, Paul is pouring out that to them, that they would be filled with a sense of

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 wonder and awe and praise towards God. And as we come this weekend, that is what we come with as well,

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 to know more of him. That's what Paul goes on to pray for them then in verse 15 down to verse 23,

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 and especially as you read there in verse 17, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father

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 of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, that we would

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 know him. After telling the Ephesians of the wonder, the amazement of God, of all that he has done for

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 them, for those reason, he says in verse 15, a phrase that shows Paul wants to help them understand

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 even more of the things that he has already given to them, that he wants them to understand in the

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 light of all the blessings that flow from God. He wants them to know more and more of this.

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 He wants them to know in order that they can show.

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 And as we approach this weekend too, that should be our longing and our desire, to know more of him.

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 Not to focus on ourselves, not to focus even on the world around us, but for that time, for a special time,

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 to be focused on him and to know more of him and the hope to which he has called us, the great riches

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 of his glorious inheritance in the saints. And so there's two things I want us to think about from

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 this passage this evening, two things as we approach this weekend. The first is this, to have a greater

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 knowledge of him. And then secondly, a greater knowledge of the hope that he offers.

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 So firstly, a greater knowledge of him. Anything we want to do for the Lord, we do it prayerfully.

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 Because we know in prayer, we are acknowledging our dependence on him.

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 And so we often ask ourselves, what should we pray? And how should we pray? Our prayers will have

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 different elements to them. Our prayers will have various aspects to them. That's the way the Bible

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 teaches us to pray. We learn simply from a very young age how we are to pray. The word joy is broken

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 down into three words. You pray first to Jesus, then for others, then yourself. There's all kinds

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 of ways that we pray. But the first priority in prayer. And the first thing that we look to

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 in prayer before we seek to do anything for the Lord, before we seek to go on in any of the work

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 we're involved in, whether it's our evangelism, an outreach, whatever we are doing for the Lord,

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 even before we invite anyone along to church, it should always be to seek to know him ourselves.

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 To know him better. Because how can we explain to others the wonder, the beauty of God,

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 if we don't know it for ourselves?

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 God bless you.

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 It reminds me of the announcement on the aeroplane when you're sitting before takeoff and the safety

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 announcement comes on. And it speaks about when the air supply fails and the masks drop down,

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 before you help anyone else, put on your own face mask first.

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 Because if you don't have your face mask on, you're not going to be able to help others.

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 The oxygen is going to be starved from you. And so we think of that ourselves and our knowledge of God.

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 If we're not feeding ourselves, if we're not hungering and thirsting for God more and more,

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 how are we going to be able to help others?

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 If our faith is weak, if we ourselves are weak, how are we going to help others?

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 And so Paul's prayer here for the church at Ephesus is that as they go on in their faith,

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 that the priority is that they know more of him.

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 And as we approach this weekend and as we approach the Lord's Supper, how are you coming?

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 Are you coming spiritually tired or spiritually vibrant?

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 Have you been giving of yourself to the extent you feel like you're running on empty?

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 Or are you feeling full?

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 All of us will come with a fuel gauge at different levels.

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 But we'll all come, or we should all come, seeking to know him.

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 And to be filled up with this knowledge of him.

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 To be filled up with a sense of praise towards him.

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 To be filled up with this expectation of him and this joy towards him.

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 To know him more.

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 The shorter cataxe, when it speaks about the Lord's Supper, it says this.

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 Towards the end of the question, it says that as we come, we come by faith.

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 And as we do, we are made partakers of his body and blood.

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 With all his benefits.

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 To the spiritual nourishment and growth in grace.

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 That is purpose in coming to the Lord's Supper.

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 To do this in remembrance of him.

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 And for our good, for spiritual nourishment and growth in grace.

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 So the more we know him and see him and marvel at him, the more then we go on in his strength.

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 That's what Paul prays here in verse 17.

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 It's the starting point for this weekend.

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 To have this desire to know him.

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 And it's something that Jesus himself prayed for us too.

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 Jesus' prayer for his people in John 17 is a prayer that prays in this way too.

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 That we would know him.

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 And this is eternal life, it says in verse 3 of that chapter.

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 That they know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

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 That we know him more.

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 What is the greatest threat facing the church today?

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 When we look around ourselves, we might see many things that we see as a threat towards the church.

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 We speak of different things.

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 And we might have different answers.

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 It may be other religions.

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 It may be secularism.

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 It may be materialism.

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 It may be political powers that have no fear of God.

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 There are so many answers that we could give.

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 What is the greatest threat facing the church today?

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 Someone once gave this answer though.

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 The biggest threat is an inadequate, anemic, impoverished knowledge of God in the church of Jesus Christ.

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 The greatest threat facing the church is not always out there.

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 It's in here.

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 It's in our own hearts.

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 An inadequate, anemic, impoverished knowledge of God in the church of Jesus Christ.

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 And when you think of what you read in this passage, the spiritual blessings in Christ that Paul has shown to the church at Ephesus.

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 And the people there and to ourselves of all that God has done for us through Jesus Christ.

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 How can we not long to know him better?

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 Martin Lloyd-Jones, in preaching on this passage, he said,

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 Our supreme need is to know God.

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 And as you read the letter to the Ephesians, we see it's a subject dominating it.

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 This knowledge of God, what people were thinking about, what they were speaking about, and it continues through all generations.

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 People either seeking to know God or turning away from God.

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 It's Satan's great ploy that we will think that he cannot be known.

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 That he's not real.

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 But God reveals to us through himself and through his word that he can be known.

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 And if you have come to know him through faith in Jesus Christ, if you've come to know God, do you not long to know more and more of him?

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 When you think of Paul himself, as he wrote later to the church at Philippi,

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 In that letter he writes about his own knowledge of God after many years as a follower of Christ.

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 And he says that in all that he's experienced, in all that he's done, he has not yet attained the knowledge of Christ that he should have.

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 He doesn't know it yet.

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 But he says, but he's pressing on towards that goal.

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 In Philippians 3, verse 8 to 14, you read that section.

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 Paul doesn't know him as he should, but he's pressing on.

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 And so that's the way we should be as well.

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 Even though we may go on many years, we still not know him in his fullness.

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 There's so much to be known, so much of the riches of his grace that we still cannot fully understand or comprehend.

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 But we still long to know him more.

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 That's what Paul's prayer shows us here.

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 But are we praying to him with a sense of praise and delight in who he is?

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 Are we praying with a sense of expectation as to what God can do in our midst?

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 For us and for many more throughout our communities, throughout this world that belongs to him.

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 Do we have a sense of expectation?

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 Do we have a sense of joy as we approach this weekend?

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 Coming in to the Lord's house.

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 Coming to be with his people.

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 Coming to remember his death.

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 Prayerfully praying that the peace of God will surround us.

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 That we will know the blessing of his presence with us.

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 That we will know him more.

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 That that would be our desire first and foremost.

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 To know him more.

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 The second thing we see here too is a greater knowledge of hope.

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 A greater knowledge of the hope that we have in Christ.

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 In verse 18.

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 Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened.

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 That you may know what is the hope to which he has called you.

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 The more we know him.

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 The more we realize and see the hope that there is in him.

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 And the more that we see the hope that is in him.

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 The more we long for others to see the hope that there is with him too.

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 That's the prayer that Paul has here for the church at Ephesus.

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 Not that they should keep this to themselves.

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 But that they would know this hope.

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 The inheritance that they have.

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 The immeasurable greatness of his power towards us.

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 Who believe all of these things.

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 He is praying not to keep to themselves.

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 But to share with others.

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 So as we come to the Lord's Supper this weekend.

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 As we come to this communion weekend.

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 With this hope to know him more.

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 But this hope that we have to share as well.

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 That we should be nourished.

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 And refreshed through God's word.

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 To go and share it with others.

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 That our tanks that are maybe starting to run on empty.

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 Be filled.

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 So we go on in his strength.

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 And his power.

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 How well do you know people?

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 There will be some people you know very well.

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 And have known for a very long time.

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 But there's other people you just meet.

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 You haven't known them a very long time.

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 And you don't know them.

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 You don't know their past.

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 You don't know their future.

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 But when you look at what Paul is praying for the people here.

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 And to know him.

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 To know the Lord.

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 It's to know him in his fullness.

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 To fully understand Jesus.

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 Past.

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 Present.

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 And future.

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 Because it's in this knowledge.

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 You'll be able to share him more clearly.

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 The more you know what he has done.

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 As we look back.

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 And see.

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 How God gave his son into this world.

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 The more we see.

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 How Christ died on the cross.

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 For sinners.

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 The more we see that.

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 Even from the very foundations of time.

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 That he was the one who had planned all things out.

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 That there's this past.

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 And you see there's this present.

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 That we come in his presence tonight.

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 That we come to meet with him.

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 And that he speaks too of a future.

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 There's this inheritance.

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 Glorious inheritance.

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 That speaks of.

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 That we have to look forward to.

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 So he prays too.

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 That we would have more knowledge of this.

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 Having your eyes and hearts enlightened.

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 That you may know what is the hope.

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 And another part of Ephesians.

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 Just later on.

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 In chapter 4 verse 18.

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 It speaks there about that.

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 There are those who are darkened in their understanding.

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 Alienated from the life of God.

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 Because of the ignorance that is in them.

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 Due to their hardness of heart.

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 They don't know him.

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 And so Paul's prayer for them is.

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 Having your eyes and your hearts enlightened.

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 Opened to the knowledge of who he is.

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 And the hope that he offers.

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 There is great hope in him.

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 And we see this hope.

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 The hope of his calling.

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 Which is what God has done for us.

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 The wonder of salvation.

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 The wonder that Christ died for me on that cross.

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 And the hope that he has purchased for his people.

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 The love of God as Romans speaks of.

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 But God shows his love for us.

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 And that while we were still sinners.

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 Christ died for us.

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 And yet the invitation goes out.

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 It goes out to all to come.

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 And see the wonder of this saviour.

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 To come and taste of the glorious riches of Christ yourself.

00:20:58.079 --> 00:21:01.919
 To come and know him.

00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:08.559
 So that is Paul's great desire for the church at Ephesus here.

00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:13.220
 But it always gives us a warning.

00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:17.879
 Even as he spoke of those in chapter 4 verse 18.

00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:20.659
 Who were darkened in their understanding.

00:21:21.639 --> 00:21:24.439
 Later on in the book of Revelation.

00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:28.740
 There is a warning given to the church at Ephesus.

00:21:29.900 --> 00:21:32.559
 And it speaks there of the fact.

00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:36.000
 That in all the good deeds that they are doing.

00:21:36.860 --> 00:21:41.160
 In all that he sees of their active service for the Lord.

00:21:41.840 --> 00:21:42.759
 He says this.

00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:45.500
 You have left your first love.

00:21:47.320 --> 00:21:49.860
 They have forgotten what it is about.

00:21:49.859 --> 00:21:54.879
 And there is always that danger for ourselves.

00:21:55.699 --> 00:21:58.479
 That we lose sight of the Lord.

00:21:58.559 --> 00:22:00.740
 And all that we are doing for him.

00:22:01.859 --> 00:22:04.779
 And that is the prayer that Paul has here.

00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:07.740
 To guard against these very things.

00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:10.679
 So that even we ourselves today.

00:22:11.139 --> 00:22:14.379
 We would not abandon our first love.

00:22:14.419 --> 00:22:15.279
 As they did.

00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:20.259
 But that instead we would go on seeking him.

00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:22.119
 To know him.

00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:26.299
 And to continue having the eyes of our hearts enlightened.

00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:29.019
 To know the hope to which he has called.

00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:34.440
 To keep our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus.

00:22:36.119 --> 00:22:38.440
 That is what we are called to do.

00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:40.119
 Day by day.

00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:41.460
 Week by week.

00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:42.779
 Month by month.

00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:46.420
 That we will go on longing to know more of him.

00:22:47.039 --> 00:22:49.200
 And longing to have this hope.

00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:51.059
 That is found in him.

00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:55.839
 In order to share that hope with others.

00:22:57.359 --> 00:22:59.000
 Do you know him?

00:23:00.180 --> 00:23:03.420
 And do you long to know him more?

00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:07.920
 Do you have that sense of praise?

00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:10.940
 As we come to this communion weekend.

00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:14.000
 Do you have that sense of expectation?

00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:17.299
 As you come to this communion weekend.

00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:20.140
 Do you have that sense of joy?

00:23:20.580 --> 00:23:23.720
 As you come to this communion weekend.

00:23:24.580 --> 00:23:26.440
 There are so many things.

00:23:26.840 --> 00:23:28.559
 That will discourage us.

00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:31.320
 But our greatest encouragement.

00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:35.019
 Is found in the love of God towards us.

00:23:35.620 --> 00:23:37.299
 That he gave his son.

00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:39.420
 Who gives us hope.

00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:42.440
 And we look to him.

00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:45.920
 During the Second World War.

00:23:46.560 --> 00:23:49.259
 There was an American troop ship.

00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:54.500
 That was carrying 7,000 Marines across the Pacific.

00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:57.620
 There was one evening on board.

00:23:58.019 --> 00:24:01.039
 When seven Christians were out on deck.

00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:02.680
 Towards the aft end.

00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.440
 The back end.

00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:04.740
 Of the ship.

00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:08.819
 They'd gathered together for a time of praise.

00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:09.640
 And prayer.

00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:11.480
 Just seven of them.

00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:14.240
 And they were there together.

00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:17.059
 And the many other Marines on board.

00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.539
 Were coming and passing by.

00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:20.460
 Seeing what they were up to.

00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:22.980
 But as soon as they heard that they were praising God.

00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:24.460
 And praying to him.

00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:25.980
 They turned away.

00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:28.579
 Many of them just with a sense.

00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.740
 Of mocking.

00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:33.900
 But there was one young man.

00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:34.740
 Who heard them.

00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:36.700
 And he hung around.

00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:39.120
 And towards.

00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.099
 The end.

00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:41.620
 When many of the people had moved away.

00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.519
 He came up to them.

00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:44.319
 And started to speak to them.

00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:46.180
 And initially just asked them.

00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:47.700
 Do you have a light for a cigarette?

00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.160
 They said.

00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:50.420
 No.

00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:51.559
 We don't.

00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:53.099
 They couldn't help with this.

00:24:53.099 --> 00:24:56.259
 But that was really just a way in for him.

00:24:57.079 --> 00:24:58.980
 What he wanted to know was more.

00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:01.019
 Of what they were talking about.

00:25:01.839 --> 00:25:03.039
 And they realized that.

00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:04.679
 And they started speaking to him.

00:25:05.099 --> 00:25:06.299
 About their Savior.

00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:08.879
 And the love of Christ.

00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:10.679
 That he had shown to them.

00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:12.959
 And the Lord.

00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:15.740
 Melted that young man's heart.

00:25:16.679 --> 00:25:17.679
 And there.

00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:19.619
 In that time together.

00:25:19.619 --> 00:25:20.639
 He broke down.

00:25:20.919 --> 00:25:22.359
 In tears of repentance.

00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:25.039
 And they prayed.

00:25:25.399 --> 00:25:25.919
 With him.

00:25:26.939 --> 00:25:29.500
 In the midst of all that was going on.

00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:31.219
 In the world then.

00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:33.919
 In the midst of all that was going on.

00:25:33.959 --> 00:25:34.579
 On this ship.

00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:36.939
 With thousands of other troops.

00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:38.240
 Who were mocking and laughing.

00:25:39.219 --> 00:25:40.319
 There was this one.

00:25:40.679 --> 00:25:42.119
 Who came to faith.

00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:43.119
 In Christ.

00:25:44.379 --> 00:25:45.980
 The meeting ended.

00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:48.759
 With not seven singing praise.

00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.579
 But eight.

00:25:50.579 --> 00:25:53.099
 And they sang a hymn.

00:25:53.159 --> 00:25:54.019
 As they closed.

00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:56.039
 Thank you Lord.

00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:57.699
 For saving my soul.

00:25:58.439 --> 00:25:59.299
 Thank you Lord.

00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:01.259
 For making me whole.

00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:02.679
 Thank you Lord.

00:26:02.899 --> 00:26:04.039
 For giving to me.

00:26:04.599 --> 00:26:05.960
 Thy great salvation.

00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:07.419
 So rich.

00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.480
 And free.

00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:10.779
 One soul.

00:26:11.139 --> 00:26:12.919
 Came to praise God.

00:26:13.139 --> 00:26:13.839
 That night.

00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:14.960
 In the midst.

00:26:15.419 --> 00:26:16.659
 Of seven thousand.

00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:19.279
 And you think of the size.

00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:20.279
 Of our town.

00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:22.460
 It's a similar number.

00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.380
 The population.

00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:23.840
 Here.

00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:25.019
 About seven thousand.

00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:27.720
 But wouldn't it be wonderful.

00:26:28.360 --> 00:26:29.640
 If even this weekend.

00:26:29.820 --> 00:26:31.580
 One soul came.

00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:33.360
 There would be reason.

00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.759
 For rejoicing.

00:26:35.360 --> 00:26:36.940
 To sing to God.

00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.940
 With praise.

00:26:38.620 --> 00:26:39.820
 To look to him.

00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:41.100
 With expectation.

00:26:41.100 --> 00:26:42.180
 To come.

00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:43.160
 To him.

00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:43.960
 With joy.

00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:44.320
 Saying.

00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:45.399
 Thank you Lord.

00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:47.119
 For giving to me.

00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:49.240
 Thy great salvation.

00:26:49.919 --> 00:26:50.759
 So rich.

00:26:51.339 --> 00:26:51.919
 And free.

00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:53.960
 Let us come.

00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:55.819
 Seeking to know.

00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:57.379
 More of him.

00:26:58.279 --> 00:27:00.000
 With a great expectation.

00:27:00.179 --> 00:27:00.839
 That God.

00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:01.779
 Can day.

00:27:01.939 --> 00:27:03.319
 Do great things.

00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:05.200
 And that he would give us.

00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:06.799
 A sense of joy.

00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:08.460
 In the midst.

00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:10.000
 Of all that goes on.

00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.119
 Word.

00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.000
 Sacrament.

00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:12.879
 Fellowship.

00:27:13.399 --> 00:27:13.779
 Prayer.

00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:15.299
 All that we do.

00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:18.240
 May he be in our midst.

00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:20.200
 And may he bless.

00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:22.359
 We'll close.

00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.019
 By singing.

00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.619
 To God's praise.

00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.519
 A psalm.

00:27:26.180 --> 00:27:26.819
 A prayer.

00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:29.399
 That seeks the blessing of God.

00:27:29.399 --> 00:27:30.559
 Psalm 67.

00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:31.960
 The first version.

00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:33.420
 Of the.

00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:34.160
 Psalm 67.