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Spiritual Wisdom
(Ephesians 1:15-23)
Yearly Theme: “Kindness is… Appreciative”
Series Title: “Thankful Kindness”
November 12th, 2023

Something to think about:

Omar Bradley, one of the Generals in World War II went to World War I and he remembered it as a young man. He served in the U.S. Army and became a General. He led one of the largest armies in history during World War II. He spoke at Armistice Day in Boston, Massachusetts in 1948. He said,

“With the monstrous weapons man already has, humanity is in danger of being trapped in this world by its moral adolescents. Our knowledge of science has clearly outstripped our capacity to control it. We have many men of science; too few men of God. We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount. Man is stumbling blindly through a spiritual darkness while toying with the secrets of life and death. The world has achieved brilliance without wisdom, and power without conscience. Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living.”

Wisdom is our topic for discussion today. However, not just wisdom, but spiritual wisdom. There is “wisdom,” and there is “spiritual wisdom.” The difference between the two isn’t clear on the surface, but the significance of that difference carries with it the weight of eternity. Wisdom is clarity of understanding and knowledge of that which is true and right, and it is also the ability to make proper judgments based on that knowledge. Spiritual Wisdom goes further in that, the Source of understanding and knowledge is GOD and His Word.

It is spiritual wisdom that Paul desires for the Church at Ephesus to have, and it's to that letter we turn this morning:

The spiritual wisdom that Paul mentions in this passage is pneuma sophia in Greek and is something akin to divine wisdom given from GOD’s Spirit to the human spirit as a direct result of the pursuit of GOD through faith in Christ.

Here’s the point…

Key Point: “Strong faith comes through wisdom and understanding of the greatness of GOD.”

What is it that Paul desires for the Ephesians to learn from spiritual wisdom? Let’s take a look:

· ______ in the _________ of GOD.

Ephesians 1:16-17 (NLT), 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

· ______ flooded in _____.

Ephesians 1:18 (NLT), I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

· __________ the greatness of GOD’s _____ for us who believe in Him.

Ephesians 1:19-20 (NLT), 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Something to take home:

Now more than ever in our lifetime, we must seek spiritual wisdom from GOD. All other knowledge and wisdom pales in comparison to this. We need eternal insight beyond our own intellect to help us understand what is most important in this life. We need GOD’s divine touch and insight to see that there is hope beyond our current circumstances. We need steady men and women of faith whose Source of strength is found in the stability of Christ who because of the joy awaiting Him, endured the cross, disregarding its shame. There is no wisdom as important as the wisdom that comes from GOD, and we fool ourselves to think otherwise. Seek GOD while He may be found; seek Him with everything you have and all that you are!

Key Point: “Strong faith comes through wisdom and understanding of the greatness of GOD.”

When you pray, what consumes your prayers? What do you pray most for yourself & others?

What’s the focus of Paul’s prayers? What’s the connection for Paul between wisdom, understanding, and a close relationship with God?

In verses 18-19, he lists a number of things he prays for them to know. What are they, and why do you think he prays for those things?

The same power that is at work in God’s people now is the same power that did something remarkable in history (v.20-23). What is that power? Do you believe that?

What does it mean for Jesus to fill everything in every way? (v.23)


If you believe that God’s intention towards you is good, what does that do to how you listen to him / follow him?

Some pull away from God when they’re struggling with sin. How does understanding his grace help us to do the opposite?

How do we encourage each other not merely to know about God, but to know God / draw near to Him?

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