Anteriormente estuvimos considerando algunos aspectos sobre el plan eterno de Dios.

Este pan tiene que ver con el hecho que Dios nos ha escogido, nos ha redimido, nos ha
perdonada para estar delante de su presencia. Esto significa que Dios nos ha colmado de
bendiciones en Cristo Jesús. Quiero que veamos en esta mañana la oración de Pablo en
estos versículos. Pablo invertía gran parte de su tiempo en la oración. De hecho la vida
de oración de Pablo ocupa un lugar muy importante en sus cartas. Nos habla mucho de
la vida de oración de pablo. Así que hay muchas cosas que podemos aprender de las
oraciones hechas por Pablo. Hoy vamos a considerar una de estas oraciones, que se
encuentra precisamente en los vs. 13 y 14 del capítulo 1 de Efesios.

1. La motivación de esta oración. Vs. 15

Hay posiblemente dos motivaciones para que Pablo inviertiera tiempo significante en la
oración por los efesios.
There are actually two possible motivations for Paul to invest significant time to prayer
for the Ephesians. First we key in on “for this reason”. Either the phrase refers to
something he will immediately cite as a reason for the prayer or it touches on something
he mentioned earlier.
If he refers to what he has just previously been talking about, he prays because he wants
them to more deeply understand the wonder of the blessings his just detailed. If he looks
ahead, he prays because of this gratitude for the manifestation of genuine life change
among them.
having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all
the saints 1:15
Paul was thankful for the report of the Ephesians walk. That is perhaps the whole
purpose of writing the letter. Yes, there were issues i.e. lying, stealing, anger, negative
talk, relational breakdowns. But Paul chose to focus on the positive. Paul practiced his
own definition of love in 1 Cor 13 (look for the best minimize the worst). He was
impressed with their daily faith and trust in the Lord. Their daily trust in Jesus had
become obvious not only to Paul but to others as well (“I too”). He not only
acknowledged their daily trust in Jesus but their love for each other. The love of Jesus
was not just shown to select people but to “all the saints”.
“Saint” is a common and favorite name Paul uses to describe genuine followers of
Jesus.
It refers to those who are “holy ones, specially set apart for relationship”.
2. Actitud: Pablo oraba dando gracias. 1.16
Thoughts about the Ephesians inspired thanksgiving to God. Thanksgiving is frequently
coupled with prayer in the Bible. Paul’s thanksgiving was coupled with his petitions for
the Ephesians. I like this portrayal of prayer – “making mention”. Prayer for others is
making mention, talking to God about others. Satan gets nervous when we talk to men
about God but even more nervous when we talk to God about men.

3. La frecuencia. Pablo oraba continuamente. Constantemente 1:16

Not only did those thoughts inspire thanksgiving but continual thanksgiving.
“do not cease giving thanks”
The verb tenses plus the words indicate a continual practice. This is not the only place
Paul refers to the frequency his prayer. Rom 1:9; Phil 1:3-4; Col 1:3; 1 Thes 1:2;
Scripture calls all Christians to a regular prayer life.
"Pray without ceasing" 1 Thes 5:17
"Be devoted to prayer" Rom 12:12
"Pray at all times in the spirit with all perseverance for all the saints" Eph 6:18
“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.
” Col 4:2
Also Luke 18:1; 1 Pet 4:7

4. La petición. Un conocimiento más profundo de Dios 1:17

Paul offered a specific request with several parts. The core of his request is that the
people would come to a deeper knowledge of God.
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of
wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. Ephesians 1:17
The “making mention” had to do with a request for fuller knowledge of God. He asked
God to give them a “spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” He
earlier acknowledged the blessing of wisdom and knowledge offered by God. Here he
asks for a full assimilation of that knowledge. Even though this word used here is the
same word used for Holy Spirit, I don’t think he is asking that. They already had the
Holy Spirit. He is asking for a general breeze or wind of wisdom (applied knowledge)
and revelation (increased knowledge).

It has the meaning of “a disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of
anyone.”
We sometimes use the word “spirit” in this general sense. We mean a demeanor or
temperament that affects how we live our life. Spirit of arrogance, graceful spirit, gentle
spirit, youthful spirit. It is a reference to one’s nature. He is asking for greater
understanding concerning God’s person, purpose and presence.
Gal 6:1 refers to a “spirit of gentleness”.
Rom 815 refers to a “spirit of slavery”.
Paul asks God to give these believers a life disposition of wisdom and revelation
regarding the knowledge of God. It is similar to his request that the Colossians be filled
with the knowledge of God’s will. He used an intensified word for knowledge that
indicates a fuller understanding or discernment or recognition.
It refers to exact, complete, experiential knowledge, not just abstract knowledge of God
or even facts about Him
Similar requests appear all through the New Testament because it is the core of our
walk.
This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom
You have sent. John 17:3

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you
and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom
and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him
in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God
Colossians 1:9-10

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and
godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and
excellence. 2 Peter 1:2-3
The pattern is unmistakable. Such a knowledge was Paul’s ultimate passion (Phil 3:10).
How would people characterize our nature? Are we satisfied with what we know of God
or is there an internal drive to know more?

5. Details: He prayed for enlightened eyes 1:18-23

the eyes of your heart having been enlightened
This permeation of the knowledge of God is preceded by a Spirit generated
enlightening.
Although most translations break this into a new sentence it is connected to the previous
request by the use of a perfect tense participle (“
ing” word). The God-given spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him
comes about from an enlightening (the eyes of your heart having been enlightened.) The
heart was considered the core of our being.
God brings light to a dark heart. Later Paul talks about our transfer from darkness to
light.

Here he refers to an enlightening of our perceptions. This enlightening results in a

“spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. To enlighten is to illume,
make light, make to see. Paul used a perfect tense verb indicating an enlightening
happening in the past that continues into the future. There are three specific issues Paul
prays will become clear in their thinking. How do we know if we have been granted a
spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him? When an intuitive knowledge
of these three things directs our thinking and behaving. The enlightening results in
knowledge of these three things which in turn becomes our nature. The core of the
prayer is for a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
It happens through…
Enlightening of the eyes of our heart
Leading to a knowledge of His calling, His inheritance and His power
Resulting in a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him

Pablo se enfoca en tres cosas acerca de Dios; su llamado; su herencia y su poder

a. Coonocer la esperanza de su llamado

Quiere que conozcamos la esperanza que viene de conocer el mmanado de Dios. Esto
no es un cocepto difícil. Significa que Dios nos ha invitado hacia Él. Pero la
importancia de este llamado está en quién está llamando y sobre quien se hace este
llamado. La invitación de Dios es algo que debemos celebrar. Es el motivo de nuestra
celebración.

Summons to jury duty

Invitation to a job or promotion
A pastor is called into ministry or to a church
In this case it is a call from none other than the God of the universe. The New
Testament focus mostly on a special calling for a heavenly purpose.
There are three basic ideas communicated by this word call in the New Testament.
1. General calling or invitation extended to any who will respond.
2. More specific calling to eternal life and benefits
I Tim 6:12 "Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were
called"
Rom 8:28 All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are
called according to His purpose.
Rom 8:30 "whom he predestined, these He also called: and whom He called, these He
also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."
Rev 17:14 "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them,
because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the
called and chosen and faithful."
3. A call to a particular ministry.

Los beneficios del llamado de Dios

• Somos hijos del Dios vivo por este llamado
And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He
prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews
only, but also from among Gentiles. As He says also in Hosea, "I WILL CALL THOSE
WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, 'MY PEOPLE,' AND HER WHO WAS NOT
BELOVED, 'BELOVED.' " Romans 9:23-25
• Somos hechos santos por su llamado y no por nuestra conducta
To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ
Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every
place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: 1 Corinthians 1:2
• Participamos de la Gloria de Cristo por su llamado 1Ped 5:10
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to
His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
• Somos justificados y glorificados sobre la base de su llamado Rom 8:30
and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also
justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
• Tenemos la garantía de que todo obrará para nuestro bien por su llamado. Rom 8:28
• Tenemos la garantía, la seguridad de una herencia eternal. Heb 9:15
• Somos llamados a su reino y gloria. 1 Tes 2:12
• Tenemos esperanza a causa de su llamado Ef 1:18; 4:4
• Tenemos seguridad en su llamado. Rom 11:29; Heb 9:15; I Pe 5:10; 1 Tes. 5:24
El propósito de su llamado
* Somos llamados por Dios para vivir en compañerismo con su Hijo Jesús, nuestro
Señor. 1 Cor 1:9
Nuestra relación con Jesús es el resultado y el privilegio del llamado de Dios hacia
nosotros.
 Somos llamados para libertad. Gal 5:13
Somos hecho libres para vivir de acuerdo al deseo de Dios y no según nosotros.
Freedom to truly love others rather than manipulate for our own purposes
Caution to not turn our freedom into opportunity for selfishness of the flesh
* Llamados para vivir en unidad en el cuerpo de Cristo Col 3:15
* Llamados para santidad. 1Thes 4:7
* LLamados para ganar la Gloria de nuestro Señor Jesucristo 2Tes 2:14
* Llamados a vida eternal. 1Tim 6:12
* Llamados para proclamar las maravillas de Jesucristo. 1Ped 2:9
* Llamados para responder al sufrimiento como Jesús. 1 Ped 2:21
* Llamados para recibir bendición y para dar bendición. 1Pe 3:9
Paul wants us to contemplate and understand the significance of the fact that the God of
the universe called your number. What does contemplation of that fact inspire?
Response to our calling
• Para vivir como es digno de su llamado. Efesios 4:1. 1 Tes. 2:12
• Para imitar a nuestro padre Celestial. 1 Pedro 1:14-16

b. Conocer las riquezas de la Gloria de su herencia en los santos. Efesios 1:18

We addressed this wonderful fact earlier. God considers us a valuable and glorious
inheritance; a people for His own possession.

c. Conocer la extraordinaria grandeza de su poder y su fuerza para con nosotros.

Later Paul references a glorious power working “within us who believe”. Here it is a
power and might exercised “toward us”. God has manifested a spiritual power on our
behalf.
The following verses give us some idea of the kind of power He is talking about.
According to the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in
Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the
heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every
name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all
things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,
which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:19-23
Paul uses four terms for power. “Power”, “working”, “strength”, “might”.
The power that God directs into our life is the same power He directed toward His own
Son.
It is the power that raised Jesus from the dead – power over death.
It is the same power that raised Jesus to His right hand – Power over people and
governments
He rules over all authorityand people now and forever.
“And every name that is named” makes sure no one is left out he does not rule.
Military term to put under the command of
It is the same power that subjected everything to Jesus – power over creation.
It is the same power that made Jesus head over the church – energizing power (fills all
in all).

Paul prays that we understand the wonder, the surpassing greatness of the power that
God exhibited when He saved us and raised up. He details this glorious transformation
further in chapter 2 where we are made alive, raised up and seated with Christ in the
heavenlies; brought near, we energize one another.

I used to think this was power for living the Christian life here, but the context dictates
that we should view the power as the power exhibited to bring us out of death into life
and cause us to be heirs and joint heirs with Christ and rule and reign with Him and be
His light to a dying world. Later we see He also empowers daily living. Here it is
regeneration power; the power of the new birth. Paul wants us to understand and
contemplate what God did to get us where we are. Basically Paul wants the Ephesians to
understand the wonder of their salvation.
He outlined much of the blessing in 3-14; chosen, adopted, redeemed, forgiven,
enlightened, made His inheritance and sealed.

Then he was prompted to pray that God bring fuller understanding through the
enlightening of their heart to grasp the hope drawn from the fact of our calling,
understand the glory of being God’s special people and the greatness (surpassing)
greatness of God’s power toward us.