QT 14/02/2025 Fri. Ephesians 1:15–23. Pursuing faith, knowledge and spiritual transformation. 追求信心、知识和属灵的转变。

QT 14/02/2025 Fri. Ephesians 1:15–23. Pursuing faith, knowledge and spiritual transformation.
READ https://www.esv.org/Ephesians+1:15-23/

Check scope of thankfulness
What are the things that teachers can be thankful for regarding their students? What things parents can be thankful for when looking at their children? Paul gave thanks for seeing the Ephesus believers' faith in the LORD Jesus (1:15) and love toward all the saints (1:15). He continued to support the Ephesus church by praying for them, in particular, that their knowledge might increase (1:16–19).

REFLECTION: We heard from last week's message to go for the blessings that are real and eternal (想福。享福。) rather than myths and the temporal achievements. When we go to work today, or contemplate the best future for our children or next generation, do we intentionally look out for the eternally valuable qualities to give thanks for? Do we really hope that they excel or grow further these traits?

Ephesians 1:16–17 [16] I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, [17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, (ESV)

Invoke the help of God
Educational goals in various institutions in the world from ancient times till now would include "wisdom" and "knowledge" one way or another. But Paul pointed out that only God the Father can bestow spiritual wisdom of the desired kind. While many tuition and enrichment centres carry on the business of imparting information or knowledge that might be useful in future occupations in exchange for a fee, the spiritual wisdom to be sought have different processes and end goals.

Firstly, various worldviews attempt to detect the source of enlightenment. Some point to the source as the inner-self of humans activated by mysterious and exclusive knowledge ("You have to draw it out"). Others point to learning from nature and the created world plus vigorous meditation/labour of various kinds ("You have to observe and draw them in"). However, Paul taught that the source of wisdom is God Himself ("We are to humbly accept thankfully". See also 1:18).

Secondly, the functions of this type of wisdom is to know God—this is more than mere transmission of something about God to your brain's memory. This knowledge of God is not one-way, but a two-way relationship. God knows you well already. Is your knowledge and experience of Him also increasing daily? Is your experience of Him continually joyful and satisfying?

Do not be ignorant nor neglect the powers available at the believers' disposal

Ephesians 1:19–21 [19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might [20] that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. (ESV)

This power is great, as great as the power utilised to resurrect Christ from the powerful grasp of death. This power is not only available to operate on the believers to activate understanding, knowledge and wisdom in believers but also to mold their character and bring about the desired end goals.

REFLECTION: Would you pray for the more important outcomes of life first in your prayers for yourselves and others whom you care about? Would you hope for outcomes of spiritual education that are truly of value, lasting to eternity, one day at a time, starting today? Pursue faith, knowledge of God and spiritual transformation.

QT 14/02/2025 星期五. 以弗所书 1:15–23. 追求信心、知识和属灵的转变。
阅读 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians1:15-23&version=CUVS

检查感恩的范围
说到学生们，教师可以感恩的事情有哪些？父母在看待自己的孩子时，可以为哪些事情感恩？保罗因看到以弗所信徒对主耶稣的信心（1：15）和对众圣徒的爱（1：15）而感恩。他继续支持以弗所教会，为他们祷告，特别是使他们的知识得以增长（1：16-19）。

反思：我们从上周的信息中听到，要去追求真实的、永恒的福气（想福。享福。） 当我们今天去工作，或思考我们的孩子及下一代最美好的未来时，我们是否刻意去寻找永恒宝贵的品质来感恩。我们真的希望他们在这些品质上出类拔萃或进一步成长吗？

以弗所书 1:16-17 [16]  就不住地为你们献上感谢。我祷告的时候，常常提到你们，[17] 求我们主耶稣基督的　神，荣耀的父，赐给你们智慧和启示的灵，使你们充分地认识他，

祈求上帝的帮助
从古至今，世界上各种教育机构的教育目标都包含这样或那样的 “智慧 ”和 “知识”。但保罗指出，只有天父上帝才能赐予所需的属灵智慧。许多补习和进修中心的业务是传授对未来职业有用的信息或知识，以换取报酬，而所追求的属灵智慧则有不同的过程和最终目标。

首先，各种世界观都试图探寻启蒙的源头。一些人认为，启蒙的源泉是人类的内在自我被神秘而独特的知识激活（“你必须把它引出来”）。另一些人则认为，启蒙的源泉是向大自然和被造世界学习，再加上积极的冥想/各种劳动（“你必须观察并把它们吸引进来”）。然而，保罗教导说，智慧的源泉是上帝本身（“我们要谦卑以感恩的心接受”。也请阅 1:18）。

其次，这种智慧的功能是认识上帝--这不仅仅是把关于上帝的数据资料传递到大脑的记忆中。这种对上帝的认识不是单向的，而是双向的。上帝已经非常了解你。你对神的认识和体验是否也在与日俱增？你对祂的体验是否持续充满喜乐和满足？

不要无知，也不要忽视信徒可以使用的能力

《以弗所书》1：19-21 [19] 神照着他强大的力量，向我们信他的人显出的能力，是何等的浩大。20 这力量运行在基督身上，使他从死人中复活，并且在天上坐在自己的右边，21 远超过一切执政的、掌权的、有能的、作主的，和今生来世所能举出的一切名衔。

这种大能是伟大的，就像基督从死亡的强大掌控中复活时神所使用的大能一样伟大。这种力量不仅可以在信徒身上运行，激活信徒的理解力、知识和智慧，还可以塑造他们的性格，实现他们渴望的最终目标。

反思：在为自己和自己关心的人祷告时，你会首先为生命中更重要的结果祷告吗？你会希望从今天开始，一天一天地获得真正有价值的、永恒的属灵教育成果吗？ 请追求信心成长、认识神和属灵的转变。