Hope, Riches and Power (Part 1)

Ephesians 1:15–23

When you become a Christian, you gain a new family, a kingdom, and a promise of eternal joy. It’s important to deeply understand these gifts, because in the Bible, “knowledge” means a deep connection, not just facts. True faith is shown not only by believing the right things about God but also by living a loving, helpful life. What really shows if you’re a Christian is the kind of person you are and how you live, not just what you know about God or your personality.

1. “For this reason, I’ve prayed about you ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus”

Believing in Jesus alone for your rescue is key. If you add anything else, you’re saying He’s not enough. When we call Him “the Lord Jesus,” we’re saying He’s God and we should worship Him. The two most important things in Christianity are believing Jesus is God who became a person and understanding that we’re made right with God because of faith, not what we do. If we don’t agree with these, we’re basing our faith on our own goodness instead of accepting God’s righteousness.

2. “… love for all the saints …”

Real Christianity is not just about feeling comfortable or sticking with what’s familiar. It’s about submitting to what the Bible says, even when it’s hard or doesn’t make sense, and becoming more loving, like Jesus. This love accepts all Christians, no matter their race, social status, or personality. If you see this love growing in you, it shows you’ve really met Jesus.