Spiritual Change Begins with Sight

Aug 18 | Pastor J.D. | No Comments |

I think the greatest insight I got from studying Ephesians came from looking at the placement and content of the prayers Paul prays for the Ephesians throughout the book.

If the prayers in Ephesians indicate to us what Paul appears to have most often prayed for his congregations, then the answer to that is “spiritual sight.” Twice in the book of Ephesians Paul bursts into prayer, praying

“that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, ¹⁸ having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the value… and the power…” (1:17)

and that

“you may have the strength to comprehend… the love of Christ.” (3:18-19)

Paul is in the middle of explaining some of the deepest doctrine and practical instruction found anywhere in the Bible, and as he does so he keeps praying that God would give the Ephesians eyes to see the glory and majesty of God, because real change comes from sight, not knowledge or behavioral adjustment.

What Paul is praying for is certainly accompanied by knowledge and results in behavioral change, but what he is asking for Ephesians 1 is more than either of those. Sight—seeing the majesty of God with the eyes of your heart and feeling the magnificence of His love–is what ultimately changes our hearts.

All true change—heart-level change that restructures our desires—begins with sight.

The goal of a lecture is that you leave with new information; the goal of a motivational speech is that you leave with new behavior. The goal of a sermon is that you leave worshipping God, having seen Him more clearly for who He is.

How many of the sermons that you hear are focused on sight, rather than information communication or behavior change?

We need Gospel-centered, Christ-exalting sermons and Spirit-induced regenerating power. The 1st should drive you to the text, the 2nd to your knees.