In the fall of 1959, two men sat across a chessboard. One was Vasily Smyslov, former World Champion—calm, precise, a technical master. The other was Mikhail Tal, a 22-year-old Latvian genius nicknamed The Magician, famous for moves that left onlookers speechless.
Smyslov—ever the pragmatist—opened with the well-worn Caro–Kann Defence. Tal followed the script for a few moves, but by Move 11 he was bored. So he shoved forward a pawn that looked risky—reckless even. He wanted chaos. And he got it.
A rook thundered across the board.
A knight dove into the fray.
Pawns shattered up the center like breaking glass.
The whole board twisted into a storm of threats and counter-threats.
By Move 25 Smyslov pressed with a bishop, calling check. Move 26 saw Tal calmly slide his own bishop into place, ending the threat.
Smyslov paused… assessed the board… and then, with a steely calm, reached for his king and tipped it over.
He resigned.
Not in checkmate.
Not in check.
Not even in danger.
A gasp rippled through the crowd. Why? How? What on earth did he see?
Well, we all know we won’t find out until the end. For now, let’s put this match in our pocket and turn to Ephesians 1:15–23.
(Ephesians 1:15-23, NRSVue) 15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God put this power to work 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 age to come. 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Father, as we open Your Word today, open our eyes. Let the light of Your truth shine into the deepest parts of our hearts. Give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we may know You more fully, walk in the hope of Your calling, embrace the riches of Your inheritance, and stand confident in the power You have already poured out toward us. Prepare us to hear, to obey, and to live from the victory Christ secured. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Paul’s Encouragement and Thanksgiving
(Ephesians 1:15–16, NRSVue) “I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers…”
Paul leads off with encouragement. He says he’s heard about their faith and love. And even in that one little phrase there’s something worth noticing.
Because honestly—why has he only heard about their faith?
Didn’t he plant this church? Didn’t he preach there for three years? Didn’t he leave Priscilla and Aquila — that first-century ministry power couple — to keep things steady? And now he’s hearing reports?
Some scholars try to use this line to argue Paul didn’t write Ephesians at all. But only an idiot would forget he planted a church, and I doubt an idiot could fool two thousand years of Christian and secular scholarship.
The real explanation is simple: It’s been five-plus years since Paul was last in Ephesus. A lot can change in five years—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. And remember Corinth? Paul spent eighteen months there, left Apollos—trained by Priscilla and Aquila—in charge… and that church still managed to become a complete dumpster fire. Faith doesn’t maintain itself.
So Paul isn’t confused—he’s encouraged. He’s hearing good stories about a church he loves. As any founding pastor would be, he’s relieved and grateful. Someday Mike and Teresa — the couple who planted SunRidge — might walk through those doors again as regular attendees, and my prayer is that they see what Paul sees: a church still thriving in her purpose and mission.
And what are the two markers Paul highlights?
- Faith in the Lord Jesus.
- Love toward all the saints.
Christian, hear me: a church becomes whatever its people actually are. Each of us contributes to the culture, climate, and yes—the vibe of this church. If I lack faith, I add faithlessness to the church. If I lack love, I contribute to a loveless church. If any of us is lacking faith or love—or both—we’re not living the mission Christ has called us to.
If that’s you today, admit it. Not publicly—but honestly, before God. Where is faith thin? Where is love stretched? You don’t have to fix it instantly, but you do have to acknowledge it. Because spiritual growth begins where honesty begins.
So before we go any further, name one place where faith needs strengthening or love needs stretching. Ask God to grow you there. That is where the Spirit does His best work. And don’t try to do this alone. God never intended any of us to grow in isolation. Find a brother or sister you trust—someone who won’t freak out when you’re honest and won’t flatter you when what you really need is a smack upside the head—metaphorically.
Ask them to walk with you. Sometimes all you need is someone who will text you on Thursday and say, “Hey—how’s that going?” We grow best together.
This is what was happening in Ephesus—the church was growing together. That’s why Paul says, “For this reason I give thanks.” In other words: “You’re not adding grey hair to my head, you’re not contributing to my ulcer, and you’re not a dumpster fire like…some churches.” And you know Corinth flashed through his mind.
And after expressing his joy, Paul says he prays for them. Church—are we praying for the people we care about? I keep two lists in my office: one for ministry leaders and one for our Partners. Every day I’m in the office, I take five minutes and pray through a few names. Nothing fancy. Just consistency.
What about you? Are you praying daily? Are we on our knees? Or are we scheming and strategizing and hoping God keeps up with our plans? Scripture says man makes his plans, but God directs his steps. If we want to see darkness, addiction, and despair torn down and replaced with love, joy, and peace, then we must be a church of prayer. And if we’re going to be a church of prayer, we must be a people of prayer.
Can I get an amen? Praise the Lord.
Now—what Paul actually prays is extremely interesting. Let’s read verse 17.
Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation
(Ephesians 1:17, NRSVue) 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him,
Paul prays that the Ephesians would have “a spirit of wisdom and revelation.” And this little phrase has caused more than a few theology nerds—like myself—to break out the whiteboards.
Here’s why: the word spirit is a noun, but there’s no “the” in front of it. No definite article. Which means Paul is probably not talking about the Holy Spirit—and besides, why would we need to get the Holy Spirit? He already lives in us from the moment we trusted Christ.
So what’s going on here? Do we get an extra spirit? A bonus spirit? A “wisdom spirit” and a separate “revelation spirit”? Some kind of spiritual buy-one-get-one-free deal? If you read the commentaries, some of them make it sound like you need a Ph.D. just to survive this verse.
But the answer is actually simple. “Spirit” is a noun, but Paul is using it like an adjective. If someone has a “spirit of generosity,” I don’t mean she’s possessed by a generosity ghost. I mean generosity is the quality that shapes who she is. That’s what Paul is doing here. He is praying the Ephesians would have Spirit-shaped wisdom and Spirit-shaped revelation—a way of seeing and knowing that lines up with the reality of God.
So what do these words actually mean? What is spiritual wisdom? What is spiritual revelation? The first might make us think of grey-haired sages debating on temple steps; the second sounds like riders on celestial steeds charging through the sky.
Wisdom Defined
Wisdom, for Paul, isn’t mysterious or mystical. The narrator of Job puts it plainly: “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom.” In the ancient world, wisdom meant understanding not just what something is, but why it is and how it works. You don’t really understand a shoe until you know what it’s for. Wisdom is the ability to grasp the purpose of something—not just its existence.
But today, our culture dodges the “why” questions. We shrug and say, “It’s just random,” because deep down we know the moment we ask why, we’re dealing with God. The beginning of wisdom is the moment we recognize we are not the center of reality—He is.
And Paul’s point is that real wisdom isn’t about mastering trivia or collecting life hacks. It’s about seeing reality the way God sees it. Because once you understand that the material world will pass away and be remade, you start to realize the real whats and whys—the ones that actually matter—are spiritual, not physical.
Revelation Defined
What about revelation? What does Paul mean by “a spirit of revelation”? Revelation simply means something hidden becoming visible. It’s not spooky or mystical. It’s not lightning bolts or secret downloads. It’s God letting you finally see what has been right in front of you all along. Jesus said He taught in parables because only those with “eyes to see and ears to hear” would grasp the truth. The deepest truths of the kingdom are right there — but only the willing see them.
This means there is a spiritual reality under everything we experience, and it stays invisible to the person who avoids God, shrugs off truth, or treats spiritual things as nonsense. But when the Holy Spirit opens our eyes, those once-hidden realities come bursting into view. Clarity replaces confusion. Conviction replaces guesswork.
I always think of 2 Kings 6. Elisha and his servant wake up to find an enemy army surrounding their city — horses, chariots, soldiers everywhere. The servant panics. But Elisha stands calm and prays, “Lord, open his eyes.” And suddenly the servant sees it — angelic armies and fiery chariots covering the hills. The danger didn’t disappear. Nothing changed in the physical world. But he finally saw the bigger truth.
That’s revelation. That’s what Paul is praying for. That God would open the eyes of our hearts so we stop living as if the physical world is all there is. Because the same thing is happening around us. A spiritual battle is at work every day — not a cartoon devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other, but the real thing: the Holy Spirit drawing us toward holiness and life, and the enemy whispering lies and discouragement at every turn.
And once the Spirit shows you that bigger reality, the choices that used to feel complicated start becoming clear. Temptation loses its shine. Fear loses its grip. Confidence rises. You begin to live as someone who already has victory rather than someone still searching for it.
And why are spiritual wisdom and revelation so important? Let’s keep reading.
Eyes of the Heart Enlightened
(Ephesians 1:18-19, NRSVue) 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
The Hope of His Calling
One of the verses I reach for often in our “follow-your-heart” culture is Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things.” Our hearts are fallen and cannot be trusted to tell us what is true. And yet Paul prays that the Holy Spirit would open the eyes of our hearts so that real light can actually get in. When that happens, the heart begins to see clearly. And as that clarity grows, we start to understand the what of our calling, the why of our inheritance, and the how of His power. So let’s unpack these.
What is the hope to which He has called us? First, notice that “called” is a vocational word. This isn’t God standing at the door saying, “Come over here.” This is God standing on the battlefield saying, “There are people trapped behind enemy lines — go!” It’s not an invitation to retreat. It’s a commission to advance.
And what does it mean to be called to hope? It definitely doesn’t mean sitting around longing and wishing and daydreaming. When Paul talks about hope, he’s not talking about our internal desires or whatever mood we woke up with. Biblical hope isn’t a feeling — it’s confidence. It is the settled expectation that God will do exactly what He promised. Hope means stepping into your calling already convinced that God’s mission will succeed, that His kingdom will come, and His will will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen?
The Riches of His Inheritance
Why do we do this? Because of the riches of His glorious inheritance among the saints. That little word “among” can mean from, with, or in. Paul’s point is simple: the people of God are the inheritance of God. He wants His creation back. His glorious inheritance is the saints themselves. This isn’t new — all the way back in Exodus, God calls His people His “special possession.”
So when Jesus says in John 16:15, “All that the Father has is mine… and He will take what is mine and declare it to you,” He is telling us that we share in that same inheritance — the people God rescues.
Paul says it most plainly in Romans 8: “The Spirit bears witness that we are children of God; and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.”
So when Scripture tells us to “store up treasures in heaven,” it’s not talking about gold or jewels or some heavenly mansion. It’s talking about people — the multiplied joy of men and women who are with God forever because He allowed us to play a part in their redemption.
The Greatness of His Power
And the last question is how. How do we step into this calling and join God in His mission? Paul says it’s because of the immeasurable greatness of His power — literally, “off-the-charts” power. Power you can’t graph, measure, or contain.
And who is that power for? Paul says it’s for “us who believe.” But here’s the surprising part: the word “for” doesn’t just mean toward us. It carries the idea of movement toward a goal — power pushing something forward. God’s power isn’t just aimed in our direction; it’s propelling us into the very work He calls us to do. Propelling us “according to the working of His great power.”
There are two details here that matter. First, the word “working” is only ever used in the New Testament to describe supernatural action — God’s activity, not ours. This power doesn’t come from talent, planning, personality, or strategy. It comes from God acting in the spiritual realm.
Second, that phrase “great power” is one of the most delightful bits of Greek in the chapter. You could translate it as “mighty might.” Paul is piling up power words on purpose. And those two “might” words operate in different arenas: one means authority — being authorized to act; the other means ability — being able to act.
So if you put Paul’s meaning into Conrad’s Unofficial Translation, it sounds like this:
“God’s off-the-charts power propels the faithful into spiritual battle with both the authority and the ability to do the work.”
So yes — we are called to invest in our Kingdom inheritance by leaning on the power of God. But Paul isn’t done with this thought yet. He’s about to take it even higher in the next verse. Let’s keep reading.
Christ Enthroned in the Heavenly Places
(Ephesians 1:20-21, NRSVue) 20 God put this power to work 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 age to come.
Let’s look at a couple of things in this passage, and we’ll jump around a bit. First, “the heavenly places.” We’ve discussed already that this isn’t the clouds or the afterlife. This is the spiritual dimension that surrounds us right now — the unseen realm where Jesus rules. But let’s be clear: this isn’t some separate jurisdiction where the spiritual battle is happening while we’re stuck on the material side hoping Wal-Mart has the salad dressing we need.
There’s a line from Shakespeare — from As You Like It — where Jaques says, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” That’s actually pretty close to Paul’s point. What we see in this life is the stage — the visible part. But backstage? Backstage is a tornado of activity: lights changing, sets moving, cues firing, people running. And what happens backstage shapes what happens on stage, and what happens on stage affects what happens backstage.
That’s Paul’s point. There is a spiritual reality behind everything we see. And Jesus is enthroned on that side — the side that lasts forever, the side behind all earthly activity. And in that realm — the real realm — He is above it all.
Christ Above All Powers
And then Paul says this line: “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named.” This matters because it reminds us that there is no being, no force, no spiritual power, and no name that can overrule Jesus. But that phrase “far above” doesn’t mean Jesus just outranks everyone — as though Satan is a three-star general and Jesus is a five-star. No. It’s more like everyone else is working at a children’s lemonade stand and the President of the United States walks in. It’s not “higher.” It’s categorically beyond the entire system.
And Jesus sits in this position of ultimate authority in the heavenly places “not only in this age but also in the age to come.” Now and forever. It’s already decided. There is no circumstance and no timescale that can touch this truth. There is an unflinching certainty here. This is the foundation of our confidence.
Nevertheless, Paul reminds us that God displayed His total authority over every facet of the physical and spiritual realms when He raised Jesus from the dead. Humanity has worked to conquer every corner of our existence — the depths of the earth, the depths of the sea, the depths of space. We’ve mapped the human genome and the human brain. We’ve created artificial intelligence that is as terrifying as it is awe-inspiring. But no one — anywhere, ever — has defeated death. Death has always been the one force over which we have no dominion.
So when Jesus beat death, He didn’t just beat death. He defeated every empire, every ruler, every lie, every distortion, every barrier, every burden, every obstacle, and every opposition. So when death comes for you, Christian — when death comes for me — we may be down, but we are not out. Because just like no grave could hold our Lord, by His power no grave can hold us either. Hallelujah! Can I get an amen?
And the best part is that all of this truth is just a setup for what follows. Paul prays that we might understand and see the calling before us, the inheritance that motivates us, and the power that supplies us—all from the God who is ultimate, supreme in every possible way—to lead us to this ultimate purpose statement in verses 22-23:
Christ’s Authority for the Church
(Ephesians 1:22-23, NRSVue) 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Now Paul brings this whole section to its crescendo. God has placed all things under Christ’s feet — every power, every dominion, every spiritual force, every influence. And then Paul adds that God made Christ “head over all things for the church.” That little phrase “for the church” is everything. Christ’s cosmic victory, Christ’s exaltation, Christ’s authority — all of it is for the benefit of His people, for our strengthening and our mission. We fight the spiritual battle here on the material side, but we fight with the confidence of a people whose King reigns on the eternal side.
And that word “head”? Paul doesn’t mean “boss of the universe” the way we use the word today. In Greek, the term has several debated meanings, but in the context of Christ’s supremacy, Paul uses it to mean preeminence — supremacy — a completely different category. Not “higher on the ladder,” but beyond the ladder entirely. Christ isn’t one ruler among many; He is the One who stands over creation itself. And the One before whom everything is placed under His feet — that One is given for the church.
Paul ends with this line: “the church is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” That word “fullness” can sound vague in English, but here it simply means completeness. The church is the earthly expression of Christ’s completeness — the community through whom His mission becomes visible. If you put verse 23 into plain English, it would sound something like: “The church embodies Christ’s completeness on earth and serves as the primary instrument of His mission in this present age.”
So let’s review:
- Christ is enthroned.
- Christ reigns above every power.
- Christ’s victory is certain.
- Christ’s authority is total.
- And God pours that victory toward us and through us, so the church becomes the living expression of His mission on earth.
The end is not uncertain. The outcome is not up for grabs. The battle is not in question. It has already been decided in the heavenly places — the unseen realm where the real war is fought. And Paul’s prayer is that we would see it… and start acting like people who already operate from victory, not people still trying to earn it.
Return to the Chess Match
And this brings us right back to Smyslov and Tal. Smyslov, the former World Champion. Tal, the reckless young “Magician.” And seemingly out of nowhere… Smyslov cedes the match. His king isn’t in checkmate. He isn’t in check. He isn’t even in danger. Yet he reaches out… and tips his king over.
Why?
Because Smyslov could see what no one else could. The outcome was sealed. There was no path to victory. Every line he calculated ended in defeat. And this match is famous because it is the farthest-from-mate resignation in modern chess history. Thirteen full moves before Tal could have forced checkmate—Smyslov already knew. And he responded in a way that fit the inevitable outcome.
Church, that’s what we need to do. But we often act like we are out there fighting for victory, scrambling, panicking, hoping we can somehow get God a win. Really? Do we think the outcome hangs on us? Do we imagine that if we are rejected or dismissed or laughed at that God will suffer some unexpected loss?
Oh church—what a small view of God that is. We already know the ending. We have the playbook. God has already won. Death is defeated. Jesus settled that two thousand years ago. Satan has no moves left, but he doesn’t have the humility to concede. He’s just trying to knock as many pieces off the board as he can before the clock runs out.
But he cannot touch the final outcome. Even if he brings about the death of my body… church… there ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down.
A Call to Action
Stop fighting for victory and start fighting from victory!
That means obeying before you feel brave. This week, choose one act of obedience you’ve been delaying — forgiveness, confession, serving someone, or sharing the Gospel — and do it. Take one faithful step.
Start fighting from victory!
When the enemy hits you with lies — “you’re alone,” “you’re stuck,” “you’re hopeless” — answer with truth: you are a co-heir with Christ, and the armies of heaven surround you.
Start fighting from victory!
If you’ve been ducking out of church the second the preacher says “amen,” then stay. Meet someone. Let someone know your name. Let the body of Christ actually be a body to you.
Start fighting from victory!
Let worship and prayer be more than a refuge when you’re weary — let them become a rallying cry. Let them steel your resolve so you can walk back into a dark world with light in your eyes and the Gospel on your lips.
Start fighting from victory!
Satan, death, demons, the grave, and hell have no standing before our King. They are defeated enemies.
Start fighting from victory! Amen?
Closing Prayer
Let’s pray.
Lord Jesus, thank You that the victory is already Yours. Open our eyes to see what is true in the heavenly places, and teach us to live not for victory but from the victory You’ve alerady secured. Strengthen our faith, steady our hearts, and help us walk in the power You have poured out toward us.
And as we come to the Table, remind us again of the cost of that victory—Your body given for us, Your blood shed for us. Prepare our hearts to remember, to worship, and to trust You fully.
In Your name we pray, amen.