Bonded by Belief

Greetings, brothers and sisters, let us meditate deeply upon the mighty intercession offered by the Apostle Paul, as illuminated for us in pastor Sam Merigala's sermon, "The Supremacy of Christ." This message illuminates the very heart of the Apostle Paul’s earnest prayer for the believers in Ephesus, —a magnificent display of spiritual petition. This passage in Ephesians 1 moves from a great benediction (Ephesians 1:3–14), where he thanks God for the spiritual blessings already bestowed upon us in Christ and turns into a great intercession (Ephesians 1:15–23). Paul’s desire is not merely that we acknowledge the blessings God has already poured out upon us in Christ, but that the Almighty will "open our eyes to grasp the fullness of this blessing". The core of Paul’s petition for the saints is encapsulated in the desire that "you may know" (verse 18). As Pastor Merigala teaches, growth in knowledge—specifically, the knowledge of God himself—is "in...

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is a privilege to analyze the divine insights presented to the congregation through Pastor Sam Merigala's sermon on "Divine Enlightenment," which expounds upon the great intercession of the Apostle Paul found in Ephesians 1:15-23. This sermon beautifully lays out the foundation of Christian intercession, the absolute necessity of the Holy Spirit’s illumination, and the glorious realities awaiting the enlightened believer. I. The Foundation of Grace: Thanksgiving and Intercession Pastor Merigala rightly situates Paul's prayer within the broader structure of the Epistle, noting that it serves as a great intercession (1:15-23) following a great benediction (1:3-14). The Apostle first blesses our God for the multitude of blessings we have already received in Christ, and then, immediately, he prays that the Father will open our spiritual eyes to truly grasp the fullness of these spiritual realities. The intercession is rooted in prof...