Title: Open the Eyes of My Heart
Author: Tim Melton
Text: Ephesians 1:15-23
The story is told of Walt Disney's daughter Diane when she was very young. She approached her father and asked, "Are you Walt Disney?" Walt Disney looked at her a little surprised and said, "Yes, I am Walt Disney." She responded, "The Walt Disney who is famous and makes all the movies, who all the kids at school are talking about?" Sheepishly he responded, "Yes, I am thatWalt Disney." Little Diane went and got a piece of paper and a pen. She brought them back and then said, "Can I have your autograph?" He signed the paper and she then skipped away with Walt Disney's autograph in hand and a larger picture of her father in her heart.
That is similar to what the Apostle Paul sought to do in the Ephesians' hearts as he wrote Ephesians 1:15-23.
The Apostle Paul had led the effort to establish this first church in the important city of Ephesus. Though the city was known for its paganism and immorality the gospel of Jesus Christ had taken hold. God had moved in powerful ways as He drew people to Himself and the church grew with power. Paul had spent along time with them as he taught them every day for two years. Eventually Paul left to continue his mission work elsewhere. About 10 years had now passed. Paul was now being held in Rome under house arrest. It is from Rome that he wrote these words to the Christians in Ephesus. Ephesians 1:15-16 says,
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
Paul had heard about all that God was continuing to do in and through the church in Ephesus. Paul talks about hearing about their faith, but he doesn't hear about their faith and praise them. He hears about their faith and thanks God. It is like we read in Matthew 5:16. "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise ...
Author: Tim Melton
Text: Ephesians 1:15-23
The story is told of Walt Disney's daughter Diane when she was very young. She approached her father and asked, "Are you Walt Disney?" Walt Disney looked at her a little surprised and said, "Yes, I am Walt Disney." She responded, "The Walt Disney who is famous and makes all the movies, who all the kids at school are talking about?" Sheepishly he responded, "Yes, I am thatWalt Disney." Little Diane went and got a piece of paper and a pen. She brought them back and then said, "Can I have your autograph?" He signed the paper and she then skipped away with Walt Disney's autograph in hand and a larger picture of her father in her heart.
That is similar to what the Apostle Paul sought to do in the Ephesians' hearts as he wrote Ephesians 1:15-23.
The Apostle Paul had led the effort to establish this first church in the important city of Ephesus. Though the city was known for its paganism and immorality the gospel of Jesus Christ had taken hold. God had moved in powerful ways as He drew people to Himself and the church grew with power. Paul had spent along time with them as he taught them every day for two years. Eventually Paul left to continue his mission work elsewhere. About 10 years had now passed. Paul was now being held in Rome under house arrest. It is from Rome that he wrote these words to the Christians in Ephesus. Ephesians 1:15-16 says,
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
Paul had heard about all that God was continuing to do in and through the church in Ephesus. Paul talks about hearing about their faith, but he doesn't hear about their faith and praise them. He hears about their faith and thanks God. It is like we read in Matthew 5:16. "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise ...
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