SCRIPTURE: EPHESIANS 3
BIBLE VERSES:
“This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 3:6)
“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.” (Ephesians 3:12)
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
PAUL THE PREACHER TO THE GENTILES (vs.. 1-13)
Paul was imprisoned because he was preaching to the Gentiles. Paul had a mystery from God. That mystery was revealed by the Spirit and God’s holy apostles and prophets. The mystery is that through the gospel, the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body and shares together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Through God’s grace, Paul became a servant to preach the gospel to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ who created all things. The church should make known the manifold wisdom of God to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. In him and through faith, we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
A PRAYER FOR THE EPHESIANS (vs. 14-21)
PRAYER OF PAUL:
- That out of His glorious riches, He may strengthen them with power through His spirit in their inner being so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith (vs. 16-17)
- That they being rooted and established in love may have power together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ (v. 18)
- That they know this love surpasses knowledge and they may be fitted to the measure of all the followers of God. (v. 19)
THOUGHTS:
- Paul considered himself “less than the least” of all God’s people but God chose him and gave him power to share the Good news with the Gentiles. Do you feel that your role is minor? Remember to draw on His power and do your part faithfully to perform the spiritual role God had called you to play in His plan.
- By faith, we can enter directly into God’s power through prayer. So, do not be afraid to tell Jesus everything. He is always ready and wanted to hear from you.
- God’s love is wide, long, high and deep. It is wide – it crosses the breadth of our own experience and it reaches out to the whole world. It is long – it continues till the length of our lives. It is high – it rises to the heights of our celebration and elation. It is deep – it reaches to the depths of discouragement, despair and death. Have you felt and experienced God’s love?