SCRIPTURE: EPHESIANS 3
MEMORY VERSE:
“In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Ephesians 3:12)
PAUL THE PREACHER TO THE GENTILES (vs. 1-13)
God through the Spirit had revealed to Paul the mystery of Christ. 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.
Paul became a servant of this gospel of the gift of God’s grace to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. Now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Paul told them not to be discouraged because of his sufferings for it is for their glory.
A PRAYER FOR THE EPHESIANS (vs. 14-21)
- That out of his glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. (v. 16)
- That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. (v. 17)
- That they may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide, long, high and deep is the love of Christ. (v. 18)
- To know that His love surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (v. 19)
BENEDICTION: (vs. 20-21)
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”
THOUGHTS:
Paul had been given a “special ministry” and that is to preach the Good News to the Gentiles. God planned to have the Jews and Gentiles comprise one body, the church and equal in the body of Christ. This equality was accomplished when Jesus destroyed the “wall of hostility” and created “one new person”.
When Paul described himself as “the least deserving Christian “, he meant that without God’s help, he would never be able to do God’s work. But God chose him to share the Good News with the Gentiles and gave him the power to do it. If you feel inadequate to do something for the Lord, remember to draw on His power and faithfully perform your duty in His plan.
Thanks to God! By faith, we can enter directly into God’s presence through prayer. He will welcome us with open arms because we are God’s children through our union with Christ. Don’t be afraid to talk to Him about everything. He is waiting to hear from you.
Just as a mother endures the pain of childbirth in order to bring new life into the world, Paul endured the pain of persecution in order to bring new believers to Christ. Obeying God is not easy. He calls us to take our cross and follow him so that God’s message of salvation can reach the entire world. Are you willing to do it?
Paul described God’s love as wide – it reaches out to the whole world. It is long – it continues 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 even death. If you feel abandoned or isolated, remember that you can never be lost to God’s love.
In union with Christ and through his empowering Spirit, you are complete. You have all the fullness of God available to us. But you must appropriate that fullness through faith and prayer as you daily live for him. You can ask the Holy Spirit to fill every aspect of your life to the fullest.