Ephesians 3:7–10
7of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
Focused Thinking: (Eph 3:8)
Of what was Paul a minister?
He was a minister of the mystery of Christ.
He was a minister of the stewardship of God’s grace for the Gentiles.
- The Gentiles are fellow heirs.
- The Gentiles are members of the body.
- The Gentiles are fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
What does Paul say about himself?
8To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given.
What was Paul to do?
8To preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ.
Personal Application:
What are God’s unfathomable riches of Christ to me?
- The Son helps me know and understand the Father.
- The Son reflects the image of the Father.
- The Son obeyed the Father to pay for my sin.
- The Son defeated sin and death for me.
- The Son removed the dividing wall.
- The Son removed the veil.
- The Son gives me faith, hope and love.
- The Son loves me and gives me the ability to love.
The Spirit gives me love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Focused Thinking: (Eph 3:9–10)
What was Paul’s mission?
9…to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery, which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things.
- Paul’s mission was to take the gospel to the Gentiles.
- Paul’s mission was to make the mystery known.
Why was this Paul’s mission?
10…so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
- Manifold wisdom referred to the beauty of an embroidered pattern or the variety of colors in flowers.
- This wisdom refers to the new relationship between believing Jews and Gentiles in one body. This wisdom is communicated through the church.
To whom was this wisdom to be made known?
10…to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
As the angelic hosts witness the church, they must admit that having Jews and Gentiles in one body is evidence of God’s wisdom. (Eph. 1:3 ; 6:12)
WOW! — Does that amaze you?
- How much does God desire to receive His glory in and through the church?
- How important is the church to the glory of God?
The church is His bride, and He wants to showcase her beauty.
Personal Application:
- I don’t fully understand all of this stuff, but here is a thought…
- How much stronger would Jews and Christians be today if they were one instead of two?
- Why have we given up on uniting Jews and Christians?
Interactive Prayer:
Father, it encourages me that angelic hosts look at my friendship with Jeff and his friendship with me and see it as evidence of God’s wisdom. What are You doing through this relationship that I can’t see at this time? Why did You bring us together? What do You want to do through us?
Father, I want to be used by You to open people’s eyes. I want to see people love You with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. I want to see what You can do through a man that is fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit. I want to see what You can do through a church that raises up leaders and disciples people. I want to lead people to be difference makers. I want to see the unexplainable happen.
Father, I want to see people repent of the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes and the boastful pride of life. I want to see people repent of the love of money. I want to see people choose a better story. I want to see people love loving You. I want to see people love loving people. I want to see people be fully alive. Please do that in me and make it contagious. Set me on fire for You and cause others to come watch me burn. Father, do that for Andy and Jason and the rest of our team. Father, do that for Jeff.
Father, I’m grateful for the work You are currently doing through our church but I believe that so much more is possible. Bless this church with the resources needed to do Your work. Bless this church with the resources needed to build a church facility. Move upon the heart of potential givers and do an unexplainable work through them. Move upon their hearts to give momentum gifts and confirmation gifts. Cause our congregation to repent of their love of money and to discover the joy of giving. Father, I can’t keep doing everything I’m doing. Give us the executive leadership that is needed for me and Andy to focus on devoting ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
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