Dear Brethren,

MEDITATION

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— ² if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you

Ephesians 3:1-2

 

OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION

1. Ephesians 3

a) This chapter was written like a personal testimony by Paul

b) He shares openly about his life and ministry

2. Paul’s Life

a) A Prisoner

i) Literally, he was a prisoner of the Roman Empire

ii) Metaphorically, he was a prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ

b) Ministry to the Gentiles

i) This was a special ministry given by the Lord to Paul

ii) He had a very successful Gentile ministry

c) Opposition to Paul’s ministry

i) Some Jews were unhappy that he ministered to Gentiles

ii) They opposed him strenuously

iii) They fought him bitterly

iv) They sought to have him jailed and killed, if they could

3. The Grace of God

a) Grace was a special word Paul used frequently

b) Grace

i) For salvation

ii) For service

iii) For suffering

c) Dispensation of Grace

i) Paul was acknowledging God’s grace given to him

ii) His ministry to the Gentiles came out of grace

iii) Nothing is outside the grace of God

 

APPLICATION TO LIFE AND MINISTRY

1. How do we see our life?

a) Paul was willing to suffer for the Lord

b) Let us not be afraid of suffering for the sake of the Lord and the Church

2. How do we see Grace in our life?

a) Let it not be limited to salvation

b) Let it be very real for service too

3. The place of Grace in our life and ministry

a) Grace is what enables us to serve the Lord at all

b) Grace will keep us humble in service

c) Grace reminds us that what we have is totally undeserved

d) Grace challenges us to go deeper in our comprehension of God

e) Let us make Grace central in our life and ministry!

 

Prayerfully,

Pastor Charles Tan