Paul Talks About His Sense of Mission

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Don’t forget that I’m teaching a churchwide Bible study tomorrow evening, 6-7 PM at Munger.

Today’s Reading: Ephesians 3:7-13

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given methrough the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

 
 

Paul tells the Ephesians that it was God’s gracious plan to make Paul the messenger to the non-Jews. And the message? It is the revealing of God’s secret plan: namely that God wants to include both Jews and non-Jews into his family.

 
 

0 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

 
 

Paul tells the Ephesians that God’s intent is that the spiritual powers (“rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms”) would see the unified, multi-ethnic nature of the church.

Paul tells the Ephesians not to be discouraged by his imprisonment; rather, his imprisonment should bring them honor, since God’s power turns things upside down, just as the Crucifixion led to the Resurrection.