Introduction

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 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. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 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, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 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, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 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. For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 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. 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.

Transformative Power of God

As we consider the words of Paul in Ephesians 3, we are reminded of the incredible power of God. This power is not just something that exists in the abstract, but it's a force that can and does bring about significant change in our lives. It's an active, dynamic force that transforms us from the inside out.

Paul himself was a prime example of this transformative power. He was once a persecutor of Christians, a man who was vehemently opposed to the teachings of Christ. But through an encounter with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus, he was transformed. He became one of the most influential figures in the early church, spreading the gospel far and wide.

This transformation was the work of God's power in his life. The same power that raised Christ from the dead was at work in Paul, changing him from a persecutor of the church to a proclaimer of the gospel. We see this transformative power at work in other ways in Paul's life as well.

Despite being imprisoned for his faith, he remained steadfast and hopeful. He didn't allow his circumstances to dictate his attitude or his actions. Instead, he used his time in prison as an opportunity to write letters of encouragement and instruction to the early churches.

This is a testament to the transformative power of God. It's not dependent on our circumstances or our abilities. It's a power that comes from God and works in us to bring about change and growth.

We also see this transformative power at work in the early church. The believers in Ephesus, to whom Paul was writing, were living in a culture that was hostile to their faith. They faced persecution and opposition from many sides. Yet, despite these challenges, the church in Ephesus thrived. They didn't just survive, they flourished. They were a beacon of light in a dark world, a testament to the transformative power of God.

This power didn't just change their individual lives, it changed their community. It brought about unity and love in a place where division and hatred had once reigned. It transformed a group of individuals into a body of believers, united in their love for Christ and their commitment to spreading His gospel.

The Indwelling Power of God

As we continue to immerse ourselves in the richness of Ephesians 3, we find ourselves drawn to the indwelling power of God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO