Understand and appreciate the mystery of God's love, His power to accomplish His plan, and the faith of the early church, as revealed in Ephesians 3:1-21.
Good morning, family.
I want to start us off today with a quote from A.W. Toze. He said, "God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which he must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves." It can be difficult to remember that God’s timing is often different from ours.
Today, we're going to be diving into Ephesians 3, a passage that reveals not only the power of God to accomplish His plan, but also the incredible mystery of His love. This passage also gives us a glimpse into the faith of the church at Ephesus, a model that we can learn from today.
Here's what the passage says:
[Read passage]
Let's pray together.
Dear Heavenly Father, open our hearts today to receive Your Word. Help us to grasp the mystery of Your love, the power of Your plan, and the faith of the church at Ephesus. Guide our thoughts and our discussion, Lord, and make us more like You. Amen.
This passage offers insight into the nature of God's power, which is not only infinite and uncontainable, but also purposeful and directed towards the fulfillment of His divine plan.
Not a random or arbitrary force: Rather, it is a power that is intricately tied to His wisdom and love. It is a power that is always at work, accomplishing His divine purposes in ways that often surpass human understanding. This is the power that Paul speaks of in Ephesians 3, a power that is able to bring about the mystery of God's plan for the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles.
Its transformative nature: Paul, who was once a persecutor of Christians, is now a prisoner for Christ, serving the very people he once sought to destroy. This transformation is not the result of Paul's own efforts, but the work of God's power in his life. It is a testament to the fact that God's power is not limited by our weaknesses or failures, but can turn even the most unlikely individuals into instruments of His divine plan.
Inclusive: The mystery that Paul speaks of in this passage is the inclusion of the Gentiles in God's plan of salvation. This was a radical idea in a time when religious and ethnic divisions were deeply entrenched. Yet, God's power was able to break down these barriers and bring about a unity that was previously unimaginable. This reveals another aspect of God's power - its ability to transcend human limitations and prejudices, and to create a community of believers that reflects the diversity and richness of God's creation.
Has tangible implications in the physical world: Paul speaks of the "mighty strength" that God exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms. This is a power that is not only able to conquer death, but also to establish Christ's authority over all rule and authority, power and dominion. It is a power that assures us of Christ's victory and our own victory in Him.
Intimately involved in our lives: It is the power that enables us to approach God with freedom and confidence, knowing that we are accepted and loved by Him. It is the power that works in us, enabling us to grasp the depth of God's love and to experience the fullness of life in Him.
The church at Ephesus is a church that was born out of the ministry of the apostle Paul, and it was a church that was deeply rooted in the teachings of the Gospel ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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