God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 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. 6 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.
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through 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. 1011 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. 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,
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 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, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
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Reminder: This post will represent every day of readings for Ephesians 3 this week!
Day 1:Read the chapter. Journal a personal response to or summary of the chapter.
These thoughts are influenced by 1 Corinthians Ch.8-10, as well as Ephesians Ch.3
Paul is so aware of his position in the church and his identity in Christ. It is amazing to me that he was able to hold such authority and yet still place everyone else above himself. That is definitely a major key towards becoming an affective servant leader; Paul simply knew his mission and the freedom he had while walking in Christ. It seems like through his example, and ultimately through the example of Christ, it was their ability to remain humble and sacrifice themselves for the benefit of their brothers, that gained the trust and respect of the multitudes. Even though Paul had quite a bit of authority over quite a few people, he never flaunted it.
Oh Lord please keep us humble and sacrificially minded so we might be able to lead those around us into the true life that exists in you.
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Day 2: Read the chapter. Identify one or two key verses, and write them out.
3:18-20 - ... you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and hight and depth, and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power that is working within us, is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think...
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Day 3: Read yesterday’s key verses out loud. Journal why you chose them. Rewrite them.
Together, these verses mention unity within the Church ("with all the saints"); the revelation of how grand Christ's love is (breadth, length, hight, depth); and the fact that his spirit is within us and working through us, doing things over and above the grasp of our imagination ("far beyond all we ask or think). These truths are all very, very involved in they way Christ's body is enabled, guided, and used. Thus, I pick these verses.
The Brandon M. Boldt Translation (c)2011(bah ha ha, right.):
Ephesians 3:18-20 - ... together as the body of Christ you would understand his magnitude, that the mystery of his love would encompass you, and through this submission will take over your entire being. And so to Him working out of the power of His Spirit within us that is able to carry out extravagantly more than we are capable of doing on our own...
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Day 4: Read Day 2’s key verses out loud. Journal how they challenge you personally.
I am challenged. This collection of verses submits that as God is living in us, he can blow away any type of idea or thought we would come up with on our own. Obviously that is challenging. To live in the belief of these verses, I would have to be constantly submitted to God's will. This is the only way he can carry out anything spectacular through me. Don't take me wrong, he can also use me in spite of my disobedience. But to be used in spite of myself is different than being utilized to my full potential.
It is the challenge of laying down my entire life. This is where the battle of the wills comes in. Will I choose to purchase an extravagant piece of technology that I probably don't need, or will I allow God do do something extravagant with the finances he has given me? Will I take an expensive vacation, or will I practice generosity, donating the funds to a family who has never been on a vacation because its too expensive?
God can do so much through his children If we only let him. If I only let him.
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These thoughts are influenced by 1 Corinthians Ch.8-10, as well as Ephesians Ch.3
Paul is so aware of his position in the church and his identity in Christ. It is amazing to me that he was able to hold such authority and yet still place everyone else above himself. That is definitely a major key towards becoming an affective servant leader; Paul simply knew his mission and the freedom he had while walking in Christ. It seems like through his example, and ultimately through the example of Christ, it was their ability to remain humble and sacrifice themselves for the benefit of their brothers, that gained the trust and respect of the multitudes. Even though Paul had quite a bit of authority over quite a few people, he never flaunted it.
Oh Lord please keep us humble and sacrificially minded so we might be able to lead those around us into the true life that exists in you.
*
*
*
*
Day 2: Read the chapter. Identify one or two key verses, and write them out.
3:18-20 - ... you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and hight and depth, and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power that is working within us, is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think...
*
*
*
*
Day 3: Read yesterday’s key verses out loud. Journal why you chose them. Rewrite them.
Together, these verses mention unity within the Church ("with all the saints"); the revelation of how grand Christ's love is (breadth, length, hight, depth); and the fact that his spirit is within us and working through us, doing things over and above the grasp of our imagination ("far beyond all we ask or think). These truths are all very, very involved in they way Christ's body is enabled, guided, and used. Thus, I pick these verses.
The Brandon M. Boldt Translation (c)2011(bah ha ha, right.):
Ephesians 3:18-20 - ... together as the body of Christ you would understand his magnitude, that the mystery of his love would encompass you, and through this submission will take over your entire being. And so to Him working out of the power of His Spirit within us that is able to carry out extravagantly more than we are capable of doing on our own...
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Day 4: Read Day 2’s key verses out loud. Journal how they challenge you personally.
I am challenged. This collection of verses submits that as God is living in us, he can blow away any type of idea or thought we would come up with on our own. Obviously that is challenging. To live in the belief of these verses, I would have to be constantly submitted to God's will. This is the only way he can carry out anything spectacular through me. Don't take me wrong, he can also use me in spite of my disobedience. But to be used in spite of myself is different than being utilized to my full potential.
It is the challenge of laying down my entire life. This is where the battle of the wills comes in. Will I choose to purchase an extravagant piece of technology that I probably don't need, or will I allow God do do something extravagant with the finances he has given me? Will I take an expensive vacation, or will I practice generosity, donating the funds to a family who has never been on a vacation because its too expensive?
God can do so much through his children If we only let him. If I only let him.
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