Eph 3:1-13

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage Read the Passage at least twice Who is in the passage? What action verbs do you see? What other words stick out in your mind

Paul describes his ministry and calling. You can tell his excitement to the call but also his understanding that It is God's work through Him (vs 7). While Paul is diffintely faithful, it is the power of God carrying out the ministry. It is a ministry that Paul (who was Saul) would have never dreamed of before the call of God on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9, also Gal 1:11-18)

God is amazing in what He can call us to do. Before believing in Christ Paul sought to keep what he thought was God's people "pure" by getting rid of those Jews who believed Jesus was the Christ. After his conversion Paul was called to expand the call of Christ way beyond what even the disciples thought it would be after the resurrection of Christ. Now even those who were not Jews could be counted among the followers of God. And Paul has been appointed the one to spread that message as well as make sure Jewish believers understood these Gentiles are heirs of God just like Jewish believers.

vs 1 Paul describes himself a prisoner of Christ Jesus. Now Nero was the one who had earthly authority over Paul. But Paul recognizes that it is part of God's purpose for him to be in jail. God is sovrern, not Rome. It is the cause of preaching the message to the Gentiles that has put him in jail. Note being an apostle of Jesus Christ (1:1) does not take Paul out of harm's way. (see Acts 9:15-16) Paul while being attacked for his faith understands God is in control. (see Paul descritpion of his trials in 2 Cor 23-29) If even Paul who is faithful faces trials we need to understand that we too may face trials. But no matter what the situation God is in control!

vs 4-6 The mystery of the gospel, that God would use Jesus for salvation not only to the jews but also the the Gentiles. Goes back to the promise of to Abraham the first Jew (Gen 12:1-3)

vs 5 - notice the work of the Spirit again- the revealer of the great mystery and the one who carries it out by using people!

vs 7- Paul sees his call as a part of God's grace. In spite of his past God not only redeemed him but gave him the opportunity to be involved in the minsitry of the Gospel! (no one can claim that God cannot use them because of their past, see 2:10)

vs 8- notice how often Paul has talk about the riches of God (1:7, 18, 2:4,7, 3:8, 16) and how indescribalbe they are and will continue to be

vs 10 The church (that includes us) is also a part of this ministry (see 2 Cor 5:16-20). Note The spiritual world (which doesn't know everything that God plans to do, would this point to Satan and demons also not knowing God's mystery in Christ coming to earth?) also is amazed by the work of God through Christ in reconciling all people to Him.

vs 11-12 want to know why Paul isn't afraid to preach the gospel even though it gets him in trouble? It is because of what God has done! God's eternal purpose is far greater than anything this world can throw at us. So Paul says don't be sad for me. I am doing the will of God, you should rejoice for me that I am allowed to suffer for His sake! God gives Paul strength to do his work