Suffering
Question of the day: What was something that someone did for you this past week that was really nice?
Good morning class. I am down in HOT Florida at the NAD Women's Ministries Convention Whole and Holy.
It has been a great experience but I will be honest I really miss my church family. Tonight the speaker spoke about the importance of relationships or connection. It is what determines our quality of life and that includes your physical health.
Before we read together the passage in Ephesians 3, I would like for you to review the story of Paul. Just talk about his story and his life and where he is when writing to the church in Ephesus.
Read Ephesians 3: 1-13
God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles
3 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. 10 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.
So after reviewing the story of Paul, what was his conversion story?
What does, "A prisoner of Christ" mean?
Why does he say, "Although, I am less than the least of all the Lord's people, this grace was given to me:...."?
What comes after the colon in this sentence?
Can we say that Paul was called to this mission, because of his past?
Do you or have you ever thought that you weren't "worthy, or capable" because of your past?
Or maybe you don't have a dramatic conversion story like Paul, does that disqualify you?
What uniquely qualifies Paul for this mission or calling?
What makes us uniquely qualified for our mission?
You may not be called to be a Paul, but what are you called to do?
I do believe that everyone of us is called to share about Jesus, right?
* I would like for you all to stop for a moment and take out your phones, or some kind of note taking instrument, and write down what about your story with Christ uniquely qualifies you for your calling or mission. You may need to take a moment and first write down what your calling and or mission is. So how does your history, your walk with him uniquely qualify you?
What was a result of Paul mission? For other? For him?
Are we willing for others to go through what Paul went through?
Here in this passage we clearly see that Paul's suffering is NOTHING compared to the joy he received from having received that amazing grace from Christ. The first three chapters in this book Paul is just reviewing the amazing grace, the gospel story. Why is that important for us to do also?
What has God done for you?
This is important to review! It is important to moment by moment review. To keep it in the front of our consciousness so that it is not what motivates us to serve and nothing else.
What are these mysteries that Paul speaks about?
Really it is all about last weeks lesson, that both Jews and Gentiles will come together in one large family all saved by Christ.
Why does Paul say it was kept a secret?
I want to take this concept that Christ may not want us to know everything thing at the beginning and apply it to our lives.
Is it possible that there are still things he is waiting to reveal until just the right time?
If it is, then isn't it important that we don't rush ahead of God? Shouldn't we be thankful for our current understanding always willing to learn more, and grow as He reveals himself to us? This also implies that there may be more he will reveal, so YOU DON'T KNOW IT ALL!
Why is that important for us to think about?
IF we ever come to the place where we aren't open to learning NEW revelation then that is when we short change God! We make Him little.
God wanted to reveal this part of his beautiful plan, in His time and when he had the right group of people for this particular job. I don't know about you but that is awe-inspiring. What is God wanting you to share with the world, or "your world" that he has waited for you to share. NO ONE ELSE in the history of the whole universe has been uniquely qualified for this time in history to share what God has called you to share. So... SHARE IT!
OUR church, the UNIVERSITY CITY SDA CHURCH is uniquely qualified to do the work that God has called us to do right here and now. So what is that work?
KNOW LOVE.
LIVE LOVE.
SHARE LOVE.
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