"The Minister"

 

Ephesians 3:1-13 "For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of JESUS CHRIST for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of GOD which is given me to you-ward: how that by revelation HE made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of CHRIST) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto HIS Holy Apostles and Prophets by the SPIRIT; that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of HIS promise in CHRIST by the Gospel: whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of GOD given unto me by the effectual working of HIS power.

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of CHRIST; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in GOD, WHO created all things by JESUS CHRIST: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of GOD, according to the eternal purpose which HE purposed in CHRIST JESUS our LORD: in WHOM we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of HIM. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulation for you, which is your glory."

     Today's text details the role and character of the "minister" (v.7) of the "mystery" (v.3). It is vital that the bearer of the Good News be properly equipped. Why was this man who ministered the truth concerning the Gospel now in prison ? It is because Paul fearlessly and uncompromisingly proclaimed this mystery to "you Gentiles" (v.1) - if he had limited his ministry to the Jews only, perhaps he might have averted some persecution. But the glorious message was for Gentiles as well, and the Apostle could not keep quiet about this. He realized the necessity of preaching the Gospel to everyone. GOD has no favorites, for HE "so loved the world" (John 3:16 pictured above) !

     The LORD entrusted Paul with a "dispensation" to proclaim HIS grace to whoever would hear and heed (vv.2-3), and he was to accomplish this ministry by humbly realizing that what GOD had commanded, HE would enable to be accomplished by HIS grace (vv.7-8). Remember, dear believer, the LORD has called and commissioned each of us to be an ambassador for JESUS CHRIST, beseeching the lost, in CHRIST's stead, to be reconciled to GOD (2nd.Corinthians 5:20-21 pictured above). We are only able to fulfill this ministry by the "effectual working of HIS power" (v.7). GOD is still seeking loyal ministers just like Paul.

     Were all the tribulations the Apostle was called upon to bear worth it ? Yes, they most certainly were ! "My tribulations," Paul says, are "for you, which is your glory" (v.13 pictured above). The power of GOD working through Paul's suffering and trials resulted in the edification and encouragement of believers. The Apostle would endure anything, as long as JESUS CHRIST was glorified and others were being saved and built up in the faith. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Mystery"

 

Ephesians 3:1-11 "For this cause, I Paul, the prisoner of JESUS CHRIST for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of GOD which is given me to you-ward: how that by revelation HE made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of CHRIST) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto HIS Holy Apostles and Prophets by the SPIRIT; that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of HIS promise in CHRIST by the Gospel: whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of GOD given unto me by the effectual working of HIS power.

Unto me, whom am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of CHRIST; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in GOD, WHO created all things by JESUS CHRIST: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of GOD. According to the eternal purpose which HE purposed in CHRIST JESUS our LORD:"

     Ephesians chapter two describes the church as a "building" (Ephesians 2:21) composed of "lively (living) stones" (1st.Peter 2:5 pictured above) - saved Jews and Gentiles. This equal access to salvation by grace and the subsequent formation of the body of CHRIST, made up of all who believe the Gospel, was a mystery previously veiled during the Old Testament times (1st.Peter 1:10-12) but now made known by the Apostles of JESUS CHRIST to the church. A "mystery" (v.3), then, is the unfolding or revealing of New Testament doctrine through the revelatory gifts. The HOLY SPIRIT gave these gifts to the Apostles and New Testament Prophets so they could communicate church doctrine hitherto unknown (v.5). The Apostle Paul understood the mystery concerning the church by "revelation" (v.3) and by "knowledge" mentioned in 1st.Corinthians 13:8 pictured below. These spiritual revelatory gifts ceased to exist once the canon of Scripture was completed (1st.Corinthians 13:8-13) because, upon its conclusion, no further need existed for new revelation. All divinely given communication regarding the Gospel of GOD's grace as well as the formation of the body of CHRIST, the church, is finished and compiled in the written WORD of GOD, the Bible.

     The essence of the "mystery" is that "the unsearchable riches of CHRIST" (vv.6-8) are offered to all (Jew and Gentile alike) through the preaching of the Gospel. The newly created body, the church, reveals the "manifold wisdom of GOD" (v.10), for therein are those who are called out of all nations washed in the blood for one objective-to bring honor and glory to the LORD JESUS CHRIST (v.11). Are we fulfilling our purpose ? DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

  

"A Perfect, Finished Foundation"

 

Ephesians 2:19-22 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of GOD; and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF being the CHIEF CORNERSTONE; in WHOM all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the LORD: in WHOM ye also are builded together for an habitation of GOD through the SPIRIT."

     The Bible sometimes describes the church as a "building" (v.21). The LORD JESUS CHRIST is the CHIEF CORNERSTONE of this structure, with the foundation composed of the divinely inspired writings of the Apostles and Prophets (v.20). Individual "living stones," which represent believers in the church age, comprise the superstructure. All of GOD's children are "fellow citizens" of Heaven and part of this "household of GOD" (v.19). Notice the dependence of these building components. The church is "build upon the foundation" (v.20) - our faith rests solely on GOD's final infallible revelation to mankind (1st.Thessalonians 2:13 pictured above; 4:1-2; 2nd.Timothy 3:16 pictured below; 2nd.Peter 1:21:3:2).

     For us to be properly fitted and built up in the faith, we must gain an increasing knowledge of the WORD of GOD. The spiritual process of being "fitly framed together" (v.21) includes our absolute reliance upon and alignment with the CORNERSTON HIMSELF, JESUS CHRIST. HE must be the HEAD of all things, including every aspect of our life. We need to study the WORD each day, pray without ceasing, commune with the LORD, and daily strive to serve HIM aright; as we do so, the HOLY SPIRIT will shape us into the kind of stones that rightly fit and function in GOD's building - CHRIST's body - and that are a light in this dark world. GOD dwells within the church; it is HIS "Holy temple" (vv.21-22). The world should be able to recognize that we are a part of this building, and it will when we yield ourselves to the ministry of the HOLY SPIRIT. Remember, in order to be useful for GOD, we must do all things "through the SPIRIT" (v.22). Are we allowing GOD's SPIRIT within to open our heart to the WORD and direct our path ? DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Ideal Man ?"

 

THE  10  MOST  WANTED  MEN

* 1 The man who puts GOD's business above any of his own affairs.

"For whether we live, we live unto the LORD; and whether we die, we die unto the LORD, Whether we live therefore, or die, we are the LORD's." (Romans 14:8).

* 2 The man who teaches and sets a good example for his children.

"And these WORDs, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." (Deuteronomy 6:6,7).

* 3 The man who recognizes that anyone who needs him is his neighbor.

"Thou shalt love . . . thy neighbor as thyself . . . but he, willing to justify himself, said unto JESUS, And who is my neighbor ? . . . And a certain Samaritan . . . had compassion on him . . ." (Luke 10:27, 29, 33).

* 4 The man who measures his giving by what he has left rather than by what he gives.

"He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." (2nd.Corinthians 9:6).

* 5 The man who reads the WORD of GOD with as much diligence as he does his smartphone.

"Study to show thyself approved unto GOD, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the WORD of truth." (2nd.Timothy 2:15).

* 6 The man who lives for the treasures in Heaven rather than the pleasures on Earth.

"But lay up for yourselves treasure in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doeth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal, for where your treasure is there will your heart be also."  (Matthew 6:20,21).

*7 The man who recognizes his obligations to his family, his church, and his community as well as to his business.

"And I will say unto my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But GOD said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee. Then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided ?" (Luke 12:19,20)

* 8 The man who sees his own faults before he sees the faults of others.

"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye ?" (Matthew 7:3).

* 9 The man who wants to help others rather than serve himself.

"Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." (Philippians 2:3,4).

*10 The man who recognizes that all of life should be lived distinctively.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of GOD." (1st.Corinthians 10:31).

". . . choose you this day WHOM ye shall serve; . . .but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15).

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Wall is Broken Down"

Ephesians 2:13-18 "But now in CHRIST JESUS ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of CHRIST. For HE is our peace, WHO hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in HIS flesh the enmity, even the Law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in HIMSELF of twain one new man, so making peace; and that HE might reconcile both unto GOD in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through HIM we both have access by one SPIRIT unto the FATHER."

     Today, GOD does not distinguish between the "Circumcision" and the "Uncircumcision" (v.11), between the Jew and the rest of the Gentile world; both stand the same before HIM - guilty ! All men, regardless of creed or culture, are sinners and share in common the desperate need to be saved (Romans 3:9-30). In the church age, the Jew does not have an advantage over the Gentile with respect to approaching GOD; every person must come by way of the bloodstained cross, as today's text reveals. In this dispensation of grace, there is one body - the church-composed of saved Jews and Gentiles who are now "Christians." The HOLY SPIRIT baptizes, or places, the individual into this relationship the very moment he or she believes (1st.Corinthians 12:13 pictured above).

     The ecumenical movement often uses today's text in the attempt to scripturally justify their efforts to bring together all denominations and traditions, Catholic and Orthodox included. In JESUS CHRIST, the temple's veil that once separated Jew and Gentile (not "denominational barriers" !) is done away (vv.13-14 pictured above). The LORD creates this spiritual harmony; it is not a man-made alliance that encompasses Bible-rejecting liberals or those who preach a false gospel. Many prominent religious movements and denominations today boast in their ability to "tear down walls"; however, this supposed unity is derived at the expense of the pure Gospel and sound doctrine. The "one body" mentioned in our text is made up only of those who have come "by the cross" (vv.15-18). While the ecumenists may pride themselves in their inclusive, innovative approaches to man-centered unions, only GOD can produce a truly HOLY SPIRIT filled accord. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

 

"In Time Past Without Hope"

 

Ephesians 2:11-12 "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision (the Jews) in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without CHRIST, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without GOD in the world:"

     Today's text begins a new section explaining how the church, which is CHRIST's "body" (Ephesians 1:22-23 pictured above), was a "mystery" formerly undisclosed in the Old Testament dispensations. However, in New Testament revelation, the Apostle Paul explains that the church is a union involving Jew and Gentile, both standing on equal footing before the LORD. Today such an idea does not seem too difficult to understand or accept, but to the Jew in the first century, it was a radical concept - perhaps even repulsive. The Jew was proud of his Abrahamic lineage, and the thought of Gentiles approaching GOD in like manner was hard to swallow. Divine revelation and apostolic instruction were necessary to drive home this new and crucial point of doctrine (Ephesians 3:1-6).

     Under the Mosaic Law of the Old Testament, GOD's people, the children of Israel, were distinct from the Gentiles, who were outside the covenants given by GOD to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and HIS promises concerning the future Millennial Kingdom given to King David. The Jews had a marked advantage in approaching the one, true GOD, for they had the Law of Moses and the Levitical priestly system, which provided a way into the HOLY of Holies - into the very presence of Almighty GOD (Romans 9:4-5 pictured above). Without question, the Gentiles were at a disadvantage; these Gentile "dogs" (Matthew 7:6), the "Uncircumcision" (v.11), were without hope. The wall between the temple's sanctuary and the court of the Gentiles was a divine and unalterable reality (v.12). But, praise GOD, in tomorrow's devotional we shall see in the subsequent verses that the LORD JESUS CHRIST abolished this dividing wall in the present church age. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The EXCEEDING Riches of HIS Grace"

 

Ephesians 2:7-10 "That in the ages to come HE might show the exceeding riches of HIS grace in HIS kindness toward us through CHRIST JESUS. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are HIS workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS unto good works, which GOD hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

     What is GOD's purpose in providing the gift of salvation ? HE seeks to demonstrate HIS unfathomable grace by transforming a hell-based sinner into a saved believer in CHRIST, perfectly fitted for eternal glory. Now and throughout all eternity the redeemed will shine forth as trophies of HIS glory and grace (v.7). If we could justifiably claim that our redemption was due in any way to our own efforts, then we would have reason to boast; however, our LORD will have none of that (v.9 Pictured above) ! For all eternity, glorified sinners-made saints will be a tribute to HIS amazing grace.

     Salvation is a gift that is received by faith (v.8 pictured above). No one earns or works for a gift; that would be a contradiction in terms. The unworthy sinner who accepts GOD's gift by faith soon understands what "the exceeding riches of HIS grace in HIS kindness towards us through CHRIST JESUS" (v.7) really means. Salvation from start to finish - deliverance from the penalty of sin, from the reigning power of sin, and from the very presence of sin (yet future) - is the result of the grace of GOD at work in saving and keeping the believer. Again, how is this gift received ? It is appropriated through faith in the perfect finished work of CHRIST at the very moment we trust HIM as our personal SAVIOR. GOD's grace leaves no room for boasting but certainly plenty of room for praise ! We are HIS workmanship, regenerated and renewed by the HOLY SPIRIT; and, as believers, we are to conform to the image of HIS SON (v.10). We are not saved by good works of any kind, but it is GOD's will "that we should walk in them" after we are saved. Grace not only provides salvation, but it also instructs the believer to live righteously for his LORD (Titus 2:11-15 pictured above). DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation