Scripture-
For me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what was the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Observations-
Paul acknowledges that his ministry is only by the grace of God. He knew what He was when God called Him, he did not hide from his past, but rather celebrated that it proved that God's grace is beyond measure if it could even take someone like him and give him a ministry, a message to share from God Himself. Humility.
Unfathomable-the riches of Christ-immeasurable, impossible to truly comprehend.
Mystery- Paul uses this word in Ephesians more than in any other book. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs- not an earth shattering pronouncement for us today, but for the Jew of Paul's day I can only imagine how hard this was to accept- to believe. Their whole lives they were set apart from the rest of the nations, to be a Gentile was an awful state, one to be pitied, a people to be avoided, and now they are to share their heritage with these outcasts- the unclean people of the world? How can it be?!!!
The Gospel is not only being made known to us- but through the church it is also being revealed to the the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places! What?! Amazing thought!
1 Peter 1:12- Angels long to look into the things that are being preached by the apostles (My rendering)
1 Corinthians 4:9- the apostles became a spectacle to the whole world, both to angels and to men.
The angels are watching- they are watching how we live our lives, listening to what we have to say, learning about the mystery of the Gospel that was even hidden from them.
Application-
Humility, all that I am I owe to Christ. All that I am called to do is given me from God. Everything I have, every gift, every talent, every purpose- they all come from God. Remember that fact and do not become self-absorbed or think more of myself than I ought.
When I searched for an image to represent "unfathomable riches" this is what came up--an image of foot washing. It made me think about what Jesus did for the disciples that night so long ago, what He did with His unfathomable riches. This is what we are to do with those unfathomable riches- become the servants of all.
Be Blessed,
Deb
For me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what was the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Observations-
Paul acknowledges that his ministry is only by the grace of God. He knew what He was when God called Him, he did not hide from his past, but rather celebrated that it proved that God's grace is beyond measure if it could even take someone like him and give him a ministry, a message to share from God Himself. Humility.
Unfathomable-the riches of Christ-immeasurable, impossible to truly comprehend.
Mystery- Paul uses this word in Ephesians more than in any other book. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs- not an earth shattering pronouncement for us today, but for the Jew of Paul's day I can only imagine how hard this was to accept- to believe. Their whole lives they were set apart from the rest of the nations, to be a Gentile was an awful state, one to be pitied, a people to be avoided, and now they are to share their heritage with these outcasts- the unclean people of the world? How can it be?!!!
The Gospel is not only being made known to us- but through the church it is also being revealed to the the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places! What?! Amazing thought!
1 Peter 1:12- Angels long to look into the things that are being preached by the apostles (My rendering)
1 Corinthians 4:9- the apostles became a spectacle to the whole world, both to angels and to men.
The angels are watching- they are watching how we live our lives, listening to what we have to say, learning about the mystery of the Gospel that was even hidden from them.
Application-
When I searched for an image to represent "unfathomable riches" this is what came up--an image of foot washing. It made me think about what Jesus did for the disciples that night so long ago, what He did with His unfathomable riches. This is what we are to do with those unfathomable riches- become the servants of all.
Be Blessed,
Deb
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