Faint Not

 Ephesians 3:13  "Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory." 

The apostle Paul had many tribulations and afflictions. It was through his sufferings that God received the most glory. In his weaknesses Christ's strength was made perfect and as a result the salvation of many. The Ephesians could glory in the fact that Paul was used my God. However, Paul also warns the church that they should not faint because of his afflictions. Jesus taught in Luke 18:1  "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"  We need to pray through our afflictions. We need to pray through our tribulations, trials and troubles. Prayer is the key to not fainting. As we wait upon God and serve Him through prayer we have this promise. Isaiah 40:29-31 "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. What tribulation is causing you to faint? Don't let it! Run to God in prayer, wait upon Him, He will strengthen you. Listen, my friend I know a little bit about affliction and weariness. There is a strong temptation to quit, to throw in the towel, to give up and rot, but God says keep on keeping on. God says He "will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."  I don't know what your tribulation, temptation, trial or testing is but faint not. Keep going you will be glad you did. Galatians 6:9  "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."  Faint not my friend, reward season is just around the corner. With God's help and strength you can make it. Relying and depending upon Him in prayer will make the difference, just don't quit! Brethren, be not weary in well doing lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. And remember there are others who are watching you and who desire that ye faint not. Faint not!

Purpose, Boldness, Confidence

Ephesians 3:11,12  "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." 

The eternal purpose of saving souls which He purposed to accomplish through His Son the Lord Jesus is accomplished through the gospel. The gospel of God calls us to believe. God then chooses to save them that believe. It is all by grace and not of works. Our faith saves us. 2Timothy 1:9  "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,"  As a believer God has a purpose for your life. He has a plan for you. There is something He desires for you to accomplish in this life. In this we can take comfort knowing that God has a purpose for everything we go through. Romans 8:28  "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  God's eternal purpose for you is found in Christ Jesus. God is at work in the believer's life, conforming you to image of His Son. This reality brings boldness. 

The boldness we have was obtained by the blood of Jesus. Hebrews 10:19  "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus," We are to be bold as believers. We have access to the King and can come boldly to ask for help. This boldness come from the Holy Ghost whom empowers us to serve Him. It is essential that we walk with God, commune with the Holy Ghost and spend time with Jesus. When we do, there is great boldness in our lives. Acts 4:13  "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Walk with God, walk in the Spirit and you shall have this boldness.

The confidence we have is in the Lord. Proverbs 14:26  "In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge." Proverbs 3:26  "For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken."  We ought to be confident people. Not confident in ourselves, but confident that the Lord has our back and knows exactly what He is doing. Where's your confidence today? It's not time to be timid, it's not time to cower in fear, we have God on our side. We need to act confident! Not arrogant, there's a difference. We need to have strong confidence in the Lord and boldly walk according to His purpose in our lives. Our purpose, our boldness and our confidence is in Him. 1John 5:14  "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:"  I suggest that you pray and walk with God today that you may have boldness and to fulfill your purpose.

The Manifold Wisdom of God

Ephesians 3:10  "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God," 

The mystery that Paul is now preaching was hid from the beginning of the world. Not even the angels of heaven, much less the fallen angels were aware of exactly how God the Father was going to accomplish this. 1Peter 1:12  "Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into."  Now it is given to Paul to make this mystery known to the church that they may see the manifold wisdom of God. This word translated as manifold is only used once in the Bible and it means multifarious, that many or various types. The manifold wisdom of God is clearly seen in creation, salvation and any other work of His hands. Psalm 104:24  "O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches." The various types of ways God displays His wisdom is found throughout scripture, but to this point the way that God would bring two different groups of people at odds with one another together is genius. God in His wisdom would use the Jews rejection of Jesus to open the door of faith to the Gentiles and thereby bring the two together. Christ is at the center of this wisdom. 1Corinthians 1:24  "But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."  Jesus Christ is the power of God and wisdom of God. In Him all things are made one, in Him all things work together for good, in Him all mysteries are made known, in Him all men are complete! 1Corinthians 1:30  "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:"  Somebody please praise Jesus! Somebody please say Amen to Jesus! Somebody please thank God for Jesus! In Him are hearts are comforted, in Him are hearts are knit together in love, in Him there is assurance and understanding! Colossians 2:2,3  "That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."  Listen my friend I don't know what your going through. I don't know what has gotten you down or how much you may hurt, but I can promise you this: HE KNOWS! He understands and knows exactly what He is doing. Trust the manifold wisdom of God today!

Created by Jesus Christ

Ephesians 3:9  "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: "

One of Paul's theme in preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ was to make all men see this mystery of fellowship between the Jews and Gentiles. (See previous posts.) This mystery was hid from the beginning and now Paul is commissioned by God to make it known. Colossians 1:26,27  "Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:"  Notice the last statement Paul makes in this verse: "who created all things by Jesus Christ."  Jesus Christ is the Saviour but He is also the Creator. Jesus Christ existed before His supernatural birth as the Word. John 1:1-3  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."  Everything that has ever been created was created by Jesus Christ. The heaven and earth, the sea, the sun, moon and stars, the plants, trees, mountains and hills. All fish of the sea, the fowl of the air and animals were made by Him. Mankind was made in His image. Colossians 1:16  "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:"  All things were created by Jesus Christ for His own purpose and pleasure. He made you for Himself. You belong to Him! You are His workmanship. Ephesians 2:10  "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."  As a born again believer you have been created in holiness and true righteousness. You are a new creature with divine characteristics. You were saved to serve Him. You were created by Jesus Christ to reflect His image, so shine my friend today, and live in such a way as to please your Creator!

The Unsearchable Riches of Christ

Ephesians 3:8  "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;" 

The greatest saints are the most humble ones. Abraham, Jeremiah, Moses, Isaiah, and others; thought less of themselves, and more of others. Paul in this verse makes it clear how he felt about his own Christianity. He did not view himself as a great Christian, he said I "am less than the least of all saints."  There are too many Christians full of pride today! It is time we took a good long look in the mirror and realize how rotten and sinful we really are. Furthermore Paul viewed himself as the chief of sinners. Paul understood that he was just a sinner saved by grace. If it were not for the grace of God, hell would be our lot. I can tell you for sure the best Christians are the ones that don't consider themselves to be great Christians. Loose the pride my friend! It's not all about you! It's all about God's grace. The grace that is given in our text, is the gift of grace, as before, the ministerial gift. Paul was so humbled to be able to preach to the Gentiles. 2Timothy 1:11  "Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles."  He did not think he was God's gift to preaching! He gratefully realized what a gift it was to preach. There is a big difference in the two. Would to God there were more humble preachers who just rejoiced in the fact that they "get" to preach. Paul goes on to describe what he had the privilege to preach about, the unsearchable riches of Christ.  The riches of Christ are seen in his nature, in the work of His hands and in the inheritance that He has for us. The riches of His goodness...Romans 2:4  "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" The riches of His grace...Ephesians 1:7  "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." The riches of His glory...Ephesians 1:18  "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints." So rejoice my friend, whatever your need may be, my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

The Gift of a Minister

Ephesians 3:7  "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."

Paul was made a minister according to the the will of God. God called, sanctified and qualified Paul to be a minister of the Gospel. Romans 15:16  "That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost."  A minister of the Gospel has a truly blessed and privileged calling. He is given the awesome responsibility of representing Christ and in safeguarding the Gospel. Ordained ministers are to walk worthy of that calling and faithfully give themselves to the ministry of the word. Colossians 1:25  "Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;"  A minister is to be given to the word of God and serve his people with the grace and ability that God gives. According to the gift, a ministerial gift bestowed upon him, for such service does he serve. Think of it! What a privilege to serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is truly a gift to be in the ministry. 1Timothy 1:12  "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;"  The God called minister has been gifted and enable by God to carry out His work through the power of the Holy Ghost. The power of God is seen as a working grace in the hearts of men, this is certainly true in the equipping of God's ministers. All of God's servants are able to accomplish the specific plan that God has for them as they yield to the power of God. It is certainly true that the work that ministers get to be involved in is a gift and ought to be cherished as such. Likewise ministers themselves are a gift to their congregations. A pastor is a gift to the body of Christ and should be respected, loved and cherished as a gift from God. Thank your minister today for his ministry!

Partakers of Promises

Ephesians 3:6  "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:" 

That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs with the Jews, again is the mystery of Christ. The Gentiles now have the blessings of salvation by grace, and of the eternal, incorruptible, and never failing inheritance reserved in heaven. That Gentiles should be heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ Jesus, was not foreseen but now it is a reality. The Gentiles with the believing Jews, are now under one and the same head, Christ Jesus, and being all baptized into one body. 1Corintians 12:12,13  "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."  This unity of the body is of utmost importance for the local church to function properly under its head. In addition to the Gentiles are now partakers of his promise. Galatians 3:14  "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."  Now all the promises of the Bible are in Christ Jesus, yea and amen, safe and secure. As a result of being in Christ all the promises are available to any that come to partake in them, as these Gentiles did. 1John 2:25  "And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life."  The One who made these promises cannot lie, so you can go to the bank with them. Get you a promise from the Word of God and stand upon it today. Standing on the promises you can not fail, trusting Jesus with every detail of your life. Praise the Lord we have a book and a God that are always right!