Continuing in Ephesians...
When Paul first came to know the Lord on Damascus road, he was sold out for Jesus. He takes a position early on in his ministry. Here in Ephesians Paul says that he is less than the least! What a progression from his first defense of the ministry to this passage here in Ephesians. He realized the magnitude of God's grace and how much he depended on it daily.
True humility is not the "worm" theology, that we often hear about. But we can approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12
Someone told Oral Roberts, "
stay small in your own eyes."
One of the devil's favorite tools is discouragement.
Paul's focus wasn't on himself, he knew things from God's perspective. On the road to Damascus PPaul wasn't looking for God. God found him and he had a life-altering experience.
It shows how fast God can change things around. He was persecuting believers, then he turned in the other direction. He was also a scholar in the Jewish religion. His ministry was to the Gentiles. He was the Pharisee of the Pharisees, yet he ministered to Gentiles. That shows that God takes us out of our comfort zone.
Ephesians 3:14-21 -- Paul's prayer.
Paul says that he
kneels and in those days, people
stood when they prayed. Paul shows humility by
kneeling. People were named according to their character.
Perhaps one day, this Life Group/Care Group will meet in heaven.
The book of John was shallow enough to wade in, but deep enough for a scholar to drown in. One of the past members of the Life Group said this.
Ephesians 3:16 The word, strengthened, in the Greek: krataioo
{krat-ah-yo'-o}
1) to strengthen, make strong
2) to be made strong, to increase in
strength, to grow strong
This will be our memory verse for the week.
Epheisians 3:13, the word discouraged, in the Greek is: ekkakeo
{ek-kak-eh'-o} or egkakeo {eng-kak-eh'-o} 1) to be utterly spiritless, to be
wearied out, exhausted
