SCRIPTURE: Ephesians (NIV) 3:1 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,
OBSERVATION: The reason for Paul being a prisoner, not of Rome, but of Christ Jesus…the reason is given at the end of chapter 2. It is that Gentiles are now as much a part of God’s holy temple as are the Jews.
Paul was assigned to preach to the Gentiles and to make sure everyone knew that it was always God’s plan to include the Gentiles.
Because the Gentiles are an integral part of the plan of God, Paul has become not only a prisoner of Rome, but also of the Lord Jesus Christ! His life was not his own. His choices were not his own. God had given him understanding and appointed him a minister to the Gentiles.
APPLICATION: It is so logical to see myself as a prisoner of Jesus. First: when I realize Who He is—the Creator of the Universe. It is foolish not to do His bidding.
Second: when I consider what He did for me—dying for me on a cruel cross to pay the price for my sins. How can I not surrender to such love!
Third: being His servant means I am a part of the great endeavor planned from the creation of the earth to be fulfilled in a great celebration in heaven! It is good to be a part of something so much bigger than me!
PRAYER: Lord, you are not some God that is far out of my reach. You are God who loves me and shares this life I live. You are ever close. You are a part of every decision I must make. You protect me from my foolishness. Like Paul, I am your prisoner, held by your love.
Pastor Leon
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