Pause to Clarify (v. 1)
The Revealed Mystery (vv. 2-7)
Revealed in Christ
Concealed in the Old Testament
Congealed into the Church
The Real Ministry (vv. 8-12)
Paul’s humble practice
Paul’s heavenly purpose
Purpose to Comfort (v. 13)
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More To Consider
The teenager lost a contact lens while playing basketball in his driveway. After a fruitless search, he told his mother the lens was nowhere to be found. Undaunted, she went outside and in a few minutes returned with the lens in her hand. "I really looked hard for that, Mom," said the youth. "How'd you manage to find it?"
“We weren't looking for the same thing," she replied. "You were looking for a small piece of plastic. I was looking for $150." sermonillustrations.com
It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. Lou Holtz
It is said that Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, once had captured a prince and his family. When they came before him, the monarch asked the prisoner, "What will you give me if I release you?" "The half of my wealth," was his reply. "And if I release your children?" "Everything I possess." "And if I release your wife?" "Your Majesty, I will give myself." Cyrus was so moved by his devotion that he freed them all. As they returned home, the prince said to his wife, "Wasn't Cyrus a handsome man!" With a look of deep love for her husband, she said to him, "I didn't notice. I could only keep my eyes on you- -the one who was willing to give himself for me.” Sermonillustrations.com
If the Ephesians truly understood “the administration of God’s grace that was given to” Paul (v. 2), they should not … be discouraged because of his sufferings for them. His sufferings were for their gain and glory. If Paul had not dispensed to the Gentiles the stewardship of God’s grace, then Jews would not have been hostile to him and he would not have been imprisoned. His preaching brought salvation to the Gentiles, but it incurred the wrath of many Jews on him. However, many others became members of the church, Christ’s body, and this was their glory. Hoehner, H. W. (1985). In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 630–631). Victor Books.
