“A Walk That is Worthy”
Part 8
Our Response to God’s Grace
Text: Eph 3:7-13
Intro:
This morning I am going to continue on with our Series in Ephesians entitled “A walk that is worthy” The message the Lord gave me for this morning is entitled “Our Response to God’s Grace” I have spent an incredible amount of time talking about God’s Grace, what an incredible thing it is that He has provided for us. Let me share a few thoughts of challenge with you as to what our response
should be. Paul begins chapter 3 with…”For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles.”
What is Paul speaking of here? He is saying that He is a prisoner because and for the work that Jesus is trying to accomplish in the Gentiles. It shows Pauls humility even in the place of imprisonment that He is in. He closes this section in verse 13 asking them not to be discouraged because he is in prison because God is building His kingdom through it. What a humble attitude that Paul has. He says in verse 7, “I became a servant of this Gospel…”
It is these words I would like to focus on for the next few moments. What does it mean to be a servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Well I think that our response should be 5 fold
1) Service v7
“I became a servant”
Illus:
When I was growing up my parents raised chickens. Chickens have a very interesting social life.
Bill Hybels notes: "Take ten chickens, any ten. Put them in a pen together, and spread a little chicken feed. In short order, you will witness an amazing phenomenon. In a matter of minutes, the chickens, previously strangers, will form a hierarchy based on dominance or, in everyday language, they will establish a Pecking Order. Instinctively, they will determine, through a series of skirmishes, who the Number One chicken will be; then the Number Two; the Number Three; all the way down to the unlucky Number Ten chicken.Much is at stake in this dance of domination. Chicken Number One pecks at and intimidates Chicken Number Two, without experiencing any kind of retribution from Chicken Number Two. Chicken Number Two will take it from Chicken Number One but will turn around and peck away at Chicken Number Three, who will in turn, take out its frustration on Chicken Number Four. The Pecking Order continues all the way down to Chicken Number Ten, who, needless to say, has a pretty miserable life - pecked but no one to peck." (115, 116)
What does it mean to serve?
To serve is to put others first.
a) To serve is a result of salvation
Heb 9:14
b) There is Greatness in Service
Mat 20:26-28
Our response to the Gospel is service. In Pauls case this put Him in prison. This was not the first time Paul had been in prison for the name of Christ, but he was still rejoicing, maybe even more so than the first time.
2) Evangelism v8
“to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ”
Hebrews 2:1-4
I love the words…”SUCH A GREAT Salvation” Our response must be to share this salvation
3) Instruction v9
“to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery”
a) Study Ourselves
2 Tim 2:15 KJV
b) Teach Others What we know
Go and Make Disciples
Matt 28:19
4) Fellowship v10,11
“through the church”
With all of the its faults, difficulties, and problems, the Church has been instituted by God to serve a purpose.
That purpose is provide a place in which believers can fellowship and worship the Lord together. When done with the right attitude of the heart things happen.
In our text we see two byproducts of a healthy fellowship of believers
a) Manifold Wisdom of God made known
This wisdom is being made know to the heavenly realms.
When we come together in the name of Christ we can do
incredible things in the spiritual realm.
Matt 18:19,20
b) God’s eternal purpose in Christ be revealed
God wants to reveal His eternal purposes for mankind through us. We are a city that is set on a hill. It cannot be hid…and it gives hope.
5) Worship v12
“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence”
a) Freedom
Gal 5:13
b) Confidence
Hebrews 4:16
This confidence is not a pride of I have the right to be here. It is the confidence a child has in coming to his father, knowing that he will be accepted as a part of the family.
Conclusion
What is our response to the grace God has given us.
?Is our response proportional to the Gift?
