QT 01/09/2024 Sun Ephesians 3. Meaningful sufferings of Paul. 保罗有意义的苦难。

QT 01/09/2024 Sun Ephesians 3
http://www.esvbible.org/eph3

Eph 1-3 focus on God’s choosing and calling of His people in building up His church which is united because of Christ.

The mystery of God which was hidden from the world has been revealed to holy apostles, including Paul, and to prophets by God: "This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (Eph 3:6)

Paul, though having been being captured by Rome, did not consider himself prisoner to Rome but prisoner of Christ and he encouraged Ephesian Christians not to be discouraged by his sufferings as it was for their gain and glory. Through Christ, people may approach God with freedom and confidence.

REFLECTION: Are you discouraged when you see how Christians have suffered for God?

APPLICATION: Let the world see God’s plan of salvation accomplished in Christ. Despite setbacks, God can still work for the gain and glory of new members of Christ’s body!

God has built the church through Christ. “For this reason” (Eph 3:1 & Eph 3:14), Paul prayed that they should know that only when Jesus takes the centre place of their hearts can they be strengthened by the Holy Spirit. They should love as God loves and thus experience His fullness (Eph 3:16-19)!

Let’s respond with thanksgiving, praise and worship as we witness God’s works in our church! Glory be to God!

星期日 2024年9月1日 今日读经：以弗所书3章。保罗有意义的苦难。
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Eph/3/

以弗所1-3的焦点是在神拣选和呼吁祂的子民建立因基督而合一的教会。

对世界隐藏的神的奥秘之处已向圣徒揭示，包括保罗和神的先知:“这奥秘就是外族人在基督耶稣里，借着福音可以同作后嗣，同为一体，同蒙应许。”(弗3:6)

保罗被罗马人所逮捕，但他却不把自己看为是罗马的囚犯而是基督的囚犯，他还鼓励以弗所的基督徒不要因为他的苦难而灰心，因为这乃是为了他们的得着和荣耀。借着基督，人们就能自由并且有信心地来到神的面前。

反思: 当你看到基督徒为上帝受苦时，你是否感到灰心沮丧？

应用：让这个世界看到神救恩的计划在基督里成就。尽管受挫，神仍可以为着基督肢体的新成员的得着和荣耀动工！

神以借着基督建立了教会。“因此”(弗3:1和弗3:14)，保罗祈求信徒们要认清，唯有耶稣成为他们的中心，他们才能被圣灵刚强。他们必须像神那样去爱并经历祂的丰盛(弗3:16-19)!

让我们以感恩、赞美和敬拜来回应我们所见证的神在我们教会的作为！荣耀归于主！