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Ephesians 3:7.
"Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power."
In this new teaching you'll encounter the gift of grace, the power of ministry and your call to shine! Explores how God's grace equips you to overcome offense and fulfill your calling with God's strength. Watch now and download the notes to be empowered by the message and be inspired to shine brightly in your faith journey.
Video
Notes
Title: "The Gift of Grace, the Power of Ministry, and the Call to Shine"
Scripture: Ephesians 3:7 - "Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by
the effectual working of his power."
Ephesians 3:7. This scripture encapsulates the essence of our calling, the grace bestowed upon us, and the dynamic
power of God at work within us.
George Whitefield: preached his last sermon with a flicking light in his hand to a small crowd of friends.
The Love of Christ constrains me to lift up my voice like a trumpet!
Main Points:
1. The Calling to Ministry:
Paul begins by stating, "Whereof I was made a minister." Ministry is not something we take upon ourselves; it is a divine
calling. Paul, once a persecutor of the church, was transformed by an encounter with Christ. Similarly, we are called into
ministry not by our merit but by God's sovereign will.
Illustration: Think of Moses, who was called from tending sheep to lead a nation. Or consider Peter, a fisherman turned
apostle.
Or Christ the Carpenter who’s purpose was to be the savior
Our calling often takes us from the ordinary to the extraordinary, all by God's design.
2. The Gift of Grace:
Paul continues, "according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me." Grace is unmerited favor, a divine enablement
that equips us for our calling. It's not our strength, wisdom, or abilities that qualify us, but God's grace.
Application: Reflect on your own life. What gifts has God given you?
How has His grace enabled you to serve in ways you never thought possible?
Recognize that every talent, every opportunity, and every open door is a manifestation of His grace.
3. The Effectual Working of His Power:
Paul concludes with, "by the effectual working of his power." The Greek word for "effectual working" is "energeia," from
which we get the word energy. It signifies active, powerful, and dynamic work. The ministry we are called to is
empowered by God's mighty power at work within us.
Example: Consider the transformation in Paul's life. From a zealous persecutor to a passionate apostle, Paul's ministry
was marked by God's power. Miracles, conversions, and the spread of the gospel were all evidence of this divine power.
4. The Call to Shine:
Let's bring in another powerful illustration from Acts 20:8. When Paul was in Troas, he preached all night. As he
preached, a young man named Eutychus drifted off to sleep and fell out of a window. Fortunately, Paul was there to
restore him to life. The passage notes, "There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together."
In our world today, there are many lamps, symbolizing the light of Christ in us. However, as in the Parable of the Ten
Virgins in Matthew 25:8, half of the lamps had gone out because they had no oil. This doesn't mean the lamps were
half-lit; we either shine or we are patches of shadow.
I sometimes wonder if fifty-fifty is a general average among Christians. Half the virgins were asleep, and so was
Eutychus. People who go to sleep on the job, those whose lamps have gone out because they have no oil, are bound to
fall. That's why Ephesians 5:14 admonishes us, "Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you
light."
Today, I challenge you to keep your lamps burning brightly. Do not let the light of Christ in you grow dim. Be vigilant,
stay filled with the Holy Spirit, and let your light shine before all men.
Charlie and Brynn Schamp
YouTube
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