This week as we look at David’s Mighty Men, we cannot forget another Mighty Man in the New Testament. That Mighty Man was the Apostle Paul. Paul was a missionary to the Gentiles. He served God in an amazing way and much of his ministry is recorded in the Book of Acts. Today’s reading is from one of his many letters. It is from the letter to the Ephesian Church. Ephesus is in what is modern day Turkey. We pick up the letter at Ephesians 3
How does Paul describe himself in relation to Jesus (3:1)? What do you think he means by that? How is this similar to the Mighty Mens’ relationship to David?
Paul describes himself as a prisoner of Jesus. He was bound to Jesus. Jesus was the all that mattered to him. He could not do anything apart from that which Jesus commanded him to do.
David’s Mighty Men would have done anything David would have asked. They were bound to David and wholly committed to him.
What assignment was given to Paul (3:2-3)?
His assignment was to extend God’s grace to the Gentiles. The Gentiles were anyone who was not Jewish. He was to tell and to show the goodness and kindness of God to these new people, to whom Jesus had not yet been revealed.
What type of people does God give the most important assignments (3:8)? Why do you think that is?
It is the least deserving. It is the least qualified who get these important assignments. This is the way God has operated since the beginning. He uses the weakest, those with the least skill, those who are most humble so that he might be more greatly exalted through what he accomplishes in them. He uses these people so that there is no mistake that it is God, and not the person.
As a Mighty Man of God, what two things does Paul posses in verses 3:12?
He posses the salvation of Jesus, faith in that salvation, and the boldness to come before God and ask for his help.
How much can God do (3:20)?
I cannot accomplish anything on my own. But God can do anything through me. There is no mountain too high.
What is your assignment from God? How are you rooted and established in his love?
Our assignment is to serve him. We each have unique things given to us by God, to serve him in unique ways. My specific assignment may be different from yours, but we serve a common mission of bringing the kingdom of God to earth. We are rooted and established in love because we have been set apart by him who is the very definition of love.
