Servants of the Gospel

Sometimes we may have to face some persecution in order to faithfully minister to those we are responsible for

Read verse 1-13

vs.1: “prisoner” - Paul considered himself a prisoner of Jesus, because it was out of obedience to Jesus that he was in prison

He trusted in God’s sovereignty . He trusted that God had him there for a reason that would ultimately aid the spread of the Gospel to Gentiles.

Corrie ten Boom

vs.2-5: “mystery; mystery of Christ” - this is a huge deal; the Gospel

mystery in this context means “something that has not previously been made known”

not a mystery to God, foreshadows this

This is a huge deal for Jews & Gentiles in this context

vs.6: why does this matter to us?

it shows God’s love & sovereignty by His redemptive plan for humankind

OT [His people] -> NT [His people]

v.7: “made a servant…by the gift of God’s grace”

what we view as a tedious & unbearable task, Paul viewed humbly as a gift of God’s grace

v.8: least - elachistos - insignificant

Paul considered himself to have no qualifications to do what he is doing. We can feel this way too.

God did not seek out Paul’s resume, God chooses from a different criteria than we do

v.12: God’s plan of salvation purposed before the world and executed in the cross clears the path to God.

“confident access”

Through Christ a person can enter God’s presence with freedom & confidence

The cross has provided salvation which cleanses us of sin, forgives us, makes us holy and thus enables us to enter the presence of the Holy one.

v.13: Paul’s circumstances were necessary to God’s plan.

Paul’s situation could easily discourage young churches & believers

Paul is saying his suffering is no reason for sadness, it helped accomplish God’s plan

Read & - Do you view this command for your life as a tedious or unbearable task? Why? What can you do to view this command as a gift like Paul?

Paul considers himself insignificant in verse 8. We must view ourselves as less than others, as servants, to effectively spread the Gospel. What would it look like for you to serve others? (Answer practically/realistically)

Paul endured a lot of persecution in his life. Does fear of persecution scare you from growing in your faith or telling others about the Gospel? Are you afraid of being an outcast or being picked on/ridiculed?

Understand that anything you encounter or go through is ultimately for the sake of the Gospel and the glory of God. Let that motivate you, not scare you.