#1431. Our ministry is to make the mystery plain! (15/1/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.

In today’s reflection, having already considered God’s great mystery and plan now revealed, we see that: 

From Ephesians 3:7-9, we see how all of us share in the calling to make this ‘great mystery’ - the gospel - known to others.

To watch this devotional, please select the link below: 

1. Paul - and we - are servants of the gospel by the power of God

Paul begins by describing how he became both a Christian and a servant of God:

It’s striking that he calls himself a servant of this gospel. This reminds us that being a Christian is not primarily about God serving us, but about us serving Him - His will, His purposes, and His mission. Too often people live as though God exists to bless their ambitions; Paul reminds us that we exist to serve His.

Like Paul, we are to serve the gospel - to speak of Jesus and help others come into His Kingdom. And, like Paul, we are to take heart that both our salvation and our service are made possible ‘through the working of His power.’ The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead empowers us to live and serve for His glory. Like Paul, we are to constantly remember that we depend upon the power of God and therefore should seek the empowering of the Spirit in our lives. Like Paul, may we be able to say:

So, let’s stay thankful, humble, and dependent on the Spirit, trusting that He can do far more through us than we could ever imagine.

2. None are disqualified from great usefulness to God

Paul continues:

Paul calls himself “the least” because he remembers his past - he had persecuted the church. But even beyond that, he was deeply aware of his own sinfulness and inner struggles. Like Paul, each of us knows our own hearts better than anyone else, and this should keep us humble.

Yet the wonder of grace is that no one is disqualified from being used by God. The same grace that saves us also appoints us to His service. God delights to use the weak, the unworthy, and the ordinary to display His extraordinary power.

3. Like Paul, we are to ‘make plain to everyone’ the gospel. 

Having been saved by grace, and appointed to God’s service by grace, he describes his ministry as:

Paul’s aim was to ‘make plain’ the gospel. ‘Make plain’ - phótizó in greek - means to enlighten, illuminate, bring to light, make clear. Like Paul, our lives are to enlighten everyone about Jesus. Our words, works and even our wonders are to reveal Jesus more clearly. 

However, more specifically, this is a call to help those who become Christians to understand God’s mystery - to help new believers to grow in understanding the gospel and God’s great plans to restore and unite all things in Christ. 

The mystery of God (which is the gospel) - everything and everyone being restored and united in Christ - is to be ‘made plain’ - lit up - by you and me and our church. 

Response

• Do we realise that not only are we saved by grace, but also called and equipped by grace to serve?

• Do we believe that God’s power is available to every believer who seeks to make Christ known?

• Do we see our daily lives as opportunities to “make plain” the riches of Christ to those around us?

Let’s be freshly encouraged by the boundless riches of Christ freely given to us, and let’s be stirred again to make plain - to light up - the message that all can share in these riches through faith in Him.

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

2. Icebreaker

What about the Christmas period and New Year has inspired you in your faith? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

This week, we continues our Ephesians series: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

Our message on Sunday from Ephesians 3:1-13, was entitled: The Mystery Revealed and Our Call to Make It Known. 

I would love us all to think more on Ephesians together, and so, why not use our Come to Jesus Daily devotions each day; please ensure that everyone knows about, and knows how to access our daily devotions on the church website or other platforms. 

https://www.communitychurchputney.com/biblestudy

• Personal Reflection – What did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?

• Please read Ephesians 3:1-9: What was Paul’s calling from God and how does he demonstrate great faithfulness?

• What is the ‘mystery’ now revealed?

• Read Ephesians 3:10-13: We are called to reveal the ‘manifold wisdom of God’ together, what does this mean?

• How is what Paul says about our access to God in prayer and worship, the heart and springboard of the gospel and making it known? 

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• How does our love make us effective in mission?

• How would praying together lead to more effective mission? 

• Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.

• Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation?

Let’s pray together: 

• Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.

• Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.