What role does God's power play in our ministry, according to Ephesians 3:7? The Verse at a Glance “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power.” (Ephesians 3:7) Power That Calls and Commissions • Paul did not volunteer himself; God’s power drafted him into service. • The same Holy Spirit who arrested Paul on the Damascus road still taps us on the shoulder. • Cross-reference: Acts 1:8—“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses…” • Ministry begins with divine initiative, not human résumé. Power That Equips and Enables • Grace is the gift; power is the engine that makes the gift function. • Paul’s sufficiency flowed from God, not personality or training. • Cross-reference: Colossians 1:29—“To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me.” • Whatever God assigns, His power supplies. Power That Sustains and Protects • Ministry pressures would crush us if we stood alone. • Cross-reference: 2 Corinthians 12:9—“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” • Weakness is not a disqualifier; it is an invitation for Christ’s power to “rest on” us. Power That Produces Fruit • Results are supernatural, not manufactured. • Cross-reference: 1 Thessalonians 2:13—The word of God “is now at work in you who believe.” • The gospel carries its own power (Romans 1:16); we are delivery vessels, not originators. Power That Emboldens • Fear evaporates when divine power fills the heart. • Cross-reference: 2 Timothy 1:7—“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” • Courage in witness, endurance in hardship, and love for the unlovely all spring from the same well. Living This Truth Today • Dependence replaces self-reliance: pray first, strategize second. • Expect God’s power to show up in ordinary tasks—teaching a class, visiting a shut-in, sharing the gospel over coffee. • Measure success by faithfulness and Spirit-produced fruit, not human applause. • When weakness surfaces, rejoice; God is preparing a fresh display of His strength. In ministry, Ephesians 3:7 anchors us to this unchanging reality: the call, the capacity, the courage, and the continuing effectiveness all flow “through the working of His power.” |
    |