The Grace of God in Life and Ministry

by Mitchell Tan
February 12, 2020

PAUL’S EXEMPLARY RESPONSE IN RECEIVING THE LORD’S GRACE

In life and ministry, we all need the grace of God to enable us to succeed. This was something that the apostle Paul recognised. He had a special calling to be a minister of the Lord Jesus. He was meant to preach the gospel to the world.

“Of which I became a minister”
Ephesians 3:7

The word “minister” in Greek is the word “diakonos”. It has the idea of one who serves humbly. The servant of the Lord would serve with a humble spirit. Paul was called to be a minister of the gospel, because of the grace of the Lord that was given to him.

1. GRACE AND EFFECTIVE EMPOWERING GO TOGETHER

“Of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God to me by the effective working of His power.”
Ephesians 3:7

In the Greek, this verse actually has two “according”.

A. ACCORDING TO THE GIFT OF THE GRACE OF GOD

One of the things that Paul truly appreciated was the grace of God in his life. He became a minister according to this wonderful gift of His grace in his life. The privilege to be a minister of the Lord Jesus and having the ability to serve is purely by God’s grace. The word “became” in Greek has the idea of an external force helping him to become a minister. It was the Lord Jesus who believed in him, counted him faithful, and put him into the ministry even though he persecuted the Church (1 Timothy 1:12-14). The Lord’s grace was exceedingly abundant towards him and enabled him to serve. Paul was able to fulfil his calling through the grace of the Lord.

B. ACCORDING TO THE EFFECTIVE WORKING OF HIS POWER

There was the effectual working of the Lord’s power in Paul’s life. The power of the Lord would always work mightily. When we look at how Paul served and was faithful in all that he did, it was a result of God’s energising power in his life. The Lord’s dynamic power enabled him to succeed as a minister.

2. GREAT HUMILITY AND GRACE TO MINISTER GO TOGETHER

“To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ”
Ephesians 3:8

A. SEEING ONESELF AS LEAST OF ALL

Paul also had a very humble view of himself. Although he was a great apostle, he still saw himself as the least of all the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:9). He even saw himself as less than the least of all the saints. He saw himself as totally unworthy of anything from the Lord. And yet the Lord gave His grace to enable him to serve Him.

B. ABILITY TO PREACH THE CHRIST TO THE GENTILES

With much grace from the Lord, Paul was able to preach the wonderful things of Christ to the Gentiles. There are still many things of our Lord that have yet to be discovered. It is only by grace that we can know and preach the incomprehensible riches of the Lord Jesus.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

1. Let’s fully appreciate the grace of God in saving us and in calling us to serve Him.

2. Let’s apply the grace of the Lord in our life and ministry.

3. Let’s learn to have great humility before this great Lord as we serve.

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