Today's Passage - Ephesians 3:7-9

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Ephesians 3:7-9   "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.  Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things."   Paul said here that he has become a servant, or "minister" in other translations, of this gospel.  It referred to his ministry of preaching the gospel, and also as a position of someone ordained by God to preach the gospel.   First of all, his status as a minister was not given by himself, but from God.  The Great Commission tells us that all of us need to testify for the Lord, but we need to first have God's calling and also confirmation by the church in order to become a minister of the gospel.  Many people in the ministry field ordain themselves, some become prophets and others become apostle.  There are a bunch of titles on their business cards, but they belong to no church.  A servant who's truly chosen by God must have confirmation from church and be willing to submit to the authority of the church.  One who doesn't submit under authority of a church can't really be used by God.  They only boast about themselves and cannot collaborate with others.  They forgot that no matter whether they are apostles, prophets or missionaries, their duty is always to perfect the saints but not to act alone.   Next, this minister must carry the working of God's power.  One who's truly chosen by God will have God's authority and power; the apostles must be able to establish churches and leaders with authority, and the prophets must have firm words from God to point out all types of gifts, and those who preach the gospel must be able to lead people to the Lord, break all authorities of idol and darkness and release hearts of people from sin.  God will use signs and wonders and affirm the word that they preach.   Third, a minister of the gospel must be humble in the hands of God while he's used by God.  Paul said here that "I am less than the least of all God's people," and in all his epistles we found that the more he served the more humble he became, because before God he found himself really not worthy of the calling.  In fact, if a person who serves God finds himself more capable as he serves more, perhaps he has never really served.  On the other hand, humility doesn't mean incompetence; Paul was humble, but he received the incomprehensible mystery of Christ from God and preached it to the gentiles, and people actually understood what he was preaching.  Apparently his work was effective and that was visible to the people.   Are you eager to become someone called by God to serve Him?  You must first humble yourself, seek and wait for God before Him, until God sends you and confirms you with signs and wonders.                                                                                    Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, I thank you because even though we are not worthy, you are happy to use us.  We humbly come before you to ask that your calling would come to us.  Let us serve you wherever we are in life, and let us witness the result of our ministry.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!