; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. (Ephesians 3:13). In a parallel passage, Christ told the disciples that if they had faith the size of a mustard seed, they could move mountains (Matt 17:20). Suggested result. 1. Then He further supports His point with three parables, given one after the other, thus showing the great importance He puts on the matter. He is faithful to His children, and by His grace we will one day hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23). When you say go, have the kids look up this week’s Bible verse. We must follow the example of Jesus as followers of Him. Our God is sovereign, and he works all things for the good of those who love him (Rom 8:28). The story of these two faithful Servants is similar, so we’ll consider them together. I am more. Application Questions: Would you say that persecution towards Christians is growing or lessening? Being in God’s presence humbles us, as we clearly see our sin and weakness displayed against his perfection. Job says that he has treasured the Word of God more than his daily bread (Job 23:12). He depicts this reality dramatically in the punishment meted out to the worker who cares only for his own interests (Matt. He says, “I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.” Paul was in prison, yet he was worried about the Ephesians’ happiness and glory. Good and Faithful Stewardship . King James 2000 Bible His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your lord. Faithful servants work through God’s power. Paul says that receiving the message—the mystery—was by grace (Eph 3:2-3), the calling to be a servant of the gospel was by grace (3:7), and the power to do the work came from God as well (3:7). We mentioned this earlier, but it is worth repeating. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Application Questions: Who is God calling you to serve by seeking their glory over your own? In Ephesians 1, he prays that they may comprehend the great power at work in them, the same power that raised Christ from the dead (v. 19-20). Matthew 25:21 [Full Chapter] ‘His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! 24:48-51). Faithful servants know the difference between God’s power operating in their lives and their own power. Humility is a discipline. This is also true of every faithful servant of the gospel. In order to become humble, we must focus solely on God and his work; this results in humility and receiving more of God’s grace. They receive a reward from the Master on his return. This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. Our Lord was the ultimate servant. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. What makes it so difficult to grow in humility? 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. All emphases in Scripture quotations and commentators’ quotations have been added. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Paul describes much of his suffering. The church wants its “Best Life Now,” and therefore is not willing to suffer for Christ and others. And, as stewards, we must be faithful. This edition is a one-volume hardcover version. Application Question: How can we allow God’s power to work through us? 4 MacDonald, W. (1995). The Parable of the Faithful Servant is a parable of Jesus found in Matthew 24:42-51, Mark 13:34-37, and Luke 12:35-48 about how it is important for the faithful to keep watch. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. It empowers us and strengthens us to do God’s work. One of the things that stands out about Paul’s testimony is that he says, “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace” (v. 7). (Ephesians 3:1-13). It was this truth that the Jews found so hard to understand and accept. In Matthew's Gospel, it immediately precedes the Parable of the Ten Virgins, which has a similar eschatological theme of being prepared for the day of reckoning. Angels desire to look into and understand the gospel. The angels understood God’s righteousness, holiness, and wrath. What the Bible says about Faithful Servants (From Forerunner Commentary) Luke 7:3-4 The centurion gives the messengers the responsibility to go to Jesus, not to sorcerers or pagan gods—He is the One the centurion seeks for help. The verse above is one such example. In what ways have you experienced suffering for your faith? In fact, in 1 Timothy 1:15, he calls himself the chief of sinners. This is true for all who humble themselves before God and others; they receive grace. How is God calling you to develop this selfless mindset in order to be a faithful servant—one who will be honored and rewarded by him? I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. God calls Joshua to meditate on the law day and night and to obey it, with the promise that he will prosper if he does so (Josh 1:7-8). Apart from trials and difficulties, we are often too independent—too “strong” for God to work through us. The verb is passive—meaning that God acted upon Paul to make him a servant of the gospel. As we serve our Master, God, it should be our desire to be faithful and honored by him. However, many times we must step out in faith to experience God’s power—like Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on water (Matt 14:29). Interpretation Question: What does Paul mean by the word “mystery”? Application Questions: Why is it important to study God’s Word and to understand its mysteries? When Christ originally appeared to Paul in a vision, he showed Paul how much he would suffer for his name. Instead of being bitter, faithful servants see God’s sovereignty over everything. The Theology of Work Bible Commentary is an in-depth Bible study tool put together by a group of biblical scholars, pastors, and workplace Christians to help you discover what the whole Bible--from Genesis to Revelation--says about work. With your gift of any size, you’ll enable us to continue equipping Christians with high-quality biblically-based content. Application Questions: In what ways do you find God’s sovereignty even over evil comforting? One of the best things about reading the Bible regularly and completely is that it allows you to see common verses in a different light. 24:46). It appears that Ephesians 3:2-13 is a parenthesis to his original thought. Application Question: How can we develop the humility of a servant? Examine Faithfulness It is remarkable how frequently the word of God draws us back to this one matter. We should study God’s Word so we can declare his multi-colored wisdom to everyone, and as we share it, even the angels learn (cf. 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. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org. “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mk 1:17). This secret is that “through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus” (v. 6). He suffered for the Ephesians, even risking his own life so they could hear the gospel and fulfill God’s plan for them. Parenthesis, we are called to be stewards of all he gave?... For a study, then try it with your own group in weakness. ’ ” the of! 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