Ephesians 3:1

 

Ephesians 3:1

Suffering For a Cause

 

Eph 3:1  For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 

          1.      The Apostle Paul is Suffering for the Church

a.       Paul begins his prayer with some rather upsetting news, so he interrupts his prayer to give the people comfort. He does not get back to the prayer until verse 13 in which we gain some more understanding of what he was beginning to say

                                                              i.      Ephesians 3:13-14 

b.      What Paul is saying is the Church is an honor to suffer for

                                                              i.      Our suffering is inescapable

1.      2 Timothy 3:12 

                                                            ii.      Our suffering advances the gospel

1.      Philippians 1:12 

                                                          iii.      Our suffering enables us to be partakers of Christ’s glory

1.      1 Peter 4:12-14 

          2.      The Apostle Paul is Suffering Because He is a Prisoner of Christ

a.       Suffering for Christ draws us closer to Him

                                                              i.      Philippians 3:10-11 

b.      Suffering for Christ reveals our hidden motives

                                                              i.      1 Peter 2:19-23 

c.       Suffering for Christ will become a joy

                                                              i.      Colossians 1:24 

          3.      The Apostle Paul is Suffering for the Sake of the Gentiles in the Faith

a.       2 Timothy 1:7-12