15 lines
4.3 KiB
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15 lines
4.3 KiB
HTML
<html><head><title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">December 11</div></div>
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<h1>Given Ministry by the Grace of God</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>Of which I became a <b>minister</b> according to the <b>gift</b> of the <b>grace</b> of God <b>given</b> to me by the effective working of His power. To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this <b>grace</b> was <b>given</b>, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph', 3, '7-8');">Ephesians 3:7-8</a>)</div>
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<p>As we have seen, "give" is the language of grace. <i>"I thank my God always concerning you for the <b>grace</b> of God which was <b>given</b> to you by Christ Jesus"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Cr', 1, '4-4');">1 Corinthians 1:4</a>). Our heavenly Father wants to <b>give</b> us all the blessings of His kingdom as a <b>gift</b> of His <b>grace</b>. <i>"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to <b>give</b> you the <b>kingdom</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk', 12, '32-32');">Luke 12:32</a>). No wonder then that we are <b>given ministry by the grace of God</b>.</p><p>The Apostle Paul had a special stewardship entrusted to Him by God's grace. <i>"If indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the <b>grace</b> of <b>God</b> which was <b>given</b> to me for you"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph', 3, '2-2');">Ephesians 3:2</a>). This special calling given to him by God concerned the miracle of Jew and Gentile being made one in Christ (as the body of Christ): <i>"that the Gentiles should be <b>fellow</b> heirs, of the <b>same</b> body, and <b>partakers</b> of His promise in Christ through the gospel"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph', 3, '6-6');">Ephesians 3:6</a>). This wondrous <i>"mystery of Christ"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph', 3, '4-4');">Ephesians 3:4</a>) was a distinctive emphasis of his ministry: <i>"Of which I became a <b>minister</b> according to the <b>gift</b> of the <b>grace</b> of God <b>given</b> to me by the effective working of His power."</i> Paul repeatedly stated that this ministry calling was given to him by grace. <i>"To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this <b>grace</b> was <b>given</b>, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."</i></p><p>On other occasions, Paul spoke of his ministry without referring to this special emphasis of Jews and Gentiles becoming one in Christ. Still, he described his ministry in the same terms of grace given to him. <i>"According to the <b>grace</b> of God which was <b>given</b> to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Cr', 3, '10-10');">1 Corinthians 3:10</a>). Here, Paul views his service as a spiritual builder laying a spiritual foundation for the construction of godly lives. God's grace equipped him and sustained him in such service.</p><p>We are all called to serve our Master. In our hearts there is a desire to be used of our King. How comforting to know that our <b>ministry</b> will develop by <b>God's grace given</b> to us. Again, <b>humble dependence</b> is the path to such grace for ministry. <i>"To me, who am <b>less than</b> the <b>least</b> of <b>all</b> the <b>saints</b>, this <b>grace</b> was <b>given</b>."</i></p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord Jesus, I long to serve You in ministry. I rejoice that ministry depends upon Your grace, not my abilities. Lord, I humbly bow before You, seeking You for the necessary grace to serve You in any way that You desire, in Your gracious name, Amen.</div></div></div><div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/12/1210.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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