SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON ~ OCT 3RD

God’s Power Comes by Grace

LESSON PASSAGE OUTLINE
1. Recognizing God’s Grace (Eph. 3:1-2)
2. Receiving God’s Revelation (Eph. 3:3-6)
3. Responding Through God’s Power (Eph. 3:7-10)
4. Rejoicing with Reason (Eph. 3:11-13)

BIBLICAL TRUTH - Through His grace and as an expression of His power, God gives His people opportunities to serve Him.

Bible Commentary - by Kendell Easley, Professor of Christian Studies at the Germantown, TN, campus of Union University.

I came to know church members Sheila and Rex when their preschool daughter, Michelle, was diagnosed with leukemia. Many trips to the specialist finally resulted in multiple rounds of chemotherapy. Michelle often spent days in the children’s hospital. I visited her regularly when I was allowed, praying often with Sheila. It was easy to see that Sheila and Rex walked closely with the Lord. We asked God for His healing touch on Michelle. Whether it was by a miracle alone or through the means of the experimental drug treatment she received, Michelle went into remission. She is still healthy today, and I have frequently heard her parents give thanks to God for His grace toward them and His healing power.

Strangely, though, Sheila and Rex haven’t shown much interest in serving in any capacity in our church. Their attendance in worship is regular, but no one has been able to interest them in helping with the nursery, or teaching in youth Sunday school, or anything. Perhaps they think that serving in the church would be just a duty or even drudgery. They haven’t yet acknowledged that occasions to serve God are just as much a result of His grace as their conversions or their daughter’s healing. They haven’t “connected the dots” to see that God longs to express His power through them as they accept opportunities to serve Him.

 Do you consider service in the church as a duty or drudgery? Do you think that opportunities to serve God through your church are expressions of His grace and power? How do you “connect the dots” between your salvation and your service?
Christians certainly recognize God’s grace and power as necessary for salvation. We may even ask God to show His grace and power by praying for something miraculous, such as relief from a medical crisis. Yet we may not look at everyday ministry to others as evidence of God’s grace and expressions of His power. This study in Ephesians 3 looks at Paul’s account of his ministry, especially as that ministry stands as an example of serving God. Paul’s example demonstrates that whenever we accept opportunities to serve God, He extends the grace and power we need to do whatever He asks.