Where does your confidence come from? When your parent is dying. When your friend’s marriage falls apart. When your sibling loses their job. When a child dies. When a friend suffers abuse. When your finances are in ruins. When your friend stabs you in the back. When your child rebels. When you give into that sinful pattern again. When your physical health fails again. Where does your confidence come from?
In Ephesians 3:1 – 13, Paul says “1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles – 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.”
Verses 12 – 13 are the key to unlocking the meaning of this passage. In these two verses Paul is saying that We have confidence in Christ so don’t lose heart in suffering. How could Paul say this? Was he secretly dreading his circumstances? Was he secretly plotting ways to find relief from his own suffering while encouraging his readers to remain confident? I don’t think so. I think Paul had found the secret of remaining confident amidst his own suffering. And that perspective enabled him to encourage his readers to do the same. But how? How did Paul not lose heart in the midst of his own suffering?
1 :: Paul Had A Redeemed View Of Himself
Self-confidence is the enemy of Christ-centered confidence. This is what makes Paul’s opening words so intriguing and life giving. The name Saul literally means Tall and the name Paul literally means small. Paul is no longer “Tall Saul” he is now “Small Paul”. When God knocked him off his high horse of self-promotion he crushed “Tall Paul” and he formed “Small Paul” in his place. Paul’s confidence in the face of suffering and confusion and unmet desires isn’t rooted in himself being good enough. His confidence is rooted in Christ being more than enough. Paul had come face to face with the One whom he had persecuted. Paul had been confronted with the earth shattering presence of loving grace. In a moment he was radically transformed. Paul had a redeemed view of himself.
2 :: Paul Knew Who He Was Captured By
Paul sees his circumstances or his lot in life as being under the control of his loving Father in Heaven. It’s not just that he is a prisoner for Christ because of the gospel he preached. It’s that he’s a prisoner for Christ because he belongs to Christ and Christ is the king of the universe. Christ has absolute authority and control over all things. There is a greater purpose for Paul’s captivity. There is a plan that is beyond his understanding. Just think of the guards that guarded Paul. Did they hear him complaining about his situation or praising in his situation? Did they hear him trying to find a way out or did they hear him speaking of being content in any situation? Did they observe him looking for bargaining chips to change his circumstances or did they see him thanking God for his circumstances? Paul was human for sure. But he was a redeemed human and Paul knew who he was captured by.
Application Questions…
- What caught your attention as you listened to this sermon and read this study guide? How about the closing video?
- Describe how you struggle with confidence.
- Share what your view of yourself is and how your view of yourself was challenged by this sermon and study.
- Describe some of the negative emotions and sinful patterns you’ve been captured by.
- Talk about what it would look like for you to be captured by Christ instead. What steps of repentance do you need to take?
- Spend some time in prayer for one another.