Never Give Up 2021 02 21
Ephesians 3:13 – 19
Have you ever been in a situation where things did not go the way you had hoped, and someone told you to make the best of it? What do you think of the expression, “Making the best of a bad situation?” Why do bad things happen to “good people?” Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that God is in charge, in complete control of everything and every situation, and what the implications of that fact are? Do you believe what Paul wrote, by the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Romans 8:28? “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose?” … and we know… do you REALLY know? Do you believe that? Paul did, and even in the worst of situations, his words were not words of complaint, but words of comfort, of exhortation to good works, of encouragement. Faint not! Don’t give up when you see things going in ways that seem to be the wrong way! Trust God! He has it covered, and everything is going to work out in the end. God has a plan we can’t always see.
Ephesians 3:13 – 19
Paul was in a Roman jail when he wrote this letter, facing possible execution, which is what eventually happened. The church at Ephesus knew about his hardships and that they were because of his faith. Yet Paul did not complain, nor did he want anyone else to be discouraged by his tribulation. Instead, he calls on Christians to faint not at his or any other tribulations. His message to the church at Ephesus and to us, today, is to rejoice in our trials and faint not, giving glory to God and recognizing that these things are all a part of God’s glorious purpose and for the good of all people, that they would see and understand the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ.
I Never Give Up
- Paul knew that to those in Ephesus, his troubles seemed terrible and discouraging.
- But Paul said to faint not, never give up, never lose hope, never lose courage: His troubles were for their benefit, for their glory and ours. Rather than be discouraged by the trouble others may have gone through or may be going through on our behalf, be encouraged that there are those who willingly go through these things for us. Are you thankful for what Paul went through for you?
- The troubles that Paul went through back in the early days of the church were to make the church in Ephesus and the church at Corinth, and the church on the BC Sunshine Coast shine in the glorious light of the gospel of Jesus Christ! “And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.” 2 Corinthians 1:6
- Paul was filled with joy that God would allow him to go through what he went through for the Gentiles, so that they would be able to know Christ as he did. He said, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
II Pray
- Paul set the example for us. In his troubles as a believer, he looked for God’s hand at work and prayed for those whom God connected him to, such as the church at Ephesus.
- When you put your faith in Jesus Christ, God promised to look after you. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
- Therefore, instead of focusing on your problems, focus on those whom you know who need Christ or who need encouragement, and pray for them.
- You have far better and far more important things to do than to be worrying about circumstances and personal trials. If you are struggling to look outward, rather than inward, pray “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” 1 Thessalonians 2:12
- God absolutely has the power to grant you whatever you need, according to the infinite riches of His glory!
III You are God`s Family
- This is such an amazing truth! When you put your faith in God’s Son Jesus Christ, you were born again, becoming a member of the family of God! Everybody who has ever trusted Jesus Christ as their Saviour is part of the family of God.
- Because of this, you don’t need to come timidly, fearfully or uncertainly before God, but you are told to come boldly as His own child! Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
- Therefore, never give up, but bow your knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ in prayer!
IV What to Pray For
- Pray for strength
- Pray for God to mightily strengthen you and your brothers and sisters in Christ in your hearts by the Holy Spirit. This is God’s will according to His word, so pray for this and never give up in times of trouble!
- Pray for faith
- ask that your focus and your brethren’s focus would be on Christ so that faith would increase so that He would dwell in our hearts through faith, so that we would be firmly anchored in Him in love. Never give up because of your fears but be grounded by faith in Christ’s love. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2Timothy 1:7
- Pray for knowledge and understanding
- Pray for knowledge, understanding and comprehension, for all saints, for all Christian brethren, of what is the width and the length and the depth and the height of Christ’s love, that you can know His love which surpasses human knowledge, so that you can be filled with the fullness of God!
- Christ’s love is beyond knowing in simple human terms, but “…with God all things are possible.” Matt 19:26
- It’s not possible for the natural man to know the love of Christ, but for those who put their faith in Jesus Christ, even the impossible becomes possible. The Bible tells us that these things make no sense without the Spirit giving understanding. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1Corinthians 2:14 Never give up but pray for yourself and for all those in the church, that they would have this wonderful knowledge and understanding of the love of Christ.
- Pray for knowledge, understanding and comprehension, for all saints, for all Christian brethren, of what is the width and the length and the depth and the height of Christ’s love, that you can know His love which surpasses human knowledge, so that you can be filled with the fullness of God!
V Trust Him!
- Believe that He IS able to do what you ask.
- Believe that He is able to do EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY above all that we ask or think, by the same amazing power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead and is able to give everlasting life to a sinner like me! And like you. Never give up. Trust Him!
VI Give Him the Glory
- Give Him all the glory. We owe everything to Jesus Christ, God’s eternal Son, who willingly laid aside His own power in heaven and became one of us, so that He could die in our place. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 His blood was shed for our sins. He died on the cross of Calvary for our sins, as prophesied in the Old Testament, was buried and rose again on the third day, as prophesied in the Old Testament. Jesus Christ died as a perfect man for you and I and rose from the dead by His own power as the perfect Son of God, conquering sin, the devil and death for us!
- Never give up because of your tribulations. Never give up when you see other Christians going through tribulation. Pray for them, trust God, and give Him the glory!
VII Conclusion
- We conclude as Brother Paul did in the last two verses of this chapter, with great confidence in our mighty Saviour! “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”