Dear Brethren,
We begin the reading of another Epistle of the Apostle Paul. There is always so much to
learn from Paul’s writings.
To benefit fully, we must devote time to carefully and prayerfully read his epistles. Let us
set aside time to read together his letter to the Ephesians. May the Lord bless richly!

MEDITATION
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:1-2

OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION

1. Apostleship of Paul

a) Paul practised consciousness of his appointment as an apostle
b) He made mention of this consistently in his epistles

2. The will of God

a) This was something Paul made mention of frequently in his epistles
b) The sovereign will of God

i) He did not qualify to be an apostle
ii) He was not one of The Twelve
iii) He did no train to be an apostle by the Lord Jesus
iv) He also had a very bad testimony of persecuting the church
v) If he were to become an apostle it would be because God willed it

3. Paul consciously lived up to the expectations of the Lord

a) As a believer
b) As an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ

c) He did very well as an apostle:

i) Evangelizing
ii) Teaching/ preaching
iii) Defending the Gospel
iv) Establishing churches
He bore much fruit in his life and ministry!

4. Regard for believers

a) They were called “saints”
They were sanctified by the Spirit of God
b) He acknowledged the faithful believers at Ephesus

APPLICATION TO LIFE AND MINISTRY

1. Consciousness of our appointment

a) As Pastors/ teachers
b) Also, by the will of God

2. Conduct of our life as servants of God

a) Let us seek to maintain a high standard of conduct as befitting faithful men
b) Let us pray for grace from the Lord to practise our calling from the Lord

3. Commitment to the Lord’s work

a) Let us begin the New Year with a deep sense of commitment to the work of God entrusted to us
b) Let us seek the Lord’s blessings in all we do
c) Let us pray for a fruitful year of ministry in 2021

Let us seek to carefully emulate the example of the apostle Paul!

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charles Tan