Why Not Have a Pity Party?

June 27 & 28, 2015

IDENTITY: A Journey Through Ephesians

Ephesians 3:1-13

Many of us can relate to my title. Our circumstances are tough and difficulties dominate our minds. Why not have a pity party? Paul answers that question in this next section of Ephesians we’ll study this weekend.
     
In the first verse of this passage, 3:1, Paul mentions that he was writing from prison. A pity party makes sense in that setting; he had been beaten unfairly. He was in chains. He was not able to do what he wanted to do or go where he wanted to go. That is a pitiful situation, and certainly discouraging for a type-A kind of guy like Paul.
     
But in the last verse of this passage, 3:13, Paul says the Ephesians shouldn’t pity him. He told them not to be discouraged because of his sufferings. Paul essentially said, don’t pity me; I don’t pity myself. He’s not discouraged, and the rest of 3:1-13 explains why he felt humble appreciation, rather than humiliating defeat. It also explains why we don’t need to wallow in our personal pain and throw a pity party.

Come worship with us.