Paul's Heart Series

Dakota Community Church

May 13, 2012

Paul’s Heart

Ephesians 3:1-12

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Paul’s revelation

Paul is saying that the new revelation from God is that the Gentiles and Jewish Christians are:

Fellow heirs of the same blessing!

Fellow members of the same body!

Fellow partakers of the same promise!

He is claiming that this is new and unknown to previous generations.

Looking back we can see that it was hidden in plain sight:

Genesis 18:18

Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.

Psalm 2:1-8

Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One.

“Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.”

The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, “You are my Son;today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

Isaiah 49:6

“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Jesus also included the gentiles in the great commission which was to make disciples of every nation; what nobody saw was just how radical the plan of God actually was.

A new nation - the church; would now replace the old theocracy

A new temple - the Body; would now house the presence of God on earth.

The mystery is the gospel!

Paul’s commission in light of that revelation

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. (Verse 7)

The mystery “the gospel” was made known to Paul IN ORDER THAT HE MIGHT PROCLAIM IT!

Notice that Paul describes himself as the least of the least - yet boldly accepts the responsibility of an apostle. He knows who and what he is - as a man - and in Christ. No false humility prevents him from stepping up because of the firm knowledge of the power of the gospel!

Who is the target audience of Paul’s God given ministry?

...to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms...

The plan of God is to include the Gentile nations so Paul’s first priority is to the Gentiles.

To preach to the Gentiles the UNSEARCHABLE RICHES of Christ!

Paul is talking about everything we have covered up until now in Ephesians.

Life from the dead, freedom from slavery to sin, hope for the hopeless, forgiveness, love, joy, peace, a righteousness not our own, full inclusion, full status - Sonship in Christ.