Mystery Revealed
Eph 1:8-10
REVIEW
I woke up Saturday morning with some different applications of the message on grace that were in the original notes what had already been printed.
I am including them here so that you will have them to review.
Application to the message of Grace
1. Understand His grace
Understand who you are. You are justified, righteous by His doing not yours. He did what you couldn¡¦t and can never do. It was such a healthy understanding of grace that enabled Paul to rise above his own horrible persecution and execution of Christians and realization that he was the worst of sinners. but the grace of God. Failure to believe God¡¦s word concerning grace causes you to still feel indebted and alienated from God even through our monumental and impossible debt of sin has been fully paid. There is therefore now NO condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1).
2. Appreciate His grace
Part of our appreciation is to realize the great cost and seek to live pleasing to Him.
3. Seek and apply His grace for life and ministry
Peter instructs us to be good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Don¡¦t ¡§fall short¡¨ of the grace of God by failing to make daily trips to the throne of grace.
4. Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus
5. Extend His grace to others
Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Col 4:6
Let no rotten or worthless word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Colossians 3:12-13
It is not hard to see why such blessing will eternally motivate exuberant praise to the glory of His grace.
I. Our Wealth and Worth In Christ 1-4
A. Paul blessed God for blessing us with every spiritual blessing 1:3-14
1. Specially Chosen 1:4
2. Purposefully Adopted 1:5-6
3. Freely Redeemed and Forgiven 1:7-8a
INTRODUCTION
Most everyone loves a mystery. Everyone likes to be informed and posses insider information.
A mystery is a mystery because the final outcome is yet unknown. We even have television shows based on "Unsolved Mysteries". In this first chapter of Ephesians, Paul amplifies his discussion of God¡¦s blessing by specifying yet another privilege extended to undeserving creatures by a benevolent Creator. God provides enlightenment to darkened hearts and minds of fallen man so that they might know and truly understand His plan for the ages which is the unity of all things under Christ as the ultimate focal point and unifying figure of everything in the heavens and on the earth.
4. Clearly Enlightened 1:8b-10
In all wisdom and insight having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him Ephesians 1:8-10
Several things can be gleaned from this passage.
Hopefully we will find the answers to some basic questions.
What does the Bible mean by a "mystery"?
How, and to whom does God reveal the mystery of His will?
On what basis does God unveil this mystery?
What is this great mystery?
What difference does it make? How should I respond?
What is a mystery?
A "mystery" is a truth or fact that is not yet known due to lack of insight or sufficient clues.
It is not something that is unknowable. Just that it is not yet known. The fictional Sherlock
Holmes exhibited unusually deductive capacities that enabled him to uncover and subsequently reveal mysterious events. The ultimate mystery of the ages involves the origin, purpose and ultimate destiny of man. Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? Philosophers have contemplated and contended these questions for centuries.
The Biblical concept of mystery does not refer to something unknowable or something that defies the laws of logic. A mystery is simply a secret that can only be known when the holder of the secret chooses to reveal it. God provided many clues to understanding His ultimate plan from the beginning. He kept the full picture a mystery and reserved its unveiling until just the right time. The mystery of God's will of which Paul refers here is the unveiling of God's plan for the restoration of fallen man into proper relationship with Himself through His own Son.
God pictured and promised restoration from the time of the fall onward as he slowly unfolded the general plan; the details and actual implementation of those details remained a mystery.
The details of our salvation remained a mystery not only to the prophets who spoke of them, but even to the angelic realm in spite of efforts to figure it out.
"As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful search and inquiry, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven -- things into which angels long to look."
How different from the cults of the day that swore their followers to secrecy. God wants us to know and share the truth. It is the truth that sets free. God instructs His followers to shout the message of salvation from the rooftops.
Paul refers specifically to the ¡§mystery of God¡¦s will¡¨. What is the mystery of God¡¦s desire? What does God want? People speculate all the time what it is that the God of the universe wants. Paul asserts that it pleased God to make His will known to those ¡§in Christ¡¨.
How does God reveal the mystery of His will?
God made known (revealed, unveiled) to us the mystery of His will.
The "In all wisdom and insight" phrase can be connected to the previous thought or the following thought. It either refers the wisdom and insight of God demonstrated in the lavishing of grace on us or it could also refer to the wisdom and insight granted to us in understanding the mystery. Whichever interpretation one chooses the point of the passage remains.
God purposefully revealed His will to us.
"Wisdom" is effectually applied knowledge to life
What are the principles of applying God¡¦s love to dealing with people?
"Insight" is the personal application of those principles to a specific situation.
What specific action will I apply to a specific person or issue?
The mystery of God's will comes only on His terms. In a practical sense, how does God reveal His purposes?
CHRIST
Christ came to declare and do the Father's will. Christ was both the messenger and the message in relation to the Father's plan for man.
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. Hebrews 1:1-2
The Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. John 1:17-18
SCRIPTURES & PROPHETS
Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past but NOW is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandments of the eternal God, has been made know to all the nations leading to obedience of faith: to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen. Rom 16:26
HOLY SPIRIT & PEOPLE
Understanding of spiritual things is on spiritual terms. It requires an enlightening by the Holy Spirit. God brings light to a darkened understanding. Those who have refused to honor God and embrace a man-centered perspective are unable to understand truth.
For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Romans 1:21-23
That is why the Gospel is a mystery because not all know or embrace it.
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD." 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
Gods truth; His thinking is available through the enlightening of the Holy Spirit.
We focus a great deal on education and training. God makes His mind, His thinking, His direction available to every genuine follower of Jesus through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
What a blessing! What a privilege! The undedicated apostles were recognized by their connection to Jesus.
Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. Acts 4:13
None of them would have been strong candidates to pastor a church or administrate a ministry. Yet God powerfully used them through their connection with Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
What is the basis God's revelation?
Just as it pleased God to predestine us to adoption (verse 5), it pleased Him to reveal the wonder of His plan to redeem fallen man to us. Why? It is another manifestation of His grace toward us. It is another aspect of the ¡§riches of His grace which He lavished upon us.
According to His good pleasure or intention. He purposed to reveal those mysteries based on the merits of His Son. God reveals many specific things but here Paul focus on the ultimate focus of God¡¦s will; God¡¦s ultimate purpose.
What is the "mystery of God's will"?
The mystery has to do with God's plan for the restoration of fallen man put in motion at the most perfect time in history and culminating in the summing up of all things in Jesus. God¡¦s plan was not understood to its full extent before, but was revealed at the time of Christ and it will continually unfold until the ultimate revelation of Christ in all his power and Glory. The basis of God's restoration plan involves the place of Jesus Christ in human history. Christ is the focal point of God's plan. Everything revolves and centers in Him. Paul expresses it this way.
with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. Ephesians 1:10
Administration has to do with how things are done. The Obama administration is the way which he chooses to direct the country. One day the entire universe will be under the ¡§Jesus Administration.¡¨ Part of the mystery is that God not only embraces Jews in the plan but also Gentiles.
"God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of Glory. Col 1:26
Our only hope of complete restoration is Jesus transforming us and living in and through us.
Paul prayed for the Colossians that " your hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love , and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col 2:2
Only when we view all of life through a Jesus Grid will we begin to understand Gods will.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. Colossians 1:15-20
God has been unveiling His plan since the beginning. Everything has unfolded according to plan. All signs point to Jesus. All roads lead to Jesus. Jesus can be found all through the Old Testament. After the resurrection, Jesus appeared incognito to two men walking on the road to Emmaus.
Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. Luke 24:27
What a Bible study that would have been!
Jesus is the way the truth and the life. No one can have a relationship with God except through Jesus. Jesus is the center.
Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day¡X things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. Colossians 2:16-19
Since that is true. Since you have been vitally fused with His resurrection life Therefore since you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4
He will be the focal point of eternal heavenly praise.
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." Rev 5:12
The all knowing God of the universe chooses to let us in on His glorious plan. His favor (grace) does not stop at redemption, forgiveness and adoption but extends to making known the plan previously unknown even by angels.
At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:25-30
He gives sight to the blind.
He gives light for darkness.
He gives knowledge for ignorance.
He gives wisdom for foolishness.
He replaces lies with truth.
Paul will expand on this concept later in his great prayer.
and (know) what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:19-23
How is that for summing all things up in Jesus?
There is absolutely no question as to the Father¡¦s agenda. Hebrews addresses the fact that for now, this does not seem the case but it will be.
YOU HAVE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET." For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:8-9
For now, we focus on His sacrifice. Later we will be absorbed in His sovereignty. Paul spoke of the day when all things would in reality be subjected to Him.
For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all. 1 Corinthians 15:25-28
Have you given Him first place in your life? Is He the focal point of your life?
How should I respond?
1. Express gratitude for being enlightened
Don¡¦t lose your first love.
2. Humbly seek to know more of this marvelous mystery.
Continually pray to be filled with the knowledge of His will (Col 1:9-12)
You don't need a Theology degree. You can know what PhD professors can¡¦t understand in all their book learning. You can know spiritual truth. You can grow in your understanding of spiritual things. Study diligently! Listen carefully!
3. Consistently strive to put Jesus first.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
4. Faithfully make known this marvelous mystery to others.
This is not something to be hidden. This is not some secret society with the secret handshake.
God encourages us to go into all the world and proclaim this glorious gospel.
