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.
Do you think of what you have as a Christian as - “UNSEARCHABLE RICHES”?
Do you ever spend time reflecting on your need of grace?
The depth of sin, the darkness of your selfish heart and the wonder that Jesus has saved you?
This week I challenge you to sit alone and reflect on the wonder of the cross.
The riches of Christ are like the earth - to vast to explore!
The riches of Christ are like the depths of the ocean - to deep to fathom!
Job 9:2-12
“Indeed, I know that this is true. But how can a mortal be righteous before God? 3 Though one wished to dispute with him, he could not answer him one time out of a thousand. His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed? He moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger. He shakes the earth from its place and makes its pillars tremble. He speaks to the sun and it does not shine; he seals off the light of the stars. He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. When he passes me, I cannot see him; when he goes by, I cannot perceive him. If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’
How arrogant we can be, how glib, how self absorbed - we miss the unsearchable riches, we lose all sense of awe, we look at our difficult circumstance and say to God - “What are You doing?”
Quote:
“The riches of Christ are unsearchable, inexplicable, untraceable, unfathomable, inexhaustible, illimitable, inscrutable, incalculable; perhaps infinite is the simplest term for the wealth that is ours in Christ, for we shall never come to an end of it.” - John R. W. Stott
What we are seeing here is two great reasons for every Christian to share their faith.
It is a divine revelation that you have received.
Secular scientists can hardly wait to publish their earthly findings - how can we be silent about heavenly truth?
To share the gospel is to share the “unsearchable riches” of Christ.
The gospel is both truth from God and riches for mankind - pass it on!
Notice that the proclamation of the gospel serves a purpose beyond humanity:
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...
God’s plan - the church
a.) Central to history.
History is the linear unfolding of God’s plan, the central point of which is Jesus Christ and the redemption and reconciliation of his people; the Church.
b.) Central to the gospel.
Jesus died not only to save individual sinners like you and I, but in doing so to create a new family, not only reconciled to Himself but also reconciled to each other.
c.) Central to the Christian life.
There is no independent Christian, no having Christ but not His Church.
This is a package deal to have one is to have the other - so get over yourself, it’s not about you.
PowerPoint available (Free of charge) on request dcormie@mts.net
Follow Dan on twitter: @DanCormie
