The Unsearchable Riches In Christ

Alba 3-5-2023

THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES IN CHRIST

Ephesians 3:1-13

There was a news story reported in July 2011 that a well known Hindu temple in southern India revealed vast treasures and hidden secrets. The temple itself was well known and previously unguarded. (The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum, India)

The temple had been there for hundreds of years and was open to the public. But about 12 years ago there was a decision to "explore" the temple's hidden vaults and secret chambers.

The vaults had not been opened in about 150 years and the treasures span some 500 years. India's Supreme Court ordered that the vaults of the temple be inventoried after a man filed a suit that worried about how the trust was caring for the riches.

A huge treasure was found — gold, diamonds, silver, jewelry, and precious stones ... worth over 24 billion dollars! Yes billion! It is believed that the valuables have been accumulated in the temple over several thousands of years, having been donated to the Deity by various Dynasties and Kings. Offerings by the many worshipers making pit stops there along the global trade routes probably also contributed to the treasure.

The Supreme Court of India and its seven-member committee have already opened six of the secret vaults. Vault A contained 2,000 pounds of gold coins, dating to around 200 B.C. plus a pure golden throne with with hundreds of diamonds, as well as many other precious stones found in the chamber.

Metal detectors were hurriedly installed at temple entrances for protection after six days of searches revealed a treasure trove of artifacts, statues and temple ornaments made of gold and embellished with jewels.

A hidden treasure vault was discovered beyond the already well-documented Vault B. Adding to recent treasure findings in several other vaults, the researchers are estimating it could total over one trillion dollars.

But that is where the problem starts, nobody wants to dare open the hidden inner sanctum. Chamber B has long been considered by Astrologers of India as highly mysterious, sacred, and too dangerous to unveil it.

The enormous steel door of Chamber B has two massive cobras painted on it, and has no bolts, latches or any other means of entry. This is mystery straight out of an Indiana Jones movie.

This chamber is historically believed to have thick walls made of solid gold, and it is where the mystery really exists and could contain the largest undiscovered treasure find in the history of the world.

And for hundreds of years, thousands of people have gone into and out of that temple building unaware of the riches in contains. And today, far too many people are unaware of the unsearchable riches available to them. For them, it remains a mystery.

But it is revealed in Ephesians 3:1-13. There the apostle Paul makes known what had been a mystery in ages past, and tells of the glorious riches that come to those who uncover it.

Lets turn to Ephesians 3:1-13 and read.

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

The tribulations that Paul speaks of is the fact that he is being held in a Roman prison, but that is not where he places his focus. He wants us all to realize that God has done an amazing, wonderful thing. God has made it possible for any and all to come to Him and be His people.