The Great Mystery of Christ
Notes
Transcript
Handout
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
Introduction
Introduction
Everyone Loves a Mystery
Sales for mystery novels tops 725 million dollars annually in the United States. That's a lot of money to find out "who done it"!
ASK: What is your favorite mystery series? Why is it your favorite? (QI )
ASK: How do you respond when you have solved a mystery? (Q2)
The Bible holds one of the greatest mysteries of all time. Paul addressed the mystery's revelation, content, and purposes. His address should encourage us to spread the gospel anywhere God leads us.
Different Perspectives
OBJECT LESSON: Set up two boxes that are the same height. Put objects on top of the boxes and objects on the table between the boxes. Have a learner look at the boxes from the front, making sure to squat down so the top of the boxes are at eye level. Have another learner look at the boxes from the side. Give both learners an opportunity to describe what they see.
ASK: Whose description is correct? Both are correct. One is simply more limited than the other
This illustration has a Biblical connection. Some truth revealed in the New Testament was hidden to those in the Old Testament. They had a different perspective on God's grand plan for His Chosen People and for us today. Paul addresses the hidden truth, called a mystery, and challenges us to respond to the revealed mystery.
Bible Time
Bible Time
The Mystery Revealed
The Mystery Revealed
To understand fully to what Paul is revealing in the text I want to take a step back just so we are all in the same page.
Paul was a what? Jew
And of you are not Jewish what are you?
I want help us understand how and why Paul could be an expert in this area. Paul was born in Taurus as a Roman Citizen. He says that He was a Hebrew of the Hebrews meaning that although he was born and raised in the Roman or Greek world his family had not lost his Jewish ways.
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
He also points on that he was a Pharisee and most of us are familiar enough I think to under that Paul was Saul who persecuted the early Christians. But even Paul dad was a Pharisee. This was more than just a strong belief for Paul this was his identity. It was who his family was and who he was.
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
Here is the point I mean to make. Paul was both Jewish and Greek. He was both Gentile in his understanding and Hebrew by birth and practice. Paul’s background and up bringing to where God had placed him at this moment in our text was no accident. God knew the perfect person to help deliverer this message what Paul.
What is this Mystery?
Paul explains the mystery in verse 6.
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
The Gentile believers are not united to the Jewish believers in one Body, the Church. No longer does there need to be a court of the Gentiles in the temple, no longer is there a higher “standing” for the Jews than the gentiles. There are all equal because of the Cross.
Paul, points out in verse 1 that he was a prisoner because he believed in God’s new program of uniting believing Jews and Gentiles in one body, the church. The orthodox Jews in Paul’s day considered the Gentiles to be “dogs,” But even some Jewish Christians did not have a much better attitude towards the Gentiles.
Even Peter himself struggled with this thought.
But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
When we think of a mystery, we usually think of spies, unsolved riddles, and someone who searches for clues. A Biblical mystery, however, is not a who-done-it story.
Paul helps us understand Biblical mysteries by naming their three components (3:5).
First, a Biblical mystery was truth not revealed during the period of the Old Testament. Paul called the Old Testament times "other ages" (3:5). You won't find detailed descriptions of God's plans for the church in the Old Testament. The Jews in the Old Testament assumed the Messiah would come once and set up His Kingdom. Even Jesus' disciples near the end of His ministry still anticipated Jesus establishing His reign on earth.
Two Mountains
Two Mountains
One View
One View
The New Look
The New Look
DISPLAY: Visual 15—Limited Old Testament Perspective. Explain that in the Old Testament prophets saw the Messiah's coming as a singular event. It was like they were looking at two mountain tops that seemed to be one. What they couldn't see was the valley in between. The church, represented by the valley, was a mystery to the Old Testament prophets.
Second, a Biblical mystery can be known only by revelation. Paul wrote, "It is now revealed" (3:5). He had learned the meaning of this mystery by direct divine revelation. God took Paul to the "valley" between the two "peaks" of Christ's returns and showed him around.
Third, a Biblical mystery is revealed in the New Testament. Paul wrote that the mystery was revealed in his time—"now"—to the apostles and prophets. God revealed this mystery of Christ by the Spirit not only to Paul but also to other apostles and New Testament prophets (3:5).
ASK: What part of the Bible tells us how to organize and conduct church ministry? The Epistles.
ASK: What benefits does the Old Testament provide for the church? The Old Testament reveals God's character, provides examples of living by faith, details Gods plan for Israel, records history, and supplies details concerning the end times.
Paul Knew that God had called him to take the gospel to Gentiles and he was not disobedient to that call. Where Paul went he founded local churches composed of believing Jews and Gentiles, all “one in Christ Jesus.”
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Because of this Paul was known as the apostle to the Gentiles. And for this Paul was met with heavy persecution. This very reason was why he says he was a prisoner in verse 1.
And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.
And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.
Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.
Even when Paul did his best to pacify the Jewish believers, there was a riot in the temple and Paul was arrested. Paul defended himself by giving his testimony, and the crowd listened to him, until he got to the word gentiles and then they rioted again.
And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,
The Mystery’s Reward
The Mystery’s Reward
Verses 6-8
In chapter two Paul pointed out that Christ’ work on the cross did much more than the salvation of individual sinners. It reconciled Man back to a relationship with God. It also reconciled Jews and Gentiles to each other. It is this truth that Paul presents here, and you can imagine the excitement. The truth of the mystery reveals to believer Gentiles that they have a wonderful new relationship through Jesus Christ. To begin with, they are fellow-heirs with the Jews and share in the same spiritual riches God gave to Abraham.
And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Remember Ephesians is about life in Christ. Being in Christ being a Jew or Gentile, that together we share the same riches of Christ.
Our human birth determines out racial distinctions, but our spiritual birth unites us as members of the same body. With Christ as our head.
In our new relationship, we are partakers of God’s promises. Once as a gentile we would have been on the outside of those promises, but now thanks to Christ and being in Him we can share the riches of Christ.
Not only does it reveal our new relationships but this mystery also reveals that there is a new power available to the gentile.
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
This was displayed in Paul’s life as God saved him by His grace but then called him to a special ministry to the gentiles. But God also gave Paul the power to accomplish his purpose
“If God leads you to it, He will lead you through it.”-Paul Chappell
The word “working” in this verse is the word which we get our word “energy.” The word “power” is the word which we get the word ‘dynamic and dynamite.” In order words, we as gentiles have great power in Christ. The same mighty resurrection power of Christ is available to us for daily life and service.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Paul takes this a step forward at the end of verse 8. He says that the riches we have in Christ are “unsearchable.” This does not mean that we cannot find them, but unfathomable, or untraceable. Meaning that you cannot discover the end of all of Christ’s riches.
The Mystery’s Responsibility
The Mystery’s Responsibility
Verses 11-13
When God saved Paul, He deposited with him the treasures of the Gospel truth
According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
Paul in turn committed these truths to others, wishing for them to commit the truths to other faithful believers who would share them on.
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
Paul faithfully stood for the truth and preached and proclaimed boldly the Gospel knowing he could claim the riches of Christ and that Christ would provide for them. He then faithfully shared that with others.
Most of us have heard of Napoleon Bonaparte and know him as the would-be conqueror of Europe. But not many would know him as a patron of Arts and science. Yet, he was. In July 1998, Napoleon began to occupy Egypt, but by September, 1801, he was forced to get out. Those three years meant failure as far as his military and political plans were concerned, But they were a success in the area of archaeology. For in August, 1799, Frenchman named Boussand discovered the Rosetta Stone about 30 miles from Alexandria. This gave archaeologists the key to understanding Egyptian hieroglyphics. It opened the door to modern Egyptian studies. One of the greatest discoveries to the modern world.
This mystery that Paul reveals here is God’s Rosetta stone. It is the key to what He promised in the Old Testament, what Christ did in the Gospels, what the early church did in the book of Acts, what Paul and the other writers taught in their letters, and even what God revels about the end of time.
God’s plan today is not the headship of Israel but the headship of Christ.
This great truth concerning the Church is not a divine afterthought. It is a part of God’s eternal purpose in Christ.
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
We must not ignore that Christ died and gave himself for the sins of the world and He established the church for all believers and gave us the job of fulfilling His purpose. When you understand this truth, it give you great confidence and faith. (v.12).
When you know what God is doing in the world, and you work with Him, you can be sure that He will work in you and for you. All of His divine resources are available to those who sincerely want to do His will and help Him accomplish His purpose on this earth.
The early church thought that the gospel belonged to the Jews. Because Jesus was a Jew and He came to the Jews first. But Acts 10 was a turning point in Peters life. But then they thought that the gentiles had to become Jews to become a Christian.
God’s Spirit gradually revealed to the early believers that God was doing something new: He was calling out people for His name from both Jews and Gentiles. There are no national, racial, political, physical, or social distinctions in the Church.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Understanding this mystery in this present age not only gives us confidence, it also gives us courage in the difficult circumstance of life.
In the Old Testament age, when God’s people obeyed, God blessed them materially, nationally, and physically; and if they disobeyed, He would withdraw His blessings. This is not the way He deals with the church today. Our blessings are spiritual not material. They have all been given to us completely in Christ. We gain them by faith. But if we disobey God, He does not revoke them. We simply lose the enjoyment and the enrichment of His blessings. Paul was a dedicated Spirit-fill man; yet he was suffering as a prisoner. Paul made it clear that physical blessings are not always the experience of the dedicated Christian.
Conclusion
Conclusion
God’s Church is not to be shackled by culture, class, or any other physical distinction. It is a spiritual entity that must submit to the Headship of Christ in the power of the Spirit. If you understand your wonderful position in Christ, then live up to it!
The question I have to you tonight is this: Why are you holding back?? What is stopping you from being all in? I watch many of you and can see a wonderful future of what God can do through you yet, you are holding back. Let it go! and Let God have control and watch what He can do through you.