JFC Eph 3:1-13

God’s Plan and Purpose for the Church

Introduction: Last month we looked at the former state of the Gentiles, in which they were excluded from citizenship of Israel, as well as, the covenant blessings, and promises. (Outsiders)

-This left them in a desperate position of being without God and without hope (2:12)

-Paul finished chapter 2 by explaining the death of Christ brought down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile.

-Skin color, social status, or being born into a culture doesn’t save you, its faith in Christ that saves you

Tonight, Paul will continue to build on the same idea as he lays out God’s plan and purpose for the Church

a) God’s plan: is for Jew and Gentile to be One in Christ and to share equally in His riches as His children

b) God’s purpose: is to use the church to display His wisdom and take part in His eternal plan through Christ

c) Chapter 3 sets the stage for the remaining three chapters, as we are called to walk worthy of our calling

1. (V1) When I think of all of this

A) Paul, a prisoner of Christ, for the benefit of you Gentiles

-On house arrest for his missionary effort to the Gentiles

-Paul never looses focus despite his suffering or he never questions the love of God

Eph 3:13 “So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.”

A) Paul doesn’t lose heart because of suffering

B) Paul encouraging us not to loose heart in times of suffering

-Sometimes we can be discouraged because we’re following the will of the Lord, yet we are suffering

-I was talk with someone who couldn’t understand why he was suffering because he was doing all the right things, yet he was suffering

Anytime God is using us, Satan will come to oppose us and often it comes through trials, difficulty, and suffering

1.1 (V2) Assuming you know that God gave me special responsibility of extending grace to Gentiles

A) The Revelation was from God, not man

-If the revelation was simply from man it would have no authority or power

-Paul is establishing the authority of His responsibility to extend grace to the Gentiles

B) God reveals the revelation not only to Paul, but to Ananias, as well as, to Peter

- Acts 9:15 (Ananias) “But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.”

- Acts 11:1-18 (Peter)

-God reveals this vision to multiple people as a confirmation.

-In Acts 11, Peter was criticized for entering the home and eating with a Gentile

2. (V7) By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving Him by spreading the Good News

A) (Grace) God’s grace that counted Paul was counted worthy

-Paul, formally known as Saul, was a zealous for God.

*He was a devote Jew and Pharisee, which were the religious leaders of the time

Gal 1:14 “I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.”

A.1) Paul was zealous for God and would persecute Christians. He would throw them in jail or have them killed.

-By the grace of God, Jesus appeared to Saul on the road of Damascus and radically changed his life

B) (Power) It was through God’s mighty power that radically transforms Paul from blasphemer to a mighty man of God

C) (Privilege) Paul understands rightly, as he counts it a privilege to share the good news, despite paying a cost for it

-Sharing the Gospel message with someone should be counted as a privilege (Turning death into life)

-Encouragement Our past, does’t stop God from using us in the present

Application:

D) Least deserving, yet God gave Paul the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the treasures available to them through Christ

-Paul doesn’t have the mindset that God owed him anything

-Humility

3. (V10) God’s purpose is to use the church to display His wisdom to the unseen rulers and authorities

A) God takes Jew and Gentiles with different gifts, backgrounds, and culture.

-The unseen rulers and authorities see the weakness of man and our differences, yet God still accomplishes things through us

4. (V11) This was His eternal plan which He carried out through Christ Jesus

-The Church has the privilege of not only having eternal security, but being used to help rescue people from hell

Do you see it as a privilege?

5.(V12) In Christ, we can boldly and confidently come into God’s presence

Come boldly and confidently

Prayer: Know our purpose and consider it a privilege to serve Him