Ephesians 3:7-13
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-How do you want to be viewed by others? We live in a society where we want everyone to look at us. The social media craze has really shed light on this. How do you want to be viewed. I believe Paul would say I want to be viewed as a servant, how many of us would say that?
-made a minister (διάκονος) servant
-I was in a meeting recently with deacons who were appalled that they would be called servants
25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,
-one does not become a minister of the Gospel on their own initiative if they do, they are an imposter
-We should notice Paul’s demeanor, how he viewed himself - a servant
-a servant obeys the commands of his master, Paul conveying that he is a minister because of the command of God
John MacArthur - God doesn’t want creativity, just obedience
5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.
-we all should view ourselves as servants, it doesnt matter how many degrees a person has, how many years they have been a member of a local church, or whether they were born and grew up in Washington Parish, we are servants of Christ
-according to the gift of God’s grace
7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
-by the working of his power
-perhaps Paul had in mind how he was brought from a persecutor of the church to a proclaimer of the Gospel, only the effectual power of God could do that, or Paul could have in mind of God’s power in the midst of his incapabilities
-Paul saw it as God’s grace that he could serve Christ Jesus:
Grace to Preach the Gospel
Grace to Preach the Gospel
-Notice Pauls continued perspective:
-of this grace, it was given - to the least of all saints
-very least = insignificant, small
-Why does Paul refer to himself in this way?
9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
-It is the power of God through His grace:
-that Paul was brought from a persecutor to a proclaimer
-that Paul had the privilege to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles
-that Paul had the privilege to preach the Gospel to anyone
-preach the Gospel among the Gentiles
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
-notice how Paul described the proclamation of the Gospel among the Gentiles:
-unsearchable riches of Christ
-unsearchable - incomprehensible, unfathomable, you cannot trace
-Paul hinted on this several times throughout the book, blessings in chap. 1
-riches - Paul has used this word three times to speak of God’s lavish grace toward us
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
-The point: it is only the wealth of God in which the Gentiles or Jews are saved
-Paul also wanted to remind the Ephesian that this wealth of God’s grace in Christ in which he proclaimed is for all - Jew or Gentile
Grace for the Church to Display the Glory of God
Grace for the Church to Display the Glory of God
-so that - in order that
-why the mystery was hidden or why Paul preached the Gospel to the Gentiles and enlightened everyone
-manifold wisdom of God
-manifold - many-sided, word often used in describing multi-colors
-creation that displays the wisdom of God
-unity of Jewish and Gentiles in the church, creation of a new being
-rulers and authorities - evil spiritual beings, fallen angels, at times just a reference to angels (1 Peter 1:12)
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
-by the very existence of the church makes known to evil spiritual beings the manifold wisdom of God
-The Church makes known to the demonic powers that even though they are at work in the sons of disobedience, they try to trouble the plans of God’s people, their plans will ultimately fail.
-the purpose of the church is to glorify God, there is no other reason
-we could think of the supportive reasons, we are to sing, we are to give tithes, we are to preach, we are to serve others, we are to do missions, but all these point to the main thing - bringing glory to God
-The church does not exist to bring glory to you or me, it is not about our preferences or being entertained, it is about obedience to the Word of God and making Him known
-The Church is to be the display of Christ to the world, any gathering of people who do not desire to display Christ to the world does not in my opinion constitute a church
-according to God’s eternal purpose
-everything involved in salvation, in the redemption of God’s people, the revelation of the mystery happed because of God’s decision before the world began
7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.
-The eternal purpose God in Christ - reconciling Jew and Gentile to Himself
-It was God’s eternal plan to be glorified through the church
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Grace to Persevere
Grace to Persevere
-access
18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
-the access Jew and Gentile believers have to God in Christ shows the manifold wisdom of God to all the demonic forces
-Paul could be making the point as he enters in a time of prayer of the approachability we have to the Father because of the grace of God in Christ
-believers do not have just access but boldness and confidence to approach our Father
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
-confidence
-Therefore: do not be discouraged
-I believe that this is the reason Paul wrote this letter, to encourage the Ephesians to persevere
-his sufferings are their glory - their faith as well as many others
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,
Jim Elliot - He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.