Rooted In Your Wealth 11

No More Mystery!

Text: Ephesians 3:1-13

Introduction

Amelia Earhart, a pioneer of aviation, disappeared over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 while trying to fly around the world. Despite multiple searches, no trace of her or her plane has ever been discovered.

The Bermuda Triangle is perhaps the most famous mysterious place in the world. This area of about 500,000 square miles sits in the Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda, Puerto Rico and Miami, Florida. More than 20 planes and 50 ships are said to have mysteriously vanished into thin air or crashed without explanation. Though vessels manage to pass through the area with ease every day and there are no more disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle than in any other large, well-traveled area of the ocean, the unexplained accidents have still captured the public imagination.

The Apostle Paul was called by God for a very specific ministry to the Gentiles.

Acts 9:15 “15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:”

Tonight, the Apostle Paul will be speaking in clarity about a mystery as we will learn that even caught the angels, Satan and the demons by surprize!

1) The Mystery Has Been Revealed

A. What was the mystery?

Abraham was told that the world would be blessed through him.

Not all details of this was disclosed to the Jews through the O.T..

It became the understanding of the Jews that for the world to experience the blessing of salvation, they would have to become a Jew.

The plan was present in the O.T., yet parts were unclear (hidden) in a sense.

The Jew in Paul’s day considered Gentiles as dogs. Even some Christian Jews in the first century didn’t have a much better attitude.

When Christ came…IT WAS MADE CLEAR!

The mystery was two-fold:

God would neither make the world Jew or Gentile.

God would make a NEW CREATION through Jesus Christ!

What was special about this NEW CREATION?

God would get all the glory!

All believers would come to him be faith alone in Christ alone.

One would not bow down to one particular racial culture, but ONE CHRIST.

God would build His church with this new creation.

All variations of humanity would be brought together as one through faith in Jesus’ gospel.

As we look back into history, every war was brought about by some fallen trait of humanity; jealousy, greed, pride, lust, etc.

This is something even Satan was not prepared for!!!

B. Who revealed the mystery?

God alone revealed this mystery!

There would be no great message of grace if not made understandable by God.

This should assure you of God’s love for you!!!

C. Who delivered the mystery?

The Apostle Paul.

This former blasphemer was converted by God’s grace and empowered by God’s grace!

Notice Paul’s language in v1:

“Prisoner of Jesus Christ” not a prisoner of Caesar!

It was the will of God that took Paul to prison.

They may have chained Paul, but they could not chain Paul’s message! — 2 Tim. 2:9 “9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.”

He knew he was not imprisoned because of some moral lapse or because he had displeased God in some way; instead, because of his sacrificial commitment to the will of Jesus, he was chained to a Roman soldier, writing this letter from prison. Most important to Paul was the glory of the real King. Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), 71.

Q — Do you whole heartily declare yourself a prisoner of Jesus?

Q — Do you say to Him, “Send me wherever, I am Yours”?

The King who sends you empowers you for where He is sending you.

1 Cor. 11:1 “1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”

Notice Paul’s humility in v8:

He deflects any attention away from himself.

He wants all Gentile hearts to focus on the God of all grace!

His position and place in redemptive history does not puff him up; it leaves him to boast only in Christ. He feels privileged to serve the King. Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), 74.

Q — What is your attitude to serving your King? Have to or GET to?

His apostleship did not add a spirit of boasting. He knew that he was following a “foot washing” Master.

Paul reached so many because he identified as less than the least.

Quote: Such identity formation comes through long and rich meditation on the grace of God, the sinfulness of humanity, and the glory of the cross, and through regular repentance. Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), 74–75.

2) The Mystery Must Be Declared

A. The riches of the mystery

“unsearchable” = indelineable adj. — marked by being impossible to plot, travel, or trace to the end of; therefore incomprehensible.

Romans 11:33 “33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

Job 5:9 “9 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; Marvellous things without number:”

Job 9:10 “10 Which doeth great things past finding out; Yea, and wonders without number.”

Notice how Paul is CONSUMED with declaring the gospel of Jesus.

Col. 1:28 “28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”

We should never get bored with the message of Christ.

Quote — If our preaching is boring, it is not because Christ is boring. His glories are incalculable. As long as we are proclaiming Christ, we should never run out of material, we should never be left without something to talk about, and we should never talk about Him without passion. Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), 76.

The best encouragement you can give any preacher is NOT “what a good sermon” but “What a great Savior.”

B. The fellowship of the mystery

Remember, Jew and Gentile are one.

This removes the excuse, “Someone with my past wouldn’t be welcome in the church.”

The church has a global God and therefore should be global in nature.

Everyone needs Jesus!

This community of NEW CREATION should be made up of people from across the globe.

C. The audience of the mystery

Don’t miss the implications that reach past the cosmos.

This covers the entire spiritual realm.

It is obvious throughout the N.T. that Heaven’s angels marvel at the saving grace of Jesus. They are amazed how forgiveness could be granted.

It is equally apparent that Satan and his demons look on the power of God’s grace with fear and trembling.

We as the church were something Satan was not expecting!

Our existence and empowerment reminds him of his soon coming FINAL DEFEAT!

Satan is reminded that his rule is coming to and end!

The emphasis is not “preaching to unseen powers.” It has to do with God revealing His plan through the existence of the church.

D. Our confidence in declaring the mystery (v12)

As we think of how God empowers the church to maintain unity.

Many-colored, multi-cultural, multiethnic — redeemed, forgiven, made alive, in Christ.

Farmers, bankers, metal workers, carpenters, shop keepers, servants, masters, moms, dads, children — the audience of this letter!!!

If you are Christ-centered, you will have a high view of the church.

Central to human history.

Jesus loves His bride.

It is a melting pot of those who have been created NEW in Christ.

It’s message is the unsearchable riches of God’s grace.

This is why Paul said, “Be bold and never hesitate to reach the world.”

Let these truth encourage you to thank God for the amazing privilege of being part of a global work through His church!