The Jesus Centered Life, Pt. 1 Ephesians 3:7-13

The Jesus Centered Life pt. 1

Ephesians 3:7-14

Ephesians 3:7–13 (ESV)

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Quick explanation to undergird the sermon…

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. - Ephesians 3:7–13 (ESV)

“This gospel” is summarized in Ephesians 2:8–10 (ESV), “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

“This gospel” is the good news that God saves according to His power and grace through faith in Christ.

(Verse 7, 2:8-10)

“This gospel” says that God reconciles the worst of sinners to himself through Christ.

(Verse 8, see 2:8-10)

“This gospel” was the plan before God ever said “Let their be light.”

(Verse 9, see 1:3-10))

Ephesians 1:3–10 (ESV)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

“This gospel” says that God unifies all things in Christ, the cornerstone, including Jews and Gentiles into one body through the cross.

(Verse 9, see 1:7-10 & 2:13-16)

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. - Ephesians 3:7–13 (ESV)

The same power and grace that accomplishes our salvation accompanies our calling.

What I mean… salvation is according to God’s power and not our works, and the same is true that our calling and ministry is according to God’s power and not our works.

God called Paul to make the unsearchable riches of Christ known to the Gentiles.

In addition Paul was also called to make plain the plan of God to the Jews. God’s mysterious plan that has been revealed in Christ- and remember the mystery is that in Christ there is one man where there were once two.

Just previously Paul uses multiple descriptions for God’s plan (this new thing God has done) in Christ.

Household of God (2:18-19)

Structure (building), Holy Temple, or dwelling place for God (2:20-22)

Family (3:6)

Body (3:6)

Partakers of the promise (3:6)

The other word that Paul uses to refer to God’s plan is the church. Look with me at verse 10.

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. - Ephesians 3:7–13 (ESV)

God’s plan for revealing his mystery to the world is the church.

(Verse 10-12)

The church is not plan B… and the church is not simply an institution. The church is the visible demonstration of the life changing power of God’s grace through faith in the lives of sinners.

The church is central to God’s plan for spreading the gospel

Not only is the church is central to God’s plan…

The church is central to the life of every Christian.

(Verse 13)

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. - Ephesians 3:7–13 (ESV)

Why would I say that? Because the church is worth suffering for in Paul’s case, it’s ultimately who Jesus died to save, and if the church is central to God’s plan and the gospel, then there is no way it’s non-essential to the life of a Christian.

The church is central to the life of every Christian, because Christ is at the center of the church.

But, if church is reduced to an hour or two a week..

Or if church is reduced to what I like or dislike…

Or if church is reduced to how it felt or didn’t feel…

Or if church is reduced to what I get instead of what I give… then the church will never be for you what it should be, and you will not be what God intends for you to be either.

The church is more than gathering to sing, pray, read, study, preach, and encourage; but it’s not less than that.

The church in the NT is so much more than meetings for singing and preaching. The church always includes gathering as a whole to worship, baptize, celebrate the Lord’s supper, pray, preach, and encourage one another… but it’s also more than that.

You cannot be the church in just one meeting a week, the church that gathers is also a church that scatters.

You cannot be the church in just one place and time, the Christian life cannot be lived in just one place a few times a week.

But, The unified worship of the church is one of the most powerful demonstrations of God’s grace and glory on earth.

It’s not how loud, or how well executed worship is. It’s not about whether or not it’s emotional or not.

Worship is a demonstration of God’s power when it’s true… and it’s true when it’s by the power of the Spirit.

Does that mean that it’s really worship when people shout, run around, or. speak in some kind of unknown language? No, The gathered church is a demonstration of God’s power when it’s true.

Worship isn’t guaranteed because we attend a certain place at a certain time and perform a certain routine. Why? Because true worship depends on Christ.

God’s power and glory are demonstrated in the church where Christ is at the center of the people and their lives.

As Paul moves forward in his letter he begins to transition toward teaching us what it looks like for Jesus Christ to be at the center of the church and the lives of the people who make up the church.

I am looking forward to what God will show us in the future… but for today I’d like take the last few moments and encourage you in your personal relationship with the Lord… and I’d like to do it by looking a little more deeply at verse 12.

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. - Ephesians 3:7–13 (ESV)

God’s word says that we have access to God through Jesus Christ. In fact, as it says here we have a boldness and confidence in our access to God through Jesus Christ.

Here’s what I’d like for you to consider- The bold and confident Christian life you want to live is grounded in humility and sacrifice.

Paul was humble

In his mind Paul was the worst sinner that he knew… and yet he was also bold in his obedience to God’s call on his life. He was suffering for Christ for the sake of the Ephesians and doing so confidently and boldly… How could this be?

How can a man who used to hold people’s coats while they stoned Christians be so confident in his salvation, much less his ministry?

Paul’s confidence was in Jesus, not himself.

Paul sacrificed (he even suffered).

In the book of Acts, Luke records for us what Paul said when he met with the elders of the church in Ephesus… the same people that he wrote this letter too.

Acts 20:17–24 (ESV) says,

17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Paul did not consider his life of any value or precious even to himself… instead as he wrote in Philippians 3:8 (ESV), 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.

In light of what Christ has done, and the example that we see in the life of Paul…

Focus on spending time with God and praying about what’s going on in your life.

Confess your sinfulness and need for him

Pray and ask for help with your life

Pray and tell him what you are thankful for

Tell God you love Him… and why you love Him

Pray for your family, your pastors and ministers, your friends, your church, the advancement of the gospel

Pray about what He’s telling you when you read the Bible

Commit to sacrificing for the sake of others because Jesus sacrificed for you.

I had this thought as I was preparing the sermon this week… who am I to look for others to do things for me when Jesus Himself has already sacrificed and died for me?

Isn’t that enough? I know it should be… and for Paul it was… even to the point of imprisonment and suffering for the sake of the Ephesians and the rest of the church.

Prioritize the church and your relationship with your brothers and sisters.

Jesus died for the people who gather around you each week.

They are important to Him, therefore they should be important to you.

Their good was a reason for Jesus to die and for Paul to suffer… they can and should be near the top of the list for you… and you should be near the top of the list for them.

Finally, consider your life in light of the gospel… do you depend on Christ?

Can you boldly and confidently approach the throne of God’s grace? I don’t mean pridefully and deservedly… but with a confidence that is grounded in what Christ has done?