Steward’s of God’s Mission: Part 2

The Letter to the Ephesians  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
0 ratings
· 2 views
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Review:
Stewards of God’s mission:
Mission and Message of the Church

3. The Grind of the Church

A. See God’s Grand Story (11)

Ephesians 3:10 NASB95
10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
Let’s begin by looking at the verses where we left off last week in v 10. Paul and all the church are the stewards of God’s message and mission. Remember that manifold wisdom is the intricate design of God’s unfolding plan of redemption that is summed up in Jesus Christ that he calls the mystery. The church which is made up of Jews and Gentiles who now follow Jesus as Messiah is responsible to make known that story to all the world through their proclamation and existence. Those who so affected by this proclamation and demonstration of the manifold wisdom of God is not just those on earth, but those of heaven. Paul states that the “rulers and authorities IN THE HEAVENLIES” will be recipients of this mystery from the church.
Who are these rulers and authorities in the heavenly places?
Ephesians 1:20–21 NASB95
20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 6:12 NASB95
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Paul seems to have be referencing beings not of human origin in these verses. Instead, they are rulers and authorities that reside in the heavenlies, which means in a spiritual realm. Notice the common phrase of Eph 1:20 and Eph 3:10 “IN THE HEAVENLIES.” This is their abode, that place where exist and they are which Paul states in chapter 6 are those that the church are opposing in spiritual warfare. Not all beings in the spriitual realm are evil, but it appears Paul addresses Christ’s authority over them in chapter 1, they understanding of God’s plan of victorious redemption in Christ in chapter 3 and the ongoing spiritual war that the church faces with them until Christ returns in chapter 6.
In light of this truth, it is imperative that the church recognize the full story of God’s redemptive plan in Christ. Jesus as Lord is emphasized so that we might be reminded of his rule and his power over all. The church must then stand to understand the eternal purpose carried out in Christ Jesus. We must remember that it is an eternal purpose because it was set in motion before time began and in its fulfillment, it will transcend the end of all time and history.
As followers of Jesus Christ, then we must be reminded of this plan and we must be able to recall it. Simple ways have been devised to remember this plan so that you and I will be affirmed in our faith of what God is accomplishing through his son. let me teach it to you:
Creation
The Church must be reminded all that God did in creation as a way to reflect his unparalleled glory. He in all his wisdom and holiness created all things perfect in 6 days and rested on the 7th day. He created light to oppose the darkness, the land separate from space, the earth from the waters, the animals separated in each kind, and mankind separate from all of creation because it was made in the image of God.
Colossians 1:16 NASB95
16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.
Fall
Mankind fell into temptation and chose to rebel against the God who made them. In their rebellion, they chose to reject the Lordship of God over them and instead sought to be like HIm. In that rebellion, the world was infected by sin and that sin leads to a continual rejection of God, physical death in all creation, and spiritual separation between God and man.
Romans 3:23 NASB95
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Redemption
This sinful corruption in the world was not a surprise to God. God allowed such rebellion to occur under his sovereignty so that He might send redemption into the world through the Son of God. Jesus, God’s only Son, came into this world, born of a virgin. He lived a perfect life and fulfilled the law in every way that man could not. He died on the cross so that the penalty for sin could be paid for all God’s elect by bearing the wrath of God against sin. He was buried and on the third day he defeated death and rose to life. Soon after, he ascended into heaven where he sits at the right hand of the Father. Because of His sacrifice, all who come to Jesus by faith and repentance will be receive salvation in his name.
Romans 6:23 NASB95
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
New Creation/Consummation
Jesus is coming again to bring final judgment on the wicked and final completion of ushering his kingdom. This will include a new creation of the heavens and earth, the destruction of all those who reject God’s son, and a reunion with His the church, the bride of Christ, who will live for all eternity in the God’s kingdom of peace, love and joy!
This outline is one that helps all of us understand God’s grand story of redemption. We can teach this story to our children, grandchildren, new believers in Jesus. This story is not the gospel message but it includes it. This story reminds us that our great God rules over all time and space and he is faithfully carrying out his plan to bring peace to the world for all eternity in Jesus. We must learn this story as the church so we can tell this story to others.

B. Live in God’s Holy Presence (12)

Ephesians 3:12 NASB95
12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.
The second exhortation for us this afternoon is to live in God’s holy presence. V 12 starts off “In whom we have” which means that it is only by Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ can we have access to a holy and wrathful God. Only by his sufficient work on the cross can a follower of Jesus enter into the throne room of God and approach Him in all his holiness and splendor.
The writer of Hebrews recounts a similar truth:
Hebrews 10:19–22 NASB95
19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
The Jews feared the presence of God because of His holiness stood in contrast with their sin. They could not approach the mountain at Sinai and touch it lest they die. The veil that separated the holy of holies represented the separation between God’s holiness and man’s sin. But Jesus died as the perfect sacrifice and the veil was torn in two. The separation between God and man has ended through Jesus. Because the blood of Jesus is sufficient, we know that all that our sins have been atoned for.
He gives us boldness or confidence to enter because his sacrifice was enough to cover our sins. We have been forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness. We wear the robe of the perfect righteousness of Christ so that we can take our requests to God. Jesus gives us boldness to “ask anything in Jesus name” as we are instructed. Boldness gives us the ability to lament in our most grievous circumstances. Boldness gives us confidence to praise the Lord for all his wondrous works.
Also, Paul states that “we have” that confident access. He writes in the present tense because it is a continual access that we have with God. He does not speak in the subjective “we might have access” or the future “we will have access.” You can go to the Father, through the Son, in the Spirit, every day. On days that you have given into sin, you need to go to him in repentance. On days that your flesh has led you towards a melancholy spirit, you need to go to him seeking joy. On days that worst imaginable circumstances seemed to have occured, you need to go to him for strength and peace.
Finally, we go to Him in faith. Our faith in Christ is the access necessary for us to approach him. Jesus has granted us the security clearance but our faith is access card in hand that allows us entry.
hebrews 11:6
Hebrews 11:6 NASB95
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
If we don’t believe or have faith that God can do the impossible, then we have no business coming to Him, in prayer or even in the study of his word. It’s just simply a wasted action to commune with God without faith. They are words wasted in your day and they have no effect. Faith is the key, not because we activate something in God when we have faith, but because faith reveals a heart that truly seeks God. Our faith is rewarded by God as the writer of Hebrews states.
Therefore, our faith must be continual as our approaching God is continual. Faith in Jesus is not just an initial faith. Its a continual daily faith in Him. By faith, the church can enter into the presence of our Holy God confident that we are safe and confident that He will work accordingly with his will.
This is the promise of Heb 4:16
Hebrews 4:16 NASB95
16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The promise of our access to God through Jesus is that he will help us. He will be our aid in our deepest and greatest struggles and we come to him and plead for mercy and grace.

C. Press on as the Church (13)

Ephesians 3:13 NASB95
13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.
Finally, we come to the last exhortation. Paul tells the Ephesians not to lose heart. Stated in the positive, he is telling them to be steadfast and press on in their Christian work.
Why would they be tempted to lose heart? Paul states that his tribulations would lead them to lose heart. What Paul is referencing is his imprisonment.
Three times in this letter, Paul mentions his imprisonment. look with me:
Ephesians 3:1 NASB95
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
Ephesians 4:1 NASB95
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
Ephesians 6:20 NASB95
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Acts 28:20 tells us that Paul was imprisoned in Rome under house arrest and it is believed that this is when he wrote the letters of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. These four letters are referred to as a group called the Prison Epistles or letters.
His imprisonment would have obviously led the early church to be tempted to fear for their own safety and be concerned for the safety of their beloved leader Paul. When Paul met with the Ephesian elders in Acts 20, he told them in his farewell prayer that “bonds and afflictions await me.” Upon hearing those words, the elders wept knowing that they would not see Paul again.
Paul now instructs them in his letter from prison not be distracted from the work of church that must be accomplished. To lose heart is to become paralyzed by fear or distracted from the purpose that God has ordained for the church. Instead, Paul’s command was to press on in the work. He reminds them of the message of God’s eternal plan that they have received. He reminds them of the access that they have continually to the Father through the son. Finally, he uses these truths to remind the church not to lose heart but to press on in the work of the ministry.
Notice the last phrase in v 13, “on your behalf, for your glory.” Paul labels the imprisonment as one that is for the sake of the church. He is in chains writing to them because he represents the suffering of Christ that all Christians will face. He was faithful to the work of the ministry of the gospel and that led him to suffer in chains. Suffering is the promise of all followers of Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:12 NASB95
12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Friends, let us be reminded that we don’t fit into this world full of sin. We are pilgrims on a journey to a new home. We are aliens in this world. Because we don’t belong to this world, we will be treated as such. We are outcasts of the lawlessness and evil practices. Where we do belong is the gathered church, a way-station before we arrive in heaven to dwell with the Lord. It is here that we find commonality and unity with the gathered church. It is here that we belong until Christ comes again.
For this reason, it is unacceptable for so-called Christians not to be connected in fellowship and worship in the church. Without such fellowship with the saints, we are not whole in our walk with Christ. We paralyze our spiritual growth if this fellowship is missing in our lives. And church fellowship is the first to suffer because of our busyness. Let us look to 2024 and keep our worship of teh Lord with the gathered church a priority.
Paul concludes that his suffering was a glory for the church. He suffered so that honor was achieved. What he means is that because suffering is part of being a follower of Jesus, it is an honorable thing.
Matthew 5:11 NASB95
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
You are honored in suffering because it reflects Jesus making you a new creation. Suffering is part of the new creation in this world until he comes again. It is the suffering shadow of the suffering Servant who came and died and rose again. You will receive glory one day when Christ comes again but even now, there is glory in suffering for the name of Christ because of Jesus in you and for his glory.
Therefore, press on church. Do not lose heart in difficulties of this world. You are not alone. You have Christ and his people to guide you as you fulfill the mission He has establish for His people to reflect and work for His glory.
Lord’s Supper
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more
Earn an accredited degree from Redemption Seminary with Logos.