Ephesians 3:7-13 - We are ministers of the Mystery

One of the wonders of the world to me is the art of card tricks.

The way someone can keep track of every step that needs to happen is incredible.

All the while there’s sight of hand going on.

Your eye is on one thing, but the trick is happening somewhere else.

How it happens is a complete mystery.

You want to see a card trick?

**Pass the deck of cards to whoever is on the front row** Ask **** after service. He’ll show you one.

The age of card tricks really changed when “magicians” were revealing their tricks online.

They showed the mystery.

As Christians, this is what we are called to do—Make mysteries clear.

We are to take the Bible, which is a mystery to a lot of people, and help them understand the complexities of God.

Big Idea: We are ministers of the mystery

“Ministers of the mystery?” That sounds like something for Pastor Bo to do.

Nah.

Like Paul, Jesus has called and equipped His church to minster the mystery of the gospel—Which is that God saves sinners through Jesus Christ—to the world.

Stand to read

Ephesians 3:7–10 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.

Leader: This is God’s Word

Everyone: Thanks be to God

Explanation

Paul explained that his ministry was given by God’s grace.

He is a minister or servant because of the power of God—God MADE him a minister.

It wasn’t that Paul put in an application for the apostle job; he is an apostle “by the will of God” (1:1)

He doesn’t deserve the grace or the ministry (v. 8)

He positions himself lower than all other Christians.

“I’m the worst of all the Christians. You think you’re bad, I’m badder”

But this ministry was given for a purpose.

God called Paul to preach to Gentiles and reveal the mystery of the gospel to everyone possible (v. 9)

God’s plan of redemption includes the Church revealing God’s wisdom to heaven and earth (v. 10)

The Church is God’s plan A to reveal His mercy, patience, grace, and power to all of creation.

God’s grace is like an intricately cut diamond

There are so many facets to it.

You hold it up to a light and there are so many beautiful elements to it, regardless of how you hold it.

This is more than showing God’s power to this world but “to rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” (v. 10)

These are angelic beings.

The world doesn’t only see the diamond, but angels—which lead them to glorify God!

They see His grace and His power and the wonder He does in creating and redeeming!

“Look at His mercy! His grace! His love! His power! How amazing is our God!”

This is other-worldly!

God called Paul to preach the gospel, make disciples, and plant churches so that all of creation can see just how amazing our God is!

This is what we want to participate in as a church.

Our lives (as the church) show God’s power (vv. 7-10)

When we lean into God’s grace for our lives and when we are changed by the Spirit, we become conduits for God’s grace to the rest of the world.

Some of you are convinced that the work of ministry is designated to Sunday mornings for “super Christians.”

You can look at our serve teams and ask “Are you a super hero?”

They’ll laugh in your face.

The “super Christians” you see are simply being faithful and obedient with what the Lord has given them to do to glorify Him.

Jenna called Hilary earlier this week and was telling her how the Lord had touched her life in a way that set her ablaze.

She wants to leverage every element of her life to put the glory of God on display!

She wants the world to know of Jesus’s saving power!

She’s never led a Bible study, but she went to Facebook earlier this week and said, “Good morning, Facebook friends. This is something I have never done before—I’m completely going out of my comfort zone… I have experienced something amazing in my life and I want to share it with the world.”

She’s simply using an ordinary means, like Facebook, to use her life to show God’s power on display.

Every Christian in the room as a gift given to them by the Holy Spirit to use for God’s glory.

If you have been saved from sin, you have been saved to leverage your life to glorify God.

Some of you hold out because “I don’t know enough” or “I’m not a good enough Christian”

No, you just need to get off your blessed assurance and let’s go.

If you don’t know what that means, turn and ask your neighbor.

If you’re unsure how this looks in your life, God’s grace equips you.

The Church is to leverage every bit of it’s life to show God’s glory to heaven and earth—Paul Continues

Ephesians 3:11–12 ESV

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.

Explanation

Paul pulls back the curtain and “reveals the mystery”

This isn’t a new idea. God didn’t come up with the idea of the Church after Jesus died and rose again.

He didn’t say, “Hm. Glad that worked itself out.”

The Church came about “according to the eternal purpose realized in Christ” (v. 11).

Paul had already talked about God’s eternal plan in Ephesians 1:4-7.

Before time began, God’s plan of redemption was secured.

When Jesus died on the cross, He yelled “It is finished”—pretty much saying, “Nailed it!”

Jesus’s earthly life and ministry fulfills God’s eternal purposes and fuels the church with it!

Since Jesus accomplished God’s plan of salvation for us, we have boldness and access with confidence to God the Father through faith in Christ.

“I don’t feel like I can approach God or that He wants to hear from me.”

Then you need to repent and believe the mystery that has been revealed.

God’s plan of salvation is yours to receive. *How do I do that?*

Gospel presentation

You need to first realize that you’re a sinner in need of a Savior

You’re not as good as you think you are, and you’re far worse than you think you are.

If you’re not a Christian, you’re an enemy of God. A rebel deserving God’s judgement, which is coming.

But God has offered you a way out.

Then You must believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God who died on the cross for your sins and rose again so that you can have eternal life.

Pray: “Jesus, I’m a sinner in need of a Savior. I need your grace in my life. I believe you died on the cross for my sins. Forgive me and save me!”

This changes everything.

Your status is changed from enemy of God to child of God.

You have every spiritual blessing God offers to us in Christ.

You have a place in God’s family.

You were once dead, but now you’re alive.

Will you believe the gospel?

Will you receive the mystery of the gospel, that sinners can have a relationship with God as His children!

Will you reveal to the world how amazing God is and what he’s saved you from!?

The gospel leads us to say things like

“Since Jesus died and rose again, my life cannot be the same.”

Therefore, as Christians…

We (the Church) live with confidence in God’s plan (the gospel) (vv. 11-13)

Jesus died and rose again to give you access to the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

This same God desires for us to be His children.

This means that He is our protector. defender. guide. He cares for our needs, wants, and desires. He is for us and not against us.

If the God of the universe declares you His, this should fill you with an intense amount of confidence that no matter what this dark world might bring, you’re going to be okay.

When God’s people live with confidence in God’s plan, the world takes a breath out.

We understand that our understanding is small and so is our strength, but our God knows everything and His power is limitless.

That kind of confidence allows us to look out into a broken and dying world full of lost and hurting people and love them without limits.

Sure, people will let you down. You’re going to be disappointed.

But the Lord won’t let you down and you can trust that He is going to do what He said He would do.

You simply need to leverage your life to show God’s power and live with confidence in His plan to save people.

Be faithful and obedient with what God has given you.

You and I were called to be ministers of the mystery of the gospel through the Church to the world.

We don’t have to overcomplicate it.

We use our ordinary lives to point to an extraordinary God who saved us from sin and death.

Transition

Explanation

Paul is sitting in prison, as he writes this letter to them.

Him being in prison doesn’t invalidate his ministry, in fact, it solidifies it.

“I’m suffering on your behalf so that you can know who Jesus is… and I’d do it again”

Paul is able to write these things because his confidence and boldness is in Christ!

“You want to throw me in jail for preaching the gospel?! You think that’s going to do anything?! Have you heard the power of my God?! You’ve got nothing on me, chief!”

Paul lived with unmatched confidence in the gospel.

He’s asking us to as well.

Ephesians 3:13 ESV

13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Paul encourages us to live with this same kind of boldness and confidence in Christ.

Our whole must be shaped around the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Why? Because that’s where the power is.

When our lives are secured in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are able to suffer well and make the mystery of God’s plan known to anyone we come into contact with.

Paul is calling the church to get off the bench and into the game confidently.

Don’t limit yourself to being a timid Christian.

We don’t have second-string Christians.

This mystery (gospel) is not only for us to receive, but for us to reveal.

Here’s what I want you to do.

Take the Next Step

Reveal the mystery of God’s plan to someone.

Start a text: “I want you to come to church with me.”

If they say no: “Let’s grab dinner/coffee. I want to talk to you about something. I want to make sure you’re clear on it.”

If they say no: “Why do you hate me?”

Identify what God has called you to do (vv. 7-9)

As a church, we strive to glorify God by making disciples and planting churches.

You need in on this.

How has God wired you to participate in that?

Live courageously for Jesus (vv. 11-13)