God’s Billboard

Ephesians 3:1–13 NIV

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Introduction

A purposeful digression

Ephesians 3:14 “For this reason I kneel before the Father,”

The discouragement of defeat (slow moving missionary reports)

Gospel defeat

Paul’s Situation

Ephesians 3:1 NIV

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

Ephesians 3:13 NIV

13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Prisoner (v. 1)

Of Christ Jesus

For the Gentiles

Suffering

Paul’s Desire

Ephesians 3:13 NIV

13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Don’t be discouraged because of his sufferings (v. 13)

Paul pushes them away from discouragement by discussing the mystery of the gospel and his role in proclaiming it.

God’s Mysterious Gospel Plan Has Been Revealed So Don’t Be Discouraged

Ephesians 3:1–6 NIV

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 Surely you have heard about the of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Mystery – something hidden

Unfolding plan of redemption

Origin of the Mystery

Administration/stewardship of Grace

Revelation

Visibility of the Mystery

Hidden

Hinted at

Delayed

Seemingly defeated

Revealed

Unmissable

Content of the Mystery

Ephesians 3:6 NIV

6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Through the gospel the Gentiles are

Heirs together with Israel

Members together of one body

Sharers together in the promise of Christ Jesus

First world problems (choosing what to cook)

The gospel is such good news discouragement just doesn’t make sense

From the content of the mystery we look at Paul’s role as proclaimer of the mystery

Paul Serves the Gospel So Don’t Be Discouraged

Ephesians 3:7–9 NIV

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

Paul is a servant of this gospel

By God’s Grace

Through his power

Though he is the least of the Lord’s people

He preaches

To the Gentiles

About the boundless riches of Christ

Making plain what used to be hidden

Paul loves the gospel and counts it a privilege to suffer for it

Romans 15:20 NIV

20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

Philippians 1:12 NIV

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9:16 NIV

16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

Philippians 3:7–8 NIV

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 1:21 NIV

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Do you have discouragement defeating delight in God’s gospel?

Gospel Suffering Displays God’s Wisdom So Don’t Be Discouraged

Ephesians 3:10–13 NIV

10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Suffering Displays God’s Wisdom

To the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms

Major theme of the book

Satanic powers opposed to God’s plan

Sometimes personally (demons in Jesus ministry)

Sometimes through earthly powers (The riots in Ephesus)

The gospel is the greatest underdog story of all time.

Suffering is God’s billboard.

OT uncertainty stories. (Red Sea, Gideon, David and Goliath, Esther)

The gift of approaching God with freedom and confidence supersedes everything that discourages us

Conclusion

This passage is focused on discouragement about the progress of the gospel, not ordinary discouragement

Do you find the advancement of the gospel important enough to get discouraged about it?

If God’s core plan to redeem the world advances through suffering, might your ordinary suffering also be part of his plan?

Do not be discouraged because:

God’s Mysterious Gospel Plan Has Been Revealed

Paul Serves the Gospel

Gospel suffering displays God’s wisdom