GOD's Call for GOD's Plan
Notes
Transcript
Handout
I. INTRO
A. Where We’ve Been
B. Where We’re Going
a. Illust. recently rec. pwr drill for xmas
1. don’t use it daily, but use it frequently; love it
2. What happens if I try 2 use it, but the battery pack isn’t charged…or not in?
i. We have all been given a grace gift by God…this is, or will be used to assist us in our calling
-but if we aren’t connected to our pwr source, we r like this drill
3. these r handy tools, but what happens if we don’t use the drill according to the plan to fix, build, create?
i. put a bunch o holes in walls for no reason; destructive
-if we don’t use our grace gifts according to God’s plan, it becomes
*@best, useless work
*@worst, destructive to God’s Kingdom
C. Main Text
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.
D. Pray
II. BODY
Eph
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.
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.
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,
A. Our calling, a grace gift empowered by God
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,
a. We all have a grace gift!
1. What’s ur grace gift?
i.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
1. Saved on purpose, for a purpose
b. We operate our grace gift by God’s power
1. God empowers us! (ref eph 3:7)
i. Paul empowered Paul to b a minister o the gospel (good news)
-it is by God’s pwr that we also r gifted
-illust. pwr drill
*Kid’s what happens if the drill doesn’t have its pwr pack?
*God gives us the pwr to operate calling
ii.what was Paul’s grace gift?
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,
Eph 3:
c. Paul was called to preach Jesus’ unsearchable riches to the Gentiles
a. “preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,” (eph 3:8) &
d. Paul was called to expose God’s grace mystery to all
1. How did Paul feel about this calling? (don’t read the whole vs)
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,
: To me, though I am the very least of all the saints
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,
vs8: “...To me, though I am the very least of all the saints...”
i. Paul felt unworthy of his calling
- Why?
9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
* He persecuted the Church.
- Remember last week we discussed that being an apostle was how Paul was called to steward God’s mystery grace?
* Then I asked how God was calling u to steward his grace mystery
* Who here has felt unworthy/unqualified 4 their calling to steward God’s grace
i. Then I asked how God was calling u to steward his mystery grace
i.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
i.
ii. What’s ur excuse of feeling unworthy?
-we’re not good enough
-can’t speak well enough
-too afraid
-afraid our past disqualifies us
-don’t have it all together yet
iii. guess what...ur in good company:
-Noah got drunk
-Abraham was a liar
-Jacob was a con-artist
-Moses wasn’t articulate (& thought himself dumb)
-David was a murderer & adulterer
-Jeremiah thought himself too young
-Peter was violent
-James & John were volatile (sons of thunder)
iii. Here’s the truth, we all have reason to feel unqualified…look how paul describes us in
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
-The light of the Gospel shines in our hearts…but we are as fragile jars & yet God chooses us to partner w/him to make disciples,
-when we’re talking about excuses not to steward God’s grace, it’s usually a question o self esteem or self worth:
remember last week we discussed that being an apostle was how Paul was called to steward God’s mystery grace
can’t speak well enough
*can’t speak well enough
*too afraid
too afraid
*afraid our past disqualifies us
don’t know my past
*don’t have it all together yet
-guess what...ur in good company:
ur in good company:
*Noah got drunk
*abraham was a liar
abraham was a liar
*Jacob was a con-artist
*Moses wasn’t articulate (& thought himself dumb)
Jacob was a con-artist
*David was a murderer & adulterer
Moses wasn’t articulate (& thought himself dumb)
*Jeremiah thought himself too young
David was a murderer & adulterer
Jeremiah thought himself too young
*Peter was violent
Peter was violent
*James & John were volatile (sons of thunder)
James & John were volatile (sons of thunder)
3. What did they know that we must become convinced of?
i. we’re in a culture obsessed w/ Self esteem & self worth (the focus o which is? self)
ii. we must become obsessed with God esteem & Gospel worth!
-God esteem
*esteem: to regard highly or favorably
~we must put our high regard on God & not ourselves!
~ God’s surpassing power works through us!
~remember by who’s power is working in us?
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.
Eph 3:7
-Gospel worth
*look @ the importance that Paul places on the Gospel in us:
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
~ “light…shown in our hearts”
~light o knowledge o Glory o God”
~”treasure in jars o clay”
4. So, why place something of such worth as the gospel in jars so fragile, unqualified, & unworthy ?
: “to show that the surpassing power belongs to God & not to us.”
i. God put treasure in Jars o clay
its not about how unqualified we are, but how qualified God is to work through us
-2 put God’s pwr on display so all can see that he really is worthy to be God!
ii. its not about how unqualified we are, but how qualified God is to work through us
-moving forward...
Then I asked how God was calling u to steward his mystery grace
*Part o Paul’s calling was to expose God’s grace mystery
guess what, even paul felt that way…why?
9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,
a. “preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,” (eph 3:8) &
b. “bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God” (vs9)
*Part o Paul’s calling was to expose God’s grace mystery
* What is the grace mystery?
6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
B. The Grace Mystery is
a. Gentiles are fellow heirs
1. heirs is a rel. term where by children rec. an inheritance frm their Father
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
ESV11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
b. Gentiles & Jews are God’s new people
c. Gentiles are also partakers of the promise in-Christ
1. promise is: salvation: eternal life spent in right relationship w/God where we r raised, & seated w/God in Christ.
6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
2. Gentiles being co-heirs, being apart of God’s new people, & partakers of the promise is all apart of God’s plan
5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
2. Gentiles being co-heirs, being apart of God’s new people, & partakers of the promise is all apart of God’s plan
i. That is 2 say, God is making 1 people frm 2…He calls this new people: the church
-when we combine our grace gifts (the calling) 2gether we operate as the church!
ii. moving forward...
C. Our calling fits into God’s plan of making the church
a. when we combine our grace gifts (the calling) 2gether we operate as the church!
1. What’s the plan accomplish?
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.
Eph 3:
b. God’s plan makes the church a beacon of God’s manifold wisdom
much varied
1. Manifold: ‘variegated’, refers to cloth or flowers, & so here it suggests ‘the intricate beauty of an embroidered pattern
word that means ‘variegated’, and that was used in classical Greek writers with reference to cloth or flowers, and so here it suggests ‘the intricate beauty of an embroidered pattern
2. God intends for the church to communicate God’s beautifully intricate wisdom not only 2 the world
i. but even heavenly beings don’t know or understand God’s Grace Mystery!
Foulkes, F. (1989). Ephesians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 10, p. 105). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
ii. So many folks say, “I don’t need to go 2 church…my faith is btwn me & God”
-true, u don’t need 2 go 2 church to be saved, but
iii. God’s not interested in showing his great wisdom through individuals…but through the church.
-It’s our 2gether-ness: combining our giftings on a singularly focused mission which places God’s wisdom & pwr on display
- why would u wanna miss out on such a great calling??
c. God’s plan realized through Jesus’ death & resurrection
11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
1. Realized: to do, make
to do, make
d. God’s grace mystery to build 1 people from 2 is both long-standing & eternal
*Now, I want u 2 know something about God’s character!
~God’s neither arbitrary nor whimsical
E. God’s grace mystery to build 1 people from 2 is both long-standing & eternal
1. Long-standing in that its been planned & in process from the beginning
i. describes God’s plan as being “the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things"
the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things"
2. Paul describes God’s grace mystery as eternal in that it is un-changing & lasts forever!
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
i. It’s eternal in
F. & the plan to make 1 people from 2 was accomplished by Jesus!
D. Let’s get practical (Why this matters to u)
a. God’s plan gives us boldness to accomplish the call
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
a. God’s plan gives us boldness to accomplish the call
1. Boldness: unreserved, clear, confident speech
i. remember Baptism in the H.S. purpose: rec. pwr when the H.S. comes upon u to be witnesses”
b. God’s plan gives us confident access to Jesus to accomplish the call
& finally...
13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
c. God’s plan gives us hope to accomplish the call
1. So often when we meet opposition (i.e. suffering) we get discouraged
i. I believe this has to do w/our theology of suffering
ii. we c suffering as God’s absence from our life
-somehow he has forsaken us
2. Paul saw suffering for Jesus as a grace gift:
Paul saw suffering for Jesus as a grace gift:
29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Phil 1:
i. granted: literally to be graced
-“you have been grace gifted to not only believe, but to suffer for Jesus”
III. CONCLUSION
