Paul's Imprisonment and the Gentiles Glory
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Make Statement about Translations during Corporate Worship
Read vs. 1-13
Introduction
Introduction
Paul is continuing his discussion of the Church and particularly his role in the Church and the inclusion of the Gentiles into God’s one body.
He sees a potential discouragement for the Church at Ephesus. The fact that he is a prisoner seems to discredit his ministry.
Illustration: Paul Manafort and his imprisonment in June this past year.
Paul is guilty of teaching that Gentiles are a part of the OT promises of God through Christ. This infurates Jews who thought that they the promises of the OT were only achieved through certain rituals and rites that were absolved in Christ. Circumcision, separation ordinances were done away with in Christ and now gentiles have free access. When Paul left the Church in Ephesus at the end of Acts he went to Jerusalem and an uproar began over the accusation that he brought a gentile into the Temple. This led to his imprisonment and being treated like a criminal. Eventually leading to his appearing before Ceasar and his beheading!
Paul is concerned that his present experience will discourage the Ephesians gentiles and cause them to question whether or not what he says is true. Is Paul under God’s judgment, is he really a true Apostle if he is in prision as a criminal? Paul senses this and seeks to reassure them of his Authority and of their geninue inheritance in the promises of God.
Paul, God’s Special Messenger
Paul, God’s Special Messenger
Apostle= is a special agent of divine revelation. He calls it a stewardship of God’s grace. Paul enjoyed a priveledged position in God’s redemption plan, he was an Apostle, a special witness of Christ. Had an authority to dictate and direct absolutely.
And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
An apostle was more than a teacher or preacher, he was the agent of divine truth. His words were the Words of God!
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
-This was a unique role in the life of the Church.
It is not duplicated or inherited. It is not passed on. (Error of the Roman Catholic Church) It died with them.
Application
We still acknowledge that authority today in that we hold to the sacred writings known as the Bible. The Canon of the NT was formed based on the critera that it was writen by an Apostle or by someone who was under the influence of an Apostle.
-Paul’s Particular Emphasis
That the Gentiles are equal sharers of God’s blessings.
For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
This was a particular emphasis of Paul. He fought for it constantly. (The Book of Galatians)
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
The Mystery of God Revealed
The Mystery of God Revealed
-This was a mystery
We would not have come up with this on our own. It had to be revealed to us by God.
Man is not in a position to discover God.
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
We know things about God, because he reveals them to us. We are dependent on him to do this.
-It was revealed through the preaching of an Apostle.
God uses preaching to reveal himself.
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians
Continued Part Two
Continued Part Two
Review
Paul was in Jail because of preaching to the Gentiles. He sought to affirm that he preached to the gentiles as part of the unveiling of the Mystery of Christ. All people have access to God through Christ.
We take this for granted, but its foundational.
Paul is reasserting his Office as Apostle. To reassure the gentile believers of there priviledges in Christ.
The welfare of the gospel is tied up with its ministers.
These believers ability to accept the message he preached meant they have a proper view of him, and a right understanding of what was happening to him.
Who is Paul
Who is Paul
vs. 7-13
Short answer: a Minister of the Gospel
-A high position for a servant vs. 7, 1
All positions of prominence are not for self-advancement. Having prominence in the Church of Jesus Christ is a high platform to serve others and not your own desires.
The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
The man who preaches God’s word to you is your servant, and he is serving you
-Qualified by Grace vs. 7-8
He’s not a minister by inherent right or because of some deserving of it. But it’s Grace that he has this position.
If any many thinks he deserves to be a leader in the Church, he’s immediately disqualified.
His qualification for being Apostle and minister was the revelation of Christ. What God had revealed to him through the Spirit.
If a man can’t preach the Bible, can’t make it plain and clear. He’s not qualified for being a preacher today.
-Called to Preach Christ vs. 8
Riches of Grace, of Kindness, of Love, of Wisdom.
-Who’s Goal was to make clear the mysteries of God vs. 9
-Which centers on Christ vs.8
Riches of Grace, of Kindness, of Love, of Wisdom.
To everyone vs. 9
So that God will be seen as wise vs. 10
and the Church will be shown as God’s glorious work vs. 10
God’s redemptive Purposes
God’s redemptive Purposes
-The Gospel to Everyone vs. 9
-God will be seen as wise through the Church vs. 10
The Church Shows off God’s wisdom better than anything else He’s created.
This is why our concern is not, what works, or what feels good, what looks good, but what is true. What does an obedient Church look like? That’s our concern.
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
The Church displays God’s
-The Gospel is increasing through his imprisonment vs. 11
-Eternal purpose is a repeat from 1:9
making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
vs. 12 Confidence and boldness is the product of grasping these things.
Grasp what God is doing in this world and understand that He’s moving heaven to accomplish His purpose, and you being in His kingdom is part of that.
God is controlling these things.
-The Gospel is increasing through his imprisonment vs. 13
Philippians 1:
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,
Illustration Quote from Tertullian
Ephesians: Evangelical Exegetical Commentary Introduction
Tertullian famously grasped: “But nothing whatever is accomplished by your cruelties, each more exquisite than the last. It is the bait that wins men for our school. We multiply whenever we are mown down by you; the blood of Christians is seed” (Apol. 50.13; LCL trans.).
Application
We must not look at dry days of Gospel ministry or even periods of persecution as necessarily as evidence of God’s hand removed. As long as we are faithful, we can leave the result to God and know that the Church is being built. God’s kingdom is conquering, even though you might not see it.
We focus on obedience and seek to be faithful even if it costs us!
If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.
Paul’s example shows us that we can pour our lives into God’s local church and be encouraged even if it doesn’t seem to be working the way we think. God’s purposes are being fulfilled.
-It is your glory vs. 13
God through Paul’s suffering is bringing about greater ministry to gentile believers. God has such an interest and concern for you that he is sending an Apostle to suffer so that you can hear the Gospel. This is your glory!
I get to be a part of what God is doing on this earth, I get to understand the truths of God, by God’s grace. Be encouraged!