The Unsearchable King
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Kids, what are you favorite games to play?
The bible is full of stories about people searching for some sort of treasure
Search for riches
Search for comfort, success, security, love, wisdom and understanding
Jesus often told parables about searching for something that was lost
- Lost sheep, coin, and son
God loves the hide and seek game
2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
Jesus has created us with restlessness, a need to search out goodness, truth, and beauty.
It is in our bones, in our DNA to search for these things, and we will live restless lives until we have found this treasure.
Saint Augustine wrote in his confessions (a 340 page prayer to God)
“You stir us so that praising you may bring us joy, because you have made us and drawn us to yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”
You see, in Christ our restless hearts finally find rest. For he is the treasure, he is the source of all goodness, truth, and beauty.
And finally, someone brings you to the the cave you had been looking for. There is great rest in this discovery, yet the journey of finding the treasure
Paul’s ministry, his vocation, his calling was to bring those who were searching and unable to find it, to the treasure of Christ and the gospel.
And this is exactly what happened in the lives of the Ephesians, God saved these men and women from paganism, from false worship, from slavery and has brought them to the ultimate treasure which is Christ.
And it is because of this glorious reality that Paul in verse one begins a prayer of praise to God for what he has done in their lives
1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
The primary meaning is that Paul was imprisoned because of his ministry on behalf of the Gentiles [AB, Alf, Ba, Cal, Ea, EBC, ECWB, EGT, Ho, ICC, LJ, Lns, MNTC, NCBC, NIC, NTC, Rob, Si-ed, St, TH, TNTC, WeBC]. It was Paul’s preaching to the Gentiles that aroused the jealousy and hostility of the Jews, leading to his imprisonment
Yet as he moves to verse two he begins a paraenthetical discourse 2-13
God is about to bow his knees before the father on behalf of the gentiles.
That the gentiles have found the treasure, that they are no longer wandering, searching, looking for all that is good, true and beautiful.
Paul is referencing what he just said at the end of chapter 2..
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
The
They are now one people, one body, one household, fused together with saints through one faith and one baptism.
Because of the work that God has done on their behalf, he wants to pray for them…
Look how Paul introduces himself at the beginning of this prayer..
1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
Why does Paul call himself a “prisoner of Christ”?
I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you gentiles
Why does Paul call himself a “prisoner of Christ”?
Paul see the treasure that is Christ as so important, so central to his identity as a person he calls himself a prisoner of Christ. Though he sits in a roman jail cell, he see’s himself as a prisoner of Christ.
If Paul wrote this letter while he was employed making tents, he would be a tent maker of Christ
If he worked as a fishermen like Peter, James and John he would be a fishermen of Christ
Even when he is in a roman cell, he sees his vocation as being a prisoner of Christ.
Application** This should be a challenge to us..
Do you see yourself, your identity, your vocation as being in Christ to the point that his kingship rules over every aspect of your life?
If you are a mechanic, you are a mechanic of Christ.
If you are a homemaker, you are a homemaker of Christ
If you are a doctor, teacher, engineer, you are first and foremost an engineer of Christ.
If we are living stones, built upon the foundation of Christ, building the city of God how can we see ourselves, our callings, our hobbies, our vocations as anything other than being of Christ.
Paul was not a prisoner of Nero, he was a prisoner of Christ.
So as we have seen, Paul is beginning a prayer here in verse one,
The primary meaning is that Paul was imprisoned because of his ministry on behalf of the Gentiles.
however its like this thought of this mystery of Christ bringing all the nations to himself, causes Paul to want to say a few more things concerning this mystery before he finishes his prayer.
Now notice, that before Paul introduces himself as a prisoner of Christ he says, “for this reason” -
It was Paul’s preaching to the Gentiles that aroused the jealousy and hostility of the Jews, leading to his imprisonment (acts 25)
For what reason? why is he wanting to pray for these gentiles?
The structure of verse one is actually a beginning of a prayer… yet he digresses from his prayer because he wants to talk more about this great mystery.
The mystery was first introduced in 1:9-10
9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
This mystery, this thing that was seen only as shadows in the OT has now been revealed to the world.
This is such a big deal for Paul he waits to continue his prayer until after he is able to expound upon this mystery some more.
And Paul wants to explain the role God has given him to reveal this mystery.
Well he has just come out of Chapter 2 where we jew and Gentile coming together as one.
Yet as he moves to verse two he begins a parenthetical discourse 2-13
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Now the reality of this union of Jew and Gentile into one body, one dwelling place for God is so massive for Paul, that he pauses this prayer (which he will resume in verse 14) to talk more about this great reality of what Christ has done
Look with me at vv.2-3
2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
Look with me at verse 2
2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
Paul says “assuming that you have heard”
When we say assume we often think of it as a misplaced confidence...
“did you turn off the lights before we left? No, I assumed you did.”
When Paul says he assumes they have heard… what it means is “surely you have heard, or I’m sure you have had heard”
And what have they heard?
That God had given Paul stewardship of God’s grace.
The word stewardship is a combination of two words in the greek
House and Law
you put them together and what it means is a manager of a house
God called Paul to be a steward, or manage God’s house, or God’s city - which is a city of God’s grace.
God had called Paul to himself and gave him the vocation of being the manager, steward, leader of the household of God
3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
And as the leader of God’s house, Paul says in verse three ...
3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
This revelation is recorded in acts 26
16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,
17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you
18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance
18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’
19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you.
20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’
21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”
This is the mystery, that God’s plan for salvation now includes the gentiles. That the gentiles have the same access and privilege as God’s holy saints to come into his presence, into his sanctuary.
17-
The mystery is that the gentiles now get come come into the sanctuary of God.
Paul first mentions this idea of mystery in 1:9-10
9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
again, seeing this mystery being that all things in heaven and earth will be united in Christ.
I have mentioned before how it used to be that the Holy of Holies was the only place where heaven and earth were united.
But now, Jesus has torn the curtain, the dividing wall has been broken down, and the holy of Holies now flows like a river to the four corners of the earth so that all things in heaven and on earth would be united to Christ.
Paul continues and we see him expounding this mystery in verse six...
Look with me at 3.4-6
3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,
4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,
5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
It was revealed to them, but not “as it has now been revealed”
before Christ this treasure, this mystery, was known in part. It was still mysterious, but now in Christ this mystery has been revealed.
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.
4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,
5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
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.
5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
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.
Fellow Heirs
Fellow Heirs
Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters God’s Secret Plan Unveiled at Last (Ephesians 3:1–7)
God has promised his people Israel that they will inherit the world (see Romans 4:13); when God renews the whole creation, his people will be kings and lords over it. Now Gentiles are to share in this inheritance (Romans 5:17).
The blessings and hope given to God’s people in the OT now include, as recipients, the gentile people.
All the promises in the Old Covenant, mainly land seed and blessing, find their themselves flowing in and through the person of Christ. Jesus is not only the one who fulfills these promises, but he also amplifies them to be far more glorious than they previously thought.
The land promise that God’s people were promised to receive was originally viewed to be the land of Israel.
However in Christ this promise expands to not only include Israel, but to include every square inch of the created order. And this land promise is for all those who are in Christ, both Jew and Gentile.
The Seed promise was that God would make the sons of Abraham be a numerous as the stars in the sky and the dust of the earth.
However, in Christ this blessing is not only for the Jewish people, but now everyone who is united to Christ, Jews and Gentiles, call Abraham their father.
The Blessing Promise was that God himself would bless the children of Abraham, the people of God.
The blessing is ultimately to be united to God, That God has promised himself to his people, to the children of Abraham. And now through Christ all people, Jew and gentile, are brought into the very presence of God.
Members of the same body
Members of the same body
And because of this we all, Jew and Gentile, are made into one body.
We are not two people who agree to get along, but in Christ we are one people united to each other through Christ.
Partakers of the promise
Partakers of the promise
God has promised his people Israel that they will inherit the world (see );
when God renews the whole creation, his people will be kings and lords over it. Now Gentiles are to share in this inheritance ().
This is the mystery, that God has brought us all into his sanctuary, both Jew and Gentile, where we receive all the blessings, and promises of God as one people in Christ.
This is the good news of the gospel, that Jesus Christ has brought the nations to God and has joined them with the people of God.
That we now enjoy all the benefits of being the chosen people of God. We are partakers in the blessings, heirs of the inheritance, and share in the glorious grace of Christ poured out for his people.
Paul goes on to say in verse 7, of this gospel…
Eph 3.
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.
Paul again notes how he was given the great vocation by God’s grace to be a minister of this gospel.
He goes on in verse 8
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,
He was give the grace to preach or proclaim to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Now remember, when we see the word Christ we should think of Jesus as King. Christ is the word for Messiah, which is the promised one who would come and sit upon the throne of David.
So a helpful way to understand this verse is to hear it this way,
...to proclaim to the gentiles the unsearchable wealth of the King.
...to proclaim to the gentiles the unsearchable wealth of the King.
Now this is a task that Paul will not be able to conclude. He will never be able to preach to the gentiles concerning all the riches of Christ.
He is to proclaim to the gentiles the glories of King Jesus.
proclaim to them all that Christ is, all that he has done, and to do this fully would will take all of eternity.
For the riches of the king are unsearchable, unfathomable, incalculable, they are boundless, endless, they are eternal.
This word unsearchable is a word in the greek that we have no good english translation for. It literally means “to track footsteps without end.”
It literally means to track footsteps without end.
Example*
Elk Hunting in Colorado
I also remember a few times thinking I should just walk around the whole pond…
followed the tracks for hours
up massive hills, breathtaking views, snow covered tress and rocks
I even saw a massive bull moose
This walk is one i will never forget
until I ended up walking a full circle
Have any of you ever set out to walk around a lake or a pond, and then were suprised to find out that as walk the lake is far bigger than you originally thought? the lake bends and moves in ways that are not observable from any one location, and its not until you begin to journy
It felt like tracking this elk was endless
yet along the path i experienced the glorious of the Rocky Mountains
This is the sort of imagery in this word unsearchable… follow the tracks but they just keep going.
2nd Example
Walk around a pond - ends up being longer than you thought
Now imagine that it wasn’t a pond at all, but it was an inlet from the ocean… and to walk around the pond was actually to walk around the ocean.
This is what it is like searching the unsearchable riches of King Jesus.
And we will have all eternity to search out the riches of Christ,
and when we think we have come to the end of eternity, when we think we have explored the riches and glory of Jesus he will reveal another angle of his person and we will begin another trek into eternity exploring his riches.
Its like looking at a diamond from one angle and seeing all of its beauty, then turning it and seeing a whole new perspective
This is the image Paul gives in verse 10
Look with me at 9 and 10
So Paul is to proclaim to the gentiles the unsearchable wealth of the King...
9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,
Right, bring to light, expose for everyone this plan God had all along, to reveal this eternal mystery that God is uniting all things in himself…
And then in verse 10
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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.
The manifold wisdom of God might now be made known
The manifold wisdom speaks of the many sided, multi-angled, diverse wisdom of God.
Example
It like Looking a diamond through loupe (loop) microscope, if you look you can see all the brilliance, but you turn the diamond just a little bit and you see a whole new angle which brings about a whole new glory of the diamond.
So Paul is saying that this manifold wisdom of God is revealed through the Church
God’s glory, his wisdom, his love, his greatness is revealed through his people,
You are the ones who display the manifold wisdom, the unsearchable riches, the glory and beautify of Christ.
He has chosen you individually to reflect his glory.
And he has chosen us corporately to reflect his glory.
Individually
You are each made in the image of God, you reflect God’s image in a unique way
In this room this morning we have around 100 angles, 100 sides, of God’s glory.
Each and every one of you are part of this manifold witness of the wisdom and beauty of God.
When people walk into the city of God, not every building looks the same, in fact each building, and each stone looks different than the other.
God has made you, your gifts, personality, interests, looks, talents, likes and dislikes, to reflect for the world the manifold wisdom of God.
Jesus talks about how no one who is given a light should hide it under a basket, but rather he should put it on a stand for all to see.
Now are you living your life in a way that reflects the glory of God, or is reflecting your own glory?
15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
do your talents, gifts, personalities likes and dislikes proclaim and testify to king Jesus, or would they lead others to believe that someone else is king of your life?
As the moon is a reflector of the sun in the sky, so you are to be a reflector of the son of God.
As individual image bearers of God we should be revealing the manifold wisdom of God for everyone to see.
We also see from scripture that the corporate people of God is to be a witness to this multifaceted wisdom of God.
It is through the Church that God makes himself known.
The Christian witness is not primarily singular, but rather its plural, God works not just through individuals, but through his church, the united body of believers.
We are together the city of God, built upon the foundation of Jesus and the apostles,
We are one body, made up of many parts
We are members of God’s house
We are joined together and growing into the holy temple of the Lord
We are the bride of Christ, for whom Jesus died and gave himself up for
and we are to be a light to the nations.
We here together, Exodus church, are to make known to the world the complex wisdom and glory and riches of king Jesus.
And the number one way we do that is being unified with one another.
loving one another, serving one another, being generous with one another, confronting and encouraging one another. Taking one another by the hand and leading each other to Christ.
Unity in the local church is the greatest testimony the manifold wisdom of God.
And this is not some new idea. This idea of the nations coming into the the city of God and reflecting his glory through their own language, culture and customs is somehow plan B for God.
11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
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And God revealing himself to the world through his church has been his plan all along.
Look with me at verse 11
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, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
This has always been the plan, the eternal plan the eternal mystery was never to have a temple in jerusalem for all time. No! the eternal plan has always been to unite everything in heaven and earth in Christ.
And its in Christ we have access to God, thus access to the unfathomable riches of Christ.
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Central among the riches given in through Christ is free and confident access to God himself as we see in verse 12.
The Messiah’s faithfulness to God’s saving purpose has opened the door of the heavenly throne-room itself.
That open door reveals not an angry or capricious god, one who might be loving one day and scowling the next ,
but to the loving father who welcomes all as beloved children into his presence.
Access to him is everything one could want.
All of this is what God called Paul to proclaim to the gentiles.
This is what Paul dedicated his life to. He wanted to all people everywhere to know about the unsearchable, unfathomable, indescribable riches found in Christ.
And for this to happen, Paul had to suffer in a roman prison.
And church, for the world to know about the riches of Christ, the love, the hope, the grace and peace that comes in Christ, you will have to show them, and you will have to suffer in order for your voice to be heard.
yet he did not want these young believers in Ephesus to feel bad that Paul was suffering, rather he wanted them to understand the glory that comes through suffering
Look at v.13
13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
.13
The reason Paul didn’t want them to lose heart is because Paul read his bible. He knows that glory for the nations flow from imprisonment.
Joseph - Imprisoned, risen to power, glory for Egypt
Daniel - Imprisoned, risen to power, glory for Babylon
Jonah - Imprisoned in the sea monster, risen, glory for Niniva
Jesus - Imprisoned in the grace, risen to power, glory to the whole world.
Here Paul see himself following in the footsteps of those who have come before him.
Jesus told his disciples to not lose heart because of the sufferings that await him, for it was through the suffering of Christ that the disciples were brought into the glory of God.
And now it is through the suffering of Paul that the Gentiles are brought into the glory of Christ. Where they get to experience the unsearchable riches found in Christ.
Church, our vision is to see all of Wichita come to embrace the treasure that is Christ.
We desire that through this church the manifold wisdom of God would be put on full display for everyone in this city.
However, for us to do this we must first embrace this treasure, rest in this grace, and pursue his glory.
You have to put your own oxygen mask on first before helping others…
May each of us so love Christ that he is seen in everything we do.
Lets pray.