6. Lesson 6 Ephesians Chosen to share Chapter 3 verses 1 to 11

Church of Christ Dapto The letter to the Church in Ephesus Lesson 6 Chosen to share Ephesians 3:1-11      A servant for my sake Ephesians 3:1-3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. Paul begins a prayer in verse 1 which is interrupted by his concern that his readers understand the effect and purpose of God’s grace. The prayer resumes in verse 14. Have you heard? Do you not know? Are you making wrong assumptions about why Paul is writing? Are you confused about his motives? Do you doubt that these are the very words of God? The administration of God’s grace It was through His grace, not because of Paul’s qualifications, that God gave particular gifts to Paul for the work that he was called to do. Acts 9:15-16 But the Lord said, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” A gift for me The gift was not given for Paul’s benefit, but the benefit of all those he proclaimed the Gospel to, and especially for those who believed. A revelation What God revealed to Paul was a mystery to the whole creation, hidden from them by God until He chose to reveal the full details of His plan. Sharing the insight Ephesians 3:4-5 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. A new insight into God’s eternal plan was given to Paul and he is now sharing it with you. You are able to see things and understand things that the world has never understood or even imagined. God kept His plan for making the Church, rather than a particular nation, His people a secret until Christ came. Anyone who believes can be part of the Church. Only those born into a particular family can be part of a nation. The Holy Spirit has revealed God’s secret to His apostles, His prophets and, through them, His people. He chose us in (Christ) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4 Dapto Church of Christ Sermon Series The Letter to the Ephesians—Lesson 6 Chosen to share October 27 2019 Page 2 Revealing the mystery Ephesians 3:6 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. Something new God’s people now include anyone, from any nation, language or family who believes in Christ. All that Christ did was for the benefit of all people, not just the Jews. A servant of the Gospel Ephesians 3:7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. God’s grace made Paul a servant. A servant of God. A servant to us. A servant through power. A servant with power. A servant to reveal Ephesians 3:8-9 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. The gift of preaching and the gift of what to preach was a special gift from God. God chose Paul for this task. God chose Paul to reveal to us the full effect of God’s eternal plan.      God’s plan unveiled Ephesians 3:10 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, His intent God created His Church so that His wisdom, revealed in His perfect plan for the whole world and me as an individual can be see by all creation. Those who God has called to be part of the Body of Christ, His Church, are the means of revealing and proclaiming God’s wisdom. You are to be evidence to angels of God’s wisdom. Your life in Christ is to be a lesson to be learned by spiritual powers and authorities. He chose us in (Christ) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4 Dapto Church of Christ Sermon Series The Letter to the Ephesians—Lesson 6 Chosen to share October 27 2019 Who are these rulers and authorities? Page 3 Powers—unto the various orders of good angels primarily, as these dwell “in the heavenly places” in the highest sense; “known” to their adoring joy. Secondarily, God’s wisdom in redemption is made known to evil angels, who dwell “in heavenly places” in a lower sense, namely, this world.3 Powers of Good 1 Peter 1:12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. Powers of evil Ephesians 2:2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 1 Corinthians 15:24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. Colossians 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. The mystery revealed Revealed by the church—“by means of,” or “through the Church,” which is the “theatre” for the display of God’s manifold wisdom: “a spectacle to angels.” Hence, angels are but our “fellow servants”. Luke 15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." 1 Corinthians 4:9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. Revelation 19:10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But (the angel) said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” God’s manifold wisdom—God’s wisdom is focussed on Christ and His actions but it is also given in various ways and at different times to different people. Man cannot understand (each) single act until he can survey them as a connected whole. The call of the Church is no haphazard remedy, or afterthought, but part of the eternal scheme.1 Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”. Ephesians 1:11-12 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, (12) in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 1 Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 348). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. He chose us in (Christ) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4 Dapto Church of Christ Sermon Series The Letter to the Ephesians—Lesson 6 Chosen to share October 27 2019 Page 4 God’s plan achieved This mystery—that both believing Jews and Gentiles are in one body —was revealed to the apostles and prophets and was disseminated by Paul. Its purpose was that angelic beings might see God’s variegated wisdom. This whole plan was in accord with God’s eternal intent which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. God carried it out His eternal purpose in Christ about 2,000 years ago by the inclusion of believing Jews and Gentiles in one body through by Christ’s death.2 All part of the plan Ephesians 3:11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. God’s plan was laid down before He created the world. The plan was accomplished by Christ Jesus in His life, His death and His resurrection, His Word and His sending of the Holy Spirit to all those who were baptised into Him. All those who have been given the Holy Spirit are part of the Body of Christ, the Church, which transcends nation, race or family. You are part of this plan. You, through Christ, were baptised into His Body, the Church and are now part of the revelation of God’s plan to physical and spiritual powers in this world. You are part of the evidence seen by spiritual powers and authorities for the Grace of God and the Power of God. Only God in Christ could bring about the creation of the church. Do not be discouraged Ephesians 3:12-13 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. Those who are part of the Body of Christ have the freedom to approach God and to know that He will answer. You may see the sufferings of Paul and other Christians as a sign that God is not with them. The truth is the opposite. Their sufferings, and yours, are the means God uses to proclaim the Gospel and reveal the mystery of Christ’s body to the world.      Only in the Church can the angels come to an adequate comprehension of the grace of God. The Church thus becomes the university for angels, and each saint a professor. (Angels) look at the Church to investigate the mysteries of redemption.3 Are you a member of the Church of Christ Jesus? What does that mean in spiritual terms? Are you revealing the evidence of God’s grace to the angels who seek to understand? 2 Hoehner, H. W. (1985). Ephesians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 630). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. 3- Word Studies in the Greek New Testament by Kenneth S. Wuest – Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Used by permission. All rights reserved. He chose us in (Christ) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4 Dapto Church of Christ Sermon Series The Letter to the Ephesians—Lesson 6 Chosen to share October 27 2019 Page 5 What does this verse mean for your life? You are part of the revelation of the depth and extent of God’s plan to the entire physical world, to the holy angels in heaven and to the spiritual powers of evil in this earth. In you the plan is shown to be good beyond question. The plan is revealed and confirmed in its goodness as you use the grace that God has given to you. 1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. There is much more to the world, and your relationship to God in Christ, than the satisfaction of your own will, desires and lusts. If your aim is to satisfy yourself you are not fulfilling your part in God’s plan, nor are you part of the revelation of His power and authority. As part of His Church, you are to be an example of Christ Himself to the angels and the forces of evil in this world. In your relationship to your brothers and sisters in Christ you are to be a proclaimer of the Gospel and of Christ. In your hopes, you are to hope above all for the fulfilment of all the promises that God has made to those who are in Christ and to look forward in faith to receiving them all. Lift your eyes and heart beyond yourself and praise God that you have been called to be part of His eternal plan and a reason for others to glorify Him. Only God could make you a member of His Church. Only God could raise you to be a revelation of His wisdom and power.  Next Lesson: Chosen for power Focus Verse: Ephesians 3:16       Ephesians 3:12-21        He chose us in (Christ) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4