God's Eternal Purpose | Ephesians 3:1-13

Notes

Opener

An unknown and unbelieving poet has written:

The world rolls round for ever like a mill,

It grinds out life and death,

And good and ill,

It has no purpose, heart,

Or mind, or will.

Stott, J. (2018). The Preacher’s Notebook: The Collected Quotes, Illustrations, and Prayers of John Stott. (M. Meynell, Ed.). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

The world maybe not, but the Creator of the world certainly does. And we will see today in the revelation of Scripture God’s echoing again in Ephesians His great purpose in summing up all things in Christ but one of the main purposes of God in creating the church! Something Paul calls a mystery. A mystery that has now been made known.

Point 1: A Mystery is revealed

Ephesians 3:1–13 NASB95

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.

Eternal Purpose

Ephesians 3:11 NASB95

11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Paul has already made this point in the book of Ephesians as we have seen previously.

Ephesians 1:9–10 NASB95

9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him

God’s purpose is to sum up all things in Christ. This again re-emphasizes the centrality of the person of the Messiah in human history. By God’s design before the foundation of the earth it was His plan for us to be found in Him.

Colossians 1:16 told us:

Colossians 1:16 NASB95

16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

And then

Colossians 1:20 NASB95

20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

We saw that Paul had used the term “in Christ” or the like 9 times in one long sentence in chapter 1. Now, through 3:13 of this book, He has used it some 20 times.

This tells us something about the Son. He is no mere man. He is the object of our worship. He is our Creator, Redeemer, and PURPOSE. This makes sense… that the one who gave us our origin would also be our end. That the one who is our redemption is also our worship.

Why do we sing about Jesus all the time without ever growing weary. Because it is the purpose and design of our very existence it is the purpose and design of our redemption! Why should we when we go about our day, work our jobs, take care of families, love our neighbor do everything for the glory of God because it is our redeemed purpose in Christ.

But there is something new this passage adds and that is how God’s eternal purpose has been made known. How this eternal purpose has been put on full display! It is something Paul calls a mystery. A mystery that has been revealed.

What is the mystery?

The mystery is made clear in verse 6:

Ephesians 3:6 NASB95

6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

If Jesus is the Jewish Messiah He is the Savior of the World. This was by God’s design. His promise to Abraham, His exalting Joseph through tribulation, His setting apart Moses from nile river, His covenant on Mt Sanai, His promise to David regarding his descendant sitting on the throne for ever, all of this was for the purpose of not just redeeming Israel, but redeeming all mankind.

Thousands Of Years

Having thousands of years human history under your belt as the chosen people it would be easy to think it was just about you, Israel, right? But Israel was part of a greater redemptive plan. Absolutely essential in the potters design, but part of a greater purpose. We can actually learn something from this. All of our lives. Every single one of them are only part of a greater purpose and when they do their part as part of that greater purpose, namely Christ, do they themselves find purpose. But as soon as they become only about us they lose their meaning. They actually work against God’s very intention for mankind.

Think about this another way. America is only 244 years old. God called Abraham in 2140 BC. Israel was over 2000 years old when the Messiah came. Israel’s first two kings, Saul and David, were men of war fighting with surrounding gentile nations. Solomon was the only King who ruled in peace and then the nation was divided. They were on their second exile by the time Jesus shows up and had been devastated by these world powers, gentile nations. They had and still have a promise of God establishing them forever and ever. It would be easy to just get focused on that present struggle. But God in His great mercy had a bigger vision of redemption. Not just to save His chosen people Israel but as Ephesians 1 says a people, made up of Jew and Gentile alike, which He chose before the foundation of the earth. He was on a mission to save the world.

You had heard it from Ephesians I want you to hear Paul say it in Romans:

Romans 11:28–36 NASB95

28 From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; 29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. 32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all. 33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? 35 Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

THROUGH THE CHURCH

Point 2: Through THE CHURCH

Ephesians 3:10 NASB95

10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.

There is something new in this passage. Paul is reiterating all of the latter. But here is the thing that is new here in Ephesians. God’s “manifold wisdom”, the “mystery for the ages”, the “administration of His will” has been MADE KNOWN through THE CHURCH!

Founded Upon, Fit Together, Under the Rule of

The Church. The people of God founded upon, fit together in, and under the rule of Jesus the Messiah. This makes sense right? If mankind was created for Him, Sustained by Him, and redeemed by Him it makes this new humanity in the Messiah would be founded upon Him, fitted together in Him, and ruled by Him.

Tower of Babel

Let me paint the picture another way. The tower of Babble was a building, a ziggorat, that was in some ways a symbolic gesture of the wickedness of man. A picture of man’s striving to be like God without God. Man making himself the object of worship instead of worshiping and obeying the One they were made for.

Jesus through the blood of His cross flips the script. A new humanity that is also being built up into something beautiful. But not as the object of worship or trying to be like God without God. But being joined to God in Christ. Becoming like Him in character and conduct as we live the way He has designed us to do. and if Paul is emphatic on one thing it is this! It is something that can only be done together. God purpose is on display through the church… the congregation. That means each one of us is essential to that equation but each one of is not that equation all by ourself. The Christian displays the manifold wisdom of God in as much as the Christian is part of the Congregation, the people of God.

This is why discipleship is at the heart of the mission. Jesus says:

Matthew 28:18–20 NASB95

18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

You see we are adding people to this great vision of being found in Christ and we are being built up and becoming more like Christ. Friends if you come hear today to love God and love neighbor. If you leave hear today setting your heart on being a doer of the Word you are bringing glory to God. And if you do that faithfully, committedly, covenantaly with one another you really begin to put on full display God’s eternal purpose. What it means to be found in Christ. They will know you are my disciples by your love for one another.

John 13:35 NASB95

35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The purpose is Christ. That purpose is on display when we live out what Jesus has created at the cross: one new humanity, the church.

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Hurt by the Church

There are as many opinions about “church” as there are human beings on the planet. Some of that is fair because there are that many unique experiences. Unfortunately there hurts, pains, and all kinds of problems many have had with, at or from the church.... however you want to say it. Many of those are real problems that must be worked through in a real way. I will say this though the church, the people of God founded upon, fitted together in, under the rule of king Jesus is not just a piece of the “Christian” life. It is not this optional accessory. It is not extra credit. It is part of God “eternal purpose from all time into eternity.” It is THE way He is displaying His manifold wisdom. It is the way He is displaying His eternal purpose of summing up all things in Christ.

Marriage Example

We have done premarital with 10-11 couples with in the last year and our theme is “always be working on your marriage.” Marriage is something worth working on and fighting for. Ultimately it is about something bigger than either person. And as long as that vision is cast two people can give their all with the other best interest in mind irregardless of the others behavior. It is not I will scratch your back only if you will scratch mine, but it is ultimately an act of worship to God. So even if the other person doesn’t do their part, by God’s grace i can do mine!

The Church is the same way. We don’t want to get disenfranchised and miss out on playing our part in putting God’s eternal purpose on display!

I would just say this to you. There are three types of relationships you can have with God’s church:

You can be builder. You sew with love. Not just here or there. But that faithful, consistent, covenantal love.

You can neglect it. You can say I don’t need it or I don’t value it.

You can destroy it. You can work against it.

If you are doing 2 or 3 I would just submit to you that you are out of alignment with the eternal purpose of God. You have missed what it means to put God’s great purpose, Jesus the Messiah, on display. You can’t do that. Only we can do that.

Point 3: To The Powers

Ephesians 3:10 NASB95

10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.

Lets talk about the latter half of this verse: “To the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly.”

Paul uses this phrase 5 times in the letter to the Ephesians:

Heavenly:

Ephesians 1: “Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 1:20-21 Christ has been raised up at The Father’s right hand in the heavenly places “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion.”

Ephesians 2:6 we have been “raised up with Him and seated” “with Him in the heavnely places in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 3:10 The manifold wisdom of God is made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12 our strugle is against rulers, powers, world forces of this darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly realm.

What is the “heavenly”?

The ESV, NIV, and NET call this the “Heavenly Realm”. I think this is a helpful way to think about it. This is the unseen realm of angels and demons. Demons are just fallen angelic beings. The same word used for “ruler and authorities” is used in a generic sense and specifically toward evil ones.

These rulers and authorities are angelic beings wether good or bad and both are probably in view here. In Colosians one we are told these rulers and authorities, these angelic beings, were created for Christ. In Hebrews 1 we are told they were commanded to worship the Son when He became incarnate. We see them worshipping Jesus on the throne in Isaiah 6, who is later identified at the preincarnate Christ. We see them worshipping Jesus afterwards in the book of revelation (Revelation 7). We are told later in this book that some of these angelic beings are evil: “rulers… powers… world forces of darkness and spiritual wickedness” (Eph 6:12). We are told in Colossians 2 that through the cross Christ:

Colossians 2:15 NASB95

15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

So you shouldn’t think of the heavenly realm something that is uninvolved or separate from us. But these rulers and authorities… these angels and demons operate here in the unseen.

Paul uses standard terms of his day for the demonic and angelic powers at work behind the political structures of the world, powers that were thought to direct the earthly rulers and peoples (v. 21). Most people in Paul’s day believed that the world was run by Fate, which was usually expressed by the stars (which were viewed as heavenly beings), and most of these people did not believe one had any hope of escape from Fate. Some of the mystery cults, however, like the cult of Isis, gained popularity by claiming power to free initiates from Fate.

Jewish people commonly believed that the heavenly powers ruled all the nations except Israel; some later teachers explained that Israel had been lifted above those heavenly powers in Abraham their ancestor. Paul says that those united with Christ had also been raised above those powers. His words would be a great encouragement to Christians who had been converted from an occult background (cf. Acts 19:18–20).

Keener, C. S. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament (Eph 1:21–23). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Two Reasons this Matters

So why does this matter. I think the answer is quite simple and it is two fold:

Is it a greater honor to beat the Tampa Bay Buccanears at football or the Fargo North Highschool Football team? The Buccanears of course. Man was made to bring glory to God. To bear His image. Have the forces of evil thwarted that plan? Paul referenced Satan already in 2:2 as the “prince of the power of the air.” Jesus said

John 12:31–32 NASB95

31 “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”

Jesus hasn’t just saved you from your sins He has set you free from the forces of darkness at work in this present world. It is a powerful idea.

You see the exstent of this victory in that it was planned before the foundation of the earth, it last into eteninty, and it is the summation of all times. BUT we all see its depth. It transcends the natural into the supernatural. So its not a plan that is just a mile wide and an inch thick. No it is something that is a million miles wide and a million miles thick.

The Devil is Real

The natural of this world is kidsplay compared to what takes place in the supernatural. Now some of you are today are listening to me and going yeah no duh.... You get this because you have seen the power of these forces. But many westerners this hard to wrap our head around.

Barna did a survey in 2009 (so some time ago) and 40% of Christians surveyed strongly agreed with this statement: “Satan is not a living being but is a symbol of evil.”

The Bible plainly teaches he is real friends. These forces are real. No doubt a western naturalistic worldview has led credence to many denying his reality. I would just submit this to you if you are one of those individuals today.

We know there is more to the world than just the natural. If you have ever loved or hated someone that is a something spiritual. I remember listening to Andrew Klavan and him talking about every time you here a famous...

God is spirit. It is more logical then it is illogical to believe in an uncreated creator. A first mover.

And so if 1) we know we are spiritual beings and two we know God is spiritual in an even more significant way then the Biblical ideas presented here today are not a stretch of the imagination. This is certainly revelation. We need to be told this. But it is not far fetched.

Imprisonment

Paul calls himself the “prisoner of Christ Jesus” in verse one of this chapter. He says not to lose heart at his tribulation “they are the Ephesians glory” because he does in the effort to bring the Gospel to the gentiles. What I want you to see here is Jesus won the spiritual victory at the cross and Paul is advancing that spiritual victory through the preaching of the cross! Chains don’t matter. Imprisonment don’t matter. Paul is operating on another level using a heavenly weapon. That weapon is the Gospel (The Sword of The Spirit which is the Word of God). This is all the doing of the power and the grace of God in Christ. This is important. Paul is being a good leader here. He is modeling what it looks like to play His part by the grace given to Him in furthering this mission of summing up all things in Christ through the church. When we get to Ephesians 4 He will talk about how we can all play our part. But he is playing his part.

I new a gentlemen who said to me he wanted to come to a service here because he wanted his children to grow up in that environment. I said to him the most important thing is your kids see you invested in your faith. Otherwise you are like the parent that says, “don’t smoke kids” as you puff away. “This stuff can kill you.”

It is easy to get distracted with the natural and lose sight of the bigger, spiritual and eternal picture. This happens when you are under stress and deadlines in the workplace and you start treating others poorly. Maybe you start to lie or cheat to get ahead. Maybe you start to talk bad about others to try and make yourself look better. For what? a temporary gain. We lose sight of the greater picture when we do that.

It is easy to forget that the way we live our spiritual life has a direct impact on those around us. I always reminded of the story of Achan from the old testament. He disobeyed God and kept some of the spoils of war for himself and hid it in his tent. Because of this sin Israel lost some battles and men died. It was found out it was his sin in the camp that caused this and him and his whole family were put to death. I can only imagine they knew about it. But here is the point. The sin of the greed led to all those other consequences. It takes spiritual insight to understand that. Do you really understand how your secret sin is effecting other people? Do you really understand the consequences that habit of yours has on your family? And more than that… do we understand what the body of Christ and a lost and dying world is missing when we are not operating in the grace God has given to you? Imagine if Paul had not went. Is there anything you have negelcted and not been intentional in… in the Lord.

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