Are You a Faithful Steward of the Gospel?
Notes
Transcript
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Youth going to Six Flag August 5 & 6th ($75) - permission slips
VIDEO - online VBS
Re-tread group - August 11th in evening / August 25th at lunch
VIDEO: Men’s Conference September 11th from 8am to 12pm ($20)
Community group (see slides) - facilitator focus
DECLARATION:
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.
SVCC is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.
We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.
INTRODUCTION:
Story: Putting toys away…we all steward the responsibility
WHY?...We all have a responsibility in stewarding the Gospel!
TODAY: Are you a faithful steward of the Gospel?
Do you believe that God can use you no matter your situation?
Do you believe that God can use you no matter your situation?
For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
Examples of being useful regardless of situation:
Prisoner, Housewife, Tollbooth worker, etc.
Do you understand the mystery of the gospel?
Do you understand the mystery of the gospel?
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. 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.
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.
v. 2 Paul’s stewardship involves the impartation and disclosure of the mystery of the Gospel (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:1) .
v. 2 “God grace is best understood here was “the good news of God’s grace”, which is the Gospel.
v. 3 the revelation for Paul is his testimony and the revealing of Christ that happened on the Damascus road (cf. Galatians 1:12), this is part of the Theology of Play that says we experience God.
v. 4 “Mystery of Christ” can be understood as being disclosed or summed up “in Christ” (cf. Colossians 1:26-27)
v. 5 the Law, Prophets, and Writings that make up the F/O Testament conceals this mystery
v. 6 THE MYSTERY is that Gentiles are 1) fellow heirs, 2) part of the body/church, 3) partakers too of the promises
26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
Example of being adoptive: After a child is adopted, a new “amended birth certificate” will be issued. Instead of the biological parents' names, the new birth certificate will have the names of the adoptive parents
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.
Not only was Paul’s initial call by God’s grace embodied in the Good News of Jesus Christ in v. 2, Paul’s enablement/power for ministry is according to the same grace.
Do you faithfully proclaim the mystery of the gospel?
Do you faithfully proclaim the mystery of the gospel?
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.
vv. 9-10 The accomplishment of God’s plan at the cross of Christ was visible even “to the ruler and authorities in the heavenly places”
The implication of being reconciled to God and to one another through Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross is that the church that exists now “in Christ” is His agent for bringing about the final reconciliation…when we proclaim the mystery of the Gospel like Paul does we are operating as God’s agent
Example of being someone’s agent:
FBI agent vs. retired “agent”
Do you gain encouragement knowing God has a purpose for suffering ?
Do you gain encouragement knowing God has a purpose for suffering ?
So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
Paul was content being in prison because it was where God had him for a purpose.
Paul’s affliction was participation in the glory of Christ (not affliction because of bad choices but because of the right choice in obeying God’s call)
CONCLUSION: as we take COMMUNION and remember Christ’s sacrifice...
Regardless of your situation DEDICATE yourself to be a faithful steward by God’s grace
Know that you are an heir, part of Christ’s body, and a partaker of the promises
Proclaim the Gospel as Christ’s agent
Be content where God places you (knowing there is purpose when suffering for Him)
REFERENCES:
Benjamin L Merkle, Andreas J. Köstenberger, and Robert W. Yarbrough. 2016. Ephesians. Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament. Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Academic. http://search.ebscohost.com.lpc.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1338892&site=ehost-live.
Bruce, F. F. The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1984.