The Apostolic Ministry

It is important to remember that though we do not have the office of apostle, we still have apostolic ministry. That is, the ministry that is characterized by the work of the apostles.

Not apostolic ministries:

Benevolence, music, shut-in, prison.

Apostolic ministries:

Building the church (planting), preaching the Word, prophecy.

Exposition

Ephesians 3:7–13 ESV

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. 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. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Author: Paul

Audience: All the Saints (No longer narrowed to the Gentiles)

Content: Paul tells us about the ministry he’s been given.

Context: God’s revealed mystery and Paul’s role in revealing to the nations.

Comparison:

Explanation

Ephesians 3:7 ESV

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.

“made a minister” - gk “διάκονος”

Ephesians 3:8 ESV

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,

“Least of all the saints” Is this false humility?

Philippians 3:4–6 ESV

4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Not false humility, but a recognition that everything he has done for God has been worthless.

Philippians 3:7 ESV

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

A constant recognition that he does not deserve what he has been given.

I firmly believe in prayer models and one of the first I was taught was A.C.T.S.

Our daily prayers should put us in a position of unworthiness before God.

Luke 18:9–14 ESV

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Now, we can make a mistake in verses 9 and 10 by focusing on the more interesting part of the verse. We can get everything backward! (I did!)

Ephesians 3:9–10 ESV

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.

Where do we automatically focus? The “rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”

KJV uses “principalities and powers”

We all ask the same question: What is that?! (Someone tell me)

If we then look at all the objects of this sentence and try to apply some sort of logical order, we get this:

The revealing of God’s mystery is first, for the angelic,

Second, for the Church, and

Finally, for the world.

BUT That’s not what Paul is saying

The revelation of the mystery is to to be

FIRST, preached for the whole world,

SECOND, which has formed the Church of God, and

FINALLY, gives all glory to God, not just on earth, but even among the heavenly host.

Application

Apostolic ministry makes us bold.

Ephesians 3:11–12 ESV

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.

Nothing But the Blood - Redman, Matt. 2004, Thankyou Music

Verse 2: “Your cross testifies in grace. Tells of the Father’s heart to make a way for us. Now, boldly we approach, not by earthly confidence, it’s only by Your blood.”

Hebrews 4:15–16 ESV

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

It is BOLD to come before the holy and righteous God, but that is exactly what we’re encouraged to do.

It is BOLD to stand for righteousness. Today is Reformation day, and I can think of no greater boldness than that displayed by Luther on this day in 1517 by posting a disputation of indulgences on the church doors. And the boldness not to recant when summoned to the Reichstag zu Worms, The Diet of Worms. He is recorded as saying:

Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen.

Apostolic ministry builds our faith

Ephesians 3:11–12 ESV

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.

Colossians 2:6–7 ESV

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Also immediately before in Col 2:4-5 “4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.”

Faith goes beyond intellectual assent. It is one thing to hear something and believe it, and a completely different thing to experience the affect and be transformed by it.

Illustration: touching a hot stove.

Apostolic ministry reflects God’s glory.

Ephesians 3:13 ESV

13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Eph 3:14-16 “14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,”

Our glory is not glory we have earned ourselves or something we are inherently worthy of. Any glory we have is simply a reflection of God’s work in us.

Even Jesus in His perfect subordination displays Himself according to the glory of the Father:

Matthew 16:27 ESV

27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

Also: Mk 8 (parallel passage),

Lk 9:26 “26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” ;

Jn 1:14 “14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” ;

John 5:41 “41 I do not receive glory from people.” AND John 5:44 “44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?”

John 8:54 “54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’”

Any glory we receive on this earth is either self-congratulatory and sinful, or deeply rooted in being transformed from sinfulness to righteousness.

Call to Action

Boldly approach the throne of grace,

knowing that in repentance you will be saved in Jesus name.

knowing that in baptism you show yourself to be obedient to the call of Christ

knowing that your transformation from a slave to sin to a slave to righteousness is meant to be displayed in all the world

Stand on salvation in faith alone,

For we are saved by God’s grace alone, in faith alone, through Christ alone, according to the Holy Scriptures alone, to the Glory of God alone.

Because in obedient faith, we have perfect fellowship with God

Trust & Obey. Sammis, John H.

Then in fellowship sweet

We will sit at His feet

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way

What He says we will do

Where He sends we will go

Never fear, only trust and obey.

Give glory to God

For your salvation

For your regeneration

For your mission

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