Gospel Mystery

Psalm 72:1-7 / Ephesians 3:1-13

The great gospel mystery

Ephesians 3:6 “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.”

Unity in Christ

We commonly presume inclusion

Sometimes it is a mistake of familiarity

We claim the identity of and promises for Israel as being fulfilled in us, as the rightful heritage of the U.S.

Many demand inclusion in a false claim of fairness

This is idolatry

This is the lie that the god of our understanding is always approving of us (like so many who claim to have been to Heaven and returned)

This mystery of inclusion maintains the exclusivity of Christ

Ephesians 3:11 “This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,”

Ephesians 1:9-10 “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.”

A mystery to previous generations

Present in the OT

Luke 2:25-32 “Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.””

Exodus 12:48 “If a stranger shall sojourn with you and would keep the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised. Then he may come near and keep it; he shall be as a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person shall eat of it.”

Lost in emphasis

Matthew 15:22-28 “And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.”

Required conformity to a national identity

Galatians 3:28-29 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

Revealed to the apostles

By Jesus - The Good Samaritan / The Samaritan Woman

To Peter and Paul - Peter & Cornelius, Paul’s teaching

The gospel of the Apostles and of the Church

The gospel of Jesus

Ephesians 3:4 “When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,”

The gospel of grace

Ephesians 2:4-5 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—”

The gospel of inclusion and unity

Ephesians 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,”

God’s wisdom shown through the church

Given to the apostles; the foundation of the NT church

Ephesians 3:10 “so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”

God desires all mankind; without distinguishment

1 Timothy 2:1-4 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

God ensured this ministry by founding the NT church on Apostolic ministry

The same gospel today

This truth, though present from the beginning was shrouded in shadow and mystery.

This marvelous truth was manifest plainly in the age of the apostles

This truth has been forgotten in recent generations, and needs be recovered

Sunday mornings is the most segregated time in our nation

It is all too common to see people who are different from ourselves as unworthy or too far removed to share the gospel with

We are in danger of being a generation of Jonahs; selectively inviting, witnessing, and investing only in those we desire God to have mercy on

The gospel of Jesus has been unchanged from the beginning; it is wrapped up in the eternal purposes of God set forth before the foundation of the world

If we do not believe (depend upon, actively trust in, and conform our thinking and lives to be in line with) this gospel of grace and inclusion, then we are not believing the gospel of Jesus, which is the power of God unto salvation

Church Family, may we be reminded that the gospel of Jesus is one of inclusion and unity. May we be motivated to confront and repent of our own prejudices; becoming more and more a people who promiscuously share the gospel of Jesus to the praise of His glory, and to the rescuing of many lost souls.