Riches of the Mystery

Sufficiency of Christ: Book of Ephesians  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
0 ratings
· 14 views

The importance of the revealed mystery to the Christian today

Notes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
View more →

“You have a call from an prisoner at ...”

In correspondence from prison, Paul is going to remind, explain about the mystery. The mystery once hidden, now revealed is to be of great joy. The mystery a part of God’s grand plan, through the eyes of a prisoner.
(expand on a call from prison- keep it short)
Letter of Ephesians is prison correspondence. It is a prison of Paul’s choosing and for God’s purpose and glory. Why? Because Paul understood.
The mystery revealed to him
The administration given to him
The stewardship charged to him
There have been other people, other famous people in prison who became great assets for the kingdom of God. From Joseph, to Peter and John, how about John Bunyan, and now today we are looking at Paul. His imprisonment is not of Rome making, but of God’s choosing.
Paul’s choice as:
Paul the prisoner (Eph4:1)
Ephesians 4:1 NASB95
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
Paul prisoner with a reason (Eph3:1)
Ephesians 3:1 NASB95
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
Paul the ambassador in chains (Eph6:20)
Ephesians 6:20 NASB95
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
You can read more on this, that it was of his choosing in Act25:1-12
He is a prisoner of Christ, not of Rome. A prisoner of the Lord and an ambassador in chains. He fully understood what he was going through and accepted his calling, his stewardship.
Parenthetical section
This passage, Eph3:2-13, is really a parenthetical section sandwiched between a prayer (look at Eph3:1, 3:14)
Ephesians 3:1 NASB95
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
Ephesians 3:14 NASB95
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
It is like in the middle or the start of a prayer he is overwhelmed by what has been entrusted to him, by what has been revealed to him and he has to stop and share the importance of it.
The mystery is not something scary, it is not eerie or anything like that. It is a great joy and it is fulfillment of God’s grand plan. The mystery is the church and Jesus Christ as the head of the Church.
So why was this so important that Paul stops mid prayer to share this?

I. Personally Important

Paul tells why it is important, how it was received, and what was received personally to him by revelation.
Ephesians 3:1–2 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;
Ephesians 3:3–4 NASB95
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,
Ephesians 3:5 NASB95
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;
Paul, the prisoner of Christ, prisoner of the Lord, why? Because he believed in God’s new way of uniting. This way was not by works, but through grace by faith. A way of uniting man to God as well as man to man (Jew and Gentile). those previously excluded (Eph2:11-12); without God. Now united through Christ. Paul called to be the apostles to the Gentiles (Eph3:7)
Ephesians 2:11–12 NASB95
11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Eph2:10-11
Ephesians 3:7 NASB95
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.
God’s gift of grace made him a minister and the working of His power now compelled him to fulfill his mission.
Paul was chosen before he knew, to be set aside for a special purpose. (Act13:2; Act9:15; Rom11:13; Rom15:15-16)
Acts 13:2 NASB95
2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Set apart for the mission
Acts 9:15 NASB95
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;
Set apart as a chosen instrument
Romans 11:13 NASB95
13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
RO
Set about to magnify the mission
Romans 15:15–16 NASB95
15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Set apart with a message, and a purpose.
Paul the apostle to the Gentiles! knew the believers were to be “one” in Christ. (Gal3:28)
Galatians 3:28 NASB95
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Paul was not a just a prisoner because of the mystery, he was also a minister given a stewardship of the Gentiles and a uniting of the Jews and the Gentiles into one body, the Church.
Stewardship is a responsibility; He was responsible for sharing the Good News and also in reminding them, the believers, who they are in Christ. (see Eph4:11; Eph3:2)
The truth about the mystery “the church” had not been revealed in the OT scriptures it was revealed to the NT apostles ad prophets by the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 4:11 NASB95
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
Because Paul was a faithful steward of the administration that was given, he is now a prisoner in Rome but not a prisoner of Rome. Remember Paul is a prisoner by choice, a prisoner of the Lord, a prisoner of Christ.
This is not anything new, he had previously told them this.
Ephesians 3:2 NASB95
2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you;
Eph3:2
Keep in mind, written to believers, to the church, the mystery revealed “the church” and Jesus Christ.
So here we have the mystery that was important to Paul and he took it all very seriously, it was important to the Gentiles too.

II. Collectively important to Gentiles

In Eph2:11-22 Paul had laid out plainly the diving wall between the Jews and the Gentiles, how it was broken down The truth of the mystery in this section is to the believing Gentiles who have a new position and a new relationship because of Christ.
Ephesians 3:6–7 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, 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.
Eph3:6
Ephesians 3:8 NASB95
8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,
Benefits to the Gentiles (Eph3:6)
Fellow heirs
Fellow members of the Body
Fellow partakers of the promise
May we remember again we are one body (Eph4:4; 1Cor12:12-14; Eph5:22-23; Eph2:12)
Eph4:4
Ephesians 4:4 NASB95
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
I once read this:
“Our human birth determines our racial distinctions, but our spiritual birth unites us a members of the same body”
One body with many members
1 Corinthians 12:12–13 NASB95
12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:14 NASB95
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
One body with One head
Ephesians 5:22–23 NASB95
22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.
One body, who they were once outside the promises of God and the covenant made with Abraham
Ephesians 2:12 NASB95
12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
We are able to share in the spiritual richness in Christ. The mystery not only puts the Gentiles in a new position but gives them a new power. (Eph3:7; Eph1:19-21, Eph1:22-23; Eph3:20)
Ephesians 3:7 NASB95
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.
The working of HIS power. God gave Paul the things necessary to accomplish the ministry, the calling he was given, now that power given to us to accomplish all things for His purpose and glory too!There is mighty power.
Ephesians 1:19–20 NASB95
19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
Ephesians 1:21 NASB95
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:22–23 NASB95
22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Let me add in
Ephesians 3:20 NASB95
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
Eph1:23-23
His power with a purpose (Eph4:16)
Ephesians 4:16 NASB95
16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
His power, His purpose for the growth of the body, for the building up in love!
Position, power and unfathomable riches (Eph3:8)
Ephesians 3:8 NASB95
8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,
All this from Paul who considered himself the least of the saints, and also the least of the apostles (Eph3:8; 1Cor15:9; 1Tim1:15)
1 Corinthians 15:9 NASB95
9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1Cor15:9
Paul also considered himself the worst of sinners
1 Timothy 1:15 NASB95
15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.
Paul is humble because he understood the mystery, he could, as can we now because of his writings, try to grasp the unfathomable (unsearchable, untraceable as it says in some versions). We cannot discover the end.
What was hidden has now been revealed, what they longed to see in the O.T. what the angels longed to look into (1Pt1:12). These NT riches are available to all believers today.
May we have the humility of Paul, may we have the understanding like Paul of the truth of the mystery and the glorious riches in the mystery. May we have a heart like Paul which was for others to come to know. Makes me think of
Matthew 5:3 NASB95
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Paul knew what he had in Christ, he was poor in spirit without Christ but rich in all things in Christ.
Psalm 51:17 NASB95
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
That is how Paul served and it was acceptable to God; may we come and serve the say way.
So the mystery was important to Paul, it was important to the Gentiles, it was also important to the angels too.

III. Important in the heavenlies

So the mystery, hidden for centuries has been revealed in the church. It was also revealed in the heavenlies.
Ephesians 3:9–10 NASB95
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.
The rulers and authorities are in the heavenly places, they wanted to know about the mystery (1Pt1:10-12)
1 Peter 1:10–11 NASB95
10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
1 Peter 1:12 NASB95
12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.
The angels now know the mystery that through CHrist no only was man reconciled to God (Eph2:1-10); the dividing wall was broken down (Eph2:11-22) and that the Jews and the Gentiles were made one body, the church (Eph3:2-11)
The angels know of the power of God from creation, now the wisdom of God is made known through the church, God’s new creation. Can you see the beauty of all of this?
God hid the mystery from the beginning but has made it know to the church and by the church to others.
Ephesians 3:9 NASB95
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;
All this is what Paul was made steward of (Eph3:9).
Ephesians 3:9 NASB95
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;
God’s plan, God’s mystery has been entrusted to us the church today to share it, to teach it, to proclaim it. We are to be the One body!
It was important to Paul, it was important to the Gentiles, it is important in the heavenlies and it should be important to us today.

IV. Important to church today

Paul experience the Lord, then was entrusted by the Lord, so then to entrust others with the mystery, the precious treasures of the gospel and the glorious riches of God.
Entrust to other men (2Tim2:2; Act2:38; Mt18:15-19; Gal6:1; 2Tim2:15)
2 Timothy 2:2 NASB95
2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
The gospel, the mystery has been passed own over the years but along the way it became liturgy to some, that is ritualistic and not lead by the truth of the Word and the by the Spirit as it was in the first century.
Spiritual truths like baptism (Act2:38); Church discipline (Mt18:15-19); restoration of the fallen brethren (Gal6:1)
We need to know how to rightly divide the truth (2Tim2:15)
2 Timothy 2:15 NASB95
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
We need to be diligent, good stewards of the gospel and the mystery that through Christ we are all one (Eph4:4-6)
Ephesians 4:4–5 NASB95
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Ephesians 4:6 NASB95
6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
The church (the mystery revealed) is not an afterthought of God, it was not God’s back up plan, the Church is God’s plan and is part of God’s eternal purpose (Eph3:11)
Ephesians 3:11 NASB95
11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
So the mystery has been explained out, and in it that we can know
What God is doing today
When we know that God is doing today, building his kingdom, building his church as one body. We can be assured He will work in you and for you and through you for all his purpose and glory! - He has given us all things for life and godliness so we can accomplish his task today.
We can know that knowing brings confidence
Understanding brings the believer who knows the mystery and knows what God is up to assurance, a confidence that we have been empowered to accomplish the task He has given us and be able to face any circumstances that may come our way, to Paul it was prison, to us, heaven knows, but we do know can can have confidence we are equipped for it.
We can know that knowing encourage sharing with others.
Knowing what God is up to, knowing that brings confidence also encourages us to share with others. God’s mystery has been revealed! We have looked at the riches we have in the mystery, the wonderful position we have in Christ. It was important to Paul, so he shared it, it is important to the Gentiles, and it is important to us, the church today!
(Lead to invitation)
(Insert invitation slide)
(Insert exit slide)
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more