Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!
Becoming the Family of God • Sermon • Submitted
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1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 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.
For this reason… for what reason?
Last week we talked about unity in spite of differences
Remember the Sneetches?
That’s why Paul is writing to Epehesians
Remember, gentiles are a part of God’s picture
Analyze the tree
Here’s how important it is that Jew and gentile get along:
Where is Paul when he’s writing? Roman prison...
Roman prison,
But he says JESUS CHRIST!
He
He’s right where he’s supposed to be
Jesus was his Lord, not Rome
Also, he wants the gentiles to know he’s there because of them
He doesn’t want people feeling sorry for him!
Why?! Because he is sent to explain the mystery!
What is the mystery?
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.
How must that feel to the Jews?
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.
How must that feel to the Jews?
Emi, I’m taking you to Taco Bell
But then everyone is there!
You’re not special like you used to be
But we should rejoice that you have all your friends now!
This will be difficult for Jews for a long time...
Why is it good news that gentiles are fellow heirs?
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,
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,
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.
Paul was made a minister - Greek is diakonos
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.
What other word is associated with diakonos?
DEACON - means “table servant”
1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
It is not right to be diakonos, because we focus on the Word
1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Back to Paul...
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.
When he calls himself a “minister,” he’s saying he is a humble servant
Then he explains why in verse 8
Why does Paul say he’s the least of all saints, and why grace?
Paul persecuted the church!
What was Paul’s name before it was Paul? SAUL
9 “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
What was Paul’s name before it was Paul? SAUL
58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Paul was there when they killed Stephen! The first martyr
What is a martyr?
Paul calls himself the “chief of sinners”
Yet God still uses him
I can definitely relate to Paul
I could name a list of sins before I was following God...
My friend Brandon couldn’t accept I was changed
But by God’s grace, I am allowed to minister like Paul
I should NEVER be allowed to with what I’ve done
But God is so kind to me...
And He’s kind to you!
Back to Ephesians
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.
eph 3:9-
This was Paul’s passion:
To make the church better by sharing the gospel with EVERYONE!
Notice verse 10 says heavenly beings learn from the church!
Know who Spurgeon is?
He said this:
“And, lastly, what think some of you, would angels say of your walk and conversation? Well, I suppose you don’t care much about them, and yet you should. For who but angels will be the reapers at the last, and who but they shall be the convoy to our spirits across the last dark stream? Who but they shall carry our spirit like that of Lazarus into the Father’s bosom? Surely we should not despise them.”
If the church instructs heavenly beings, what are you teaching?
Some of us are just teaching exactly how far God’s grace will go!
Some are teaching how much God’s grace can change us!
Which do you want to be?
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.
Bring it back to the tree
The purpose was the tree, but it was chopped, purified, and restarted
Then there was a branch, the root of Jesse that regrew
And now God’s plan is fulfilled in Christ, for everyone!
CLOSING: Donkey in the well
The trick is to shake off the dirt, step up, and keep moving
Our battle has already been won
You may think that God is dumping dirt on you to punish you
God is letting
So let’s shake off our dirt, step up, and keep moving
But maybe He’s doing it to help you get out of your pit
And let God take care of the rest
Trust Him, and find joy in how He is moving