Gospel Power Mysteriously at Work - Ephesians 3:1-13
Notes
Transcript
Ephesians 3:1-13
The christian is aware of this gospel power mysteriously at work in them for the
glory of the Christ’s Church.
INTRO
The opening of chapter 3, as we are nearing our halfway mark through this great
epistle…opens with “For this reason…”. Which is an indicator to look back and
consider what we’ve covered before we move forward in what Paul is laying out
for these believers in Ephesus and also us who look to God’s timeless Word to
be instructed in Truth to live out by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.
So, to recap some. Paul opened this epistle by taking us to the immeasurable
heights of the gospel. With unparalleled description, he speaks of what God
accomplished through Jesus Christ by the Power of The Holy Spirit. Wonderful
realities of the grace of God towards un-worthy-sinners. Things of which a
lifetime of contemplation would not satisfy the wonder of it all.
The overwhelming grace of God in making a people for His own possession,
holy and blameless before Him. We-get-God and God-gets-us all through the
work of Jesus Christ our conquering-risen-King,…who fulfilled the Father’s
eternal plan. The gospel of the grace of God.
And then once Paul brought us to the heights of this glorious gospel,…He
then grounds us to who we once were before we were powerfully transformed
by this gospel. LEVELS the playing field if you will and puts everyone (Jew and
Gentile alike)..everyone on common ground. Ensures that no one thinks too
highly of themselves….. whether Jew, or Gentile, free or slave..it doesn’t matter
Paul argues. We are all one in Christ. By the grace of God through faith in
CHRIST we have become one. CHRIST Jesus,…centralizes all on him
regardless of distinct differences you bear no matter how strong they are. All
races, all nations, all people types…beautiful variety…great diversity….who are
ALL under GRACE (Romans 4:16)…period.
This brings us up to chapter 3,….where transition is happening towards the
implications of it…towards living out the realities of this in the here and now.
Application of it all in the christian’s life in every respect. AS men and women
both in the world and in the CHURCH, and also as husbands and wives and as
parents and children. Paul kicks us off in chapter 4 with this saying “I
therefore…..urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you
have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience,…..”
SO, transitioning to that, chapter 3 here, in which Paul rounds it out with
a prayer before going into his instruction on Christian living in light of the gospel
of the grace of God that has powerfully transformed us…..What is he drawing
emphasis to - in verses (1-13)…prior to his prayer? The passage in
consideration this morning. Transitioning from the gospel revealed to the
implications thereof? WELL,…let’s stand now and read the passage together to
move in to God’s living Word and discover just that.
Read 3:1-13
- Pray
- Be seated…
NOW, what Paul, I believe, is emphasizing here as he is pivoting towards living
out the implications of the gospel of the grace of God…is this: “For this
reason” says Paul….here it is:
The christian is aware of this gospel power mysteriously at work in them - and
that it’s for the glory of Christ’s church.
Paul makes this known by giving his readers awareness of 3 things to reach
this conclusion….the conclusion that The christian is aware of this gospel power mysteriously at work in them and
that it’s for the glory of Christ’s church.
BODY
1)
FIRST POINT - (Ephesians 3:1-6).
Awareness of this power of God at work in you
The first thing given awareness to in (verses 1-6) is the Awareness of this
power of God at work in you. The ‘awareness of it’ OR, in other words, the
mysterious working of this power of God is evident in your life both to yourself
and to others.
We’ll find this revealed in (verses 1-6).
Note with me how Paul assumes here. “Assuming” Assuming is something I
aim not to do. It’s resulted in many bad outcomes by experience and above all,
…scripture warns against such attitude referenced chiefly by warning us to not
be presuming.
(Psalm 19:13) “Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them
not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great
transgression.”
Innocent of GREAT transgression.
(Romans 2:4) “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and
forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead
you to repentance?”
An assuming or presumptuous attitude is one that thinks blindly that all is well
because no immediate consequences have occurred…DANGEROUS…
dangerous attitude to carry with you in this life and when it’s in the context of
your standing before God……the DANGER of HELL type of attitude that sadly
so many are guilty of. Presuming upon God’s grace, “His kindness, forbearance
and patience.” Not to be done.
OR…it’s having a lofty attitude of self that
is grossly misguided by the blindness to your own limitations and faults. Allow
me to say that again. A presumptuous attitude is also having a lofty attitude
of self that is grossly misguided by the blindness to your own limitations and
faults. Both of these presumptuous sins - are ‘GREAT’ transgressions and
God’s Word rightly warns against such harmful outlook which we are wise to
heed that we may keep ourselves innocent from this fault.
On one hand though, we have Paul here,…saying…looking at (verse 2)
“assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given
to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have
written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery
of Christ, 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.”
He sounds pretty confident……as-he-should-be. That which he has written
briefly about…(namely chapter’s 1 and 2)…but certainly elsewhere in scripture…
is staggering in his insight into the mystery of Christ. I could only imagine what
would be made known of his insight if he wrote at length regarding his insight
into the mystery of Christ. INDEED, the revelations were so great that God
saw it necessary, in His kindness towards Paul to keep him from becoming
conceited as a result of the revelations given him, GOD wisely saw it necessary
to give Paul a thorn in the flesh.
(2 Corinthians 12:7) “So to keep me (Paul speaking) to keep me from becoming
conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was
given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from
becoming conceited.” Do you see how that was kindness of God to do so?
SO Paul, being kept by God’s grace from becoming conceited, is very
much aware of this power at work in him and knows that it is evident to others
as well. And before we move on from here… A question begs to be asked.
Are you aware of this gospel power mysteriously at work in you?
NOW, before we expound on that question a bit, allow me to provide you with
an example from my own testimony.
Growing up I had a number of passions I gave myself to in full measure. Soccer
was certainly one for many years but the one that I found myself bewildered by
a mysterious change within was snowboarding. YOU SEE, I loved
snowboarding. If I wasn’t on the mountain, I’d be watching snowboard videos
over and over again dreaming of my next opportunity to be on the mountain. If
we had enough snow locally, I’d hike a hill side as much as I had strength to do
so just to get some turns in. I loved the sport.
But then it happened. It was
a blue bird day on Bachelor back in the early years of 2000. Deep fresh powder
fell the night before, a canopy of Crystal Clear blue skies was above us on this
calm, crisp, perfect day. Grace was a baby…Matthew yet to be born and I had
the whoooole day to myself to go and do whatever my pleasure on this stellar
day.
And pretty early on in the day this unfamiliar emptiness about the day
was welling up in me for the first time. I recall thinking, “What is your deal Seth?
It doesn’t get better than this. You should be reveling in your element right now.
Wake up man!” And in my mind I’m thinking “YEAH!!" While in my heart there
was this undeniable outlook of “this is not what it’s all about Seth”.
And as I looked upon others in line or on the slopes who were reveling in
the moment, (hoots and hollers reveling) I couldn’t sound out what was
circulating in my head and upon my heart. “This is not what it’s all about. This
moment is brief. These premier conditions are fleeting…they will be gone
soon.”
It was such a mystery to me for this to be taking place within. …but deep
down inside I knew,…I knew, even in that moment there was an awareness of
it though I was resistant to embrace it…I knew, God was at work in me. As one
seeking Him daily in His Word and through prayer,…I became aware of this
power of God at work in me and am to this day and am therefore, all the more
seeking to yield myself to it. The enjoyment of snowboarding has a completely
different outlook now.
So I ask again Are you aware of this gospel power mysteriously at work in you?
And, I’ll add, would others affirm it?
I believe your answer will fall in one of three categories
1).
If your response is a resounding “‘YES!’. I am very much aware of this
mysterious power at work in me.” Then Praise God and Hallelujah!
I say yes and amen to conviction of sin, to seeking forgiveness and
reconciliation, to practicing repentance, to having desires that are not your own,
to not loving this world..indeed your own life but living and giving all for the
glory of God, to loving God, loving His Word and loving His people who…affirm
to you this gospel power mysteriously at work in you. Yes and amen to that
1,000 times over and keep seeking Him that more of it may abound.
2).
Perhaps though, your response is that of not being keenly aware of
it…….and having concern about that being the case. To this also I would say
Praise God and Hallelujah! THE FACT that you are concerned about not having
a strong awareness of it is evidence itself that the power of the Spirit of God is
indeed at work in you. So yes and amen to that and I encourage you with all my
being to seek God that it may be abundantly clear to you and to others each
and every day of your life. Don’t be satisfied where you are at but hunger and
thirst for “His presence in your life continually.” (Psalm 105:4). Seek Him with
your whole heart and He will be found by you and the awareness of His power,
the power of the Holy Spirit at work in you, will become sharply clear. “Taste
and see His goodness.” Desire more and pursue more of Him and He will
assuredly not disappoint…for HE promises to do deliver.
3).
And now, thirdly, if your response is that you are unaware of it altogether
and are okay with that. Then to this I would say, “take warning dear friend.”
For my heart is heavy over the condition of your soul. This is NOT a place to
affirm you in,…for you are in danger of hell and fire. It’s not about how many
times you’ve heard the gospel preached or even your ability to articulate it,
rather the powerful workings of it, of the gospel are felt in your gut. WAR has
begun for the affections of your heart The HOLY SPIRIT has set foot on the
battlefield for your soul and GOD who wages war on your behalf is working to
claim the victory CHRIST already won for your soul. That’s the christian!
(Romans 8:9) “If the Spirit of Christ is not in you then you are none of his” and if
you are not HIS then God’s wrath remains on you and eternity in hell awaits.
So PLEASE HEAR ME! I plead to you with all my heart…BE CONCERNED.
Wake up! and Seek to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior that such grace may
be given to become aware of the Spirit of Christ…the power from on High at
work in you.
And in doing so, in doing so, a first if not the first indicator of the power of
God mysteriously at work in you will be your eyes opened to see the gospel of
the—- grace of God through Jesus Christ…GRACE, eyes of your heart
enlightened to see GOD’S GRACE…will be a first if not the first indicator of the
power of God mysteriously at work in you. FOR—- an awareness of your
unworthiness will be at the forefront of your mind and upon your heart. Which
is the second thing being made known to the recipients of this letter, along with
us here and now, in regards to The christian being aware of this gospel power mysteriously at work in them
and that it’s for the glory of Christ’s church.
2)
SECOND POINT (Ephesians 3:7-8) - Awareness of your Unworthiness
The second thing given awareness to in (verses 7-8) is the Awareness of your
Unworthiness. OR, in other words, trembling conviction over your sin and
wretchedness and the overwhelming sweetness of God’s grace towards you
through His Son Jesus. The gospel. We hear this come through the penned
words of Paul. Let’s read (verses 7-8) - read
To me! Do you hear the undertone there? To me! LIKE,… “how is this
possible? It shouldn’t be but it is and I am making abundantly clear that it is all
grace.” “Gift of God’s grace…which was given to me…the very least of all the
saints.” Unworthiness! This is the posture of a healthy Christian.
Unworthy….Unworthy…Unworthy! YET….by faith, a member of, a part of, in the
life of Him who alone is worthy. CHRIST JESUS. Worthy….Worthy…Worthy of
all praise glory and honor…WORTHY is the Lamb who was slain. Slain that I
may be set free and forgiven my sin. The gospel. The power of God at work in
you makes you aware of this and it should never be forgotten. This awareness
ought to never depart from your mind and heart.
And this carries immediately over to your giftedness…your abilities…things you
are able to do. Are you an intellect? - it’s grace! Are you skilled with your
hands to fix things or make things? - it’s grace! Are you artistic in any form
of the Arts? - it’s grace! Are you trained with the skill to operate
sophisticated equipment? - it’s grace! Are you able to expound the Word of
God with great insight and clarity? - it’s grace! And the list could keep going
with the same resounding answer…it’s all GRACE! We have no boasting to
offer. How can we boast in something that is given to us? Your very heart beat
and the breath in your nostrils are a gift from God and there is nothing you have
or are able to do that falls outside of grace. It is GOD who has gifted and
entrusted you with everything you are and everything you possess.
(1 Corinthians 4:7) “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you
received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”
(Romans 12:3) “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not
to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober
judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”
It’s all grace!….as made abundantly clear by Paul here and elsewhere in
Scripture and it all exists for a purpose. A purpose that involves you but is not
about you.
What do I mean by that? NOW, you likely have noticed a few verses yet
touched on yet, that we have already gone by. This is okay, for we now take
what Paul has made aware to us of this power mysteriously at work in the
believer, in the christian and we’ll see how it’s driving purpose is for the glory of
Christ’s church. PAUL weaves this third climactic point from start to finish.
3)
THIRD POINT (Ephesians 3:9-13) - Awareness of this Power at work in you is
for the glory of the Church
The the third and final thing given awareness to that is woven through (verses
1-13) and weighted most heavily in (verses 9-13) is the Awareness of this Power
at work in you - being for - the glory of Christ’s Church. OR, in other words, The
working of this power in you is driven and motivated to build up the church, to
serve the body of Christ of which you yourself are a member of and therefore
are also being built up both by serving and in being served by others.
Every member ministry is a term we’ve used here before at Pillar that
speaks exactly of this. Each christian, as individual members of the body of
Christ, are each equipped with giftings by Christ to be used in the power of His
Spirit of to serve Him by serving one another, his body, the body of Christ…the
CHURCH. Every member ministry. Something we affirm to one another is
happening here and also encourage one another that it only grows and
multiplies over time to the praise and glory of God.
LET’S look at the passage now and see how Paul saturates all that he is saying
as he pivots towards living out the implications of the gospel of the grace of
God unpacked in the opening of this letter. Starting with (verse 1)
“……I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—on behalf of…
the purpose for which I am a prisoner…in essence…it’s all for the service of
Christ’s Church.
What is Paul entrusted with, equipped by God to do? What is the gift of God’s
grace given Paul to be a steward of? Picking up in the middle of (verse 2)
…..the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me— for you,…how the
mystery was made known to me by revelation, (verse 4) “…When you read this,
you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 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 - the gospel ‘power’ mysteriously at
work in Paul for the glory of Christ’s Church.
What is the mystery you say? (Verse 6-7) “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. 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”…
there it is again ‘Holy Spirit’ …the gospel ‘power’ mysteriously at work in Paul
for the glory of Christ’s Church..
CHURCH, what does Paul, by the power of the Spirit of Christ mysteriously at
work in him, what does Paul give his life to?
(Philippians 2:17) “Even if I (Paul says in Philippians 2:17) Even if I am to be
poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of - your faith, I am
glad and rejoice with you all.”
(Colossians 1:24-29). “Now I (Paul speaking hear) Now I rejoice in my sufferings
for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions
for…for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister
according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make
the word of God fully known, the - mystery - hidden for ages and generations
but now revealed to his saints, (that includes you and me christian.…saints). 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. Him
(Christ) we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all
(watch this) with all his energy that he powerfully works within-me.” POW! Is
this not what we’ve been talking about this morning and what he says right
here again in the closing as to why this grace was given…(verses 9-13) read..not and
Church - hear me please. The CHURCH, purchased by the blood of Christ to
be made holy and blameless before Him was always GOD’S plan. There was
never and will never be a plan B. God’s “plan for the fullness of time, to unite all
things in Christ Jesus, things in heaven and things on earth.” (Eph 1:10)…has
always been plan A. The plan Christ Jesus executed with precision and
perfection. The plan “according to the eternal purposes of God that he has
realized in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Plan A…the CHURCH, who may “have
boldness and access with confidence to the Father though our faith in Jesus.”
That which (1Peter 1:12) “….angels long to look..”..into. The mystery of
a people, purchased by the blood of Christ, filled by His Spirit, Sanctified by His
Word, being brought into glory, grafted into the body of Christ to be fellow heirs
with Him and partakers of His holiness,….this glorious mystical union of Jesus
Christ and His bride the CHURCH…that through which “the manifold wisdom
of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly
places.” The CHRUCH..This has always been the plan.
God’s plan A from eternity passed. The promise to Abraham was that
through his seed “all nations of the earth would be blessed.” His seed,…that
would be a descendant of his..of Abraham’s….whom JESUS is and through
whom “all nations of the earth would be blessed.” (Genesis 18:18, 22:18) This
covenant promise that came to Abraham who believed and obeyed God’s voice
though he and his wife were childless and far beyond child bearing age…
nevertheless Abraham believed God, had faith in His promises, that God was
fully able to do what He said He would do…By FAITH, Abraham believed GOD
at His Word and it was counted to Abraham by God… counted to Abraham as
righteousness…a righteousness that depends upon FAITH. And this came
when? BEFORE or AFTER he was circumcised?
It came before…(Romans 4:9-12). Get ready! “Is this blessing then only
for the circumcised (the Jew), or also for the uncircumcised (the Gentile)? For we
say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. “How then was it
counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not
after, but before he was circumcised. He (Abraham) received the sign of
circumcision, he was circumcised, as a seal (a mark/ a stamp if you will) of the
righteousness that he ‘had' by faith while he was ‘still’ uncircumcised. You
following? The purpose (God’s eternal purpose) was to make him (make
Abraham) the father of A-L-L who ‘believe’ without being circumcised
(Gentiles..Abraham is father to the believing Gentiles), so that righteousness
would be counted to them (Gentiles) as well…that which Paul preaches to the
Gentiles about…these unsearchable riches of Christ that they (the Gentiles) are
fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise (this
promise to Abraham) in Christ Jesus who is the seed -the offspring- of Abraham
through whom the blessing comes…, And So also, was God’s eternal purpose…
to make him (Abraham) the father of the circumcised who are not merely
circumcised (that is in the flesh) but who also, ….now listen, who also walk in
the footsteps of the faith—that our father Abraham had before he was
cir-cum-cis-ed.” The footsteps of faith that expresses itself in obedience to
GOD’S voice….His Word. This has always been the plan. The CHURCH, the
manifold wisdom of God in uniting all things in Christ and gave him as head over
all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
In pivoting from these realities towards living them out in the here and now…
PAUL places strong emphases that this gospel power that has given you new
life, transformed who you are, made you a new creation is something you and
others are not only aware of and humbled by but also that the driving force
behind it all is to build up the body of Christ. EVERY God given faculty of your
being is available in God’s hands in your area of influence to be empowered by
His Spirit to serve Christ’s Church at all cost. PAUL is drawing his readers
attention to this before he works out the implications of it in daily christian living.
CONCLUSION
In closing, what does this look like in the day to day, year to year happenings in
our lives?
WELL, whether there is a multitude coming to Christ from preaching the gospel
of Jesus Christ and boldly living it out in your lives in all gentleness and respect
OR if persecution comes as a result of it, it’s the same power at work by His
Spirit who is either making new life, bringing others into the family of God who
were once far off….OR, He supplies the power “to share in the sufferings of
Christ for the gospel.” It’s a WIN WIN…this is how Paul can say the things he
says about suffering. Take the last verse in today’s passage for instance..(Verse
13). “So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is
your glory.” Suffering exposes true colors does it not? Who one really is
comes through when suffering, when adversity befalls them. And suffering on
behalf of that which “….the angels long to look”..into…this mystery…the
CHURCH…which “the manifold wisdom of God is being made known to the
rulers and authorities in the heavenly places”…when suffering for the gospel of
this mystery, for being a member of and service to Christ’s Church…when
suffering for this reason….you share in the sufferings of Christ and all eyes, in
heaven and earth…ALL EYES marvel at such patience, such endurance and joy
in suffering for it is brought about by a power not of this world.
It magnifies the worth of Christ and exalts His name to the glory of the Father.
It is a power not of this world that cannot be witnessed without impact.
The powerful gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“For this reason” The christian is aware of this gospel power mysteriously at work in them and
that it’s for the glory of Christ’s church.
You don’t take up christianity - ‘it’ takes a hold of you. ‘It’ picks you up and
puts you on a new course. It is a power mysteriously at work in you…GOD'S
power…the Power of the Holy Spirit making a sinner a saint who is living for the
glory of Christ’s Church. For living for the glory of Christ’s church glorifies HIM
who is the head of the church.
As His body “the fullness of him who fills all in all.” Let’s seek to know our Head,
seek to know our risen King…the Lord Jesus Christ more and more that His
power in us would have greater effectiveness in our lives for His glory and the
glory of His body, the Church.
- PRAY
Awareness
Humility
Giftedness
Service to the Church
COMMUNION
Benediction (2 Timothy 1:8-10)