Lesson 6 Paul and His Ministry Ephesians 3:1-13 March 7,2013

The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed

I know a secret! I’ll bet you know a few secrets too! Why do we keep secrets? Some secrets are fun if we want to surprise someone, like planning a retirement party or an anniversary dinner.

Several events in the Old Testament were done in secret to protect God’s children: Miriam secretly watched her brother Moses drawn from the Nile; Esther kept her Jewish heritage a secret until the perfect time, Samuel anointed David secretly while Saul is still King. Elijah secretly hid in a cave from Queen Jezebel. Each time the life of God’s Chosen were spared and used to fulfill God’s Promise to Israel.

Even Jesus in His ministry instructed various ones not to tell of his miraculous healing: from our study of Mark you will remember the leper, Jairus’ daughter, the deaf man in chapter 7. Jesus had reasons for not wanting His works made known. The time was not ready.

What is the secret Paul is sharing? Verse 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. The Jews and Gentiles would together form one body The CHURCH.

God’s great love for the Gentiles, for me, is a mystery.  Why would an omnipotent Creator of the universe stoop so low to come in the form of a human. Philippians 2:8
He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
He came for you. He came for me, for the selfish, prideful, unlovable me.

Without fail every year I taught there were children in situations that made them difficult to love. I have always been drawn to the “underdog,” the unlovely. Those were the ones that drew my focus, in attempts to level the playing field, to establish some equality, acceptance and success. This is my purpose, my calling from God.

Recently I read a book, “I’m Listening With a Broken Ear” by Vicky Kaseorg is a true story about a dying dog the author passed on a roadside and returned later to rescue grudgingly. A story of faith, persistence, and love unfolds as both she and her young daughter struggled to help “Honeybun” overcome severe health issues, fear, and aggression toward people and other dogs. In desperation Vicky found a rescue in South Carolina who offered to help rehabilitate Honeybun free of charge. During the many months of heartache and struggle, she discovered the truth “that nothing is truly unredeemable.” Most chapters end as Vicky has one-way conversation with God, bemoaning her fate, and proclaiming all her good deeds. Near the end the book, the author realized that in God’s eyes she is similar in nature and condition to the rescued dog. I saw myself in her conversations.

This week in Ephesians 3 we will learn that the “unsearchable riches of Christ” are available to the Gentiles, who to the Jews, are most unlovable.

THE GOSPEL IS FOR EVERYONE.

Revealed by the Spirit 3:1-6
Equipped by the Father 3:7-10
Fulfilled by the Son 3:11-13

PRAY

This week’s commentary reminded us that Ephesians is a circular letter to be read aloud and passed along to other churches. Unlike some other letters to the churches, this one in not a pastoral letter of encouragement, but rather an exposition of the “mystery of God’s will.”

·        Revealed by the SPIRIT 3:1-6

1 Corinthians 2:7-10  But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. ⁸ None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹ But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
    nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—

¹⁰ these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

Paul  begins by telling  he is prisoner on behalf of the Gentiles—calling his ministry to the Gentiles the stewardship of God's grace given to him for their benefit.

God’s grace saved the murderous man who was Saul and made him into a new creation.

When Saul was struck blind Acts 9:15 the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.

Paul was specifically called to reveal the secret and given insight into the mystery of Christ ⁵ which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations

God’s plan from the beginning hidden; 5b has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

THE GOSPEL IS FOR EVERYONE.

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.

·       Equipped by the Father 3:7-9

⁷Of 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.

In the three references notice the more time Paul spent in service to Christ the less he thought of himself.

o   1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. AD55

o   Ephesians 3:8  I am the very least of all the saints, AD 61

o   1 Timothy 1:15 I am the worst of sinners AD 64

 Several years ago when my mother suffered a stroke, my two younger sisters had difficulty coping. My older sister came as often as she could to help with Mom’s care but she lived three hours away. The responsibility for most of my mother care fell to me and I was glad I could be there for her. Harmony could not describe the situation with my sisters. After the death of my mother both younger sisters were convicted of serious crimes.

It was easy for me to develop a superior attitude; after all I was caring for my mother every single day. Sometimes you just want to reach out and touch someone. As I tried to “fix” my sister’s life, she shouts, “Judge not that ye be not judged.”

Ladies she was right! God has a way of bursting my prideful bubble and bringing me down low, convicting me of my sin. During that time we were studying 1 and 2 Timothy in CBS and 1 Timothy 1:15   was our memory verse.

Like we do now, we wrote the verse every day. By the end of the week I meekly wrote-

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst, I am the worst, I am the worst.

Later I had the opportunity to share the verse with my sister, confess my sin was no less than hers. I apologized for my judgmental behavior with a message on grace.

Understanding the deep truths of God does not give man a big head; it gives him a broken and contrite heart. Warren Wiersbe

Proverbs 22:4 The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.

What a mighty treasury of mercy, grace, and love is laid up in Christ Jesus, both for Jew and Gentile who will receive Him as their Lord. SB-CSNT

THE GOSPEL IS FOR EVERYONE

Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and how unfathomable his ways!

 8b This grace was given to Paul, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ ⁹  to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things 10b might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

Warren Wiersbe includes in his commentary of chapter 3 that the revealing of the mystery was important to the angels.

The angels minister with pure hearts of love. Much of their ministry is done in secret and they are present on this earth. Mark 1:13 tells of Jesus temptation in the desert and the angels ministered to him

Psalm 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Psalm 103:20 Tells us his angels are mighty ones obeying the Voice of His word!

Angels cannot comprehend forgiveness or salvation but they rejoice to hear it.

1 Peter 1:12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

o   Luke 15:10 there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents

o   1 Corinthians 4:9 a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.

So what can the Angels learn ¹⁰  through the church the manifold wisdom of God (Greek means "special knowledge")   

The mystery was unknown to the spirit world, hidden from Satan until now.

Wiersbe states -It was probably a good thing to keep this plan from Satan or he may have tried a different strategy. In chapter 6 we will discuss the limitations that God has placed on Satan and his demons and review the armor we need to wear every day.

·       Fulfilled by the Son 3:10-13

¹¹ This was ^paccording 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 ^tfaith in him.
Ladies we cannot hear it enough: God purposed from the beginning of Creation that Jesus goes before us and clears our way to approach the throne of a holy and powerful God.

How could we dare approach such a holy place with confidence and boldness except through our faith in Jesus as the son of God who died to redeem us?
Hebrews 4:16 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.

What a great a kindness to offer grace and mercy to sinful man, though will turn away and not receive these gifts. “His riches are as unsearchable and as sure as ever, yet while angels adore the wisdom of God in the redemption of his church, the ignorance of self-wise and carnal men deem the whole to be foolishness.” Matthew Henry

We have a list of the atrocities Paul endured in his ministry. Paul did not focus on himself but Christ. To the Ephesians-¹³ So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory

From Paul’s suffering, we know our affliction can result in our growth, the good of others, but primarily for the Glory of God. Christians will suffer. Jesus can help you endure your own suffering and use it to comfort others. Your neighbors are watching. What do they see in you? Don’t waste your affliction; invest it. Don’t lose heart.”

THE GOSPEL IS FOR EVERYONE.

Will you choose to accept the riches available in Christ Jesus?

Feel free to come to the altar and pray as I read the words of this old hymn.
Before the Throne of God Above  by Charitie L. Bancroft 

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

PRAY Is there a secret only you know? Have you been burdened trying to keep this secret from your family and friends? Choose to unclasp your grip and give God all of your unwanted secrets. He will toss them into the sea of forgetfulness. Only Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. Confess to Him now and He will forgive.