BIG IDEA: Opening the Door of the Riches of Christ to the Gentiles
MANIFESTING THE MANIFOLD WISDOM AND ETERNAL PURPOSE OF GOD BY GRANTING THE GENTILES EQUAL ACCESS AND PRIVILEGES IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
INTRODUCTION:
CONTEXT: “for this reason”
I. (:1-5) THE REVELATION OF THE CHURCH (A PRECIOUS TREASURE) HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO FAITHFUL STEWARDS –
THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL — STEWARDSHIP OF THE GRACE OF GOD
A. (:1) Picture of a Faithful Steward = “Prisoner”
Great analogy because Paul writes this epistle from prison – but he views his imprisonment as unto the Lord in a greater mission rather than unto the enemies of the cross of Christ who are trying to fight against God’s program
1. Serves in Submission to the Master = “Christ Jesus”
he has given up all rights and completely surrendered to the will of the Master
a voluntary, liberating type of bondage as opposed to the bondage of sin and death
2. Serves for the Benefit of Believing Gentiles
“for the sake of you Gentiles”
not serving for his own benefit
B. (:2) Precious Nature of the Treasure
“God’s grace”
1. “given to me”
2. “for you”
C. (:3a) Process of Being Entrusted with the Treasure
“by revelation there was made known to me the mystery”
Def. of “mystery” – previously unknown, but now God was revealing it
– not something that Paul studied or figured out on his own;
– not something that was in any way corrupted or confused
D. (:3b-4) Propagation of that Insight
1. Communicated Briefly in Earlier Writings
“as I wrote before in brief”
2. Elaborated on in this Epistle to Provide Fuller Understanding
“And by referring to this, when you read you can understand”
3. Focus of this Insight – Transition to Point #2
“insight into the mystery of Christ”
This is the key that needs to be understood
E. (:5) Privilege of Revelation and Enlightenment
1. Not a Privilege enjoyed in the past
“which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men”
2. But a Privilege made possible in the present
“as it has now been revealed”
3. The Divinely Appointed Ministers of this Message
“to His holy apostles and prophets”
Combination of:
– Character
– Function
4. The Divinely Appointed Medium for this Communication
“in the Spirit”
II. (:6) THE CONTENT OF THE REVELATION EMPHASIZES THE EQUAL ACCESS AND PRIVILEGES AFFORDED TO THE GENTILES IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
A. Equal Acess and Privileges with True Israel – “Gentiles are”:
1. “fellow-heirs” – Future Inheritance
equal share
2. “fellow-members of the body” – Present Fellowship / Total Inclusion
no second class citizens
3. “fellow-partakers of the promises” – All Guaranteed by a Faithful God
B. Centered “in Christ Jesus”
C. Accomplished by the Power of the Gospel
“through the gospel”
III. (:7-11) THE PURPOSE OF THE REVELATION IS TO MAKE KNOWN THE RICHES OF CHRIST – UNFOLDING THE WISDOM AND PURPOSE OF GOD’S PLAN FOR THE CHURCH (WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE ROLE OF THE GENTILES)
A. (:7-8) Privilege of Being Made a Minister of the Gospel
Martin: Re “minister” — Paul was made a servant by God’s gift. This is the word transliterated in English as deacon — one who serves or waits on tables. Paul never considered his office something high, removinghim from other men. He always spoke of himself humbly.”
1. Based on Grace – “according to the gift of God’s grace”
2. Enabled by Power — “which was given to me according to the working of His power”
3. Not Based on Merit – “To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given”
4. Method of the Mission – “to preach”
5. Target Audience – “to the Gentiles”
6. Inexhaustible Depth of the Message – “the unfathomable riches of Christ”
B. (:9-10) Privilege of Making Known the Mystery of God’s Wisdom
1. Mission of Enlightenment
“and to bring to light”
2. Mystery of God’s Working Behind the Scenes of Human History
“what is the administration of the mystery”
3. Muzzled for Ages
“which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things”
4. Manifold Wisdom of God
“in order that the manifold wisdom of God”
5. Medium and Timing of Enlightenment
“might now be made known through the church”
6. Majestic Audience
“to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places”
Wuest: “The Church thus becomes the university for angels, and each saint a professor. Only in the Church can the angels come to an adequate comprehension of the grace of God. They look at the Church to investigate the mysteries of redemption. I Peter (1:12) speaks of the things which the angels have a passionate desire to stoop down and look into, like the golden cherubim that overshadow the Mercy Seat, ever gazing upon the sprinkled blood that is upon it. The preposition para, ‘beside,’ is prefixed to the verb ‘stoop down,’ which speaks of the angels as spectators viewing the great plan of redemption from the side lines, not being participants in it.”
C. (:11) Privilege of Unfolding the Eternal Purpose of the Church
“This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
IV. (:12-13) CONCLUSION: TWO APPLICATIONS
A. (:12) With Regard to Our Relationship to Christ Jesus our Lord —
1. What do we have?
“boldness”
“confident access”
2. How?
“through faith in Him”
B. (:13) With Regard to Our Inner Peace of Mind and Heart — Be Encouraged … Not Discouraged
“Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.”
Paul’s Imprisonment Has Been Worth the Suffering