Paul's Epistles - Ephesians - Part 6:
Paul’s Revelation
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org
SERMON INTRODUCTION
In Paul’s 35 years of ministry, since his
conversion in Damascus, we have recorded in the Holy Bible many of his
epistles, or letters.
Paul’s first journey took place from 33AD
(the year of his conversion), through 46AD, leaving Damascus in 38AD.
Paul’s 2nd journey began in
50AD, four years later; during this time he wrote 1st and 2nd
Thessalonians, and Galatians, with his second journey ending in 54AD.
Paul’s 3rd journey began in
55AD and lasted until 58AD where he found himself imprisoned in Judea from
58-60AD. During his 3rd journey Paul wrote 1st and 2nd
Corinthians, and Romans. We have no record of writings from Paul during his
prison time between 58-60AD in Judea.
After his release from Judea, Paul
traveled on his voyage to Rome from 60-61AD, writing Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians and Philemon, and finding himself in a Roman prison in 63AD.
Released soon after his incarceration,
Paul then writes the epistles Hebrews, 1st Timothy, Titus and his
final letter before his death 2 Timothy, which was written from a Roman prison
he was placed in during 66-68AD.
Though the bible does not tell us when or
how Paul died, it is believed by scholars that he was beheaded in 68AD in May
or June.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Ephesians 3:1-13
For
this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you
Gentiles—
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of
God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have
already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand
my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now
been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are
heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers
together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of
God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this
grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of
Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of
this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all
things.10 His intent was that now, through the church, the
manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and
authorities in the heavenly realms,11 according
to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our
Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach
God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask
you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which
are your glory.
Paul’s Explanation how both the
Jew and Gentile are reconciled through Christ
The
message of this epistle to the church is “The Church, The Body of Christ”.
Scripture again begins
with “Therefore”, which is a reference to the previous verses where Paul
explains that there are those who were born Gentile, but were no longer
separate from the Lord because of the blood of Christ, and because of Christ,
Gentiles are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s
people and members of the household.
Today, Paul explores
God’s plan for the Gentiles.
I. THE
MYSTERY OF CHRIST
a. Paul, a
prisoner of Christ for the sake of Gentiles
i. Remember, Paul wrote this epistle from a prison in Rome.
ii. He did not consider himself a prisoner of Nero,
rather a prisoner for the sake of Christ.
b. The mystery
revealed to Paul through revelation by the Holy Spirit
i. Which was made known to Paul so we would have it in text
c. Which was not
made known to other generations
i. However, has now been revealed by the Holy Spirit to Apostles and
Prophets
1. Paul was given this revelation first! Galatians 1:11-12
ii. What is the mystery? Through the gospel Gentiles
are heirs with Israel, members of one body, sharing in the promise of Christ
Jesus
II. GOD
CHOSE (CHOOSES) THE LEAST
a. I am less than
the least of all the Lord’s people
i. True humility made evident here in scripture
b. God’s Grace was
given to me
i. As it is to us all
c. Mission: to
preach to the Gentiles the Boundless Riches of Christ
i. The riches are not gold and silver, which is worldly, rather salvation
and reconciliation to God through the Cross, which is Spiritual.
ii. And to make plain (easy to understand) to everyone
(Jew and Gentile) the administration (delivering) of this mystery.
III. REVELATION
THROUGH THE CHURCH
a. God’s intent is
that NOW (the church age / age of Grace) through the church, the wisdom of God
should be known
i. What mystery? The gospel converts the lost into God’s people
ii. Made known to whom?
1. Rulers and Authorities in heavenly realms
(righteous angels)
2. Because even the angels had not known of God’s
intent from before time to bring man into reconciliation to God through the
sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
b. According to
God’s eternal purpose (from before the beginning)
i. God formed the plan of salvation of man before time
ii. That plan was centered on the Lord Jesus and what
He did at the Cross
c. In Christ Jesus
our Lord, we may approach God with freedom and confidence
i. Because of the Cross
1. We can have boldness in our approach to God (Hebrews 4:16)
ii. The only way we have access to the Throne of God is
by and through Jesus Christ and His atoning work at the Cross
CONCLUSION – i ask you therefore, not to be discouraged
because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
We close today with Paul asking that we not allow
our faith to weaken because he is currently in a Roman prison writing.
“Which is your glory”
In other words, whatever happens to me will be for
your good, and for the greater good of proclaiming the gospel.
God is in control, even when others cannot see it.
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