Ephesians 3:12

 

Ephesians 3:12

The Proclamation of Our Position in Christ

 

Eph 3:12  In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 

  v       1.      All Believers Have:

a.       Paul does not qualify the “we” in this statement which means that it is intended to be universal.

                                                              i.      Before Christ we were condemned

1.      Ephesians 2:3 

                                                            ii.      Now in Christ we are no longer condemned

1.      Ephesians 2:16-19 

            2.      Boldness

a.       We can now come to our loving Father with boldness

                                                              i.      Once we lived in fear of the wrath of God

1.      2 Thessalonians 1:8 

                                                            ii.      Now we can come boldly into His presence

1.      Hebrews 10:19-22 

b.      We can now have boldness when we interact with the world

                                                              i.      We can be bold in the face of ungodly laws - Acts 5:28-29 

                                                            ii.      We can be bold in the face of great evil - Proverbs 28:1 

                                                          iii.      We can be bold in the face of fierce persecution - Revelation 12:11 

          3.      Access

a.       There are no limits in our relationship with God

                                                              i.      We can fellowship with Him in our Churches - Ephesians 4:3-6 

                                                            ii.      We can fellowship with Him in our Families - Deuteronomy 6:6-7 

                                                          iii.      We can fellowship with Him in our Communities - Acts 17:22-23 

                                                          iv.      We can fellowship with Him in our places of Business - Ephesians 6:7-8 

                                                            v.      We can fellowship with Him in our times of Play - Psalm 19:1 

           4.      Confidence

a.       We no longer need to walk with the shame and fear that the world lives in but in confident victory

                                                              i.      2 Timothy 1:7 

           5.      Through the Work of Christ

a.       All of this is possible by the blood of the Lamb who cleanses us from all sin

                                                              i.      1 John 1:9 

Ephesians 3:10-11

 

Ephesians 3:10-11

The People of Preaching

 

Eph 3:10  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 

Eph 3:11  According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 

         1.      God is Going to Reveal His Incredible Wisdom Through His Church

a.       What is the Church?

                                                              i.      Christ is head of the Universal Church

1.      Hebrews 12:23 

                                                            ii.      The local church should be under the leadership of men who submit to Christ

1.      Ephesians 4:11-12 

                                                          iii.      Christ nourishes His Church with His body

1.      John 6:53-56 

                                                          iv.      Christ unites His Church through His sacrifice

1.      1 Corinthians 11:23-24 

b.      How is God wise?

                                                              i.      His thoughts are higher than ours

1.      Isaiah 55:8-9 

                                                            ii.      His plans are eternal and cannot be altered

1.      Ephesians 1:11-12 

        2.      God’s Boast to the Heavenly Host is His Church

a.       Who are the heavenly host of which Paul speaks?

                                                              i.      Isaiah 6:2-3 

b.      The heavenly host stands in awe of the gospel we preach

                                                              i.      1 Peter 1:12 

c.       The Church is glorified by the enthronement of the Son

                                                              i.      Hebrews 1:5-8 

d.      The Son intends to use His Church to accomplish the final victory

                                                              i.      Romans 16:20 

         3.      God Makes All this Possible by His Son Who is the Bread of Life

a.       Jesus fuels the victory of His Church

                                                              i.      John 6:48-51 

Ephesians 3:9

 

Ephesians 3:9

The Purpose of Preaching

 

Eph 3:9  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 

        1.       The Purpose of Preaching is to Proclaim the Riches of Christ to All Until:

        2.       All Men Have Heard

a.       This message is no longer for Jews only

                                                              i.      Ephesians 3:6 

b.       Proclaiming this message was Paul’s life mission, for the which he gladly suffered

                                                              i.      Acts 26:15-18 

        3.       All Men Have the Opportunity to Understand the Mystery that was Previously Hidden Before Christ

a.       Christ is the light of the world

                                                              i.      John 8:12 

b.       Christ was there in the beginning

                                                              i.      Genesis 1:3 

c.       Christ will be there at the end

                                                              i.      Revelation 22:5 

d.       Christ is the light throughout

                                                              i.      Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 

e.       Christ is the light of the Gospel

                                                              i.      2 Corinthians 4:3-6

        4.       All Men Have the Opportunity to Become a Part of the Fellowship of the Church

a.       God’s plan from the beginning of time was to build His Church

                                                              i.      Ephesians 2:19-22 

b.       Jesus Himself proclaims that the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church

                                                              i.      Matthew 16:15-18 

       5.       All Men Bow Before Their Creator Jesus Christ

a.       All men will eventually submit to the Lordship of Christ

                                                              i.      Philippians 2:10-11

b.       The Church is made up of those who submit now

                                                              i.      Romans 10:9 

c.       The Church will have a representation from all the peoples of the earth

                                                              i.      Revelation 5:9-10 

Michael Reeves: After Darkness, Light

This sermon never fails to be an incredible encouragement every time I listen to it...

Ephesians 3:7-8

 

Ephesians 3:7-8

The Call to Preach

 

Eph 3:7  Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 

Eph 3:8  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 

·         Paul encourages the Ephesians believers (who were shocked by the news of his imprisonment) by reminding them of what the calling of a Pastor looks like

        1.       It is God Who Calls a Minister

a.       The call should be humbling to those it is placed upon

                                                              i.      1 Timothy 1:12-15 

        2.       A Good Minister Understands the Gift of Grace that was Given to Him

a.       No one is deserving of God’s love

                                                              i.      Ephesians 2:4-5 

b.       The glory belongs to Christ alone

                                                              i.      Romans 15:16-18 

c.       The victory is not due to anyone’s ability

                                                              i.      1 Corinthians 2:1-5 

        3.       A Good Ministers is Energized by the Power of the Holy Spirit

a.       Colossians 1:28-29 

        4.       A Good Minister Understands His Place in the Church

a.       The minister’s place in the church is last

                                                              i.      1 Corinthians 15:9-11 

b.       The greatest people in God’s Kingdom are the humblest servants

                                                              i.      Matthew 23:8-11 

         5.       A Good Ministers Understands the Purpose of His Calling

a.       A minister must primarily preach the gospel

                                                              i.      2 Corinthians 4:5-6 

b.       A minister must be willing to preach to all

                                                              i.      Matthew 28:19-20 

c.       A minister should always be holding forth the incredible riches of Christ

                                                              i.      What are some of the incredible riches of Christ?

1.       His Righteousness - 2 Corinthians 5:21 

2.       His Love - Ephesians 3:17-19 

3.       His Holy Spirit - Matthew 3:11 

4.       His Peace - John 14:27