Christian Ministry: Part I – Not For Wimps! Eph. 3:7-10 Purpose: for God’s people to surrender to God’s ministry of the gospel 1. God’s Gracious Gift “¦ to the Least Ephesians 3:7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, How did Paul become a minister? according to the gift of God’s grace (see Acts 9:1-14) If you are in ministry, or plan to be, are you called? Does this apply to you and me? See 1 Corinthians 1:22-31 2. The Creator’s Ambassadors Ephesians 3:8b to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; For what action was this grace given to Paul? to preach To whom? the Gentiles What’s the message? the unfathomable riches of Christ And to bring to light the administration of the mystery, the gospel now revealed That was hidden in whom? in God This is nothing less than the purpose of creation itself Does this apply to you and me? See 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 3. Our Super-Natural Purpose Ephesians 3:10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. What’s the final outcome? that the manifold wisdom of God now be made known Through? the church To whom? the rulers and authorities in heavenly places Conclusion: We must never “play” with Christianity

The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed! Eph. 3:5-6 Purpose: rediscovering God’s crystal clear will all along to save the nations in Christ 1. The Gospel Mystery Now Revealed Ephesians 3: 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; Though not revealed before, how is the mystery revealed now and to whom? To His holy apostles and prophets In the Spirit (think about God revealing first) See 2 Timothy 3:16 & 2 Peter 1:20-21 & Ephesians 3:8-12 Point? Every word counts! See again Ephesians 3:3-4 2. The Gospel Mystery Includes All Nations Ephesians 3: 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, What specifically is the mystery (Eph. 3:3) which is now revealed? The Gentiles are described how? 1) fellow heirs (think inheritance) 2) fellow members of the body (think membership, identification) 3) fellow partakers of the promise (think covenant) How? 1) in Christ (think about the cross and resurrection) 2) through the gospel (think good news) The eternal gospel of salvation now revealed is defined in: Luke 24:45-47 & 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 & Acts 2:22-24 & Galatians 3:6-9 Is the gospel for you? Is the gospel only for you? What’s the implication of God’s gospel revealed this way?

“Christ Revealed in His Word” Ephesians 3:1-4 Purpose: to understand Christ by reading His mystery revealed 1. Paul’s Responsibility, Our Rescue Ephesians 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you Paul is a prisoner of Christ Jesus for who? Gentiles Paul is a steward of God’s grace, given to him for who? Gentiles 2. Revelation Revealed Ephesians 3:3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. How did Paul receive this stewardship? By revelation What exactly was made known to Paul which he now shares with us? the mystery What did Paul do with the revelation? wrote it down Therefore this is directly from God, through Paul, to you and me! 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21 3. Read the Revelation Ephesians 3:4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ How can we see the mystery of Christ? when you read

The (Bigger) Story of Christmas Purpose: to rediscover God’s providence over all of history to bring Christ 1. God’s Providence in the King’s Ancestors Why all the names? Matthew 1:1-17; 1 Samuel 8; 2 Samuel 7; Ruth 2. God’s Prophecy About the King This was all foretold for centuries Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, 11:10, 62:11; Daniel 7:13-14, 27; Micah 5:2; Psalm 118:26 3. God In Person The King, God in the Flesh, is Born Matthew 1:18-25 4. God’s People Matthew 21:1-9; Luke 24:45-47; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Titus 2:11-15 Are you one of the King’s very own?

Built By Doctrine Ephesians 2:19-22 Purpose: To define true Christian Unity centered around Doctrine, building us up to Christ! 1. Unity in God’s Household Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, We are no longer strangers and aliens to God!! (see 1 Peter 1:1ff) But we are in fact fellow citizens with the saints We are of the household of GOD 2. Built By Doctrine! Ephesians 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. The Blueprint for The Kingdom Building, The Church Foundation = apostles and prophets Built On Doctrine! Cornerstone = Christ Jesus Himself This building can grow into a holy temple in the Lord How does it “grow”? Your “are being” what? built together Who, then, is the Master Builder? God Himslef, the Spirit What are the 6 elements that make up this building? Foundation of 1) Apostles (NT) and 2) prophets (OT) Corner stone of 3) Christ Jesus Temple in the Lord 4) Jews & Gentiles together in one body Together into 5) dwelling of God In 6)the Spirit

The Peace Treaty Signed in the King’s Blood! Ephesians 2:14-18 Purpose: to be at peace with God in the body of Christ 1. The Person of Peace Ephesians 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one When you are looking for peace you are looking for a person, Jesus Christ Who are “both groups”? Jews and Gentiles 2. The Provision of Peace Ephesians 2:14 and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, Who broke down the barrier? Christ, by abolishing in His flesh the Law “So that” peace was made “in Himself” 3. The Price of Peace Ephesians 2:16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. Two outcomes: 1) The two are reconciled to God and 2) they are one body How was this all done? through the cross In Christ the enemy is dead! 4. Peace Proclaimed to All Ephesians 2:17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; OT prophesy fulfilled – see Is. 57:19. In Isaiah, who does the work? the LORD 5. Peace Leads to Corporate Praise Ephesians 2:18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. How do all peoples have access to the Father? Through Jesus Christ In one Spirit This is peace between God and man, which brings peace between man and man

Life ““ BC & AD Ephesians 2:11-13 Purpose: to make clear the difference between BC and AD 1. Life B.C. Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands “” 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. “Remember” 5 things you were B.C. 1) separate from Christ 2) excluded from Israel 3) strangers to the covenants of promise 4) having no hope 5) without God in the world In other words, we were Christ-less, hopeless, and Godless 2. Life in Christ Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. But now how are we described? having been brought near (passive verb) How? In Christ Specifically, by the blood of Christ To summarize, it is God who brings hopeless, Godless, stranger-Gentiles near to Himself in Christ by His blood! In other words, we are now in Christ, with hope, with God, with the covenants of promise, with Israel.

Living Recreated Lives In Christ Ephesians 2:8-10 Purpose: to live the way we were created to live 1. God’s Glory Exalted in His grace Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. What do “by” and “through” indicate? exactly how salvation happens Notice the parallel “not” statements What are they? not of yourselves and not as a result of works Salvation is a gift of God Have you received it? It is all this way “so that” no one may boast See Romans 3:27-30 2. Living Out The Purpose of Our Salvation Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. The “holy ones” are the workmanship of Whom? God Created how? in Christ Jesus For what? good works Which came from where? God prepared beforehand Notice the stark contrast between the use of “walk” here and in v. 2 The “who” and the “how” and the “why” of salvation: Believers are saved by God’s grace, through our faith, for good works

Made Alive Together With Christ Ephesians 2:4-7 Purpose: God glorified in how He made believers alive 1. God’s Mercy & Love Made Us Alive Ephesians 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), God is rich in mercy and His love is great Even when? we were dead in our transgressions See Romans 5:8,10; 8:7 “Enemies” God made us alive together with Christ How? By grace you have been saved Past tense! Passive verb A drowning man 2. Caught Up Together in His Resurrection Ephesians 2:6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, God raised us up with Christ, and God seated us with Christ in heavenly places See Colossians 3 3. God’s Riches on Display Forever Ephesians 2:7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Why did God do this? The words “so that” introduce the purpose clause God’s surpassing riches of His grace are exalted in His kindness towards us See 1 Peter 1:12; Revelation 1:6; 4:9,11; 5:12-13; 7:12; 19:7 This is all about His glory.

The Walking Dead Ephesians 2:1-3 Purpose: Apart from Christ all people are dead. Only in Christ is life. 1) Apart from Christ People are Dead Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, In our trespasses and sins, we were dead See Romans 3:23 2) The Walking Dead Ephesians 2:2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. We “walked” in our sins according to course of this world, and the prince of the power of the air The death spirit is now working where? in the sons of disobedience See John 8:37-44 3) By Nature Children of Wrath Ephesians 2:3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Christians were “among them” living how? in the lusts of our flesh Indulging in the desires of the flesh and the mind See Eph. 4:17ff & Col. 2:8 We “were” children of wrath by what? nature Do you have to do an act of sin to received God’s wrath? no See Eph. 5:6 & Col. 3:6 The definition of death and life – 1 Corinthians 15:22 & Colossians 3:1-4 “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.

The All-Supremacy of Jesus Christ! Ephesians 1: 19-23 Purpose: to rediscover the All-Supremacy of Jesus Christ 1. God’s Mighty Power at Work Ephesians 1:19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might God’s power toward who? us who believe All of this is in accordance with what? the working of the strength of His might See Ephesians 1:11 2. God’s Power in Jesus Christ’s Resurrection Ephesians 1:20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead God’s power brought about in whom? in Christ When He did what? raised Christ from the dead See Acts 2:22-24 3. God’s Power in Establishing Jesus’ Absolute Supremacy Ephesians 1: and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. After raising Jesus from the dead God then seated Him at His right hand How authoritative is Christ? all (Person, Place, Time) See Matthew 28:18 For how long is Christ supreme? in this age and the age to come 4. God’s Power in Establishing Jesus Christ’s Dominion Ephesians 1:22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, How many things are in subjection to Christ’s ruling authority as King? all See Psalm 110 5. God’s Power in Placing Jesus Christ as the Head of the Church Ephesians 1:22b and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Christ is head over all things to the church The church is called His body See Ephesians 4:15 & Colossians 1:18 Eph. 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ Col. 1:18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. The church will only find her true identity fulfilled in full obedience and submission to Christ

Paul’s Powerful Prayer Ephesians 1:15-19 Purpose: to have knowledge and sight of the Father’s glory in Christ 1. Paul’s Ceaseless Gratitude Ephesians 1:15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; Paul’s Basis for Prayer: Because they are faithful saints and they love saints 2. “¦To Have Spiritual Knowledge Ephesians 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. Paul’s Petitions Prayer: That God grant a spirit of wisdom and revelation, in the knowledge of Him 3. “¦ To Have Heart Sight Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. Paul’s Goal for Us in Prayer: That we know three facts that enhance the Father’s glory: 1) To know the hope of His calling 2) To know the riches of the glory of His inheritance (adoption language) 3) To know the “surpassing greatness” of His power towards believers

The Mystery Revealed: The Supremacy of Christ! Ephesians 1:9-14 Purpose: to rediscover God’s will, the summing up of all things IN CHRIST 1. God Reveals Christ’s Supremacy Ephesians 1:9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. v. 9 Who made known to us this mystery? God According to what? His kind intention Purposed in whom? Him, i.e., Jesus Christ v. 10 What is the mystery revealed? the summing up of all things in Christ “footstool” (see Ps 110; Luke 20:43; Acts 2:34-6) “Alpha and Omega” (see Rev. 1:8, 21:6, 22:13) “Head” (see Eph. 1:22, 4:15, 5:23) 2. God’s Will Secures Our Inheritance Ephesians 1:10b In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. v. 11 In Christ we obtain inheritance How? having been predestined According to whose purpose? His How much does God work by the counsel of His own will? all things v. 12 To what end? to the praise of His glory 3. God’s Possession Saved & Sealed Ephesians 1:13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation “” having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. v. 13 After listening and believing (see Rom. 10:13-17) In Christ we were sealed with whom? Holy Spirit v. 14 What is a pledge? down payment or first installment What is the purpose? _God’s redemption of His possession_ (see Titus 2:11-15) To what end? to the praise of His glory