Grosey's Messages

Call To Worship Psalm 103:7-22

Law and Grace Reading Jeremiah 31:31-37, Luke 22:14-20

Bible Reading: Ephesians 3:1-13  The Glorious Mystery of The Church

Induction of Elders Phillip and Marinus

Benediction  Hebrews 13:20,21

Ephesians 3:1-13 

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles---2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you,3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.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.

7 Of 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.8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.11 This was according 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 faith in him.13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Last Sunday we left Paul's prayer with the power of God in the resurrection of Jesus having a lazer focus on His power being for His people the Church!

the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.22 And he put all things under his feet 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.

Here is the first mention of the Church!  And all of God's power in this age is focused on the benefits to the Church!            God cares about the Church!!  Not the Building!  Not the organization!! The People.  But wait! ( I feel like the guy selling stuff on the Telly!) There's more!!

The Church is … a Mystery!!

9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

1. The MYSTERY of the Church.

The Church! Is a mystery!!  Most pastors realize that the Church is a mystery!

The word "mystery" occurs in verses 3, 4 and 9. It does not mean that which is obscure or unintelligible, but it means a divine secret which is known only to those to whom it is revealed – note verse 3, and compare 1 Corinthians 2: 7-12. The special revelation of the truth of the Church was first made to Paul, but he would not have understood the dispensational significance of the "mystery" of the Church apart from the revelation given to him by God; and likewise we cannot understand the significance of the "mystery" without the help and illumination of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:9 In all wisdom and insight9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him10 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.

NKJV 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth

The issue is the phase. Some call it the administration. Other translations call it the dispensation.

9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things ESV

KJV NKJV 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation  οἰκονομίαν of the grace of God.

NASB  2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you 9 and to bring to light what is the administration οἰκονομία of the mystery NASB

God's secret plan --- a secret that has been hidden for ages in God who has created all things.NET

⁶ τῆς ἐπαγγελίαςPromise  Covenant   it is the New Covenant blessing poured out on

This was according to the eternal purpose 11  ESV NET

(Eph 3:11 [SBLGNT]) κατὰ πρόθεσιν τῶν αἰώνων ἣν ἐποίησεν ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν,

the mystery of Christ,5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs συγκληρονόμα, members of the same body σύσσωμα, and partakers συμμέτοχα   of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Basically it is all saying the same thing.  In God's purpose of the ages, the mystery of the church Jews and Gentiles are vs 6 fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.  it is the New Covenant blessing poured out on Jews and Gentiles.  And this is the mystery.

Through the inexhaustible riches in the gospel of Christ, anyone may be a partaker of the covenant promised blessings, and are made part of the church.

Paul claimed a unique privilege: God had made known to him the mystery (v. 3 ); it had come through revelation.

Revelation comes through Scripture.  But the revelation of it is made personal TO EACH ONE OF US WHO KNOW Him.  Just as Paul had the gospel made known to Him, so do you and I. But what is the mystery Paul is talking about? The mystery is not Christ's secret, but the secret which is Christ . Paul is talking here about one significant phase of God's secret, which is Christ in whom all things are to be united. That particular phase is the calling of the Gentiles to share equally with the Jews the promise which hitherto had been seen as only a gift to Israel: 'that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel' ( Eph. 3:6 ).

"God's all inclusive purpose which has as its ultimate goal the uniting of all things in heaven and earth in Christ. Here, a more limited dimension to the mystery focusses on Gentiles, along with Jews, being incorporated into the body of Christ and thus participating in the divine salvation." PT O'Brien.

The unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ belong to all who belong to Christ.

As a recipient of the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ, Paul refers to himself in verses 4 and 5 he makes a bold claim: he possesses a knowledge of the mystery of Christ which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men.

2. The MEANS of this Mystery being conveyed to the Church

6 the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

8 this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,⁹ and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,

Verse 6 tells us that the Church, which is the Body of Christ, is composed of Jews and Gentiles. This is the "mystery" – that Jew and Gentile were to be united in one body was an entirely new thing. But how is the "Body", the Church, formed? It is formed "through the gospel" (verse 6); that is, by the preaching of the gospel. When the gospel is preached the Holy Spirit convicts and converts, souls are born again – Jews and Gentiles – and are baptised into the Body of Christ – 1 Corinthians 12: 13. This is what the Holy Spirit is doing today (Acts 15: 13-14), and only those who have been born again and washed in the precious blood of Christ are true members of the Church, which is His Body.

3. The MISSION of the Church.

8 this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,⁹ and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,

What is the function of the Church in the world? It is a two-fold function, as verses 8 and 10 make clear. The mission of the Church is not just to gather people together for "religious" purposes; it is not to compete with the world in worldly things, nor is it to convert the world. The mission of the Church is to evangelise the world.  Matthew 28:18–20:  Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Joyfully following Jesus and sharing his love

• WIN …..  EVANGELISE
• BUILD….. ESTABLISH
• SEND….. EQUIP AND EXTEND

The purpose and ministry of the Church in the world is that men may hear the gospel, and that to the angels and unseen hosts may be made known "the manifold wisdom of God."

10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Note the Church's message – "the unsearchable riches of Christ", and "the manifold wisdom of God" – not merely ethics, morality, philosophy or politics.

4. The MINISTERS of the Church.

Of 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.8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,9 and to bring to light for everyone

Verse 7 tells us that Paul was a minister, or servant, of the Church, and therefore of the gospel, but the word here is not used in any official sense. All true members of the Church are ministers of the Church and are responsible to take their share in proclaiming the gospel. Notice how we become ministers or servants. Paul writes, "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace" (verse 7). If the question is asked, "How are ministers made?", the answer is that God makes them!

5. The MARKS of the Church.

συγκληρονόμα and fellow members of the body σύσσωμα, and fellow partakers συμμέτοχα  

This portion of scripture tells us also some of the characteristics of those men and women, Jews and Gentiles, who are members of the Church.

 'fellow heirs and partakers of the promise.' 'members of the same body.'

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers

W       Worship

I         Instruction

F         Fellowship

E        Evangelism

Happier people make better team members. Yet he reports that fewer than one in five people consider their boss to be a close friend. But when a team member is close to the boss, she is two and a half times more likely to be satisfied on the job The team with it loves each other. Not only do they minister together, they do life together. What they have is more than friendship. It's something that God gives — more of a partnership of people with deep love committed to a single mission. You're more than friends. You're a team.

Have you heard of the book with the memorable title Refrigerator Rights? In it, authors Will Miller and Glenn Sparks talk about how few people today have these rights in each other's lives. You're probably wondering,

What are refrigerator rights? a person who is so trusted that they can walk into your home, open your refrigerator, and help  themselves to a sandwich and a drink. They don't have to ask.

By contrast, teams with it are so connected and committed to each other, they almost always have refrigerator rights. When someone else sees it, they look on with envy. Why don't we hug like that? Why can't I open your refrigerator and make myself a sandwich with Dijon mustard and cheese? Why can't I borrow a pair of your boxers? But just as the jerk agent in Jerry Maguire couldn't fake a hug, you can't fake this kind of bond. Not every ministry team has it. Most don't. And its absence is as obvious as its presence in a team. Instead of humming with a relational buzz, a room of it-less people is mostly silent. When they do talk, it's all business. Little laughter, little joy, little life. They work together, but they don't share it together.

Aussies are very Independent. We don't need to depend on anyone for money. They want to be professionally independent — I don't report to anyone. And they want to be relationally independent — I don't need anyone or answer to anyone.

A business woman wants to believe she's a self-made woman. Many athletes are more concerned with their own performance than with the results of their teams. Even in marriages, people are often more concerned with what they can get instead of what they can give.

It's not surprising that many twenty-first-century people are afraid. With as much relational pain as they endure, especially those who have served in ministry and leadership roles, it's no wonder they're gun shy.

Betrayed confidences, dragging us through awkward seasons of pain and fear. For a while, we didn't ever want to trust again. Maybe you can relate. Perhaps there was a time when you opened up to someone about your personal hurt only to have them belittle your pain. Or you trusted someone who ended up betraying you. Or you gave your heart to someone who walked away and rejected you. Unconsciously, you decided you'd make it on your own. You'd be independent, not needing anyone. Like Simon and Garfunkel, you might sing the classic folk song, "I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain. It's laughter and it's loving I disdain. I am a rock. I am an island."

I can't tell you how many ministers I've talked to who are terrified to open up. They're paralyzed with fear, certain that if they let someone in, they'll get hurt — again. Maybe that's you.

After being burned, now you live like so many others as a rock or an island. You're independent but acutely aware that something isn't quite right. You might have a constant low-grade frustration.

Maybe you're plagued with a nagging sense of melancholy. You live in a persistent state of mild depression. You know something is missing, but you can't put your finger on what it is.

As long as you're afraid of intimacy and spiritual partnership, you won't likely experience it. To have it, you have to share it with each other. Just as there's no I in team, there's no it in independence.

When it walks alone, vultures circle and obituaries are written.

God told Adam that it isn't good to be alone. Solomon said that two are better than one. Jesus even said that God is present when two or three gather in his name. Those who have it experience it best together.

Ephesians 2:19 – 21 says, "You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. We are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord" (NLT, emphasis mine).

God wants you to be active members of his family. You are to be joined together. Henry Ford said, "Coming together is a beginning. Keeping it together is progress. Working together is success."

You can't experience it alone. God wants you to share it. And yet for so many, the goal is to be independent. These well-intentioned people fail to realize that to be independent is to be distinctly non-Christian. Did you get that? Many people pursue a goal that is opposed to God's plan. God designed you to be interdependent. He wants you depending on him and on his people.

If you want it, you'll experience it best when you live in authentic community with God's people.

Blame the  mobile phone. Blame the internet, we can now stream whatever we want to the Boob tube.

The TV makes boobs of us.

What's more, technology has relieved us of the need to talk face to face. We can text or email instead, avoiding unpleasant topics and saving the time that deep conversations require. We can bank online, buy shoes online, do all of our Christmas shopping online, use self-service checkout lines, and never have to talk to anyone. We might be dependent on technology, but we no longer seem to be dependent on people.

Have you recognized this independent mindset bleeding into the church? Many people want to come to church services anonymously. Some want to work independently of the team. Yet the New Testament is peppered with "one another" reminders. While Scripture says to love one another, encourage one another, offer hospitality to one another, be kind to one another, many people are content tolerating one another, if not ignoring one another. 

Testimony. (verse 8); 

Acceptance. (verses 11 – l2). 11 This was according 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 faith in him

Underline the words "approach", "freedom", "confidence" and "in Him".

We, Jew or Gentile, bond or free all have access to God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

6. The MIGHT of the Church.

Of 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.

There are those who think that because the witness of the Church today is often weak and ineffective, and many Christians are half-hearted, the Church will decline until she fades away altogether! – but the Church will never fail, because the Lord Jesus Christ is her Founder, her Foundation, her Builder, and He has guaranteed that no power on earth or in Hell will prevail against His Church.

12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

1. Understand the Big Picture

To be a strong team, every player on a football team must understand the mission of the team, and their part on that mission. This is where vision and camaraderie overlap and enhance each other. If a church member doesn't see how her role fits into the big picture, she will wake up and feel like she is just doing a job. She'll feel undervalued, unappreciated, and unimportant. Her purpose must be expressed explicitly, not just assumed. Everyone needs his or her deserved share of the credit. When a person understands and embraces the mission, they'll enjoy and appreciate the camaraderie of sacrificing together. They willingly "give up" some things they love for something they love even more — reaching people for Christ. Without regular reminders of why we do what we do, of how our part contributes to something wonderful, a team will lose it and simply be a bunch of people doing their own gig.

Our Mission, like Paul's is to proclaim the inexhaustible riches of Christ, so that others may know Him too and become part of the Mystery, the Church!

2. Have Fun Together

Enjoy fellowship with each other in the Mission God has given us. Laugh together, often. Appreciate One another.

Instead of avoiding relationships and striving for independence, I'm asking God to make me interdependent, like the believers of the early church. Remember when Peter preached in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost and three thousand people met Christ? These new believers had it in a special way. Without coffee in the lobby, without four-color mailers, and without an awesome website to rely on, these believers depended on God's presence and his people. They had it, and it spread rapidly. Scripture shows:

• The believers were devoted to God's Word, to spending time together, and to each other (Acts 2:42).

• Because of their commitment, everyone was blown away by what God was doing (Acts 2:43).

• They were so committed to each other that if someone had a need, someone else would sell something and give the money to them. They were so generous that eventually no one had a need (Acts 2:44 – 45; 4:34).

• They spent time together in their homes. They had refrigerator rights (Acts 2:46).

• God gave them great favour with people, who begged to be a part. Others saw it and wanted it. People were being saved every day (Acts 2:47).