Purpose of the Mystery

Purpose of the Mystery
Ephesians 3:8-13
8 To Me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unreachable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
V. 8 In the first half of this verse Paul lifts up God and not himself, as he considers himself least among the saints. A true minister of God does not promote himself, nor does he allow others to do it. They are to promote God, and to shepherd the congregation. What does it mean to shepherd? The pastor is to lead the flock to good food and water, and keep them from danger. What does the pastor get from this? He gets the satisfaction of watching a well fed safe church meet the needs of the community. He sees the fruits of the congregation manifests in the lives of its members. He is fed by the fruits of the church, but his real glory is in heaven. If you are doing the will of God, it is God who will reward you. If you are employed by the Acme Company is it not the Acme Company that issues you the paycheck. It is not your coworkers, but the company. If you are doing the will of God, is it not God who meets your needs? The worker does not seek his reward in the praises of the people, but by what God has for him. In this the preacher does not ask? What does the church want me to preach today, but what does God have for them. In both instances he is considering the needs of the people, but wouldn’t it be better to ask God who knows them better?
V.9 Paul wanted others to see his heart that was sold out to the calling of God. That he was to spread the truth of God’s purpose of the church, which was to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Knowing the end from the beginning as we do now, it is easy to see that the Jews were to be a shining light to the world that others would want to come to God. Others were to learn that through sacrifice and faith that they grew closer to God. I can’t help but think of the time that God drew His people near the mountain in order to deal with them directly, to be their God. The people feared the Spirit of God and insisted that Moses continue as their mediator. I wonder how things might have been different if the nation of Israel, had indeed longed to commune directly with God. Now Paul says the mystery of Fellowship that was hidden in God, has now been revealed in His Son Jesus Christ. That He was the link not only between man and God, but to the Jews and the Gentiles. We have a mediator, in Jesus that links us directly, through God’s indwelling Spirit, to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, also to the promises given to them.
V.10, 11 according to what Paul is saying in these two verses certain things not only were hidden form the Jews, but also from the demons and angels. There are mysteries of the Bible that can be revealed by study and communion with the Holy Spirit, and there are things of God that have yet to be revealed to us. How marvelous and great is the mind of God, and what great things have yet to be revealed to us. Paul was caught away to the third heaven and yet was not permitted to reveal what He had seen. Jesus told the Disciples that the time of the second coming was known only by the Father. Did Satan really realize the full extent of His action at gaining temporary victory at the cross?
With the death of Christ and the manifold wisdom of God being displayed to the church through the gift of the Holy Spirit, God’s eternal purpose in salvation is now revealed to all through Jesus. By manifold wisdom, God means that He is displaying His wisdom to His people, through His people even to this day. I found this interesting little story while on the internet; William Phelps taught English literature at Yale for forty-one years until his retirement in 1933. Marking an examination paper shortly before Christmas one year, Phelps came across the note: "God only knows the answer to this question. Merry Christmas." Phelps returned the paper with this note: "God gets an A. You get an F. Happy New Year." Today in the Word, October, 1990, p. 10. There are things which are meant for us to know and there are things which have yet to be given us. 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I am known. The full wisdom of God will be revealed to us when we cross over Jordan, and enter that place that has been prepared for us. Until then we will study His word, and listen to the Holy Spirit, as we grow in Grace to what God desires us to be, and He works through us to make known His plan to all, both in heaven and on earth.
V. 12 “we have boldness and access” Acts 4:13-31 tells of a story where Peter and John were forbidden to preach in Jesus name. They went to prayer and were filled with boldness to do exactly that, preach in Jesus name. Their boldness did not come from arrogance, but from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the power of God. They preached out of faith, and the knowing of who Jesus was. They had a message that they knew would save the people if they would just listen. Have you ever known something in your heart to be true and while trying to convey your message to others met with resistance. First the Jews would have to admit they were wrong and they had just witnessed the death of their Messiah. Can you imagine how tough that would be? Yet some were so moved by the preaching of the disciples that they accepted, by faith, what was being taught.
It is Jesus that allows us to be heard of God, and to hear from God. If not for His death and resurrection we would be lost in sin with no hope of heavenly resurrection. We would be dead in our sins, forever lost. If you take away a man’s hope what is he left with. Many prisoners cling to the hope that one day they would be released, that the bars that confine them will be opened and they shall emerge a free person. If you take away that hope, what are they left with? It is Christ who enters into the throne room of God and says, Father I have someone I want you to meet. Can you imagine? It is the Father who looks at us and says I have been waiting for you. Wow what a scene that was when we first believed. It is the Father who says, now you go tell others of My Son. It is He that fills us with the boldness to do His work for His glory, so that scene can be repeated over and over, for the glory of God.
V. 13 Paul tells the Ephesians to stay strong because of what God has been done in their lives and not look toward the tribulations. If we make a stand for Christ the world will hate you. Jesus tells us that they hated Him and they will hate you. Paul encourages them to bear tribulation patiently, knowing that they leave behind a powerful witness. I will leave you with one more story from Foxe’s Christian Martyrs of the World.
Of James, the brother of the Lord, we read the following. James, being considered a just and perfect man, governed the Church with the apostles. He drunk no wine or any strong drink, ate no meat, and never shaved his head. He was the only man allowed to enter into the holy place, for he never wore wool, just linen. He would enter into the temple alone, fall on his knees, and ask remission for the people, doing this so often that his knees lost their sense of feeling and became hardened, like the knees of a camel. Because of his holy life, James was called “The Just” and “the safeguard of the people.”
When many of the chief men had been converted, the Jews, scribes, and Pharisees began to fear that soon all the people would decide to follow Jesus. They met with James, saying, “We beg you to restrain the people, for they believe Jesus as though he were Christ. Persuade those who come to the Passover to think correctly about Christ, because they will all listen to you. Stand on the top of the temple so you can be heard by everyone.”
During Passover the scribes and Pharisees put James on top of the temple, calling out to him, “You just man, whom we all ought to obey, this people is going astray after Jesus, who was crucified.”
And James answered, “Why do you ask me of Jesus the Son of Man? He sits on the right hand of the Most High, and shall come in the clouds of heaven.”
Hearing this, many in the crowd were persuaded and glorified God, crying, “Hosanah to the Son of David!”
Then the scribes and Pharisees realized they had done the wrong thing by allowing James to testify of Christ. They cried out, “Oh, this just man is seduced, too!” then they went up and threw James off the temple.
But James wasn’t killed by the fall. He turned, fell on his knees, and called, “O Lord God, Father, I beg You to forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
They decided to stone James, but a priest said to them, “Wait! What are you doing? The just man is praying for you!” But one of the men there-a fuller-took the instrument he used to beat cloth and hit James on the head, killing him, and they buried him where he fell. James was a true witness for Christ to the Jews and the Gentiles.
Trouble will come, we can turn form God in it, or we can be like Paul and rejoice. For if we are imprisoned, we are imprisoned for Christ, if we are killed we are to be with Christ, and if we are set free we are free to tell of Christ.