The Mystery of Christ: The Indiscriminate Gospel - For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 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. 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. (Ephesians 3:1-6 English Standard Version, 2016)
Intro
Paul
Paul received by revelation
Mystery of Christ: can say, the mystery of the Gospel
Not made known to other generations
Gentiles: we really need to appreciate the irony here, that the Redeemer of Israel, the Messiah who the Jews thought was coming to free them from the Gentiles, came to save the Gentiles
Members of the same body: the church, the body of Christ, members of the kingdom of God, members of the family of God
partakers of the promise: the promise is salvation - God will not forsake you, or leave you, you have eternal life, you are forgiven
Main point: Paul reveals that the Gospel call is indiscriminate.
Greeks are fellow heirs
It was a radical idea that greeks, those who were not at all seeking to know the Lord... yet the Lord actively seeks them to save them. This is grace.
1 john 2:2 propitiation for the whole world. Jn 3:16.
heritage: bloodline, race, nationality, religious cleanliness
Ethnocentric discrimination was even within among the Jews. The pharisees would not believe Jesus was a prophet because He came from Galilee.
Search tags: Ephesians, Christ, Gentiles, unity, Sovereign Election
given responsibility to preach to Gentiles: irony, one of the most zealous Jew, who loves the Jews, and desires for the Jews to be saved . . . he is sent to the Gentiles
Paul a prisoner: bound to Gentiles instead of to Jews
only Scripture can make new revelation
the Holy Spirit affirms to us the truthfulness of Paul's revelation; The Spirit brings all things of God to remembrance
The thought arises, "I didnt ask for this help. Why is God forcing Himself on me?!"
Understanding that no one first seeks for God until God first seeks after him, it seems quite pridefully illogical to fault God for awakening those who were not seeking Him first. It is like faulting a parent for guarding, protecting, and rescuing his infant from danger because the infant is obstinate toward the help.
contrast as Greek prisoner
Salvation doesnt depend on where we came from or anything intrinsically in us. It depends completely on the sovereign election of God. The Gospel is about God choosing to save some solely according to His own desire to save.
Gospel call: Whosoever will come
Application: honor our heroes (Christ being the ultimate hero); spread the Gospel indiscriminately
paul wished himself accursed for the sake of the Jews
Paul's background: Pharisee of Pharisees; intelligent; zealous; tent maker; prisoner
Context: Ephesians has been talking about God's glory in our redemption, knowing God, God's grace in our salvation, unity of God's people; Paul in prison; Ephesians discouraged
John 3:16 for God so loved the world