The completion of our Saturday - 9.27.19 teaching: What is God’s plan?
Ephesians 3 NLT
(Read Ephesians 3:1-7)
1 When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles.
2 assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles.
3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me.
4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ.
5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.
6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.
7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.
Commentary on Ephesians 3:1-7
For having preached the doctrine of truth, the apostle was a prisoner, but a prisoner of Jesus Christ; the object of special protection and care, while thus suffering for him.
All the gracious offers of the gospel, and the joyful tidings it contains, come from the rich grace of God; it is the great means by which the Spirit works grace in the souls of men.
The mystery is that secret, hidden purpose of salvation through Christ.
This was not so fully and clearly shown in the ages before Christ, as unto the prophets of the New Testament.
This was the great truth made known to the apostle, that God would call the Gentiles to salvation by faith in Christ.
An effectual working of Divine power attends the gifts of Divine grace. As God appointed Paul to the office, so he qualified him for it.
Read Ephesians 3:8-12
8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.
9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.
10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.
Commentary on Ephesians 3:8-12
Those whom God advances to honorable employments, he makes low in their own eyes; and where God gives grace to be humble, there he gives all other needful grace.
How highly he speaks of Jesus Christ; the unsearchable riches of Christ!
Though many are not enriched with these riches; yet how great a favor to have them preached among us, and to have an offer of them! And if we are not enriched with them it is our own fault.
The first creation, when God made all things out of nothing, and the new creation, whereby sinners are made new creatures by converting grace, are of God by Jesus Christ.
His riches are as unsearchable and as sure as ever, yet while angels adore the wisdom of God in the redemption of his church, the ignorance of self-wise and carnal men deems the whole to be foolishness.
Read Ephesians 3:13-19
13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.
14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,
15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.
16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Commentary on Ephesians 3:13-19
The apostle seems to be more anxious lest the believers should be discouraged and faint upon his tribulations, than for what he had to bear. He asks for spiritual blessings, which are the best blessings.
Strength from the Spirit of God in the inner man; strength in the soul; the strength of faith, to serve God, and to do our duty.
If the law of Christ is written in our hearts, and the love of Christ is shed abroad there, then Christ dwells there.
Where his Spirit dwells, there he dwells. We should desire that good affections may be fixed in us. And how desirable to have a fixed sense of the love of God in Christ to our souls! How powerfully the apostle speaks of the love of Christ!
The breadth shows its extent to all nations and ranks; the length, that it continues from everlasting to everlasting; the depth, it's saving those who are sunk into the depths of sin and misery; the height, it's raising them up to heavenly happiness and glory.
Those who receive grace for grace from Christ's fullness may be said to be filled with the fullness of God. Should not this satisfy man? Must he need to fill himself with a thousand trifles, fancying thereby to complete his happiness?
Read Ephesians 3:20, 21
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Commentary on Ephesians 3:20, 21
It is proper always to end prayers with praises.
Let us expect more, and ask for more, encouraged by what Christ has already done for our souls, being assured that the conversion of sinners, and the comfort of believers, will be to his glory, forever and ever.
Blessings on you all, till the Holy Spirit moves us again.
By Gary Miller - 7.29.19