Box 21899. Windhoek. Namibia Tell 00264 61 262317 Cell 00264 81 2629201Abstract of the sermon by Laban Mwashekele, September the 2nd 2006
The theme
(as we all know) is “the Glory of Christ and His Bride, which I sub-themed as “the unsearchable riches in Christ” (see 3:8c)
Introduction
In the text entrusted to me, namely Ephesians Chapter 3, the apostle Paul begins with a statement in 3:1: “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus ...
Abstract of the sermon by Laban Mwashekele, September the 2nd 2006
The theme
(as we all know) is “the Glory of Christ and His Bride, which I sub-themed as “the unsearchable riches in Christ” (see 3:8c)
Introduction
In the text entrusted to me, namely Ephesians Chapter 3, the apostle Paul begins with a statement in 3:1: “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles” – where after he abruptly stops and finds himself confronted by two burning issues on his heart, expressing this with the words found in verse 2 (3): “If indeed you have heard of the dispensation (administration) of the grace of God which was given to me for you…” (NKJV). We see the apostle’s logic and fire taking hold of him, and forcing him to deal with the 2 burning issues before he can resume his flow of thought in 3:14 (note the “For this reason” found in 3:1 “which he resume (recommence)” in 3:14).
Why this interruption (3:2-13)? Paul originally intended to pray once again for the Ephesian church on the ground which he has just said in Chapter 2. Prayer is something that characterizes his whole ministry – as we have observed elsewhere; ex. 1:15-23. But as I said; then he remembers something very vital. What is it? Well, I will show you what he has seen which indicates the cause of this interruption. It should be noted that this kind of interruption in Paul’s thinking is not uncommon. For instance in Romans 1:8 he said: “First, I thank my God for you…” and yet no “Second, …” up to the end of his epistle. Why? While sometimes Paul’s logic dominates the fire, at other times his fire for the Lord dominates his logic.
The body of the sermon
What has he seen and why this interruption? As I said, he struggled with two burning issues on his heart (which he was compelled to express), namely:
1) The mystery revealed / made known to... (3:2-6) and
2) The ministry entrusted to him – in 3:7-12;
Having expressed (stated his concern about) the two burning issues on his heart in one hand; then he has to release the fire related to it on the other hand by offering:
3) The prayers as an appreciation of this mystery (see 3:14-19) and
4) The praises as a benediction to his ministry (see 3:20-21).
Let us try to see this point by point.
1) The mystery revealed / made known to… (3:2-6) is all about
a) The dispensation of God’s grace which is the heart of, and a revelation of the mystery revealed / made known to Paul / to the holy apostles and prophets (3:2-5).
i) The definition of Grace: to receive what we didn’t deserve;
ii) The inauguration of Grace on the throne. The word throne in the NT is either related
(1) To God (of God) – Mt 5:23, 23:22
(2) To Glory (of Christ’s glory) – Mt 19:28, 25:31
(3) To Grace (of Grace) – Heb 4:16);
iii) The reign of Grace over us, from the first sinner to the last elect saint (see Romans 5:21);
iv) The programme (well defined in the Bible – see ex. Acts 13:16-48);
v) The management of the reign of Grace – Heb 11.
b) The nature of this mystery (3:6 – that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakes of the promise of Christ Jesus through the gospel) is underlined in five different ways in which the gentles were affected (not mentioned w.r.t the Jews). They should remember that they were
i) without Christ”,” (2:12a)
ii) “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel” (2:12b)
iii) “strangers from the covenant of promise” (2:12c)
iv) “having no hope” (12d) and
v) “with no God in the World” (2:12e).
2) The ministry entrusted to him (3:7-13) (though he is less than the list of God’s people)
a) The call into this ministry – in 3:7 (see also Eph 1:1, 3:13)
b) The status of his ministry – in 3:8-9 (servant hood / humility and unity)
c) The grand objective /goal of this ministry (3:10-13a) is that “The world must come to the Church to learn how to live… and not the Church to the World… 3:10. Every Church that does not labour for and toward multiracial membership must not be called a Church but a cultural group” (I do not mean that they have to speak through interpreters – English language has done our world very good; as a standard of medium). How do we interpret John 10:16 in relation to Eph 2:11-22?
d) Paul’s personal concern (3:13) – see Macarthur’s footnote 3:1 on the “… prisoner of Christ Jesus.”
3) The prayers as an appreciation of this mystery (see 3:14-19)
Resuming / recommencing his “For this reason” of 3:1; with prayer (see Macarthur’s footnote on the “…For this reason”). Note the
a) approach to this prayer (3:14-15; “For this reason…”);
b) petition of this prayer – see 3:16-18;
c) appeal in his prayer in 3:19.
4) The praises as a benediction to his ministry (see 3:20-21)
a) The “to Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly and above all what we ask and think…” in 3:20;
b) The “to Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus…” (3:21).