Who doesn’t love a good mystery? Paul explains the mystery of the gospel and the unity that should be on display among the believers of the mystery.
Ephesians 3: The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed
1 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.
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith---that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 4: Unity in the Body of Christ
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit---just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call---
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
8 Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men."
9 (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?
10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
The New Life
17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.
19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.
20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!---
21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,
22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbour, for we are members one of another.
26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
27 and give no opportunity to the devil.
28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labour, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Things to think about…
1. Paul says the whole reason he is in prison is because of the gospel, Eph 3:1. The problem for him is that he had revealed a mystery hidden in the scriptures kept until now and now is paying the price for his faithfulness in proclaiming the mystery. We are all called to count the cost of following Christ. We know of course that the payoff is well worth the investment.
2. The Greek word for mystery is ‘mysterion’. It means something that was hidden is now revealed. It is not as we would say today – something that is unresolved – a mystery. The scriptures speak about the gospel and the Saviour in many places, but Paul says that “which was hidden for ages… now made known” Eph 3:9,10. The truth of the gospel had always been in the scriptures but was only now being realised during the time of Christ and the Apostles. How many things do we read in the scriptures that we simply gloss over and don’t fully understand? They are there, but still remain a mystery to us. Pray for wisdom and insight that we may have them revealed and then for the boldness to proclaim the mysteries. The mystery has been revealed and our Lord wants the mysteries of His word made known to you.
3. The mystery, Eph 3:6 is that the Gentiles would also become part of the family of God. The gospel was not just for Israel, but for the entire world. This was always in the scriptures and the blessing through Abraham, but now in Christ, has been realised. The gospel needs to go out to everyone. Are you sharing the mystery of the gospel with those whose eyes and hearts are presently closed?
4. Look at who are entrusted with this mystery, Eph 3:10 – the church. We have been given this charge. Let’s encourage each other to keep sharing the truth of Jesus and the cross with our generation. The times have changed very rapidly in recent days, but the calling to share the gospel has not changed. Pray we can all do it effectively in this season. Do everything you can to support and encourage the witness of the church.
5. God wants his children to lack no good thing, Eph 3:14-21. He wants us to be firmly established in the truth, Eph 3:17, with each other, while understanding the immeasurable love that comes from Christ, vss 18, 19. As such Paul says, the Lord can do even more than what we ask in our prayers. All we have to do is simply trust the power that is working in us, vs 20.
6. Only Paul the prisoner could have any authority to speak on humility, gentleness, patience and love, Eph 4:1&2. I know how easily these things can leave me at a moment’s notice. Paul says these things are only maintained in the Spirit, vs 3. True spiritual maturity unites people in truth and character, Eph 4:4-8. These come from the Father’s grace which Paul says again in vs 7 is a gift.
7. Why did Christ descend and then ascend back to where He came from? Paul gives the answer in Eph 4:8-16. To give gifts to us, to fill all things by giving Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers to equip us all for ministry so the body of Christ is built up. Let’s encourage one another to use our gifts to build the body of Christ. What gift have you got that is presently sitting in the cupboard?
8. The mind has so much to do with where we are at spiritually. We are encouraged or discouraged as we meditate on certain things. Paul says don’t think about worldly stuff as worldly people do, Eph 4:17-19. This also confirms the ‘you reap what you sow’ principle. A good commentary for this is found in another of Paul’s prison letters Phil 4:8,9.
9. God knows exactly what we need to hear. As new creations in Christ, His character will be reflected by our actions. Eph 4:26 is very relevant for me. If I give in to anger, Satan attacks me as a result, vs 27. What about you? The last three verses have the answer Eph 4:30-32. Paul asks us to reflect on how much we were forgiven in Christ and then to act accordingly.
10. If you use foul language or tell or encourage course jokes, Eph 4:29 it grieves the Spirit of God, vs 30. All these including fits of rage, anger, strife, slander and malice are never to be part of a Christian’s testimony to the world. This reasoning is given that as we have been forgiven we should reflect that fact in our witness, vs 30.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for pledges for finances for the youth and young adults pastor role. $49, 640 has come in so far. Let’s keep praying for final collection numbers.
2. Christmas Day Service 25th – service will start at 9:00am.
3. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor to start Jan 2023 and the finances to support them.
4. More young families and youth into the church.
5. Ministry leaders within the church.
6. Our One for Israel ministry.
7. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Wonderful afternoon and evening of Carols. Thankyou to all those who made the day possible. Many new people came and heard the gospel.
2. Thankyou to those who have supported the church and youth and young adults role - $49. 640 raised thus far.
3. Work being done in the house and café. Thankyou especially to Fred Mienie, Rob Brand and James Smith.
4. New folk becoming members of CBC
5. Those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
6. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Christmas Day service – 9am Dec 25th.
2. Remember to check your duty rosters.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for December...
Q. 3. Why did God make you and all things? A. For his own glory.
