Jonathan Falwell
Ephesians 3:6-11 (NLT) 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. 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.
1. The Gospel for all
Vs 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.
- Paul was making it clear the gift of the Gospel was not for a select few, it was for everyone
- He was also making it clear that the “body” of Christ was made up of people who look like us, and those who don’t
2. The job of all
Vs 7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.
- Paul uses the word “diakonos” (dee-AAH-konos) which is translated as minister in the KJV. This might lead some believe it is the status of a high office but actually the proper translation is the word “servant”
- In some uses of this word, it points to the person who “runs errands for another”
3. The challenge for all
Vss 8-9 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.
- Paul wasn’t chosen for his talent or ability, he was chosen for his willingness to serve
4. The purpose of all
Vss 10-11 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.
- God’s ultimate purpose on earth is that the church of Jesus Christ would be the right representative of God’s plan, Word and Gospel.