GVCC sermon Ephesians 3 GOD'S PURPOSE

Garden Valley Community Church Pastor Shane Moffitt            July 22^nd 2012
“Who am I before God?” series
Study of the Book of Ephesians
 God’s Ultimate Purpose of the Church              
Ephesians 3:10-13

As I GRASP who I am before God ~ as my perception of who I am ~ I am humbled in a healthy way ~ it gives me a healthy world view”

True humility is the ability to recognize our need of God at every point of our lives

OVERVIEW:

#1. Paul explains God’s ultimate purpose

 (3:10-11)

#2. Paul gives two practical applications

 (3:12-13)

Notice verse 10 begins by clearly stating God’s INTENT ~ God’s PURPOSE ~ perhaps that is something we should pay attention to!!!

How often do we look to heaven and cry out “WHY?” what is God doing?  Well, here, God gives you a glimpse of what He is doing….

3:10-11 “God’s purpose in all this”

·        God is going to sum up everything under Jesus Christ’s authority                               
·        READ Ephesians 1:9-12 & 21 & 6:12
·        READ 1 Peter 1:12
·        READ Matthew 28:19-20

3:10b “wisdom in its rich variety”

·        the angels see God taking Jew & Gentile, slave & free, male & female ~ who together murdered the Messiah ~ transforming them ~ by the very cross of murder, into  one spiritual Body in Jesus Christ
·        Angels see God breaking down EVERY barrier that divides ~     making ALL believers, from every moment in history, ONE BODY ~  in an eternal union with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
·        “There is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents” Luke 15:10; 1 Peter 1:10-12 
·        READ 1 Corinthians 1:24, Revelations 7:9-12

3:11 “eternal plan”

·        God’s plan is ultimate purpose of giving Himself glory -Colossians 1:16               
·        The supreme purpose of the church is to glorify God by revealing His wisdom before the angels ~ so they can offer a greater praise to God 
·        Psalm 19:1 Psalm 148:2 Hebrews 1:6
·        READ  Matthew 28:18

3:12  “come boldly and confidently

             into God’s presence”
·        “suffering” is NOT an indication of failure or God’s wrath
·        “boldly and confidently” is freedom of speech like a child speaking every thought and question
·        Our privilege from God’s mystery
·        READ: Hebrews 4:15-16

3:13 “I pray YOU will not lose heart”

·        Paul’s greatest concern was not his struggles... but how those he was serving would respond to his troubles
·        READ Romans 8:18 Philippians 1:12
·        The intense connection of love & respect between the Believers and Paul could bring the temptation of depression or doubt
·        Paul was expressing his love and God's perspective on our lives

“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later” Romans 8:18