The Glory of God’s Plan (Ephesians 3:1-13)
You probably have never heard of Koh Teong Koo. He arrived in Singapore in 1934 from Fujian province, China. Like thousands of other migrants, Koh moved here to look for work and found a job as a rickshaw puller. A few years later, a Peranakan housewife named Mdm Chua employed Koh to take her children to school. When the Japanese occupied Singapore during the war, Koh’s quick-thinking and courage saved one of his employer’s sons from possible death. The 19-year-old boy was called up for screening by the Japanese military police. Many who were screened ended up being executed. But Koh arranged for the boy to stay with a friend. Thanks to this, the son avoided the screening and escaped the almost-certain outcome of being killed on a beach in Changi. While Koh is not well-known, the son he helped save is famous. His name is Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding father and first prime minister. If not for this rickshaw puller, history might have turned out very differently.
The story of Koh Teong Koo illustrates how seemingly small things and insignificant people can shape history in surprising ways. This is certainly true for the people of God. To the world, the church is unimportant. Not many of us are wise according to worldly standards, not many are powerful, not many of us are born into famous families. Yet, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God has chosen what is low and despised in the world, to bring to nothing things that are (1 Cor 1:27-28).
As we heard from Ephesians 2, a reconciled people is at the heart of God’s plan. The uniting of Jew and Gentile into one new humanity, one church is central to God’s plan to unite all things in Christ. However, it’s easy for us to lose sight of God’s purpose for His people. Amid our trials and troubles, we forget how significant the church is to God’s purposes. Our difficulties discourage us. We notice only the church’s struggles and shortcomings. We see the church divided by differences and disagreements. We see the suffering of the saints. What’s more, the church seems to hardly make any impact on the world. An old hymn describes the church like this:
With a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed
By schisms rent asunder
By heresies distressed
Be encouraged, for the gospel reveals the glory of God’s gracious plan.
Our passage reflects some of the challenges the church faces in the world. Ephesians 3:1-13, is bracketed by Paul’s trials. In Ephesians 3:1, he describes himself as a prisoner. In Ephesians 3:13, he speaks of his suffering. But the tone of these verses is not defeatist. Quite the opposite, in fact. Paul seeks to encourage the Ephesian Christians. He wants them to see the church with eyes of faith. God has a plan for His people. He is working through Paul’s trials for glory of the Gentiles. Listen to what Paul says in Ephesians 3:13 — “So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.” In these verses, Paul explains how his ministry to Gentiles like us is advancing God’s plan. This is the big idea: Be encouraged, for the gospel reveals the glory of God’s gracious plan. Paul gives us two reasons to be encouraged, which are also the two points of the sermon: (1) Be encouraged, for the gospel unites us as one church, (2) Be encouraged, for the church displays God’s wisdom. So, take heart. God is accomplishing His plan.
And we, as one church, are a part of God’s plan.
Be encouraged, for the gospel unites us as one church (Eph 3:1-7)
Ephesians 3:1 begins with the words “for this reason”. What is the reason? We have to look at the previous verses for context. Ephesians 2:11-22 speak of how Christ has united Jews and Gentiles and reconciled both to God. Once, the Gentiles did not belong. But now, thanks to Jesus, they belong to God. Ephesians 2:19-22 highlight how Christ has brought Jews and Gentiles together as a new nation under King Jesus, as a new spiritual family under God the Father, and as a new temple where God’s Spirit dwells.
So, because of what God has done for the Gentiles, Paul is about to pray for them. But Paul interrupts himself (Ephesians 3:1 is an unfinished sentence). His prayer only begins in Ephesians 3:14. In Ephesians 3:2-13 Paul digresses to speak of his ministry to the Gentiles. It is striking how Paul refers to himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. He draws attention to his suffering for the Lord’s sake. His trials are not pointless, but are a part of his calling to serve King Jesus. In Acts 9, Jesus said this of Paul: “He is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles... For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
Why does Paul digress from his prayer? It is probably because his present suffering is discouraging the Ephesians. So, he shares the missionary heart behind his ministry to encourage them. Paul’s imprisonment is on behalf of (the) Gentiles. His commitment to go to the Gentiles with the gospel is what had gotten him arrested. But Paul is willing to suffer for the Gentiles because their salvation is a vital part of God’s plan to unite all peoples in Christ. Paul wants the Ephesians to know this. So, he assures them that his suffering is not a setback. Rather, it is serving God’s plan to save sinners from every nation, tongue and tribe. Do not be discouraged by the difficulties we face while living as God’s people in the world. We can trust that the sovereign God is still working out His plan. He is faithful to work all things out for the eternal good of his people and the glory of his name among the nations. Although Paul suffers, His ministry is not a burden but a privilege granted him by God. It is all by God’s grace. Ephesians 3:2-7 highlight two things about the work of the gospel: It is a stewardship of God’s grace, and it forms the new community of God’s grace.
Firstly, it is a stewardship of God’s grace. Look at Ephesians 3:2. We typically use the word “stewardship” to mean how we use resources like time, talents and money. But in the New Testament, stewardship focuses on our responsibility for the gospel that has been entrusted to us. We are responsible for growing and guarding the gospel. With this goal in view, we are then to use our time, talents and money accordingly. Our resources are not to be selfishly or anxiously hoarded, but spent for the sake of the gospel. The gospel tells of God’s power to save sinners through his Son. God made us for Himself, but we have forsaken Him. Because we have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, we face His righteous judgement. But God, who is rich in mercy, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save sinners. Jesus, the eternal Son of God, came as a man to lay down his life for the guilty. The guiltless Jesus died and rose from the dead, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us back to God. By repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus, our sins are forgiven. We are made right with God and reconciled to him.
Paul received this stewardship as a gift — it was given to him by God. Paul was probably the last person we’d expect God to call. He was a zealous persecutor of Christians, pursuing them from place to place. But while he was on the road to Damascus, Jesus appeared to Paul and asked, “Why are you persecuting me?” Paul was converted and commissioned by Jesus, who graciously revealed Himself to the apostle. We are not saved because we serve; we are saved to serve. We serve because Jesus first served us through the cross. So, do not boast about our service. Instead, remember that we serve only by God’s grace. Grace is emphasised in Ephesians 3:2-7, which are bookended by acknowledgements of God’s grace. Look at Ephesians 3:7 — “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”. The mention of grace and gift recall Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
In Ephesians 3:3, Paul describes his conversion and call along the Damascus road in this way: the mystery was made known to me by revelation. The New Testament uses the word “mystery” differently from how we typically use it. It does not mean something strange, dark, or puzzling. Rather, mystery means something that was once hidden but has now been made known. God is the one who conceals and reveals. Look at Ephesians 3:4-5 — The mystery of Christ, 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. The mystery has to do with Jesus, about whom the Old Testament prophesied and foreshadowed, and who was revealed when He came in the flesh. Jesus made Himself known to Paul by appearing to him. Thanks to this revelation, the scales fell from Paul’s eyes. He saw for Himself that Jesus is the risen Christ and Saviour.
Since Jesus has come, the truth concerning who He is and what He has done has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This refers to the apostles and prophets of New Testament times, since they exercised their ministry after the coming of Christ. The church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, upon their testimony about Christ, who is the cornerstone. Paul stewards this gospel for the sake of Gentiles like us. The work of the gospel is a stewardship of God’s grace.
Secondly, the work of the gospel forms the new community of God’s grace. Look at Ephesians 3:6 — 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. The mystery of Christ has been revealed: Through His death and resurrection, Jesus unites Jews and Gentiles as one new people of God, saved by grace. In the Old Testament, a Gentile had to become an Israelite or a Jew first in order to become a member of God’s people. But now, Jesus is “creating in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace” (Eph 2:15). Paul has written briefly (Eph 2:3) about this in Ephesians 2. Gentiles do not have to become Jews first to be a part of God’s people. Instead, Jesus is forming a new humanity made up of Jews and Gentiles. Both groups enter on the same terms: Christ alone. In this way, there is true unity between Jews and Gentiles. Neither can be proud; neither should despise the other. They are truly one in Christ.
There is one church. Jews and Gentiles are fellow heirs. In Christ, we have one hope of a future heavenly inheritance. All believers have a share in that eternal reward. So, do not lose heart, though we face trials now. Jesus’ followers must walk the same path as He walked. Our present struggles are preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. We are heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. The cross comes before the crown.
Christ is not divided. There is one body of Christ.
There is one church with Jews and Gentiles as members of the same body. Christ is not divided. There is one body of Christ. As fellow members of his body, we live and grow by being joined to the one Head. As different parts of one body, we belong to God together, and we belong with one another. Therefore, we rejoice with those who rejoice. We weep with those who weep. Build one another up in love, so that the whole body grows. Together, we become more like Christ.
Jews and Gentiles are also partakers of the promise. We share in the promise of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Jesus has fulfilled all the Old Testament covenants of promise. He is the One through whom God blesses the nations. He is the King who rules over God’s kingdom forever. In Christ, we all partake of the same promised Spirit, who guarantees our inheritance. We look forward with confident hope to the coming consummation of God’s promise. We shall be glorified together with Christ. We will dwell with God forever in the new heavens and new earth.
Paul assures Gentiles like us that we have a place in God’s plan and people. Once, we did not belong. But now, we belong to God in Christ. Paul may be in prison, but the gospel is not bound. God is still working out his plan. History is “his story”. God is still gathering sinners to himself. Be encouraged, for the gospel unites us as one church.
Be encouraged, for the church displays God’s wisdom (Eph 3:8-13)
The gospel reveals the glory of God’s glorious plan to unite different peoples in Christ. God has revealed the mystery of Christ to Paul so that He might proclaim the gospel to the nations. Look at Ephesians 3:8 — 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. See the meekness of the messenger. Paul is aware of his own unworthiness. What business can a former persecutor of the church possibly have doing gospel work? Paul does not deserve to preach Christ. He is the very least of all the saints and the chief of sinners. Formerly, Paul the Pharisee boasted in his achievements and religious credentials. He trusted in his own efforts to bring himself to God. But now, he counts everything as loss when compared with the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. It is not our works that qualify us to proclaim Christ; it is God’s grace working in us. May this spur us on to be bold in sharing the gospel. We are enabled and empowered by God’s grace, not by our so-called “qualifications”. May we also learn from Paul’s humble example. All that we are, all that we do — we owe entirely to God’s grace. Remember who we once were. Remember what Christ has done for us. Remember who we now are in Christ.
The meekness of the messenger magnifies the majesty of the message. What Paul preaches is not himself, but the unsearchable riches of Christ. His riches are endless, boundless, infinite, inexhaustible, unfathomable. We cannot comprehend the sheer immensity of his grace, mercy and love. In fact, Paul prays for God to strengthen us with His power, so that we might be able to “know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge”, and to be filled with Christ’s fullness (Eph 3:18-19). How vast the treasure we possess in Christ! He is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. He is our light. He is our resurrection and life. He is our hope and great reward. He is our glory, for we will share in his glory when we returns. Praise God for His Son! So, come to an end of ourselves. Come to Jesus, whose unsearchable riches never come to an end. The gospel is more than enough for helpless sinners. We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
Paul has a stewardship from God to preach Christ, in order to reveal the glory of God’s plan. Look at Ephesians 3:9 —Paul preaches Christ to the Gentiles to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things. God, the sovereign Creator, had a plan from even before the foundation of the world. This plan, which was hidden in time past, has now been revealed by the coming of Christ and the work of the gospel. This plan is for everyone — both Jews and Gentiles. When the plan is fulfilled, a great multitude that no one can number will be gathered from every nation, tribe, people and language. We will all stand around God’s throne, worshiping Him with one voice. God is working through Paul’s ministry to accomplish this. Paul’s suffering is not in vain. The plan of the mystery is for Jews and Gentiles to be united in Christ as fellow members of His body, the church.
Therefore, Paul preaches Christ to the Gentiles, so they too might be saved and gathered into the church. Why? It’s because God intends to show His glory through the church — “So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places (Eph 3:10)”. How does the church display God’s wisdom? It is through the unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ. God is wise in turning former foes into family members, uniting them in His Son. This is not a superficial unity by uniformity, but a genuine unity in diversity. Different people with nothing in common except Jesus are one in Christ. Such unity cannot be man-made; it can only be created by the God who is infinitely wise. Be encouraged, for the church displays God’s wisdom.
Colour TV broadcasts in Singapore began the year I was born. Before that, TV was only in black and white. Some of us may remember the wonder of watching TV shows in colour for the first time. Compared to dull monochrome, the colour images were so much more vivid and compelling. Having experienced colour TV, who would want to go back to black-and-white? The church is supposed to be like colour TV. God created the church to display his manifold wisdom. “Manifold” literally means “many coloured”. To change the image: God’s wisdom is like a tapestry, where multiple shades, hues and patterns are harmoniously blended into a breathtakingly beautiful picture. God is the wise and skilful Master Builder who has joined together different living stones of all shapes and sizes into one spiritual house. The church is richer and fuller for its diversity. The gospel is more clearly and compellingly displayed when people with all sorts of differences unite around Christ.
It does not take God’s wisdom to build a church on similarities and uniformity. The world, with its sophisticated marketing research and methods, does a very good job at segmenting populations into target groups and organising people around their similarities. The world divides along the lines of race, ethnicity, age, culture, education, wealth, class, and so on. This taps into our natural inclination towards what is familiar and similar, and our aversion for what is unfamiliar and different. We are drawn towards others who are like us, because it is difficult to love those who are different. But God calls us to trust his wisdom and ways, not our own, to build His church. Difficult love shows the gospel’s power. This is God’s plan for His church. Will we trust Him and build a church that is truly united in Christ? Will we rely on the gospel alone — and not other things — to bring us together?
The church is central to God’s plan. It is not an afterthought or a temporary diversion. No, the church is right at the heart of God’s plan to display His glory among the nations. The church is God’s method of making disciples. The church is the goal of evangelism and missions. A diverse church united in Christ has always been God’s plan, even before the beginning of creation. Look at Ephesians 3:11 — This was according to the eternal purpose that (God) has realised in Christ Jesus our Lord. Consider what an amazing privilege it is to be a part of God’s plan. Grace Baptist Church: This is God’s purpose for us — that through our unity in diversity, we make known God’s manifold wisdom to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. God intends for our witness to go beyond earthly horizons, and to reach even spiritual powers in high places. The angels see the church and rejoice at how wise God is. The demons despair, for the existence of the church declares the devil’s defeat. The church is evidence that Christ has won. He has triumphed over Satan, sin and death.
We, the church, are not merely given a mission to do. We are the mission.
God’s purpose is to display His glory to the universe through a redeemed people gathered from every nation, tongue and tribe. We, the church, are not merely given a mission to do. We are the mission. We are to be a people for the glory of God. We proclaim as well as portray the gospel. Our love for one another, despite our differences, testifies to God’s wisdom in bringing us together. Beloved, may we cherish the church. May we protect, promote, and pray for the unity of the church. If the church is central to God’s plan, shouldn’t it be central to our lives as God’s people? Our faith is personal, but not private or individualistic. We are not supposed to live in self-centred, self-sufficient isolation, apart from gathering regularly with the church. Do not be divisive and separate ourselves from the church. Join a local church and commit to knowing and loving other Christians. God has saved us into His church, for His glory.
Thanks to our union with Christ and our union with one another, we are assured that we can approach God. Look at Ephesians 3:12 — “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him”. Do not make the mistake of reading this verse individualistically. Notice the “we”. It is to be understood and applied corporately. This verse is for us together, as one church. Because we are one in Christ, we can draw near to God with one another.
Just as Paul encourages the Ephesians in Ephesians 3:13 not to lose heart because of his suffering, so we are not to be discouraged by the church’s present weaknesses and challenges. Our present suffering is for our future glory. The world will not remember obscure rickshaw pullers. The world will also not pay much attention to the church. We are as nothing in the world’s eyes. But though we may seem small and insignificant, we are God’s treasured possession. His eternal plan is centred on us. This plan is surely moving towards its glorious consummation when Jesus returns. On that day, we shall certainly share in his glory. The hymn I quoted at the start of the sermon goes on to speak of the church in this way:
Mid toil and tribulation
And tumult of her war
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore
'Til, with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blessed
And the great church victorious
Shall be the church at rest
So, be encouraged. Keep pressing on till that glorious day. The gospel reveals God’s glorious plan. The gospel unites us as one church. The church displays God’s wisdom.