Home > Sermons > Ephesians

The Mystery of the Gospel



Eph 1:9-13a

Think about what it would have been like to live in Jerusalem at the time of Solomon. He had just finished constructing the most marvelous temple for God. It was impressive. God’s glory filled the temple and the people went there to worship God in an atmosphere of awe and reverence. As they entered the courtyard there was a huge bronze altar with a sacrifice burning. The lamb that had been slain for the sacrifice had died in place of someone who had sinned and was seeking God’s forgiveness. The people did not really understand the complete meaning but knew that one day there would be a new way to worship.

There was in Genesis the promise of one who would destroy the tempter and bring new life to the people. The theme of a promised saviour and king is threaded through all the writings of the Old Testament. Who would it be; how would he come; what would he do? It was a mystery that the scholars of the day would debate and continue to try to unravel. What would God do to fulfill the prophetic word? In the time of Solomon all the people knew was that if they disobeyed God’s teaching there was only one way to get back to the right relationship to God – sacrifice a lamb. Would God require this forever? Or did He have a different plan? Only time would reveal God’s plan and will for the world that he had created.

The term mystery here is a term that describes something which was kept a secret and was then revealed in Jesus himself. When Paul was called he was called to go to the Gentiles. Up to this time the focus of the Israelites was not to evangelize the world but with the coming of the Holy Spirit that empowered the believers a new age was born and a new part of God’s will for the world was revealed. God wanted all believers to share the excitement and good news that no longer was there a need for animal sacrifice but now Jesus had become the sacrifice that paid for the sin and disobedience of all people in all ages. There are no divisions between Jews and the rest of the world that they called the heathen or gentiles. With Jesus all people can live in harmony if we follow God’s plan for us. If we are loving and forgiving we can all live in peace with others and with God. Jesus becomes our focus, we are not to live just for our own pleasure but we are to be united and help others so that we can live in harmony and peace. The world lives with depression and despair but Christians live with hope and joy and love.

This mystery of God is being unwrapped one piece at a time. When Christ came and gave himself as a sacrifice for our sin, we got a little more understanding of God’s great plan for all time. The disciples that wrote about what Christ taught gave us a little glimpse of the next stage of the God’s will for all time. The book of Revelation gives us a new idea of what the future holds and it looks very difficult for those who have no hope in Jesus Christ. Those who reject the forgiveness which Jesus extends out to all people will find in the end a very tragic and even torturous eternity, but for those who believe, we look forward to a time of triumph and justice.

In Ephesians 1:10 we see that it is a part of God’s plan to one day unite all people together with one ruler, one head over all – Jesus Christ. He has become our Lord and ruler because he paid the price for our sins and because of our gratitude for his kindness and love we will all fall down and worship Him. Even those who are unbelievers will recognize that Jesus could have become their saviour but then it is too late. Although unbelievers will recognize Jesus as the ruler over all peoples they will not be forgiven their sin and will continue to receive their punishment for disobedience. They had a chance but they refused to obey. Because of their hard hearts God will have to punish them. Do you want to be eternally punished or eternally blessed? The choice is given to everyone. Will you believe in this life that Jesus died for your sins and that God raised him up to reign with Him forever? Do you believe that Jesus is your Saviour and Lord? Have you ever confessed your sins to God and asked Him to forgive you because of what Jesus has done for all mankind? If you have not – do it right now so that you can become one with Christ and live with Him forever in His glorious presence. We have a promise that in the right moment – in the fullness of time – God will bring all things together. Some believe that time is coming very soon. Some believe that it will not be long until the time when Christ returns and takes his bride the church to come and be with Him and to reign with Him and bring peace on this earth for 1000 years. No one knows when that time will come but it does not really matter to believers. It is the unbelievers who should be concerned. At the appointed time God will move in a mighty way to being all things in heaven and earth under subjection. A New Testament scholar FF Bruce says, “Everything in heaven and earth will then be summed up in Christ; which here implies ‘the entire harmony of the universe, which shall no longer contain alien and discordant elements, but of which all the parts shall find their centre and bond of union in Christ.’”

As we expressed before it is amazing that God has made us to be a part of his own Son Jesus. We who are believers are one with Christ and have many rights and privileges because we are a part of Him. We also have many responsibilities to use that power and strength which God gives. We are given the responsibility to bring others to the same knowledge of the faith and to become a part of God’s family.

Verse 12 says that we should be unto the praise of his glory. This means that the way we live, the kind of people we become should bring glory and praise to Him. If we live disobedient lives we bring shame on Him. If we live righteous, joyful and radiant lives we will bring joy to God. We will be a star for God and others will get a good understanding of what God is like because of the way we live our lives in love, harmony and peace.

The message that we are given is the message of the truth. There is salvation in no other – the only way to God is through Jesus Christ. The world’s philosophy says there are many ways to God and eternal bliss but if we examine them closely we can discover that the world they live in now is filled with fear and problems. God The way of truth leads to joy, peace and righteousness, purity and wholeness. We live in an age of grace not fear and turmoil.

Return to Ephesian Messages Index
April 8,2000