Message Outline

God's Art Gallery

Epistles

Pastor Jonathan Stockstill
Sunday, Oct 8, 2023

Ephesians 3:10–11 (NLT) — 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. A picture of his WISDOM

  1. His wisdom was brought to fullness in Christ. — 24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:24–25 (NLT)
  2. His wisdom was brought to fullness on the Cross. — 18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NLT)
  3. His wisdom was brought to fullness in the Church. — 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. — Ephesians 3:10–11 (NLT)
  4. The church is THE ANSWER to the world. We are the wisdom of God!

2. A picture of his UNITY

  1. Ephesians 3:6 (NLT) — 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.
  2. God wants to use his church as a beacon of unity. 
  3. For Paul, it was:
    1. Jews and Gentiles 
    2. Slave and Free
    3. Cultural and Geographical
    4. Philosophical and Religious
    5. Differences in Christian Practice
  4. Here’s the way we can best be a trophy for His unity 
    1. Truly break down all walls of ethnos.
    2. Become a magnet for ALL people. 
    3. Bringing ALL people into the life, family, and purpose of God.

3. A picture of his LOVE

  1. Ephesians 3:14–19 (NLT) — 14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
  2. The church was made to see, receive, give, and symbolize the love of God.
    1. Marriage is the symbol of Christ and the Church.
    2. The Church is the bride of Christ and the symbol of God’s love.
    3. The Church in the ages to come will come to symbolize God’s intense and faithful love because He will permanently be committed to her.
  3. In the Ephesians text, we see:
    1. He loves us more than we’ll ever be able to comprehend.
    2. Our roots are meant to go down into his love.
    3. We need special empowering to grasp His love.

4. A picture of his POWER

  1. Ephesians 3:20–21 (NLT) — 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
  2. You are an example of His power.
    1. Of His redeeming power (how he brought you back)
    2. Of His transforming power (how he transforms you)
    3. Of His miraculous power (how he intervenes for you)
  3. God will point to His church as the incredible example of His POWER! 
    1. God intends to do miracles through us.

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