FHCC
20260322 Worship Service

                • Revelation 11:17ESV

                • Psalm 145:10ESV

                                  • Are You Washed in the Blood
                                  • I'll Fly Away

                                          • Ephesians 3:1–13ESV

                                        • Introduction

                                          A week ago, our children’s sermon told the story of a cat on the Hinkson Angus ranch. If you were not here, I highly encourage you to look at the YouTube video of last week’s service. Or ask Trey what he feeds his cats.
                                          This week I have a similar surprise in this bag. Some surprises are best left in the bag, and other surprises beg to be let out of the bag.
                                          A surprise is similar to a mystery. Today’s text speaks of mystery 4 times. In the Bible a mystery is not frightening or spooky. It is simply something that at one time was unknown and now can be (should be?) fully known. That is why these same verses use the phrase “was made known” 3 times (5 if you count “when you read this” and “to bring to light”).
                                          Paul wanted His readers to know that they could be included in “the People of God” regardless of their background. And today I want the people of Chase County to know that they can be part of God’s family!
                                          Almost 8 years ago, we met for the first time and on that Sunday in 2018 I preached this text. It is still a story that deserves to be heard by our neighbors.
                                          TRANSITION: These 13 verses are all one sentence when Paul wrote this. It is like a 4-year old returning from the circus overflowing with excitement. Let’s see what has Paul so excited...

                                          God is pleased by Gospel Expansion (Eph 3:1-6)

                                          Prisoner

                                          Last week we talked about how Gentiles were at one time mostly separated from the people of God, But in Christ the two groups are made into one new man. Even though this was a very unpopular message to the masses of Paul’s day, he was so committed to this message and pleasing God that he was willing to endure imprisonment.
                                          Just as we are convinced of the Resurrection because the Apostles were willing to die for it, we know this message is important to Paul because he is willing to suffer for it.

                                          Stewardship

                                          We tend to think of money when we hear the word stewardship. But the word is literally a compound word of House rules.
                                          There are many different worldviews or value systems that people choose to live on this earth. Some live by racist rules or according to some -phobia. Some live with DEI values which are sometimes called being woke. Some live by “only the strong survive” or “you deserve to be happy” or “he who dies with the most toys wins.”
                                          Paul says that there is a set of house rules that are defined by God’s grace. These rules state that all are deserving of God’s kind mercy. We live not by what we accumulate or acquire, we live under the goodness of a God who gives us what we do not deserve and what other people do not expect. And we extend that same grace and mercy towards others who bear the image of God, regardless of skin tone, resources, or ability.

                                          Mystery [Revealed]

                                          This set of house rules where each obtains mercy regardless of family of origin was at one time concealed. It was always there, but most do not see it until Acts 10 when Peter receives a vision of what God calls “clean”.
                                          Notice the 4x mystery appears and the 5x we get the idea of made known, when you read, been revealed, or bring to light.
                                          Have you ever walked through an unfamiliar room with the lights off? If you are like me, you will stub your toe, hit your funny bone, or bruise your shin at least once. While you may not know what you hit, you will be acutely aware that something is there!
                                          Eph 3.6 provides 3 descriptions of this mystery:
                                          Those who were separated at the end of Eph 2 are now fellow heirs (awaiting an inheritance)
                                          Those who were on the outside looking in from the court of the Gentiles are now members of the same body. (one people of God)
                                          Those who were without hope and without God are now partakers of the promise. (accepted in Christ)
                                          What used to be separated is now connected or united.
                                          What makes this such a great mystery? Didn’t God always make provision for foreigners living among the promised ones? Didn’t Boaz marry a Moabitess who would be King David’s great grandmother? Didn’t Daniel record that Nebuchadnezzar honored and glorified the Most High God after his time of insanity? While God has NEVER excluded anyone, Gentiles were usually the exception, rather than those in the mainstream.
                                          I like to think of the Tower of Babel and the Day of Pentecost as points of contrast. In Genesis God confused languages so that people would scatter rather than attempt to reach God by their own efforts. At Pentecost God spoke so that each heard in his own language that all people could come to God on His terms—faith and repentance.
                                          TRANSITION: God is pleased as more and more people join His family as they understand His Gospel adn accept His grace. But God’s grace doesn’t only SAVE us, it ENLISTS us. Look at His provision in the next 2 verses.

                                          God Supplies Gospel Resources (Eph 3:7-8)

                                          God supplies the gift of Ministry (Eph 3.7)

                                          Notice the red arrows in the white letters of the word “Faith” in the banners at either side of the platform. The top arrow in the letter “I” indicates that our faith comes from God. It is not something we scheme on our own. The bottom arrow indicates that we respond to this gift by returning prayer and praise and the arrows in the letters “F and H” indicate that it is not just something we contain, it is something we share! We share with others in God’s family as we encourage each other. We share with our neighbors as we offer the promise of forgiveness and the hope of life eternal.
                                          Paul instructed the pastor of the church at Ephesus that whatever he received, he was to pass along to the 2nd and 3rd generations of believers.
                                          Ephesians Bridging Contexts

                                          “

                                          God supplies power and riches (Eph 3.8)

                                          The ministry that He gives is done in His power at the end of Ep 3.7 and according to His riches at the end of Eph 3.8.
                                          Paul was acutely aware of his own past. He fully appreciated what he deserved because of His mistreatment of the Church before conversion. He also wondered and was amazed by the riches that were now his in Christ.
                                          You may not be the brightest bulb in the chandelier or the strongest mule on the team, but we are promised that God provides all the power and all the resources for you to accomplish His will for your life!
                                          You may want to underline the word unsearchable in your Bible. It is NOT the thought that it can’t be found, it is the idea that you can’t see the end of it. It is the idea of looking into the clear spring sky before the pasture burning begins.
                                          TRANSITION: In the next 3 verses we find that something special happens when each member is living out his or her ministry in the power of God

                                          God Honors Gospel Unity (Eph 3:9-11)

                                          No mention of “angels” or “saints”

                                          There is a lot of “tabloid theology” about Heaven. Many believe that dead believers get wings or become angels. The Bible does mention winged creatures in the presence of God. It also mentions cherubs and seraphs in addition to the souls of the redeemed. We must use the same precision that the Bible does when we speak of beings in the heavenlies.
                                          The words used here are rulers and authorities. Before God created earth or humans, he created beings in His presence. These beings are sent forth with the authority that God gives them according to Ps 91. 2 Thess 1:7 speaks of the might of these beings. Rev. 12, Isa 14, Ezek 28, and Jude 6 all speak of authority and rebellion within these created heavenly beings, that are totally separate from humanity which was created in God’s image.
                                          These beings do not have limitless knowledge and are subject to time. The did not know in the past, some of the things that they know now. If they had omniscience they never would have even considered rebelling and aligning with anyone other than God himself.
                                          God uses members of His church who operate by His power and according to His riches to educate all the other created beings of how glorious it is when we do as He intends.
                                          TRANSITION: Finally, the text gives 2 more reasons that the Gospel deserves to be let OUT of the bag.

                                          God’s Gospel Provides Hope (Eph 3:12-13)

                                          Boldness (in witness)

                                          There is a huge difference between boldness and arrogance. There is also a great gap between boldness and assertiveness. You and I have both been exposed to passionate evangelists who leave a sour taste in your mouth when they are motivated by something other than God’s Spirit.
                                          When God is at work, we have the boldness that absolutely nothing will happen to us that God does not allow. The listener may be rude, she may be dismissive, he may curse, but nothing will happen to the messenger that God does not allow.

                                          Confidence (in prayer)

                                          I suggest the confidence we have is in our prayer life, because Paul mentions access. When Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary was accepted by the Father as the all-sufficient payment for sin, Hebrews 4:16 tells us we can boldly approach the throne of grace to find help in time of need.

                                          Conclusion

                                          As I think about Boldness and Confidence, I consider how eager a cat is to get out of a burlap bag. That cat does not like being contained, and the Gospel deserves to not be restrained, but to be let OUT into our community and the communities of the world.

                                          Light and Lamps

                                          Light for the Path
                                          some mysteries (you can be included in the people of God) scream to be revealed!
                                          Lamps for my Steps
                                          Head - I started 2026 with the challenge to complete a list of 3 names you trust the Lord to use you to see come to faith. Think of (or create) that list of 3.
                                          Heart - Ask God to give to confidence in praying for his/her conversion and boldness to share the forgiveness of the Gospel.
                                          Hands - Write on your calendar or put a reminder in your phone of a time to boldly share Christ with one of your 3.
                                              • I'll Tell The World I'm A Christian

                                                  • Ephesians 3:20–21ESV

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                                                  flinthillschurch@gmail.com
                                                  (620)273-6777
                                                  http://flinthillschurch.net
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