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A Better Story God’s “Plan A” Ephesians 3:7-13 10 June 2012

A Better Story God’s “Plan A” Ephesians 3:7-13 10 June 2012. Outline. Context and highlights of the text. The story of Saul of Tarsus, first draft. God’s plan A, and Paul’s final draft. Telling and living God’s story. Recap of context for Ephesians 3.

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A Better Story God’s “Plan A” Ephesians 3:7-13 10 June 2012

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  1. A Better StoryGod’s “Plan A” Ephesians 3:7-1310 June 2012

  2. Outline Context and highlights of the text The story of Saul of Tarsus, first draft God’s plan A, and Paul’s final draft Telling and living God’s story

  3. Recap of context for Ephesians 3 • Paul writing to Gentile Christians in southwestern Asia Minor • Paul a prisoner, likely in Rome around 60-62 AD • Significant parallels with the book of Colossians, written around the same time for a similar audience • Main purpose described as “identity formation,” reminding believers of “how wonderful God’s work in Christ is, how significant their unity with Christ is, and what living for Christ looks like”1 • In Chapter 3, Paul discusses the good news he is called to preach to the Gentiles, which turns his suffering to their glory, and prays for revelation to the believers 1. Snodgrass 1996, NIV Application Commentary: Ephesians

  4. Ephesians 3:7-9 (NIV) 7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. Paul continues to explain his calling/ministry The ministry itself was a “grace” to an undeserving servant God’s desire for Jews and Gentiles to be adopted “heirs” was His plan from the beginning

  5. Ephesians 3:10-13 (NIV) 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. This new people, the church, displays the wisdom of God to rebellious spiritual powers God was the initiator of this grand adoption scheme, through Christ, and we can indeed come boldly into His house Sufferings pale in comparison to these “boundless riches”

  6. Saul of Tarsus • PO Box 012, Jerusalem • Objective • Achieve status as an influential teacher and defender of the Law • Education • RabbanGamaliel I, summa cum laude • Qualifications • Passionate self-starter, with experience in persecution • Circumcised on the eighth day • Israelite – of the tribe of Benjamin • Pharisee, Son of Pharisees • Righteous according to the Law Acts 22:3, 23:6; Philippians 3:4-6

  7. Saul’s (mis)interpretation of the Law led him to believe the wrong story about God Pharisaical beliefs Selected “Evidence” • God is a dispenser of blessings for good behavior and curses for bad behavior • Deut 28 • God destroys those who are his enemies • E.g., Deut 2:32-34 • God is exclusive – only the right kind of people may worship Him • Gentile exclusion • Even the right kind of people can only get so close to Him • Temple veil • The favor of God means status, power and wealth • E.g., Isa 60:5-6 (c.f. Matt 23) Saul had a clear plan for serving God…he just did not know what God was like.

  8. Then God showed Paul that He looks, and has always looked, like Jesus • “Who being in very nature God” – Phil 2:6 • “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” – Col 1:15 • “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things” – Col 1:19-20 • “…the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” – 2 Cor 4:6 • In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things…The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being. Heb 1:1-3a God’s eternal purpose, His “Plan A,” is revealed through Christ.

  9. So Paul had to change his story about God Revised story Examples • God has dispensed grace for all, and only through grace do we do good works • Eph 2:5-10; Gal 3:3-5 • God reconciles his enemies; the Son lays down his life for his enemies • Romans 5:10 • The doors of God’s house are open to all • Eph 3:6 • We can boldly enter His presence • Eph 3:12, Heb 10:19-20 • The favor of God (adoption) means we can rejoice in suffering, and glory in weakness • Phil 4:11, Eph 3:13, 2 Cor 12:9 This new story about God captivated Paul and changed his story too.

  10. Paul • Cell Block 2C, Rome • Objective • Know Christ, the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings • Education • Revelation of Christ • Shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonment • Qualifications • N/A P Philippians 3:10

  11. Does my story need to change?

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