Welcome back to our Series on the Mysteries of God !
Last time we looked at How to see and recognise the Mysteries of God ! Which is a special intimate place, that God has personally created for all of us ! A part with in the body and a dwelling place for Him inside of us.
As seen in
Ephesians 2:19-22
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone. in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Then we found confirmation of this in Ephesians 3:4-7.
Today we are going to look at the next part ‘the Purpose of the Mystery’. For if we can fully comprehend this, it will not only give us, more insight into what we have learnt in the first part. But also it will reveal, how valuable and vitally important, each of us are, in God’s overall plan.
Bringing a clarity to the reality, of our identity.
For our identity is not found in what we do. But who we know, Jesus Christ !
So to the level you know of His grace message and nature. Also how good and faithful He is !
Will be to the level of how much you truly know, who you are, too. Also the level of anointing you walk in.
As Jesus said “if you see Me, you see the Father.
As Jesus’s identity was found in His Father
When people see us, they should see Jesus.
As our identity is found in Him.
Let’s turn to Ephesians 3:8-9 once again in the NKJV) it is titled Purpose of the Mystery. Which is our subject today.
Purpose of the Mystery
To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
So let’s break this down !
To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles
I love how Paul starts this passage of scripture in humility. Which is the way we enter His Presence and His Kingdom.
Remember Paul was a scholar of Jewish law. But after He became a believer. God chose to send Him to preach to the Gentiles. This is Gods nature to ask us all to do things, that without Him we cannot do.
the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
Paul is now sharing what God has given Him. ‘ His identity’ which was in Christ and eternal purpose to share about Him.
to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
I love the words ‘manifold wisdom of God might”
This is in essence, who God is. All powerful,majestic,gracious, merciful and a Loving God !
Secondly that He has chosen the Church us as the body to reveal this to all the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. All three Heavens. His heavenly place, The Enemy’s heavenly place and earths heavenly place-this world.
Now that’s a huge responsibility right there !
How well are we as the church, doing on this task I wonder ?
Let’s carry on with the next line.
according to the eternal purpose
I love how this verse starts out by laying down the length of our purpose. Which is ‘eternal’
Which is so important and I believe this can so easily be over looked.
Do you remember what is written in Hebrew 12
Hebrew 12:1
The Race of Faith
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
As with the ones in the cloud of witnesses, who look down and see what they started continue through our life’s. One day we will look down also and watch others continuing the work we did. I wonder how much we are contributing, to this or are we fixed on finishing everything before we die ! I guess when we get to the look down time, it will reveal this ! I love the scripture that reveals this the best.
(1 Corinthians 3:6 (NKJV)
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
What have you planted for another to water and God to bring increase from both your efforts ?
To conclude today I love how Paul includes how we can do what we are all called to do.
Which can seen as an impossible task !
Let read it !
which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
If you were to forget everything previously written today, But remembered this one thing written above ! My job would be complete.
As this one thing is pivotable, in you becoming who He created you to be.
Also for you to accomplish the purpose, you were created by Him for !
In fact, I would go as far as to say this. This is the one very thing, that I believe, we will be judged on, as believers, on judgement day !
What did you do with what I gave you ? ‘Myself and Faith in Me’
‘That which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord’
He has provided everything you need, so you can achieve your special purpose before you leave this earth.
But the choice is yours, whether your special purpose, His plan is accomplished in its entirety. History will reveal it and eternity holds the fruit of it !
Challenge time
- Take sometime to worship the Lord.
- Ask Jesus, this question ‘Jesus how do I see You ?’ Write down the answer, include, scriptures, words, pictures etc
- Then ask Jesus this question ‘Jesus please show me, who You really are ?’ write down what you see, once again include words pictures etc.
- Which of the two things you have written down, do you want to see Jesus as ? Which one do you want to believe He is ?
- If it’s the current way you see Jesus, then that’s ok, But if it is how, Jesus revealed Himself to you. Then say “Father I choose today to lay down, how I see Your Son Jesus……………. (Say what this was, what you wrote down ) and I choose to pick up instead Father. Who Jesus reveal He is to me ………….. (Say what you saw , what you wrote down ). Thank you Father Amen.
Thank you Father for all the eyes, that you have open today. To see, the true reality of Who, Your Son, Jesus Christ is. Jesus thank You, for being so gracious, to reveal Yourself, to us all today ! Holy Spirit will you now, magnify, who Jesus truly is, even more everyday to us all. Amen.
For those of you, who want to place an offering at the alter or plant a finical seed in the fertile ground of the Lord. Maybe you could contribute in someway towards His House, we are currently building. To equip the saints for ministry, then release His word through them, in a variety of ways.
Below is a link to a secure website, so you can do this safely online.
https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=87bf3759-ef4a-4ae2-ac5d-902b82587e44
Or our bank account details for New Zealand memebers,
Encounter Centre – 03-0481-0007448-000
If you require a receipt for tax purposes please email to info@encounterministries.org.nz
Craig Patten
Founding Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Centre & Ministries