Sabbath: The Mystery of the Gospel
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Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Ephesians 3:1-21; Job 11:5-9; Ezekiel 43:13-16; Amos 7:7-8; Revelation 11:1-2.
Memory Text: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV).
In Ephesians 3:1-21, Paul opens with a theme that he had already touched on earlier: “that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6, NKJV). And though that might not be much of a surprise to the church today, composed mostly of Gentiles, it was something that seemed radically new to many of his readers at that time.
Paul then continues his inspired words, as the apostle reflects on his passion to preach the gospel of Jesus to the Gentiles.
We learn, too, of his current hardships in extending that ministry, hardships that include time in a Roman prison.
And we also hear his commitment to the mystery at the heart of the gospel, the mystery that, in the church, Gentiles are on equal footing with their Jewish brothers and sisters. We experience his excitement for the church and its cosmic mission. We listen in as he prays, praising God for expressing His grace through the church.
In short, we are inspired to join Paul in his passion for the gospel.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 5.
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Once again I have written a paraphrase of the main scripture for this week's lesson to help my own understanding. Ephesians 3:
Enjoy your study this week.
Ephesians is such a hard read for me. Thanx for rephrasing it. I've rephrased the first line. "I am in prison now because I laboured long and cared for you so much."
Ephesians is such a hard read for me. Thanx for rephrasing it. I've rephrased the first line. "I am in prison now because I laboured long and cared for you so much."
In Ephesians Chapter 3,Paul is talking about the great mystery that both Jews and Gentiles are now part of the body of Christ,they are now one.He has to proclaim this message which has been revealed to him.He then also prays for the church.We also see that God uses unlikely people.He wants to do extraordinary things with the ordinary.God want to use you in some way.
The mystery of the gospel. The Jews thought, "We're all included in God's family because we are Jews and we were given the truth about God's Law, God's Sanctuary, God's Messiah." Wrong. The Gentiles thought, "We are not included in God's family because we are not Jews and the promises were not made to us and we weren't chosen." Wrong. The gospel is a surprise to both groups. God gathers His redeemed people in a way that makes all sorts of presumptions stop short. God saves His people in a way that shatters the pride of the in-groups and brings back in the outcast. Right.
This is relevant for ethnic and racial arrogance, and for religious and denominational arrogance. God calls the chosen group and her leaders "not my people" (Hosea 1:9; Rom. 9:26) when they place themselves above the Truth, Jesus. Israel, the most favored people in the world at one time, would have become like Sodom and Gomorrah - so pagan and faithless that they were obliterated - had not God stepped in to intervene with His grace and to graft in all of us whom He has drawn to Himself (Rom. 9:29, Rom. 11:17-26).
God's aim is wide. How, then, can we be narrow, restricted, cliquish and confined in our mercy? Do we read texts like the following out of context and use them to shun our brothers and sisters in the church and out of the church: Amos 3:3;
2 Thess. 3:6,14; Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor 5:11-13; Titus 3:10; 2 John 1:10; 2 Cor. 6:14; Matt. 18:17?
For me, Ephesians 3:1-21 is the evidence that God reveals His Truth to man through the Holy Spirit. Paul’s heart and mind were transformed, preparing him to spiritually perceive in his heart and intellectually understanding with his mind God’s Truth and to tell others about it.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is given to the gentiles for the sole purpose to replace the 'customs and teachings' of all other religions observed by them throughout the ages, and with this, to unite them spiritually with those having already been prepared by the God of Israel through His laws.
The time had come for the ‘Good News, the New Way’ to be preached to the gentiles living throughout the world, introducing them to the true God and Creator of all things and to His Son which had come so long ago to the Jews first.
Instead of on 'self' focused empowerment, this new Gospel reveals mysteries to man which focus on making it possible to live peacefully with each other by being united in Christ – specifically that all can be brothers and sisters in Christ. Brothers and sisters that love and care for each other instead of feuding and destroying each other.
His Ekklesia, His people now comprised of all nations, have been called to make their body the temple of this God with which they worship Him through living according to His Will; showing the world and the ‘principalities and powers in the heavenly places who their Creator is – personifying Him through and in His Son Jesus Christ!
The mystery, understood by Paul, prompts him to ask the Father to “strengthen our ‘inner man’, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” – Eph.3:16-19.
As I summarized the five scriptures given above (Ephesians 3:1-21; Job 11:5-9; Ezekiel 43:13-16; Amos 7:7-8; Revelation 11:1-2), I was drawn to the obvious theme of 'measurement') and here are my thoughts.
In these biblical passages, the use of measurement symbolism serves various purposes but generally speaks to the standards and judgment of God, His divine order, and the vastness of His wisdom.
Ephesians 3:1-21 does not include physical measurements but rather dimensions of a more metaphysical nature. Here, Paul speaks about the dimensions of Christ's love - its breadth, length, height, and depth. These immeasurable dimensions signify the incomprehensible and boundless nature of God's love and grace.
In Job 11:5-9, Zophar speaks of God's wisdom and knowledge as "higher than heaven" and "deeper than Sheol," emphasizing their unfathomable depth and immeasurability.
In Ezekiel 43:13-16, the detailed measurements of the altar are provided. This precision underscores the importance of reverence, exactitude, and obedience in worshiping God. It highlights God's desire for orderliness and correctness in the way His people approach Him.
Amos 7:7-8 employs the plumb line's symbolism, a tool for ensuring a structure is perfectly vertical, symbolizing the divine standard against which Israel will be judged. God's declaration that He will not pass by them again signifies the impending judgment.
In Revelation 11:1-2, the act of measuring the temple and the altar signifies God's protection over His faithful people, even amidst tribulation. The exclusion of the outer court indicates the areas subjected to the secular world's influence and judgment.
So, the use of measurements in these passages represents the divine standards of God, His love's immensity, the necessity for exactitude in worship, and the profound depth of His wisdom. The measurement symbolism serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ultimate authority in judging humanity based on His divine standards.
Have a great and blessed week all!
There can only be passion where there is admiration. To keep the flame of passion alive, there must be a constant appreciation of whom is the focus of the heart. May we strive to keep the flame burning.