The Manifold Wisdom of God Revealed

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The Manifold Wisdom of GodRevealed Ephesians
38-12
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Ephesians 2-3

• We are all sinnerssaved by the grace of God
  through our faith (21-10)
• Jesus on the cross brought us all together
  (211-22)
• Pauls purpose was to reveal this mystery
  that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs (31-13)

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Ephesians 2-3

• Paul consideredhimself least of all the saints
  (not inferior) (38)
• Yet, God graciously used him to present the
  mystery - to preach among the Gentiles that
  they too can be saved
• He revealed

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Unsearchable riches (38)

• Unsearchableincomprehensible, unable to fully
  understand
• The greatness of God
• He do we know how to please and serve Him?
• He tells us

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Unsearchable riches (38)

• Unsearchable riches greatness of His gifts
• Even with what we are told, it is but the hem
  of the garment
• Romans 1133Colossians 22-3
• Consider His grace, mercy, love, compassion,
  longsuffering, eternity, power, knowledge, etc.

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Unsearchable riches (38)

• It was preached among the Gentiles not
  exclusive
• His ultimate gift our salvation! Titus 211,
  Eph. 21-10, Galatians 326-29, etc.

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Fellowship of the mystery

• and to make all see what is the fellowship of
  the mystery, (NKJV, KJV)
• and to bring to light what is the administration
  of the mystery (NASB95)
• and to bring to light for everyone what is the
  plan of the mystery (ESV)

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Fellowship of the mystery

• make all see - to illuminate, to cause to
  know
• It is for ALL to see

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Fellowship of the mystery

• fellowship - sharing, association,
  communionThe spiritual relationship we have
  with God and one another!Phil. 21, 1 John 13,
  6-71 Cor. 19
• NASB, administration, ESV, plan
  stewardship slightly different Greek word
  Paul revealing this message

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Fellowship of the mystery

• hidden from the beginning
• God had not fully revealed His plan for all
  mankind until the time of Paul
• 1 Cor. 26-7, see 1 Peter 110-12
• For example Melchizedek Psalm 1104
• It was not a mistake 2 Peter 12-3

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Manifold wisdom of God

• Manifold many and varied
• Heb. 1133, His ways past finding out
• When God acts we may not know how or why, but HE
  KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING!
• Do NOT question Him Rom. 920-21

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Manifold wisdom of God

• Now made known by the church
• Is the church to reveal the wisdom of God? 1 Tim.
  315, 1 Thess. 18,
• Here - the point is the very idea of the church
  REVEALS His wisdom
• Consider this in light of the mystery the
  church promotes unity! Gal. 326-27, Rom.
  1212-27, Etc.

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Manifold wisdom of God

• THOUGHT If the church demonstrates the
  manifold wisdom of God, what is our attitude
  toward His wisdom if we seek to change the church
  in work, worship, name, organization, mission,
  doctrine, etc?????Do we not then call into
  question His wisdom?

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Manifold wisdom of God

• Made known to principalities and powers
• An expression of heavenly beings 1 Peter 112,
  things which angels desire to look into.

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Manifold wisdom of God

• According to theeternal purpose
• This was in Gods plan from the beginning!
• Prophecy is an amazing testimony!
• Many of Pauls letters appeal in detail to Gods
  former revelations to demonstrate this plan
• 1 Peter 120, Eph. 14

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Manifold wisdom of God

• Which he accomplished in Christ Jesus
• Jesus fulfilled the plan Acts 2028, Eph.
  213-17, etc.

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In whom we have boldness

• Because of what God has done
• We have boldness Heb. 414-16, 1 John 417

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In whom we have boldness

• Because of what God has done
• We have access John 146, 1 Tim. 25
• He hears our prayers 1 John 514, Eph. 218

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In whom we have boldness

• Because of what God has done
• We have confidence 1 John 44, Rom. 837 God
  is greater
• Heb. 36, 1035, 1 John 321-23

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In whom we have boldness

• We have confidencethrough faith
• Faith is our part in salvation Eph.
  28Trusting Him enough to obey His gospel

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What is the mystery?
Salvation is for all!
Will you receive it?