LISTEN
This sermon was preached by Graham Harrop at the CCM:Gorton site of Christ Church Manchester on Sunday 21st January 2018.
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SERIES
This message was part of the ‘For Such a Time as This’ series, preached at Christ Church Manchester’s church in Gorton in late 2017. The full series included the following sermons:
BIBLE VERSES
This sermon was based on Ephesians 3:1-13.
The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed
1For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
KEY POINTS
God’s marvellous plan for the gentiles was a welcoming church
- The gentiles now are heirs together with Israel, members of one body.
- The gentiles had been outsiders. They were allowed into the temple, but only into the outer court.
- Paul says that the gentiles are not outsiders in the church. They are full members.
Salvation is by faith: not the result of nationality or even ‘righteous’ living
- Applied to the local church here, this church has no second-class members.
- We must therefore be sure to be a welcoming church, and they way that we welcome people is really important.
- Now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God is made known. So what we do now, and how we do it, it vitally important.
MORE SERMONS
To see more sermons from Christ Church Manchester, you can visit our sermons page, or why not consider subscribing on iTunes.