THE MISSION OF PREACHING

The place of preaching the gospel of Christ can hardly be overemphasized so far as the present day is concerned. Our mission as the church is not to preach just because preaching is one command or one function which we are ordered to do. Rather, preaching is the particular purpose of God for this age of the world (resurrection and Pentecost until the End), and it is His will that the church be the instrument for this purpose.

This lesson seeks to show the importance and place of preaching in the present time, as a part of the over-all eternal purpose and design of God for the redemption of mankind, We are concerned with Ephesians 3:1-13.

Body

I. THE PREACHER: PAUL.

   A. Prisoner of Christ (3:1).

        1. In the gospel.

        2. Literally.

   B. Special preacher to the Gentiles.

        1. Had been given a special dispensation (stewardship) of God's grace for the Gentiles (3:2).

        2. Had been made a minister (lit. "servant") according to the gift of God's grace, given by power (3:7).

        3. The grace (favor, gift) is that Paul might preach among the Gentiles (3:8, 9).

            a. The unsearchable riches of Christ.

            b. To make all men see what the fellowship (lit. stewardship, economy; same as "dispensation" of verse 2) of the mystery is.

II. THE MESSAGE: THE "MYSTERY."

   A. "Mystery" = formerly unknown; now revealed.

        1. Formerly unknown.

            a. To sons of men (3:5) from the beginning of the world (3:9).

            b. even to angels (see 1 Peter 1:11, 12).

            c. known only to God (3:9).

        2. Now has been revealed.

            a. Through the holy apostles and prophets.

            b. By the Spirit (3:5), by revelation (3:3).

        3. This explains how Paul is preaching it when formerly it was unknown. He had been given it by revelation. Paul had written the Ephesians before (in an unknown letter?) to this effect, but apparently they had forgotten (vs. 3, 4). Read verses three through five, skipping the parenthetical expression to get the flow of thought. See Luke 2:47 for the same word here translated "knowledge" (KJV) or "understanding" (ASV). Paul's point here is not WHAT he knew (in verse 4) but HOW he knew it! The "what" comes later.

   B. The content of the mystery.

        1. Generally - the gospel, the unsearchable riches of Christ (3:8).

        2. Specifically - good news for the Gentiles (3:6).

            a. That they should be fellow-heirs with the Jews.

            b. That they should be of the same body.

            c. That they should be partakers (lit. partners) of His promises.

   C. The mystery is proclaimed by preaching (3:6, 8).

        1. Here, in a special way, by Paul.

        2. Here, specifically, to the Gentiles (which includes us).

III. THE RESULT OF THE PREACHING OF THE MYSTERY.

   A. Paul preaches to the Gentiles and the Gentiles turn to God by faith (3:1, 2, 12).

   B. The heavenly beings (principalities and powers) now see God's wisdom demonstrated as men are changed by the gospel. Now they understand the "mystery," as they view it in action (3:10).

   C. This is all in keeping with God's eternal purpose (lit. purpose of the ages) (3:11).

   D. The knowledge of all this inspires perseverance among Christians, even in afflictions (3:13).

Conclusion

In these days God has spoken and revealed His eternal purpose. We are to proclaim it to the world (consisting largely of Gentiles) and offer them opportunity to participate in God's redemption. Angels see conversions taking place, men are involved in them, and God is praised by everyone.

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