WELCOME
Good morning First Baptist. We welcome you to worship this morning. Be sure to remember your brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the week as you pray for them, and as the Holy Spirit brings their faces to your mind. Be sure to also connect with them in the ways that are possible. And if you have any questions or would like to talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to contact the church through the church telephone and leave a message. (519-733-4144)
Songs
Call to Worship
We are brought here today to glimpse the hope that Christ has for us.
Open our hearts to receive that hope.
We are brought here today to be healed of our fears.
Heal us, Lord Jesus, with your love and power.
Come, let us receive the vision and healing love of God.
Praise be to God who continues to bless and restore us. AMEN.
FBK – Welcome to Worship this morning!
Songs
Prayer
Prayer of Confession & Assurance
Eternal and merciful God,
You have loved us with a love beyond our understanding – truly a mystery,
And you have set us on paths of righteousness for your namesake,
Yet we have strayed from your way;
We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed,
Through what we have done and what we have left undone,
As we remember the lavish gift of your grace symbolized by your table here before us this morning, Oh God,
We praise you and give you thanks that you forgive us yet again. Grant us now, we pray, the grace to die daily to sin, and to rise daily to new life in Jesus, who lives and reigns with you, and in whose strong name we pray. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Happy are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Friends, be happy, be free, for your sins, in Jesus Christ, have been forgiven. Amen.
BLESSED ASSURANCE
It's All a Mystery
Today's Message: Pastors Marlee and Dave Page
Something interesting happens with Paul during our study of His letter to the churches around Ephesus.
Sometimes when we study this passage, there is a tendency to skip over the first three verses and to jump in at verse three. There is reason to do that, and frankly we’ll spend most of our time in verses three to thirteen this morning. However if we were to do that, we would be missing two important designations that Paul makes and we need to be aware of those. So let’s read just the first three verses here together:
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:1 - 3
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles – Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
The first thing to be aware of is how Paul refers to himself.
Paul, we know he is writing this from Prison – so the designation of Prisoner of Christ Jesus makes sense in that context – but look at what else he says, “for the sake of you Gentiles”.
Paul’s ministry began as the one who was to take the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15), as well as the Jewish people – Paul didn’t really seem to fit in either culture, he was at many times considered an outsider. He was not in the click. Some even felt he was prejudice towards the believing Jews in Jerusalem and Judea.
Paul’s own words denote that he was a prisoner for the Gentiles because he preached the Word to them and he preached that the Word was for them, and that got him in all kinds of trouble. I think Paul very much thought of himself as a steward (manager, one responsible for) of God’s grace. Paul was responsible with the mystery of the Gospel – The death, burial and Resurrection of Christ. That’s why he started in verse one with, “for this reason…”For this reason – refers back to chapter 2.The Apostle Paul points us back to his earlier message of the glory of the grace of God that shows up in the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles into one new humanity, the Church (Ephesians 2:15). Paul wants us to remember and to see, feel and respond to the majesty of God displayed in the creation of the Church, and to remember who we were before Jesus came and radically intervened. He wants us to remember that we were alienated from each other and God,
“…remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.”
— Ephesians 2:12
At one time we were separated from God, the people of God and the things of God. We were alienated and without a hope in the world. Paul wants us to understand, that now, in Jesus, the Christ, everything has changed, that’s the mystery he’s referring to here in verse three – How Jesus through his death and resurrection was able to offer reconciliation to us – to all of us, in Him. Even to the Gentile people, not of the Jewish faith. All of us are free in the mystery of Jesus’ saving work.
What is the mystery?
That’s the second thing we don’t want to skip over.
A mystery points to something that was once hidden and now is exposed.
Quote from Warren Werisbe:
“In the New Testament, a mystery is not something eerie or inscrutable, but rather “a truth that was hidden by God in times past and is now revealed to those who are in His family.” A mystery is a “sacred secret” that is unknown to unbelievers, but understood and treasured by the people of God.”
The mystery that Paul refers to is that now Gentiles can be, and are, members of the same body because of Jesus. Gentiles now have equal footing. All of us have equal footing before God. And if you think through Paul’s letter so far, this encompasses everything we have been talking about.
By the will of God
We are chosen, predestined, adopted in Christ. We have had our hearts enlightened.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship n through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will
Ephesians 1:4–5
We are sealed by the Spirit. We have been redeemed.
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:13–14
We were once dead in our trespasses.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Ephesians 2:4–5
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8–9
And then what we looked at last week:
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
Ephesians 2:13–14
We are becoming the Church!
And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 2:22
Paul wants us to remember in all of this that we might feel the wonder of the gospel. Paul wants us, First Baptist Kingsville, to see one another with absolute clarity, to see ourselves with all our uniqueness, and wonder in the truth that he has made us to be one people, one body, one family and one church. Paul wants us to see this and then to marvel at the glorious grace of God at work for us and at work within us.
And this should be a familiar message to us from Paul…it is not specific to Ephesus or even FBK, Paul sees the same miraculous grace of God at work in Corinth, Galatia, Philippi, Colossae and, everywhere. And, this excites him!
In fact, Paul gets so caught up in this, that he actually digresses – he get’s a bit preoccupied with this mystery as he calls it and doesn’t actually get to his point until verse fourteen which Mike will cover next week….
So let’s read the rest of our passage:
Ephesians 3:4-13
4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
Recall how we’ve been talking about this great plan that God has – for restoration of His creation – the plan in which you play an important role if you so chose. We can see affirmations of this plan in what Paul is saying – verse 8:
“this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone…”
God intended not only for Paul to be his messenger but for Paul to be His messenger to those who appear to be separated from God. That is the best news that we get to hear, ever! Is affirmation of the truth that God purposed and made possible a way for all of us to be redeemed through Jesus and that plan also purposed for us to play an important role.
Look at verse 10 & 11:
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Church, you and I, is called to make known this mystery to all – even the “rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms”…
In Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome – he states it this way:
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
— Romans 10:14–15.
FBK, that is the most important work that God calls us to as His people – remember, “go and make disciples…”
Jesus Christ loves his church. The church is very, very special. And that’s why the New Testament goes to such great length to present to us the identity and the uniqueness and the whole theology of the church, and then calls us to live that out. Now, I want us to make a bit of a digression this morning as well, to cement the understanding of what Paul is saying here. Look with me at the Matthew 16. The first time Jesus mentions the church we get a good idea of his feeling toward it.
Matthew 16:16 …here we find Jesus mentioning the church for the first time and really opening up to us his heart for the church.
…He’s asking the disciples who they think he is and Simon Peter says in Verse 16,
“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
And Jesus said, Verse 17,
“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, e and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Now look at some of these things that Jesus says in this back and forth between Himself and Peter.
First of all notice the statement, “I will build my church”. The church is His church. And he himself is the builder of it.
The church is not built by men,
it is not built by boards or committees,
it is not built by great Pastors or bands, it is not built by denominations.
|It is not built by money.
It is not built by programs or methods; it is built by the Lord Jesus Christ.
“I will build my church” is what He said – It is his church. He bought it with blood. He built it for himself. And so WE too will always say here at FBK, that this church is built by him. It is built by him.
Second thing, you’ll notice that it says in Verse 18 “on this rock I will build my church.” I don’t actually believe (and there’s lots of debate about this) that the reference here is to Peter. I believe the reference there is back to Verse 16. And what Peter said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” The great statement of the true identity of Christ, the divine nature of Jesus, the God/Man is the rock on which the church is built.
And here’s the third thing. In Jesus statement He says, “and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
He will build it by himself on himself and for himself. In other words at no point will anyone take the church out of his control.
It is by Him, on Him for Him that the church is built. Not even the power and dominion of Satan will be able to prevail against His church.
It is invincible because he is invincible.
It is unconquerable because he is unconquerable.
Now I want you to look at Matthew 18, because I want to see this as well. This is the second time the church is mentioned by Jesus. And he’s talking here about discipline in the fellowship. He says in Verse 15, if someone sins you go to them and two or three go to them and then take it to the church.” …he’s teaching about how we deal with sin in the Church….
Then He comes to Verse 18 and this is what I want you to see. Matthew 18:18.
“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
He built his church by himself, on himself, for himself …and now he says of himself. Here’s what I mean by that- When the church comes together in an act of discipline or whatever the church does, in Him, on earth he is doing in heaven. He agrees with his church. Where two or three are gathered there am I in the midst. Whatever you bind I bind, whatever you loose I loose. Whatever you ask, it is done. In other words, Christ is inseparable from his church.
Understand this folks… when Jesus himself introduces the concept of the church, he does so by showing us how it is tied to him. He builds it by himself, on himself, for himself… of himself. It is His church. And that makes the Church sacred, unique, special. And that is one of the reasons that the spirit of God takes up so much time and space in the New Testament to define for us the theology of the church. Because it is such a unique and awesome object of the love of Jesus Christ.
And then you come to Ephesians – Paul writes this letter that gives us the theology of the church. The Book of Acts tells us the history of the church. The book of Ephesians, the theology of the church. And all of the rest of the books of the New Testament deal with the church as well….It’s that in important…remember back in Ephesians 1:21, Paul gives us that statement which sums up Jesus’s relationship to his church.
“21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
Ephesians 1:21–23.
Jesus is the head of the church and he expresses HIS very life through the church. He is its head and through the body – that’s us – expresses himself. Think about this for a moment, the church is the only institution Jesus ever left. That’s it. The only one he built. And it’s dear to his heart and we are – we are that fullness, we are that church.
Church here’s our first question for you this morning:
Do you know how important you are??
I read an article this week that was talking about the fact that even in the largest churches in the Western World – only 50 – 60% of people have come back… and they explored some of the reasons, fear perhaps, for some maybe anger over how we have handled the response to COVID-19. But the prevailing thought isn’t anything like that – and there’s data coming out to support this…the reason, seems to be indifference…. Indifference, let me read you a snippet from this article:
Indifference works like this: You become indifferent to the things when you no longer see value in them.
It’s just not significant enough for you to carve out time for it anymore.
If this is indeed what’s happening with church attendance, the verdict is as sobering as it is disappointing.
Church, you in the building and you at home, you are extremely important – you are His chosen people to be the expression of His Church! And as we start to open up and look different, look like the new normal and maybe even a new and different expression of His Church in Kingsville, we can not be indifferent. We can not be indifferent because we know the truth.
We know that because of God’s choice to predestine you- that might call up on the Lord, because of His grace and mercy, every believer is in Christ…and that means that every believer – no exceptions or distinctions- every believer because they are in Christ are filled with all the fullness of God….and there’s no indifference in that! …and so it also means that every believer because they are in Christ should be the expression of Christ in the world.
That every believer because we are in Christ has all that Christ is- we, His Church are one in him. You are that important.
And Paul goes on to talk about in these first three Chapters, Jew and Gentile, the barrier that was there, it’s broken, the barrier is torn down, the veil is pulled apart and Jew and Gentile are one in Jesus Christ.
This is the church. Everybody one. No bond or free, no male or female, no rich or poor, no Jew, no Gentile, we’re all one in Christ.
That’s the great mystery of the church. You see in the Old Testament, God kept the distinction among the nation. Israel was a special people. Very distinct, distinct rules, distinct regulations, distinct commandments identifying marks, all that’s not there anymore. The church is the new humanity. That’s Paul’s message. And we need to understand it. Because in the last half of this wonderful letter he’s going to tell us how to act. And in order to know how to act, we got to know who we are, right?
You are His Chosen – His dear beloved and you are His Church!
I don’t know about you but it’s great to know that God and I are on those terms, right? That’s the wonder and the privilege of the mystery. We get full access, full confidence we won’t be rejected. We have every right to go to him as a sympathetic high priest in a time of trouble and know that we will find grace.
That’s why Paul’s digression here….And he says, look, when you understand this incredible truth, of what it is to be in the church and what privilege it is don’t worry about me. It’s worth it to get the message out. Do you see that? Don’t worry about me being a prisoner, it’s worth it. It’s worth it. He always felt that way whatever it cost him to get you the message is a cheap price. “Don’t worry about me if I’m a prisoner, if I’m beaten, if I’m stoned, don’t worry about me….just get the message. It’s worth it.”
Church, Do we feel that way? Are we willing to give everything we have? Like Paul said to the Corinthians; “are you willing to be spent to get somebody the message of the Gospel?”
Are you willing at any price make sure everybody understands the fellowship, the stewardship of the church?
Are you willing at any price to get people the word?
Church, during your time with God in these weeks ahead, we encourage you to wrestle with this…Are you willing to give, to pray, to go, to talk, to worship, to teach…. like Paul was?
This mystery is good news People, and our world is mighty short on good news these days.
God calls on us, His Church to proclaim that Good News!….to be that good news together.
LET US GO TO HIM AND PRAY….
Prayer
Gracious God, here is truth we can bank on. Wherever we go, you never depart from us. In the North, in the South, in the East, in the West, no matter where we go, you are there and you promised to be with us through all trials. That is a part of this great mystery. We can never find a place where you are absent. There is the God that we know, and yet, there is the God that we don’t know. No matter how hard we seek, there will always be things that we don’t know, beyond our discovery. We never fully see you or know you. We never get to see your face, hear your responses, or be close enough to touch you. This leaves us seeking, striving, and never fully finding and always hungry.
O God, we want to see your Glory. We want to be close to you, to know by our sight that you walk with us, you celebrate with us, you mourn with us. We want to more fully know the love that you bring. God, we want to see your face and know your loving smile and tender care.
God of love and mercy, you claim us as your own.
You know our names and you hear the secret whisperings of our hearts.
You thought Creation wonderful enough to send Jesus to show us the way of love.
Even when humanity responded in fear and violence, you did not let the story end there. Instead you spoke Love and breathed out Life. Still, we seek the approval of those around us long before considering you. Show us your way once more; call us off paths that lead to violence, hatred, and harm. Forgive us when we act as if your love and mercy do not exist.
Patient and steadfast God, you love us as we are. You so patiently wait for us to see you, hear you, love you. We think faith is something to be measured even though Jesus made it clear that even faith the size of a mustard seed could move mountains. When things go wrong or we didn’t notice the answer to our prayers, we think we did not have enough faith or that we did not pray correctly. We worry too much about how much faith we have or what “right” faith might look like. You tell us simply to believe – yes, WE believe; That’s all it takes. You provide the rest. Forgive us when our narrowly defined faith gets in the way of our experiencing the miracles all around us.
Father, we pray for those in our congregation and families who are sick and need healing, who are undergoing trials and burdens. Humbly we ask that you meet them with your love and grace.
Holy One, you are beyond our knowing. With humble hearts we lift up to you all the places of pain in the world. Our own country at this difficult time – teach us anew how to embody Christ right here and for all those whom we meet. Fill us with humility enough to walk with you, bring justice into the world, and act only with kindness.
In gratitude, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Communion
Reading
Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me,
John 6:32–39.
Bread
Paul tells us “On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Prayer for the bread.
God of Mercy, You are one bread, and we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Lord, I thank You for allowing Communion to unite us as Your people. You are the Bread of Life, and we have come to partake of You so that we may have eternal life and so that life can be brought to Your body. Amen.
Cup
In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.”
Prayer for the cup.
God of Love, the cup of blessing that we bless is a participation in the blood of Christ. Lord, we understand that this cup is a symbol of our Communion with you… a symbol so that we may focus on our relationship with You, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
“Through the broken bread we participate in His body, given for you
“Through the cup of blessing we participate in the new covenant Jesus gives.”
Take these elements and be thankful….
Song
Benediction
The God who named the stars has named each of us.
Paul said to the church in Philippi:
“ do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility regard others as better than yourselves;
let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interest of others.”
What wonderful words for us to use as light to guide our path this week.
Go in peace and serve Him in all that you do.
Have a great Week!