Giving
Welcome to Refinery Life Australia.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Today we continue our series based on the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians The theme is “Making a New World”.
Today we are talking about A Privileged People.
Text
Ephesians 3:4-5 NKJV
4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
Scripture Reading
Ephesians 3:1-13 NKJV
The Mystery Revealed
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—
2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,
4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,
7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
Purpose of the Mystery
8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
Prayer
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
Introduction
There should be no issues or concerns if I was to say we need to raise finances for our orphanage, or to equip people, or finance a missions trip.
A church with the right heart is a giving church, each and every one of us is privileged by world standards.
Though Paul did not use the word privilege, this was his prominent thought in Ephesians 3:1-13.
He did not describe the church with the words of duty, obligation, responsibility, or other authoritative words.
He thought of Christians as extremely privileged people.
Believers need to recover a sense of privilege in being Christians.
- Believers have a great knowledge.
- Knowing something that others don’t know is a privilege.
The knowledge believers have centres around the significant word, “mystery”.
Paul said in Ephesians 3:3, “that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already.”
This does not mean something that cannot be known or something difficult to understand.
It means something once hidden and now revealed, something graciously communicated by God.
Christian’s know God’s secret plan for His whole creation.
No body knew the plan until God unveiled a blueprint in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ.
Whenever somebody discovers God’s plan, it is an awesome privilege.
B. Knowing God’s plan is a responsibility.
God revealed this plan to people so that they might share it.
To know the plan is not all that God desires.
He wants those who know His plan to share it.
2. Believers have a unique experience.
- The experience with Christ is personal.
Paul often spoke of his encounter with the Lord on the Damascus road.
Paul had the unique opportunity of seeing the risen Lord.
He knew the gospel both from factual knowledge and from his personal experience.
One of the great privileges of believers is to have a personal experience with Jesus Christ.
B. The experience with Christ is life changing.
Paul called himself “the very least of all the saints.”
He recalled how he sought to persecute the church.
After his encounter with the Lord, he gave his life for the building of the church.
An experience with Jesus Christ is a life changing event that offers the privilege of turning a person’s life around.
3. Believers have been entrusted with something mighty.
- Believers are entrusted with the gospel.
Paul believed that God’s revelation and his experiences had been given for his sake and, even more, for the benefit of others.
Paul called himself a steward, for God had given him the gospel and had told him to share it with the Gentiles.
Being entrusted with the gospel is a mighty obligation.
We must handle it carefully and diligently.
B. Believers are entrusted with the spiritual enlightenment of others.
Ephesians 3:9 says, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
Paul was entrusted with the responsibility of letting the Gentiles know that the gospel is available to everyone.
Believers must not hoard the gospel, it is for the entire world.
The mission to share the gospel is universal in scope.
4. Believers have a part in Christ’s suffering.
- Suffering is part of sharing the gospel with the world.
The most priceless enterprises of humankind have been secured by peril, toil, and pain.
Paul suffered greatly to get the gospel to Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Rome.
The privilege of sharing the gospel with the world will inevitably mean hardship.
B. Suffering is a glory to believers.
Ephesians 2:13 says, But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Paul’s sufferings were for the benefit of others.
Conclusion.
Being a Christian is a privilege.
Have you considered your privileges?
You can have Christ and be part of a privileged people.
Until next time
Stay in the Blessings
Giving
I really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.
When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.
Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!
You’re important to God, and you’re important to us at www.refinerylife.org
When it comes to prayer, we believe that God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you.
So whatever you’re concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us
2021 IS A YEAR OF REFORMATION
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