December 16th 2018 – Ephesians 3:1-13

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which 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. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Of 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. To 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, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realised in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory."

Ephesians 3:1-13

Nor is this all: not only this glorious outpouring in Jerusalem and on this one nation. 'My cup runneth over'", says God, and out goes this water of life to all nations, and again the angels are made to see the manifold wisdom of God. 'This was the plan all the time', God cries, 'it was for this that I chose the one nation, that through the one all nations of the earth might be blessed'. The best proof, to angels and to men, of the many-coloured wisdom of God is the existence of the Church of the redeemed, from every people, and kindred, and tongue, and nation. In the book of Revelation we see the final extent of this, when we are told of the great multitude that no man can number gathering before God, when the angelic hosts will join the redeemed in praise to Him, and there will be singing and music, the like of which has never been heard on earth, when the glory of Handel, and the magnificence of Bach and the beauty of Mozart will pale into insignificance before the wonder and marvel of the new song that will then be sung, magnifying God's great and glorious Name. And what a day of rejoicing that will be!