WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.759 I don't know how many of you were here or will remember but in the summer I did two talks 00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:14.560 ! from Ephesians chapter 2 so I thought it only natural to carry on with Ephesians chapter 3 and 00:00:14.560 --> 00:00:22.400 ! these chapters are certainly linked because Paul starts chapter 3 for this reason well that must 00:00:22.400 --> 00:00:28.800 come from what he's been saying before and what's the last thing he's been saying before it is that 00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:36.799 Christ has broken down, Jesus has broken down by his death on the cross the dividing wall between 00:00:36.799 --> 00:00:47.920 Jews and non-Jews, Gentiles. That the people who before like us Gentiles, non-Jews who were far 00:00:47.920 --> 00:00:55.519 away from God can be brought near and united to be one people by the death of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:00:55.520 --> 00:01:04.159 Christ and this brings about peace between different people, diverse people. The Jews 00:01:04.159 --> 00:01:10.480 looked down upon the Gentiles, they called them dogs and the Gentiles didn't think a great lot of the 00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:18.000 Jews thought they were a very strange people how can they worship to God that no one could see. But 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:26.000 this division was going to be dealt with, removed in the Lord Jesus Christ. And of course we face a world 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:36.000 today where there is division. You switch on the news you hear about fighting. Syria, disturbances in Nigeria, 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:48.000 Egypt, continued fighting in Afghanistan and so the list goes on. But here today in the Lord Jesus Christ we have the good news, 00:01:48.000 --> 00:02:00.000 the gospel about Jesus the Prince of Peace, the one who can bring peace between peoples. And as we get into chapter 3 here, 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:16.000 the chapter headings and the paragraph headings, they're not really part of the text, they've been added by the editors. But this first part, summarising 3.1 to 3.13, 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:40.659 it's right that it should be headed the mystery of the gospel revealed. The mystery of the gospel revealed. And you ask what is the mystery? Now it's intriguing but the word mystery doesn't occur that many times in the Bible. I didn't count it up. There's one famous one you may recall. 00:02:40.659 --> 00:03:06.419 Behold, I tell you a mystery. Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed. When the Lord Jesus Christ returns, when the trumpet sounds, when the dead will be raised. But here, in the first nine verses, mystery four times. First of all, verse 3, the mystery was made known to me by revelation. 00:03:06.419 --> 00:03:30.359 Verse 4, you can perceive my insight into the mystery. Verse 6, the mystery is, ah, we're going to get the real answer there. And verse 9, to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God. 00:03:30.360 --> 00:03:46.740 Mystery. Mystery. If I say that word to you, you may think, ah, ah, like I do, watching, ah, ITV and it talks about mystery dramas, detective stories, etc. That isn't what Paul is talking about here. 00:03:47.520 --> 00:03:56.620 Mystery, in the Bible sense, in the sense in which Paul uses it, is something previously hidden, now made known. 00:03:56.620 --> 00:04:04.780 Something previously hidden, something previously hidden, didn't know about it, and now it is revealed, made known. 00:04:05.340 --> 00:04:15.640 So, looking through these first verses, that talk about mystery four times, let us find out what is the mystery of the gospel. 00:04:16.120 --> 00:04:24.180 And in fact, you'll find it's exactly in line with what Paul's been teaching in chapter 2 and verse 11 going on. 00:04:24.180 --> 00:04:30.019 Paul's situation is, he's a prisoner in Rome. Paul, a prisoner for Jesus Christ. 00:04:30.500 --> 00:04:34.639 Because of his preaching the gospel, he's been imprisoned in Rome. 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:39.900 Because he has been preaching to Gentiles, non-Jews. 00:04:40.899 --> 00:04:49.240 He says, I assume you've heard that God entrusted me, and God was gracious to me, 00:04:49.240 --> 00:04:55.740 and he's given me, and he's given me, a message of his grace, of his unmerited kindness towards you. 00:04:56.740 --> 00:05:02.480 And he has, God has made known to me, this mystery by revelation. 00:05:03.019 --> 00:05:08.319 In other words, Paul hadn't made it up, it was something that God had shown to him, 00:05:08.699 --> 00:05:12.139 that God had unveiled, had revealed to him. 00:05:12.139 --> 00:05:22.379 Paul says, when you read this letter, you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. 00:05:22.899 --> 00:05:26.319 What is revealed about the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:27.039 --> 00:05:34.519 Now, we've already known some things about Jesus, about his birth, his life, his death, his resurrection, his ascension. 00:05:34.519 --> 00:05:38.919 What more is there to be made known concerning Christ? 00:05:39.419 --> 00:05:40.560 What is this mystery? 00:05:41.519 --> 00:05:46.859 Paul says it's something that wasn't made known to previous generations. 00:05:47.599 --> 00:05:51.639 It wasn't known before, but now it's been revealed. 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:58.599 It's been revealed to the apostles and prophets, the foundation of the church, by the Holy Spirit. 00:05:58.599 --> 00:06:04.259 The Holy Spirit has taught as apostles, Paul says. 00:06:04.519 --> 00:06:09.740 And what is this new thing that is revealed concerning Christ? 00:06:10.279 --> 00:06:12.500 Well, it's there in verse 6. 00:06:13.039 --> 00:06:19.139 The mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, 00:06:19.899 --> 00:06:25.240 and partakers of the promises in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 00:06:26.079 --> 00:06:29.959 Paul is saying this is good news for the whole world. 00:06:29.959 --> 00:06:36.060 Because the message of the gospel, the good news, is for everyone. 00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:41.259 Jews and Gentiles, Jews and non-Jews. 00:06:41.519 --> 00:06:46.799 In the past, God revealed himself through the Jewish people. 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:54.120 Starting with Abraham and the patriarchs and Moses, David and the kings and prophets, etc. 00:06:54.120 --> 00:07:01.220 And his message, his agreement, his covenant, his special relationship was with the Jews. 00:07:02.079 --> 00:07:06.759 Now this new thing that is revealed, Paul says, good news for all, 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:15.379 is that the gospel salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ is for everyone, Gentiles included. 00:07:15.379 --> 00:07:22.339 Before, only Jews inherited God's promises and hope of salvation. 00:07:22.339 --> 00:07:25.079 The rest of the people were far off. 00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:34.579 But now everyone can be an inheritor of salvation, of eternal life, of God's promises. 00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:38.279 This is what has now been revealed, says Paul. 00:07:38.620 --> 00:07:42.600 He's already been talking about it, as I said before, in chapter 2. 00:07:42.600 --> 00:07:52.540 But it's interesting, the three things that he says here about the Gentiles. 00:07:52.980 --> 00:07:55.000 What their status now is. 00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:57.620 The good news revealed for them. 00:07:58.720 --> 00:08:00.939 So first of all, their fellow heirs. 00:08:02.080 --> 00:08:07.300 That is, they now have a part in God's promises and God's salvation. 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:13.620 To inherit eternal life through trust in God's promises in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:08:14.360 --> 00:08:24.120 But also the second thing he says, that the Gentiles are now members of the same body. 00:08:25.780 --> 00:08:29.680 It's likening the new people of God, the church, to a body. 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:34.019 It's interesting, he finished up in chapter 2. 00:08:35.019 --> 00:08:38.200 By likening the church to a temple. 00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:48.080 In him, that is Christ, you are also being built up into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:54.040 There probably was still a temple in Jerusalem when Paul was writing this. 00:08:54.520 --> 00:08:57.560 But he's talking about a new and superior temple. 00:08:58.100 --> 00:08:59.820 A new dwelling place of God. 00:09:00.400 --> 00:09:01.460 In his people. 00:09:02.020 --> 00:09:03.280 In his church. 00:09:04.540 --> 00:09:09.660 But the second figure of speech that he uses concerning the church. 00:09:09.659 --> 00:09:17.360 Is that now Gentile Christians are members of the same body. 00:09:18.299 --> 00:09:21.039 Now it may surprise you to learn. 00:09:21.579 --> 00:09:24.179 That this is the first time in literature. 00:09:24.819 --> 00:09:29.000 That this idea of what we call a corporate body is expressed. 00:09:29.819 --> 00:09:32.039 This is original thinking. 00:09:32.719 --> 00:09:34.319 And it's from the Apostle Paul. 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:41.000 And you'll know how elsewhere in his letters he tells this in detail. 00:09:41.580 --> 00:09:42.760 That Christ is the head. 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:44.340 And we are members. 00:09:44.580 --> 00:09:47.080 And one member must not look down upon another. 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:50.120 Because we're all essential for the functioning of the body. 00:09:50.640 --> 00:09:54.520 And I think that's what we will call in English a corporate body. 00:09:55.460 --> 00:10:01.300 And this idea of being members together in one body. 00:10:01.299 --> 00:10:05.339 It's come first of all from Paul. 00:10:06.159 --> 00:10:08.859 It's now a common thing. 00:10:09.479 --> 00:10:13.459 In understanding of different things in our culture. 00:10:14.159 --> 00:10:17.139 The lawyer will tell you about corporate bodies for example. 00:10:19.719 --> 00:10:22.359 He's saying he won't tell us about corporate bodies. 00:10:22.459 --> 00:10:25.219 But you might be able to ask him afterwards. 00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:26.539 It's interesting. 00:10:26.799 --> 00:10:28.500 The concept of a corporate body. 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:29.579 Like a company. 00:10:29.580 --> 00:10:33.060 Is something that we know in the West. 00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:35.000 I understand it's totally unknown. 00:10:35.460 --> 00:10:36.360 In Islam. 00:10:37.180 --> 00:10:40.120 That there's no such concept of a corporate body. 00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:44.060 I had a friend who was in a state of Nigeria. 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:45.700 Living under Sharia law. 00:10:46.400 --> 00:10:48.220 And she explained to me. 00:10:48.800 --> 00:10:50.200 That I said well. 00:10:50.460 --> 00:10:50.740 You know. 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:53.460 Has anybody's hands been chopped off for theft? 00:10:53.900 --> 00:10:55.360 When there's so much embezzling. 00:10:55.360 --> 00:10:56.820 Particularly of government money. 00:10:57.560 --> 00:10:59.080 And she said oh that doesn't count. 00:10:59.580 --> 00:11:03.540 Because stealing from the government is stealing from a person. 00:11:03.539 --> 00:11:05.779 I.e. 00:11:05.779 --> 00:11:08.519 We would say the government was a corporate body. 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:11.139 But there was no sense of that. 00:11:11.559 --> 00:11:14.079 In their understanding of Sharia. 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:17.200 But that's what we are. 00:11:17.700 --> 00:11:19.379 As a church. 00:11:19.379 --> 00:11:20.780 As a people of God. 00:11:21.300 --> 00:11:22.960 We are a body together. 00:11:23.700 --> 00:11:25.920 Members in Christ. 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:28.379 And of one another. 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:32.300 And so each one is important. 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:34.180 Paul elsewhere says. 00:11:34.560 --> 00:11:34.800 You know. 00:11:34.840 --> 00:11:35.639 Don't let a finger. 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:37.720 Despise a thumb or whatever. 00:11:37.940 --> 00:11:38.140 No. 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:39.860 We are all important together. 00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:42.100 We are members in one body. 00:11:42.560 --> 00:11:44.000 And that is Christ's body. 00:11:44.100 --> 00:11:44.840 Here on earth. 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:46.680 His church. 00:11:48.279 --> 00:11:49.539 And he says. 00:11:49.820 --> 00:11:50.779 We are fellow heirs. 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:52.379 We are members of the same body. 00:11:52.840 --> 00:11:55.240 And we are partakers of the promise. 00:11:55.680 --> 00:11:56.840 In Christ Jesus. 00:11:57.180 --> 00:11:58.120 Through the gospel. 00:11:58.120 --> 00:12:01.100 All God's promises of salvation. 00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:03.399 The ones that started. 00:12:03.899 --> 00:12:05.779 Even to Adam in the garden of Eden. 00:12:05.940 --> 00:12:07.100 And were made more clear. 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:08.200 To Abraham. 00:12:09.060 --> 00:12:10.179 All God's promises. 00:12:10.820 --> 00:12:11.139 Come. 00:12:11.539 --> 00:12:12.560 In Christ Jesus. 00:12:13.179 --> 00:12:14.120 And we hear them. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:16.039 Through the preaching of the gospel. 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:17.820 Paul says. 00:12:17.879 --> 00:12:19.240 He's been made a minister. 00:12:19.399 --> 00:12:19.899 A servant. 00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:21.700 Of this gospel. 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:23.799 By God's grace. 00:12:23.899 --> 00:12:25.259 God's unmerited favor. 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:26.779 He was given. 00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:28.559 A gift. 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:29.580 To proclaim. 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:30.720 This. 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:31.980 Good news. 00:12:32.700 --> 00:12:33.419 And he says. 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:34.319 God's power. 00:12:34.799 --> 00:12:35.720 Worked in me. 00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:36.399 Even though. 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:38.120 I'm the least of all the saints. 00:12:38.580 --> 00:12:39.100 He says. 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:40.019 He's undeserving. 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:40.720 Because formerly. 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:42.519 He was a persecutor. 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:43.419 Of the church. 00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:44.840 But he says. 00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:45.620 This grace. 00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:46.659 Was given to me. 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:48.600 To preach. 00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:49.779 To the Gentiles. 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:50.840 The unsearchable. 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:51.539 Riches. 00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:52.220 Of Christ. 00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:53.279 And we know. 00:12:53.419 --> 00:12:54.960 That was his primary calling. 00:12:55.720 --> 00:12:56.679 That Peter. 00:12:57.439 --> 00:12:59.019 And some of the other apostles. 00:12:59.279 --> 00:13:00.299 Went first to the Jews. 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:01.220 But it's Paul. 00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:02.360 Who goes. 00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:03.539 To the Gentiles. 00:13:04.039 --> 00:13:04.679 It's Paul. 00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:06.080 Who is taking the gospel. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:07.200 Throughout. 00:13:07.539 --> 00:13:09.059 The known Roman world. 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:10.840 At the time. 00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:13.200 And what is this good news. 00:13:13.319 --> 00:13:14.000 Well we've already. 00:13:14.259 --> 00:13:15.659 Had one description of it. 00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:17.700 Of being united together. 00:13:18.059 --> 00:13:19.240 As one new people. 00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:20.980 But here. 00:13:21.139 --> 00:13:21.779 It is to know. 00:13:21.939 --> 00:13:22.980 The unsearchable. 00:13:23.179 --> 00:13:24.399 Riches of Christ. 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:24.480 Christ. 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:26.039 How rich it is. 00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:26.779 To believe. 00:13:27.100 --> 00:13:28.559 In the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:29.559 And see the wonder. 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:31.079 Of his salvation. 00:13:31.720 --> 00:13:33.159 We see something of it. 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:36.000 We're brought up in a Christian home. 00:13:36.079 --> 00:13:37.220 Right from our infancy. 00:13:37.899 --> 00:13:38.879 Or if later on. 00:13:38.939 --> 00:13:40.240 We come to believe in the gospel. 00:13:40.579 --> 00:13:42.079 We begin to see something. 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.840 Of how great and precious. 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:45.059 The Lord Jesus is. 00:13:45.459 --> 00:13:46.379 But as we go on. 00:13:46.459 --> 00:13:47.419 In the Christian life. 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:48.720 We should be seeing. 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:49.460 More and more. 00:13:49.460 --> 00:13:51.259 Of the unsearchable. 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:52.800 Riches of Christ. 00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:54.360 Unsearchable. 00:13:54.420 --> 00:13:56.000 Doesn't mean you can't look into them. 00:13:56.300 --> 00:13:58.000 It means you never get to the bottom of them. 00:13:59.300 --> 00:14:00.379 Because Christ. 00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:02.340 He is the fountain. 00:14:02.560 --> 00:14:03.740 The deep deep well. 00:14:04.100 --> 00:14:04.759 Of love. 00:14:05.180 --> 00:14:06.379 As the hymn writer. 00:14:06.680 --> 00:14:07.320 Tells us. 00:14:08.160 --> 00:14:09.360 So Paul says. 00:14:09.460 --> 00:14:10.720 I was to bring to light. 00:14:10.820 --> 00:14:11.480 For everyone. 00:14:11.680 --> 00:14:12.540 What is the plan. 00:14:12.900 --> 00:14:13.860 Of the mystery. 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:14.920 Hidden for ages. 00:14:14.919 --> 00:14:15.740 In God. 00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:17.939 Who created all things. 00:14:18.699 --> 00:14:19.719 This was a mystery. 00:14:19.719 --> 00:14:20.959 That God had hidden. 00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:22.779 Throughout the millennia. 00:14:22.899 --> 00:14:24.579 Since he had created the world. 00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:25.740 But now. 00:14:26.179 --> 00:14:27.299 It's made known. 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:29.139 And to what purpose? 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:30.319 Verse 10. 00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:32.319 So that through the church. 00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:34.319 The manifold wisdom of God. 00:14:34.699 --> 00:14:36.059 Might now be made known. 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:36.799 To the rulers. 00:14:37.059 --> 00:14:37.839 And authorities. 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:40.399 In the heavenly places. 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:42.579 That's very interesting. 00:14:43.219 --> 00:14:43.719 He says. 00:14:43.720 --> 00:14:44.540 God's purpose. 00:14:44.540 --> 00:14:45.540 Is that the church. 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:48.120 Should show forth. 00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:50.399 The varied wisdom of God. 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:52.120 And make it known. 00:14:52.519 --> 00:14:54.720 To the spiritual rulers. 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:56.580 In the spiritual realm. 00:14:57.440 --> 00:14:58.220 In other words. 00:14:58.500 --> 00:14:59.240 The church. 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:00.879 The body of Christ. 00:15:01.899 --> 00:15:03.160 Is to show forth. 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:04.019 God's wisdom. 00:15:04.680 --> 00:15:05.600 And I believe here. 00:15:05.680 --> 00:15:06.200 He's saying. 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:08.700 God's reconciling power. 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.440 How sad it is. 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:11.300 That very often. 00:15:11.299 --> 00:15:12.299 God's wisdom. 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:14.679 We may be keen on. 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:16.240 Individual life. 00:15:16.339 --> 00:15:16.879 As a Christian. 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:17.439 But somehow. 00:15:17.599 --> 00:15:17.919 We may. 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:18.899 Neglect. 00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:20.019 The corporate life. 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:21.039 That we should have. 00:15:21.439 --> 00:15:22.319 As a church. 00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:24.439 Because it's our corporate life. 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:24.919 Together. 00:15:25.479 --> 00:15:26.259 That should be. 00:15:26.339 --> 00:15:26.979 Our witness. 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:28.279 To the watching world. 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:30.339 And to the spiritual realm. 00:15:31.059 --> 00:15:31.939 What did they say. 00:15:31.939 --> 00:15:32.919 Of the early Christians. 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:33.719 In Antioch. 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:35.139 See how they love. 00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:35.860 One another. 00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:37.360 If an unbeliever. 00:15:37.420 --> 00:15:38.620 Comes into our church. 00:15:38.680 --> 00:15:39.639 For any of our meetings. 00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:41.139 Will they see. 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:43.180 Something different. 00:15:43.540 --> 00:15:44.300 Something new. 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:45.920 Some real love. 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:48.000 Through what the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:48.980 Has done for us. 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:50.700 And what we have found. 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:51.639 In him. 00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:53.540 Paul says. 00:15:53.540 --> 00:15:54.940 This was God's purpose. 00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:56.000 For all time. 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:58.080 And it's been realized. 00:15:58.320 --> 00:15:59.379 In Jesus Christ. 00:15:59.500 --> 00:15:59.879 Jesus. 00:16:00.040 --> 00:16:00.660 Our Lord. 00:16:00.659 --> 00:16:02.399 And he is the one. 00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:04.139 Who gives us boldness. 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:04.679 And access. 00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:05.819 With confidence. 00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:07.759 By faith in him. 00:16:08.019 --> 00:16:08.860 We have access. 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:09.679 To God. 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:10.459 You know. 00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:11.959 Under the old Jewish system. 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:13.939 There were various courts. 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:14.639 In the temple. 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.279 And barriers. 00:16:15.419 --> 00:16:15.860 To someone. 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:17.039 Coming near. 00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:19.019 To the most holy place. 00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:20.860 Where God revealed himself. 00:16:21.939 --> 00:16:23.439 There was an outer court. 00:16:23.439 --> 00:16:24.559 The Gentiles. 00:16:24.839 --> 00:16:25.480 An inner court. 00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:26.639 Where the Jews could go. 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:28.179 And then one for the priests. 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:29.299 And then the place. 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:30.500 Where only. 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:31.360 The high priest. 00:16:31.459 --> 00:16:31.939 Could go. 00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:33.399 One day in the year. 00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:35.019 On the day of atonement. 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:36.100 But now. 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.779 We have free. 00:16:37.959 --> 00:16:38.379 And full. 00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:39.059 And confident. 00:16:39.219 --> 00:16:40.179 Access to God. 00:16:40.579 --> 00:16:42.079 Because Jesus has died. 00:16:42.179 --> 00:16:43.319 And he has brought us. 00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:44.419 To God. 00:16:44.740 --> 00:16:45.419 The Father. 00:16:46.339 --> 00:16:47.139 So Paul. 00:16:47.939 --> 00:16:48.819 Coming back to earth. 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.259 In a way. 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:49.799 He says. 00:16:49.799 --> 00:16:50.879 Don't worry about me. 00:16:51.299 --> 00:16:53.079 Don't worry about my suffering. 00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:53.899 For you. 00:16:54.959 --> 00:16:55.480 He says. 00:16:55.559 --> 00:16:56.899 I am going to pray for you now. 00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:57.959 And we end. 00:16:58.059 --> 00:16:59.379 With this wonderful prayer. 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:00.139 From Paul. 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:02.679 For the spiritual strength. 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:04.740 Of we who are following. 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:06.519 The Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.980 He says. 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:09.099 He kneels before. 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:10.920 God the Father. 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.519 And he asks. 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:15.279 That according to the riches. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:17.639 Of God's glory. 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:20.099 And surely the riches of God's glory. 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:20.720 Are infinite. 00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:22.879 He may grant you. 00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:23.900 To be strengthened. 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:24.920 With power. 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:26.920 Through his spirit. 00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:28.380 In your inner being. 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:30.080 So that Christ. 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:30.860 May dwell. 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:31.880 In your hearts. 00:17:32.100 --> 00:17:32.820 Through faith. 00:17:33.840 --> 00:17:34.980 Please note here. 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:36.480 People who say. 00:17:36.580 --> 00:17:37.940 The Bible never mentions. 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:38.700 The Trinity. 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:39.759 Yes. 00:17:39.820 --> 00:17:41.039 It never mentions the word. 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:42.200 But it mentions the Trinity. 00:17:42.320 --> 00:17:43.120 Lots of times. 00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:45.400 And here is one of those mentions. 00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:47.540 Paul bows before. 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:48.940 God the Father. 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:51.620 And he asks that God. 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:53.620 Would strengthen. 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:55.560 The Christians. 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:58.440 With power through his spirit. 00:17:58.600 --> 00:17:59.660 There is the Holy Spirit. 00:18:00.360 --> 00:18:01.800 So that Christ. 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.600 God the Son. 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:05.200 May dwell in your hearts. 00:18:05.320 --> 00:18:06.080 Through faith. 00:18:06.080 --> 00:18:07.420 Here is Father. 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:07.960 Spirit. 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:08.740 And Son. 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:09.640 Together. 00:18:10.320 --> 00:18:11.600 Working out. 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:13.939 God's great salvation. 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:15.099 In us. 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:16.619 And. 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:19.000 Please note. 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:19.339 It says. 00:18:19.439 --> 00:18:21.359 Christ may dwell in your hearts. 00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:22.240 Through faith. 00:18:22.699 --> 00:18:22.980 Well. 00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:24.240 Where does Christ dwell? 00:18:24.919 --> 00:18:27.199 He dwells in his human body. 00:18:27.339 --> 00:18:28.000 The God man. 00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:29.319 At the right hand of God. 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:30.839 On the throne in heaven. 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:31.259 Now. 00:18:31.799 --> 00:18:33.719 How can he dwell in our hearts. 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:34.439 By faith. 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.719 Well that is because. 00:18:35.719 --> 00:18:37.359 The Spirit of Christ. 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:38.879 The Holy Spirit. 00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:41.059 Dwells in each one of us. 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:42.480 Who has come to faith. 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.819 In the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:45.419 Turning from our sin. 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:47.179 And finding new life. 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.179 In Jesus. 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:49.879 And. 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:51.339 This is going to make a difference. 00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:52.159 In your life. 00:18:52.639 --> 00:18:54.139 If God is at work. 00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:54.720 In you. 00:18:55.179 --> 00:18:55.779 He says. 00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:56.679 He prays. 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.599 That you be rooted. 00:18:57.839 --> 00:18:58.480 And grounded. 00:18:59.119 --> 00:19:00.279 In love. 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:02.899 And may you be strengthened. 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:04.139 To comprehend. 00:19:04.139 --> 00:19:04.200 To understand. 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:06.319 With all the saints. 00:19:07.139 --> 00:19:08.980 How great the love of Christ is. 00:19:09.139 --> 00:19:09.720 The breadth. 00:19:09.919 --> 00:19:10.480 And length. 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.079 And height. 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:11.740 And depth. 00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:13.960 And to know the love of Christ. 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:15.360 That surpasses knowledge. 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:17.259 That you may be filled. 00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:19.319 With all the fullness of God. 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:20.680 I get the impression. 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:21.180 You know. 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:21.920 Paul is. 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:23.920 He's not lost for words. 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:25.860 But he's running out of superlatives. 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:28.720 He's running out of things to say. 00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:30.960 About how great it is. 00:19:31.640 --> 00:19:34.019 To have God at work in you. 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:34.619 By his spirit. 00:19:34.619 --> 00:19:36.900 By his spirit. 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:40.000 In the salvation. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:41.700 That Jesus has brought. 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:44.420 That we should grow. 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.259 In love. 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:46.500 That we should grow. 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:48.019 In knowledge. 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:49.720 That we should grow. 00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:51.980 Into the fullness of God. 00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:54.460 And so he ends with a doxology. 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.799 His doxology. 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:59.039 His praise to God. 00:19:59.039 --> 00:20:02.379 Final hymn of praise and prayer is. 00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:05.799 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly. 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:08.460 Than all we ask or think. 00:20:08.899 --> 00:20:09.839 That's fantastic. 00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:12.459 We may comprehend. 00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:14.339 With the things that we'd like God to do. 00:20:14.919 --> 00:20:16.079 But he can do more. 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:19.859 He is able to do more abundantly. 00:20:20.199 --> 00:20:21.759 Than all we ask or think. 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:22.879 Because he's God. 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:25.199 And he's got infinite power. 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:26.659 Infinite love. 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:28.480 And infinite grace. 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:29.559 Towards us. 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:32.519 God is the one who can do more abundantly. 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:34.939 Than all we ask or think. 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:37.519 And he'll do it according to the power. 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.839 That's at work within us. 00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:40.759 What's that power at work within us? 00:20:41.179 --> 00:20:42.599 It's God's own spirit. 00:20:43.099 --> 00:20:44.279 It's the Holy Spirit. 00:20:44.639 --> 00:20:45.879 At work within us. 00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:47.899 To him be glory. 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:48.759 In the church. 00:20:48.879 --> 00:20:50.059 And in Christ Jesus. 00:20:50.699 --> 00:20:52.319 Throughout all generations. 00:20:52.679 --> 00:20:53.859 Forever and ever. 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:54.819 Amen. 00:20:55.419 --> 00:20:57.779 I think this chapter has just gone up. 00:20:58.299 --> 00:21:00.879 To a pyramid summit. 00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:02.599 Of praise. 00:21:02.859 --> 00:21:03.459 And wonder. 00:21:03.959 --> 00:21:05.799 At the glory of who God is. 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:07.439 And what he can. 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:08.459 And will do. 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:10.599 In and through us. 00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:12.919 So let us end now. 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:14.759 With a prayer to the Lord. 00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:44.740 Thank you.