5/21/10 Ephesians 2-3
Our Purpose
(Eph 3:10)10so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
We have stated that our purpose at Birchwood Baptist Church is “that our lives display the wisdom of God to the universe for His Glory.” Oh, if we could be a church that would fulfill that purpose. Obviously, this statement comes from Ephesians 3:10. Let’s take a few moments to ponder some of what is meant in this verse. Undoubtedly, you have heard someone say “Don’t look at the church. Look at Christ!” Well, when this is said there is a great indictment placed upon the church. If this is true of a particular local church, denomination, or regional area of the church, say, the American church, then that church or those churches are in danger at the most fundamental level. What Paul describes in Ephesians 3:8-11 and God purposed is that the church is to be the very instrument where the outsider and unbeliever sees the living Christ, who is the exact representation of the Father.
The church of Jesus Christ more than any other group should be a place of unity among all generations, all races, and all classes. Paul shares that he has the opportunity and stewardship to share the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God. What is this mystery? The mystery is that God desires to reconcile all people to himself through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Members of the church are to be the very ones who have experienced, understand, and desire reconciliation for others and toward one another. There is nothing more debilitating and repulsive for outsiders and unbelievers than for a church to have fractions, strife, and division. They can get that with anywhere. For that matter there are many insiders that are made sick and nauseous and therefore say things like “Don’t look at the church. Look at Christ!” Sadly, there are many other groups and organizations that do a better job than the church does at displaying purpose and unity.
That is the point entirely. The purpose of the church, that means each and every member, is to display increasingly so the character of God. We are not just to attend church services, read our bibles, pray, avoid the “big” sins. No! We are to display individually and corporately the character of God. When this takes place then the manifold or variegated wisdom of God is made known and visible to the entire universe. All the rulers and authorities are mesmerized by the staggering wisdom of God where He redeems and reconciles fallen humanity, who could not get any farther from reflecting Him, to be transformed and filled with the fullness of God.
The end result is that God is glorified in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:21)
Prayer: Father you are worthy of all glory and praise. There should be nothing in heaven and earth which does not testify to your glory, greatness, power, and wisdom. How unworthy am I to enjoy your presence? Father I pray that you will begin with me to display your character to a watching world. You have already transformed so much of what I was, but oh, how I realized the great transformation that is still needed. I seek and ask for your grace that I will be further rooted and grounded in your great and amazing love. I pray for your church to experience you afresh and that our lives will display your wisdom to the universe for your glory forever and ever and ever. Amen.