Prisoner of Christ, Not of Circumstances
February 11, 2015 · Ephesians
Scripture referenced 24 passages
The passage this message was preached from, in full, with every other passage it reached for.
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Ephesians 3:1-13 primary passage read aloud from NIV at the opening of the sermon
1 For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,
2 if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you;
3 how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,
4 by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;
5 which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
6 that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,
7 of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.
8 To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ;
10 to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,
11 according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord;
12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.
13 Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.
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Keep this verse
Galatians 3:28
cited to show there is no Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, all are one in Christ
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
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Matthew 25:29-30
read aloud to show the Lord's seriousness about using gifts to serve others
29 For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away.
30 Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
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Ephesians 3:10
cited to show the church making God's wisdom known to rulers and authorities in heavenly realms
10 to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,
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John 17
referenced as Jesus agonizing in prayer that believers would be one as He and the Father are one
1 Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you;
2 even as you gave him authority over all flesh, so he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
3 This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
4 I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do.
5 Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed.
6 I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word.
7 Now they have known that all things whatever you have given me are from you,
8 for the words which you have given me I have given to them, and they received them, and knew for sure that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me.
9 I pray for them. I don’t pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
10 All things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.
11 I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are.
12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. Those whom you have given me I have kept. None of them is lost, except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
13 But now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves.
14 I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.
18 As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world.
19 For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
20 Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word,
21 that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.
22 The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one;
23 I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me.
24 Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.
25 Righteous Father, the world hasn’t known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me.
26 I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
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Isaiah 49:8-10
quoted as a life verse: God has chosen and not rejected us, will strengthen and uphold us
8 Yahweh says, “In an acceptable time I have answered you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you. I will preserve you, and give you for a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritage,
9 saying to those who are bound, ‘Come out!’; to those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves!’ “They shall feed along the paths, and their pasture shall be on all treeless heights.
10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun strike them: for he who has mercy on them will lead them. He will guide them by springs of water.
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Psalm 34:18
quoted for Monica's family: the Lord is close to the brokenhearted
18 Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
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Psalm 23
referenced for the path of righteousness and walking through the valley of the shadow of death
1 Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.
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Psalm 119:68
quoted to affirm that God is good and does only good
68 You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.
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Psalm 27:13
quoted: would have lost heart unless believing to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living
13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of Yahweh in the land of the living.
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Psalm 91:14
quoted: God will rescue and protect those who love and trust Him
14 “Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set him on high, because he has known my name.
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Luke 6:48
quoted about building a house on solid rock that stands firm when floodwaters rise
48 He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock.
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Psalm 91:4
quoted: God will shelter with His wings, His faithful promises are armor and protection
4 He will cover you with his feathers. Under his wings you will take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart.
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2 Corinthians 1:4
quoted to show God comforts us so we can comfort others in their troubles
4 who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
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Ephesians 1:7
cited in the list of riches in Christ: God's grace is rich and abundant
7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
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Romans 2:4
cited in the list of riches in Christ: God's goodness and patience are rich
4 Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
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Romans 11:33
cited in the list of riches in Christ: God's wisdom and knowledge are rich
33 Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!
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Ephesians 2:4
cited in the list of riches in Christ: His mercy is rich
4 But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,
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Ephesians 3:16
cited in the list of riches in Christ: His glory is rich
16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;
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1 Timothy 6:17
cited in the list of riches in Christ: His blessings and provisions are rich
17 Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;
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Colossians 2:2
cited in the list of riches in Christ: His assurance is rich
2 that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
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Colossians 3:16
cited in the list of riches in Christ: His word is rich
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
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Ephesians 3:18-19
cited in the list of riches in Christ: His love is rich
18 may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth,
19 and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
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Revelation 3
referenced for Jesus speaking to the church in Laodicea about being lukewarm, poor, blind and naked
1 “And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: “He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars says these things: “I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
2 Wake up, and keep the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God.
3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If therefore you won’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you.
4 Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
5 He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
7 “To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: “He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things:
8 “I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn’t deny my name.
9 Behold, I give some of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
10 Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11 I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.
12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name.
13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
14 “To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: “The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of God’s creation, says these things:
15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot.
16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth.
17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked;
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.
21 He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne.
22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.”
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Recap
The message in order, in a few minutes of reading.
Preaching through Ephesians 3:1-13, Deborah walked the church through four themes Paul raises in the passage: grace, the church, suffering, and the riches we have in Christ. She also shared something deeply personal, the loss of her cleaning lady to a carbon monoxide accident in her own home the week before, and what the Lord spoke to her through it. The two threads ran together the whole way through.
What was said
Paul calls himself a prisoner of Christ, not a prisoner of his circumstances. That framing matters, because the passage is built on a mystery that runs against the grain of how human beings naturally think. The age of the law made sense to people. Follow the rules, bear the consequences. Grace is different, and Paul says it takes real mental comprehension before it can ever be spiritually applied.
Part of that mystery is access. Under the old covenant, one priest, once a year, with bells on his robe and a rope tied around him in case he fell dead in the presence of a holy God. Paul says that chapter is closed. Any believer can come before God at any hour, and Jesus is already there interceding. That was hard for people in Paul's day to take in, and Deborah said it is still hard for us, because we want to earn something rather than receive it.
The second mystery Paul names is the church itself. Jew and Gentile, one body. Deborah quoted John MacArthur's observation that Jewish believers understood Gentiles could be saved, but they never grasped that the two would be literally one in Christ. That unity is the church's calling, and it is not kept by staying quiet when teaching drifts from Scripture, nor by staying home. The poll she mentioned, that 81 percent of Americans think they can be Christians without going to church, runs straight into what Paul is saying here.
F. F. Bruce's line on Ephesians 3:10 anchored this section. The church is God's pilot plan for a reconciled universe, a place where the world can see what family life, business, race relations and all of life should look like under Jesus. That is why the servant who buried his gift rather than using it for others draws such a severe word from Jesus in Matthew 25. Being one in Christ is not optional decoration.
Then Deborah told what happened. She and her husband were in California when carbon monoxide from a newly installed heating system filled their home, and their cleaning lady of seven years walked in and died. She named three things the Lord spoke to her in the aftermath. First, He was present and had not rejected her, and He showed her how much worse it could have been. Second, His purposes can be trusted even when they cannot be understood, and she was already seeing good come from Monica's death, with people at the funeral asking her husband's pastor about the God he had described. Third, the Lord told her not to run but to stand firm and lean in, which she said is only possible if the foundation has been built before the tsunami arrives.
She closed with a list of what Paul calls riches in Christ across several passages in Ephesians and elsewhere: grace, goodness, patience, wisdom, mercy, glory, provision, assurance, the word, love. Her point was that believers hold a full account and are simply not drawing from it. She tied that to Jesus's letter to the church in Laodicea, comfortable and materially rich, but spiritually poor, blind and naked. The invitation Jesus gives them is the same one available now: He stands at the door and knocks, and to the one who opens it He promises to do life with them, moment by moment, through whatever comes.
Doing a Bible study?
Here is a guide we have prepared for you: the passages in order, questions for the group, and room to write.
- Pastor Deborah described grace as counterintuitive, saying our human minds default to 'be a good person, go to heaven.' Where do you see that kind of thinking show up in your own life, and how does it get in the way of receiving what God actually offers?
- Paul wrote that through the church, the wisdom of God is made known to rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. F. F. Bruce called the church 'God's pilot plan for the reconciled universe.' What does it look like practically, in your everyday relationships, to be part of that kind of community rather than just attending one?
and 3 more questions in the guide
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