Unexpected Grace Eph 3 1-13

1. Unexpected Grace Eph 3 1-13 No one suspects how far God’s Grace reaches.

2. I. Grace to Suffer • 3     For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— • 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. • The unexpected thing is that God gives Grace in a difficult situation to fulfill a bigger purpose—purposes we would never suspect. John Bunyan; Corrie Ten Boom; Foxes Book of Martyrs

3. The Bible assumes that all of God’s people will suffer—either for discipline, for growth, or for righteousness sake. Add to this our own emotional illnesses, and our own human lapses. Result: it is no surprise that we suffer. The surprise is that God gives us grace not only to be at peace, but actually to be joyful in the midst of our sufferings—no matter what the reason. Ro 8:28 The only prohibition I Pet 4:15 let no man suffer as a murderer, thief, evil-doer, or busybody in other mens affairs. Ouch! Look at what is equated! Don’t let the new “Christopsychobabel” shame you out of unexpected grace in suffering.

4. II. Grace for a Whole New Start • 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

5. administration = οἰκονομίαoikonomia /oy·kon·om·ee·ah—economy “law of the house” “dispensation” Just as our budget changes at home, so the way God “dispenses” grace changes: Innocence. This covers the time before Adam’s fall (Gen. 1:28–3:6). Conscience. Romans 2:15 indicates God dealt with man through his conscience prior to the law. Others refer to this age as “self-determination” or “moral responsibility.” This covers the period from Genesis 4:1–8:14.

6. Government. This involves features of the Noahic Covenant: animals’ fear of man, promise of no more floods, and protection of human life through the institution of capital punishment. This period covers Genesis 8:15–11:9. Promise. This covers the period of the patriarchs, in which God ordained that they should respond by faith to His revelation. This covers the time from Genesis 11:10 to Exodus 18:27. Mosaic law. The law was given as a constitution to the nation Israel and covers the period from Exodus 19:1 until Acts 1:26. The law was in force until the death of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit.

7. Christ’s Spirit. Although grace is evident in every age, it is uniquely so in the coming of Christ. Through the advent of Christ and pouring out of the Holy Spirit, God made His grace known to all mankind. This covers the period from Acts 2:1 to Revelation 19:21. Millennium. This covers the period described in Revelation 20:4–6 when Christ will return to earth to reign for a thousand years. I do not “go to seed” on dispensationalism. I see the mystery as a “surprise” in God’s on-going dealings. God is always surprising us! No limits on that! How has God changed the “dispensings” of grace in your life? He gives you a whole new start. He always takes you to the next level with power & joy—and surprise!

8. III. Grace for Togetherness • 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. • This is truly a “shut my mouth” (musterion) secret—togetherness? after such hostility against the (ethnos)? Really unexpected. • Do you expect the hostilities to cease in your own life? Expect the unexpected—by grace.

9. IV. Grace to be God’s Servant • 7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

10. This is truly unexpected grace—that God’s power can work in you and me, even if we are “less than the least” of all God’s people. This power does not make us rich and famous. It makes us deacons (diakonia) or “servants” (not doulos-slave). This is truly unexpected grace—that we frail and imperfect humans could be made stewards of the “shut my mouth” secrets of God’s hidden wisdom—the true riches of life and eternity. This is truly unexpected grace—that we, mentally unstable as we are, can still “make plain” the secrets of God to others.

11. V. Grace to Triumph in the Ultimate Battle of the Heavenlies • 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

12. Unexpected grace—that this rag tag band of on again, off again saints (the church) should war and win against Satan and his Awks. Unexpected grace—that manifold wisdom and eternal purpose can be known through mere humans. Unexpected grace—that we, torn and battered, dirty and failing should approach the living God with freedom and confidence!

13. Questions about Unexpected Grace • Are you aware that your sufferings have a purpose? Is God giving you grace for them? • What is the most impossible thing in your life? Do you need a surprising new start? • Do you have some “togetherness” issues? (Who doesn’t?) Is there anything too hard for God? • Can you see yourself as a servant and steward of God’s mysteries? Even if you are less than the least of all of God’s people? • Have you joined the fray against Spiritual wickedness through grace you could not have expected?