Sermon Central
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It Is No Secret!
Contributed by Monte Brown on Jan 15, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: You might want to begin the message by reading the words to the song, "It Is No Secret" by Stuart Hamblen. He was a song writer and singer who came to know Christ as Savior. One night he was at a party, and Stuart made the comment "It is no secret what Go
You might want to begin the message by reading the words to the song, "It Is No Secret" by Stuart Hamblen. He was a song writer and singer who came to know Christ as Savior. One night he was at a party, and Stuart made the comment "It is no secret what God can do".
Upon leaving, his host suggested that he write a song about that statement.
He went home and wrote the song in 17 minutes.
The change in Hamblen’s life when coming to Christ is an indication of just how true the words of the song are!
Genesis 18:14, Jeremiah 32:17, Luke 1:37.
Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."
"Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17
For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37
In Ephesians 3:1-12 we see four wonderful things that God did for Paul that He will also do for us through the mighty working of His power.
1. GOD CAN EMPOWER US TO LOVE OUR ENEMIES
Verse 1
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
Jews and Gentiles were enemies. How remarkable that Paul would end up loving his former enemies so much that he became a prisoner for their sakes. Acts 21:27-30, Acts 22:17-22.
Acts 21:27-30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut.
Acts 22:17-22 When Paul preached in the temple about the killing of Stephen then the crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, "Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!"
God will also enable us to love our enemies. Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 22:36-40,
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
[37] Jesus replied: " ’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: ’Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40
2. GOD CAN EMPOWER US TO UNDERSTAND HIS WORD
Verses 2-6
[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. [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.
Paul and the other Apostles (See Acts 10: for Peter’s story.) were given to understand a great mystery.
3. GOD CAN EMPOWER US TO SERVE AS MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL.
Verses 7-9
The word minister means "servant". Paul considered it a special privilege to share the riches of Christ with the Gentiles. We too have the privilege of sharing Christ with others.
[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.
4. GOD CAN EMPOWER US TO COMMUNICATE WITH HIMSELF.
Verses 10-12
[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.
We have bold access to the "Throne of Grace" through prayer.
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14-15
