[English Sermon 영어 설교]
Sunday, June 1, 2025 - Sermon by Rev. Jinkook (Danny) Sohn
The Mystery of the Divine Plan (Ephesians 3:1-13)
2025. 6. 1. 주일예배 설교- 에베소서 강해 11
본문: 에베소서 3:1-13
제목: 비밀의 경륜
설교자: 손진국 목사
In today's reading from Ephesians 3:1-13, an important keyword is repeated multiple times. It is the word "mystery." It appears in verses 3, 4, and 9. The original Greek word is Mysterion, from which the English word "Mystery" is derived.
The title of today's sermon is "The Mystery of the Divine Plan." This phrase comes from verse 9:
[Ephesians 3:9] and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
The word "administration" here can be simply understood as "plan." It means that God had a secret plan when He created all things. The Apostle Paul says he has come to understand this mystery of the divine plan, and he writes this letter to the believers in Ephesus who desire to know this secret plan.
I pray that all of God's people, including you and me, receive grace to understand the mystery of God's divine plan that Paul discovered.
1. The Mystery of the Divine Plan is Revealed Through Revelation
What is a mystery? It is something not easily recognized from the outside. A mystery is hidden within and cannot be seen clearly at first glance. But what happens when the hidden mystery is revealed? It depends on the nature of the mystery. If the secret is a private matter or a scandal between people, it might not change much. However, if the hidden mystery is more valuable than everything one owns, the person who knows it will stake everything on it.
Jesus spoke about how a person behaves when they discover such a treasure:
[Matthew 13:44] “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
This verse tells us that the man who found the treasure in the field sold all he had to buy that field. Why? Because the treasure he found was worth more than all his possessions. What is the treasure hidden in the field? Jesus said it is the kingdom of heaven.
Have you found that treasure worth selling all you have? A Christian is someone who has discovered that treasure and sold everything to obtain it.
But if you hesitate to sell what you have, what does that mean? It could mean either that you have not found the treasure yet, or you found it but do not understand its true value.
In today's text, the Apostle Paul says he has found the treasure and knows the mystery. How did he come to know it? Verses 3 and 5 tell us:
[Ephesians 3:3] that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
Paul explains that his knowledge of the mystery did not come from his own effort but through revelation. In other words, God revealed what was hidden.
Spiritual mysteries cannot be known by human effort or devotion but only when God reveals them. However, even when God reveals, not everyone can see or understand the mystery.
What is the representative form of revelation? It is the Word of God, the Bible. Does everyone who reads the Bible understand God and His will? No. Some understand by revelation, but others do not.
What causes the difference? Verse 5 explains:
[Ephesians 3:5] which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
God’s Word is given to all people, but the secret is not understood by all men. Only those who have received the Holy Spirit can understand because it has been revealed by the Spirit.
[1 Corinthians 2:10] These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
[1 Corinthians 2:12] What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
Knowing God who is Spirit and understanding the mystery of the divine plan revealed by Him is possible only by those who have received the Holy Spirit, who see with spiritual eyes rather than natural eyes.
I pray in the name of the Lord that everyone who comes to our Hope of Heaven Church may understand God’s mystery with spiritual eyes.
[Application] Have you found the treasure worth giving up everything? What have you done to obtain that treasure?
2. The Mystery of the Divine Plan is to Be United with Christ
What is the content of the mystery?
[Ephesians 3:6] 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.
Who are the Gentiles here? They are us. Through the gospel, we also become heirs of the kingdom of heaven. We become members of Christ’s body, the church. We become participants in God’s promise.
Do you think this is worth selling all the things in this world? Is inheriting the kingdom of heaven more valuable than inheriting land, buildings, or businesses on earth? Is being a member of Christ’s body more valuable than living a healthy and enjoyable life on earth? Is participating in God’s promise more valuable than receiving a promise from the world’s richest man like Elon Musk? The difference between worldly people and believers is this. Those who belong to the world tend to think that inheriting earthly property and enjoying life is more valuable than these heavenly things.
Romans 8 contrasts those who belong to the flesh and those who belong to the Spirit:
[Romans 8:5-6] Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Think about yourself. Are you someone who lives according to the flesh or the Spirit? Those who follow the flesh belong to the world, and those who follow the Spirit belong to the Lord. Which are you?
[Ephesians 3:6] 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.
What does it mean to become such a person? First, it means to be united with Christ. To become like Christ. And it is not just alone but together with brothers and sisters next to you.
Dear saints, I pray that every one of us, without exception, becomes one with Jesus Christ, belongs to the Spirit, becomes heirs together, members of Christ’s body, and sharers together with Christ in the glorious promise.
[Application] Am I someone who lives according to the flesh or the Spirit? Do I believe that I am united with Christ?
3. The Mystery of the Divine Plan Is Completed Through the Mission
Paul, who became a person belonging to the Spirit by believing in Jesus, was transformed after he came to know the mystery revealed by revelation. How was he transformed? [Ephesians 3:7] “...I became a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, given to me by the working of His power.” He says that he became a minister of the gospel. This clearly reveals the goal of the life of a believer who has been changed by faith in Jesus. The purpose and direction of the believer’s life is to live as a worker of the gospel.
We must not misunderstand that being a worker of the gospel means we have to become missionaries. Of course, if God has called you to be a missionary, that is a great grace. But whether God calls you as a businessman, a programmer, a chef, an architect, a store clerk, a doctor, a nurse, a janitor, or a homemaker, it is equally a great grace from God.
More important than what job I have is whether I am proclaiming the gospel through that work. Am I making known the mystery of the divine plan revealed to me by God’s revelation? Ephesians 3:9] “...to make known the mystery of God’s will according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ.” Those who have found the hidden treasure, those who have come to know the secret of salvation, no matter what work they do, proclaim to all what the mystery of the divine plan is. And what is written at the end of verse 9? “...to make known.” This means the Lord allows us to reveal the mystery of the gospel. How?
[Ephesians 3:10] “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.” Here is an important phrase: “now, through the church.” The “manifold wisdom of God” mentioned here is the same mystery in verse 9. In other words, it is the church’s, the believing saints’, mission to proclaim God’s manifold wisdom, that is, the mystery of the gospel accomplished in Christ. But to whom is this mystery of the gospel proclaimed? Is it only to people on earth? Of course, it is. Yet verse 10 says something astonishing — it is also to the rulers and authorities in the heavens, that is, the angels. This is God’s plan, and it is the church’s mission. And verse 11 says that this was according to God’s eternal purpose in Christ Jesus.
[Ephesians 3:11] “...in accordance with His purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.”
Ultimately, God’s mystery of the divine plan was fulfilled in Christ Jesus. This mystery accomplished by Christ was given as a mission to the Apostle Paul and the church.
Then how should believers who have received this revealed mystery, who have found the hidden treasure, proceed in their mission? [Ephesians 3:12] “In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Paul confesses that through faith in Christ, he comes boldly and confidently before God. He declares this openly.
Beloved saints, I pray you live by faith in Christ. I pray you have confidence in Christ. I pray you boldly approach God with Christ.
Let us once again reflect on what our mission is. [Ephesians 3:13] “Therefore I ask you not to be discouraged because of my sufferings, which are for you; for they are your glory.” Paul, though imprisoned and suffering, wants the Ephesian believers not to be discouraged. Why? Because even in prison and suffering, he is still in Christ. He knows the secret of heaven. He is still fulfilling the mission of proclaiming the mystery of God’s salvation plan. Though Paul is now suffering in prison, he encourages them not to lose heart because his present suffering participates in the future glory of Christ revealed through the church.
The gospel may not look impressive outwardly. It may seem worthless or even foolish. I thought so before I believed in Jesus. But when one understands the mystery hidden in the gospel, discovers the hidden treasure, and recognizes its value, life changes.
We are people who possess something far more precious than all the values of this world — Jesus Christ Himself. We are members of Christ’s body. I earnestly pray in the name of the Lord that all believers become those who believe that through us, the mystery of God’s salvation plan, God’s wisdom, the gospel is proclaimed to earth and heaven, and who boldly fulfill the mission entrusted to them by faith in Christ Jesus.
[Application] Are you currently proclaiming the mystery of Christ’s gospel through the work you are doing? How are you doing it?
하늘소망교회(담임 손진국 목사)는 뉴질랜드 오클랜드 북부 실버데일에 세워진 한인교회로 '하나님의 마음으로 사람을 살리는 교회'입니다.
Hope of Heaven Baptist Church (Senior Pastor: Rev. Jinkook Sohn) is a Korean church established in Silverdale, Auckland, New Zealand. It is a church that saves people with the heart of God.