Collinsville-Troy CHURCH OF CHRIST

The Manifold Wisdom of God

Renn Ferguson

The church occupies a very important position in the life of a christian. It is the body of christ to which we were added when we obeyed the gospel (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Galatians 3:27). While the church may be important to us as individuals, its importance extends far beyond this world.

We read in Ephesians 3:10, "So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." (ESV) Here we see that is the through the church the wisdom of God is made known. What is this wisdom and to whom is it revealed?

The wisdom under consideration here is discussed from 2:11 to 3:6. Ephesians 3:6 adequately summarizes the point, "This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in christ Jesus through the gospel." God had always intended on bringing Jews and Gentiles together in Christ. It was not until the time of Jesus and the Apostles that this was fully revealed. This is why it is here referred to as a mystery. The church is the instrument God used to demonstrate His plan of salvation for all mankind.

To whom does the church reveal such things? It is true that through the preaching of the gospel this great mystery is revealed to men by the church today. However, another point seems to be made here. The church is said to make known the wisdom of God to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. The phrase "heavenly places" is used in reference to the spiritual and spiritual beings throughout this letter (compare 1:3, 2:6, 6:12, etc.) This then brings to mind 1 Peter 1:12, "it was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look." When the prophets prophesied of the coming Messiah, they did not understand how or when God would accomplish His plan. The angels, as we see here, did not understand either. That is, until the coming of Jesus and the establishment of His church. God taught the angels of His infinite wisdom through His people, the church.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! (Romans 11:33) Let us praise God for allowing us to be a part of His great plan!

Results

Jimmy Hodges

We live in a results oriented society. The teacher has to keep on making lesson plans. And before those lesson plans are finished, more lesson plans must be made. The factory worker has to produce so many parts per day. He can't point to how many thousands of parts he has made through the years. He has to make more today. The nurse always has more patients to care for. The farmer can't rest on last year's yield. His crops must be bountiful this year. We spend so much time doing and seeking results. Each job has its own responsibilities.

I learned quickly that each week there is another sermon to preach, another Bible class to teach, another article to write. We spend so much time producing, in whatever we do; that sometimes we fail to soak in like we should. "Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." (Psalm 46:10 NLT). Have you made the time to be still lately? Have you taken the time to read from God's word and to pray? God knows that you produce so much. You need to take the time to soak things in to be fruitful. We are men and women, not machines. Although, I will say even machines get tired and need a break too. My red van doesn't run constantly, but it is up to 300 thousand miles!

The Israelites kept the Sabbath, a built in day off for worship and rest. This was also incorporated into their land. The land was fallow every seven years, a Sabbath year. This was long before research showed the effectiveness of crop rotation. Even the land needed a rest. Every 50 years, there was a year of jubilee. The land rested for 2 years, year 49 (7 x 7) and year 50. Are you making the time to be a soaker? Read the Bible daily. Pray daily. Take time to rest. A sopping wet sponge can't soak up anymore. Sometimes, we are all wet from producing so much. We haven't taken the time to be rung out. One of the best ways I have found to be refreshed is by worship. Unfortunately, mankind can try to change this into some results oriented commodity. In reality worship is meant to be focusing on God and being renewed. Soak up all you can from God. You will be better at whatever you do.

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