INTRODUCTION: From the time God created man, and placed him in the Garden of Eden, He has progressively revealed His purpose to men. As the time drew near to launch a new phase of His Divine Program, understanding was give to those who were willing to abide by the wise counsel and design of the Faithful Creator. And, when the recipients of His grace rebelled against fulfilling their assigned role, in carrying out His purpose; God raised up a NEW WITNESSING AGENCY - a people who would joyfully consent to, and obey, His wise and perfect will. Though men rebel, the eternal purpose of God WILL NOT BE THWARTED. But men rebel at terrible cost and irrecoverable loss.

       In Paul, God found a man on whom He could bestow TRUSTEESHIP OF A MYSTERY that He had carefully concealed from ages and generations. The time had come for a further revelation of the divine will. Paul was a man of dedication, zeal and uncompromising courage; a man whose stewardship of such a mystery would be faithful, (comp. Gen. 18:17-19).

I. PAUL HAS RECEIVED A SPECIAL DISPENSATION (stewardship, or trust, involving responsibility) OF THE GOSPEL, (vs. 1-2).

    For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the DISPENSATION of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

1. HIS STEWARDSHIP INVOLVED A SPECIAL MINISTRY TO THE GENTILES, (Col. 1:24-29).


1. It is said to be a "stewardship of GRACE" - recognizing that such divine favor is never given as a LUXURY for private and personal enjoyment, but as a BLESSING to be joyfully shared with others, (I Pet. 4:10; I Cor. 4:1-2).


2. It was designed to produce "obedience that springs from faith" in men of all nations, (Rom. 1:5).


3. Paul was sent to the Gentiles, as Peter had been to the Jews.


4. As the "apostle of the Gentiles", he magnified his office, (Rom. 11:13).


2. HIS WAS A COMMISSION (apostleship) DIRECTLY FROM THE LORD.


1. He was not carrying out the instructions of Peter and the other apostles, (Gal. 1:11-24).
1. He was not dependent on them for his authority.
2. He was not dependent on them for his understanding of God's purposes.


2. Yet, it is deeply instructive to behold his burning, incessant, undefeatable desire to be A PART OF THE LORD'S CHURCH (at Jerusalem) - unimpressive, weak and fallible as it appeared to men, (Acts 9:26-29).


3. HE CHAMPIONED THE CAUSE OF GENTILE LIBERTY FROM THE ENSLAVING CLUTCHES OF A JEWISH LAW, (Acts 15; Gal. 2:1-9).


4. IT IS FOR "CHRIST'S SAKE" THAT HE NOW WRITES FROM ROME AS "THE PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST FOR YOU GENTILES", (Col. 4:3-4).


1. He has been opposed by misguided brethren, (Acts 21: 20-21).


2. He has met the opposition of hateful and vengeful Jews, (Acts 21:27-22:22).


3. Ultimately, to save his own life and fulfill the will of God, he has appealed to Caesar, (Acts 25:10-11).


4. But, he does NOT view himself as the prisoner of Caesar; he is "the prisoner of Jesus Christ" for the sake of OTHERS! (4:1; 2 Tim. 1:8; Col. 1:24-29).
1. Jesus, not Caesar, is viewed as being in ultimate control of his life, (Psa. 31:15; Job 14:4-5).
2. Jesus, not Caesar, will determine the duration of his confinement.
3. Paul recognizes Jesus as LORD of history and the destinies of men; like John, he envisions Him as already seated on the throne and holding the reins of human government in His hands, (Eph. 1:22).
4. He knows that his Master "shuts" and "opens" doors, according to His own perfect wisdom and will, and that His will CANNOT FAIL of execution! Thus, he can await liberation in the Lord's own good time!


5. Here is a man who has found his own place in God's plan - being fitted into the structure of God's temple, and bound to Christ, the foundation-stone!


6. And we need to understand that NO ONE IS COMPLETELY FREE; we are bound TO one another!
1. We sin against a brother whenever we attempt to USE him for our own purposes.
2. Far too often we vaunt our own PERSONAL FREEDOM in violation of someone else.
3. To choose one's own comfort above courtesy toward another, or, to put convenience ahead of courage is to violate another human being.
4. Christian courage and courtesy are vital elements of such self-mastery as will liberate us FROM OURSELVES!
5. A "prisoner of Jesus Christ" can be, or go, no place that his Lord has not SENT him! Thus, Paul views his imprisonment as being WITHIN THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD! And he is glad to have it so.

Make me a captive Lord, and then I shall be FREE;
Force me to render up my sword, And I shall conqueror be.
I sink in life's alarms When by myself I stand;
Imprison me within thine arms, And strong shall be my hand!

II. GOD HAS REVEALED TO PAUL A CLOSELY-GUARDED MYSTERY, (vs. 3-5); THUS, HIS STEWARDSHIP OF THE MYSTERY.

    3. How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

1. GOD HAD A SECRET, (Deut. 29:29; Psa. 25:14; Prov. 3:11, 32; Amos 3:7).


1. It concerned His plan.


2. It involved the "exceeding riches" of His grace.


3. It would ultimately bring Him glory.


2. HIS SECRET PURPOSE (involving the relationship of Jew and Gentile in the body of Christ) HAD NOT BEEN CLEARLY REVEALED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, (Rom. 16:25-27).


1. Because of the deep enmity between Jew and Gentile, it was not appropriate that it should be made known at that time; neither of them would have appreciated it.


2. But, Jesus Christ came as a "Peacemaker" between Jew and Gentile - reconciling both unto God on the basis of His own merit and grace.


3. In Him provision was made whereby the enmity might be abolished.


3. NOW GOD'S SECRET CAN BE ENTRUSTED TO HIS HOLY (New Testament) APOSTLES AND PROPHETS.


1. This understanding came "by the Spirit", Whom Jesus promised would guide His church "into all truth", (John 16:31).


2. Paul asserts that it was made known to him "by revelation"; possibly during his three years of re-assessment in the deserts of Arabia, (vs. 3; Gal. 1:12, 15-16; I Cor. 2:9-13).
1. Again, it must be stressed that this was INDEPENDENT of the other apostles.
(1) Peter was shown this truth at the house of Cornelius, (Acts 10-11).
(2) But it did not produce the desired, practical effect in his life, (Gal. 2:11-14).
2. It actually appears that the other apostles never fully grasped the significance of this MYSTERY until it was so strongly emphasized by Paul's uncompromising zeal for the acceptance of his Gentile brethren AS EQUALS in the body of Christ.
3. But Paul has been given a clear understanding of this mystery, (vs. 4; comp. 1:9).

III. THE REVELATION OF GOD'S SECRET TO PAUL WAS SUCH GOOD NEWS THAT HE WANTED TO SHARE IT, (vs. 6-12).

1. THE SECRET WAS A STARTLING ONE:

    "... That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise IN CHRIST by the Gospel", (vs. 6).

        Henceforth, Jew and Gentile, in Christ, are to be:


1. FELLOW-HEIRS of an inheritance to which Gentiles have no right, by birth, (Gal. 3:29; 4:4-7; Rom. 8:14-17).


2. FELLOW-MEMBERS of the body of Christ - a position of equality in standing where ALL are "one in Christ Jesus", (Gal. 3:26-28).


3. FELLOW-SHARERS of the Promise, (Gal. 3:13-14; comp. Eph. 2:12).


2. THE STEWARDSHIP OF THIS MYSTERY IS PAUL'S, (vs. 7-8).

    7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable 'riches of Christ;

1. For this reason, God has made Paul a minister - "to make all men see" the truth.
1. According to the gift of God's grace.
2. According to the working of His power - the power by which Christ was raised from the dead.


2. That he should have ever been called to such glorious service was always, for Paul, a matter of wonder and praise, (comp. I Tim. 1:11-12).
1. He viewed himself as the "least of all saints" and "the chief of sinners".
2. He rejoiced in the privilege of preaching to the Gentiles the "good news" of abundant riches bestowed on them in Christ Jesus.


3. THE ENJOYMENT OF SUCH BLESSING INVOLVES A NEW COVENANT PEOPLE IN A STEWARDSHIP, (vs. 9-12).

    9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

1. Paul's is the responsibility of helping men to recognize the STEWARDSHIP that becomes THEIR RESPONSIBILITY with the revelation of this age-hidden mystery.


2. The church has an important role in the education of "principalities and powers in heavenly places".


3. This is in accord with God's eternal purpose for those whom He has chosen.


4. His over-all purpose involves, not men only, but His entire creation.


5. This is His purpose for those properly identified with His son. In Him we may boldly and confidently apply for divine help - by "the faith of Christ", (vs. 12).

        CONCLUSION: God's purpose has not yet been fully realized, but it IS UNFAILING! Enriched by the Grace He has bestowed on us, as Gentiles; the only proper attitude for our hearts is that of: adoration, praise and worship! Submission and loving service will best manifest, in our lives, the gratitude that our hearts SHOULD feel!

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW

1. In what manner has God, through the ages, revealed His purpose to men?
2. What was God able to reveal to Paul that previously had been hidden from ages and generations?
3. What did this involve?
4. Did he take this commission seriously?
5. Had God's purpose, to effect a new relationship between Jew and Gentile, been clearly revealed in the Old Testament? Why?
6. In what manner was this mystery made known to the apostle? Is this a method that God still uses today?
7. Was Paul's enunciation of this mystery readily received by all his brethren?
8. What was Paul's own attitude toward the revelation?
9. What three expressions summarize the blessings of this secret?
10. What does the apostle say was God's purpose in his own call to apostleship?
11. Does the reception of these blessings involve the people of God in any particular responsibility?
12. What should be the attitude of an elect people toward the One Who has bestowed on them such an abundance of His grace?