When people use the word mystery, they usually mean something eerie or inscrutable. When the Bible uses the word mystery, it means a truth hidden by God in times past and is now revealed to those who are in His family. It is a “sacred secret” that is unknown to unbelievers, but understood and treasured by the people of God.
In Ephesians 3 Paul talks about a mystery, a truth that God is now revealing to His people.
The mystery: Gentiles are now united to the Jewish believers in one Body, the Church.
In Romans 15:5-6 Paul prays that the God who gives endurance and encouragement would give the church a spirit of unity as they follow Christ Jesus so that with one heart and mouth the church would glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In Colossians 3:15 Paul says that by God’s peace we have been called to be in one body.
We as God’s people need to see ourselves as one with Him and with each other.
This truth is important to four groups of people.
Ephesians 3:1-5
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles --- Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 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.
Group #1: Those who by God’s grace have made themselves prisoners of Jesus.
A prisoner is a person who is under the control of someone else.
If we are like Paul, a prisoner of Jesus, then knowing that is essential. Then we will know that we have a whole family of people who, like us, are under the control of Jesus and we can find support and strength from each other.
We know that our connection is not about gender, race, social position, or economic standing. The connection is about Jesus being the absolute ruler of our lives.
We join together as Gentiles and Jews to form One Body.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is come together as people very different than one another to form one unified body of followers of Jesus.
Ephesians 3:6-8
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. I became servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of His power. 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.
Group #2: Those who want to experience the fulfillment of God’s promises in Jesus.
We can experience the reality of God promises in Jesus by becoming servants of Jesus.
In Matthew 23:11 Jesus says, “The greatest among you shall be your servant.”
The world’s values tell us that we are to seek to be first, to be the boss. Jesus tells us to seek to be a servant.
It is important that those of us who are seeking to experience God’s promises in Jesus by being His servants have a community of servants to serve with.
The church made up of all kinds of people can join together as one body to serve the world in the name of Jesus.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is being a servant of Jesus in a community of servants.
Ephesians 3:9-10
And to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 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.
Group #3: Those who are the church of Christ Jesus.
In Matthew 16:18 Jesus says that He will build His church on the truth that He is God and that, by living based on that truth, the church will not be defeated, even by the forces of hell itself.
Hope is found in the plan Jesus has to change the world. That plan is the church.
We need to see ourselves as the church, Christ’s Community, that together by the work of the Holy Spirit God will use to change the world.
The world will not be changed by me or you working by ourselves as individuals. The world will be changed by God working through His united people, the church.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is living together in community, the church.
Ephesians 3:11-13
According to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
Group #4: Those who are suffering with and for Jesus.
God is accomplishing His purpose through Jesus. It is an eternal purpose and it is being fulfilled through us right now today.
What those early believers did in fulfilling God’s purpose was awesome. God’s will is that all successive generations allow God to continue to fulfill His purpose through us.
Since we live in a fallen world, fulfilling God’s purpose will involve suffering.
In Philippians 3:10 Paul talks about knowing the fellowship of sharing in Jesus’ sufferings.
The thing that caused Jesus to suffer was sin. When we suffer with Jesus, we will be broken over sin. We will be broken over our own sin and the sin that dominates the world.
When we suffer with Jesus over sin, we need a community to encourage us, support us, and at times to comfort us.
Raise the Roof and Remove Walls is suffering with Jesus over sin as a Faith Family.
The thing that allows us to be prisoners of Jesus, servants of Jesus, the church of Jesus, and suffer with Jesus is GRACE.
Together with God’s Grace Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
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