The Mystery Of The Church
In this message, Stephen discusses the mystery of God and the Church, emphasizing that God's eternal purpose is to bring all things under Christ. He highlights that the mystery, revealed to the apostles, is that all nations are joint heirs in Christ. Stephen explains that Jesus came to demonstrate the ideal man, embodying God's will, and that His life exemplifies self-denial and obedience to the Father. The Church, as the body of Christ, is essential for manifesting His fullness, as no individual can fully express Christ alone. Stephen clarifies that the Church is not a physical building but the assembly of believers gathered in Jesus' name, under His authority. He stresses the importance of overcoming personal and worldly challenges to fulfill God's purpose. The call to overcome is a central theme, urging believers to deny themselves and follow Christ. Stephen concludes by discussing the significance of the Church in God's plan, emphasizing that while all believers are saved, there is a process of sanctification that leads to being conformed to Christ's image, culminating in the eternal union with Him.
Outline of Main Points
- Introduction to the mystery of God and the Church
- God's eternal purpose: bringing all things under Christ
- Jesus as the ideal man and His obedience to the Father
- The Church as the body of Christ, not a physical building
- Importance of overcoming personal and worldly challenges
- The call to overcome as a central theme for believers
- Sanctification process leading to eternal union with Christ
1 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: 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; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 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; 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.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
