Audio Messages:
Pastor Wade Burleson

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Ephesians 3:8-11 (English-KJV)

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:

1. He is not simply to discuss current events and offer political or social resolutions
2. He is not called primarily to reveal social evils and solutions for them
3. He is not simply to preach public morality or a general ethic such as "the golden rule"
4. He is not even primarily charged to call people to prayer, discipline, or good works

1. The Resources for True Christian Preaching . . .
   "the unsearchable riches of Christ" (v.7)
   Spurgeon said, "If a man can preach one sermon without mentioning Christ's name in it, it ought to be his last, certainly the last that any Christian ought to go to hear him preach."
   The riches of Christ are "unsearchable" which literally means "past tracing out."
   1. They can never be totally discovered . . .
      The best preaching "finds a text and takes the shortest route to Christ."
   2. They can never be fully described . . .
      "God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." (Eph. 3:20)
   3. They can never be initially depleted . . .
      Jesus Christ, as the old hymn writer wrote, is a "never ebbing sea."
2. The Reasons for True Christian Preaching . . . "
   the eternal purpose of God in Christ" (v.11) God has a purpose for the preaching of "the unsearchable riches of Christ"
   1. An individual purpose . . . "
      I preach among the Gentiles" (v.7)
      Notice how many times Paul says "for you" (Ephesians 3:1,2,4,8,13)
      Paul had his eye trained upon the Gentiles in Ephesus and he preached "for them"
   2. A universal purpose . . .
      "And to make all see (the plan of God in Christ)" (v.9)
      The word "see" is very strong and is sometimes translated "make plain" or "illuminate" God has a plan, a scheme for the whole world, from creation to the end.
      History is nothing but His Story.
   3. A celestial purpose . . . "
      To the intent that principalities (know) the wisdom of God"(v.10) Christ died for even a grander purpose than rescuing hell-bound sinners --- God's glory!
3. The Results of True Christian Preaching . . . "In whom we have boldness and access" (v.12)
   When Christ is proclaimed by the preacher:
   1. People draw nigh to God and He to them (v.12) (We shall examine this next week)
   2. People are encouraged because they view things from a heavenly perspective (v.13)
   3. People fall in love with Jesus Christ and He becomes their all in all (v.16)