The Mysteries of God
Pastor Tan Thai · Feb 26, 2023
This sermon is based on Ephesians 1:15-19 and focuses on three mysteries that Paul prays for the church to understand: the hope of God's calling, the glorious inheritance of God among the saints, and the exceeding greatness of God's power toward those who believe. The pastor emphasizes that these mysteries are not based on human works but on God's election and grace.
The sermon begins by presenting three mysteries that Paul prays for the church to understand from Ephesians 1:15-19. These mysteries are profound spiritual truths about God's grace that not all believers fully grasp. The pastor emphasizes the importance of having the eyes of the heart enlightened to understand these great truths, not through human wisdom but through revelation from God.
The second section develops in detail the hope of God's calling. The pastor explains that this hope is not hope in works that believers might accomplish, but hope in eternal redemption through Christ. The sermon cites Romans 8:30 to demonstrate that those whom God has predestined He also calls, justifies, and glorifies. This hope differs from the hope of those not called, because it is confidence in eternal glory, not only in this life but also in the life to come. The pastor emphasizes that believers are chosen from eternity past in Christ to be sanctified.
The third section discusses the glorious and rich inheritance of God among the saints. The pastor explains that believers have been chosen to inherit this treasure and to be filled with every spiritual blessing in Christ. The Holy Spirit is the guarantor of this inheritance until believers receive full redemption. Believers are regarded as God's precious inheritance, similar to how Jacob was God's inheritance. The sermon stresses the marvel that God still considers those with sin, despite their lingering old nature, as precious when He sees them through Christ.
The final section explores the exceeding greatness of God's power toward those who believe. The pastor explains four Greek words representing this power: Dunamis (strength like dynamite), Energia (energy), Kratos (greatness), and Ichus (might). The sermon applies this power to the practical Christian life through examples from Matthew 5, such as loving enemies, forgiving seventy times seven, and living as salt of the earth and light of the world. All these actions require the supernatural power of God, not human strength. The sermon concludes by suggesting that believers should meditate on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good repute, and worthy of praise.