THE MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD PART 2

READING: Eph 3:1-12

I. THE CHURCH IS IN DEMONSTRATION OF THE WISDOM OF GOD.

A. What a marvelous creation, open to all; entrance controlled by God only!
1. Eph 3:1-12
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 youward:
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.

Consider this! The church is the demonstration of the manifold wisdom of God to “the principalities
and powers in heavenly places.” What a confidence God has in His creation – in us – to hold us up to the
powers of heaven as the goal of His plan from the foundation of the world, as the result of His manifold
wisdom. What an awesome privilege is ours! What an awesome responsibility! How could we ever allow
ourselves to behave in a worldly manner?

B. The prophets and angels longed to see the implementation of God’s plan to save mankind.
1. 1 Peter 1:9-12
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace
that should come unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified
beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are
now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from
heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

C. Built upon a divine, everlasting foundation.

1. Matt 16:15-19
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not
revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
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.
 2
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall
be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

What rock? What divine foundation? What everlasting foundation? It is not Peter. It is the
acknowledgement – the confession – of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. (“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God.”)

2. Acts 2:38-47 Peter hands out the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our
God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward
generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about
three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in
prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat
their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as
should be saved.

The church being the demonstration of the manifold wisdom of God means that no man, or group of
men, can ever determine who is added to the church. No one can “join” the church; God adds them.

D. Organized by divine wisdom.

1. Acts 6:1-4
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians
against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave
the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom,
whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

2. 1 Tim 3:1-15
3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to
hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the
devil.
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
 3
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness
in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is
the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

3. Titus 1:4-9
4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ our Saviour.
5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders
in every city, as I had appointed thee:
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no
striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort
and to convince the gainsayers.

II. MARRIAGE WAS INSTITUTED BY THE WISDOM OF GOD.

Consider how the dissolution of the institution of marriage is destroying our nation.

A. God’s plan for marriage.

1. Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife:
and they shall be one flesh. [Man + woman.]

2. Matt 19:3-6
3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his
wife for every cause?
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them
male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain
shall be one flesh ?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man
put asunder.

3. Eph 5:28-31
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two
shall be one flesh.

B. God’s feelings on divorce.

1. Mal 2:14-17
14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth,
against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
 4
15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a
godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away [divorce]: for one covereth violence
with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every
one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of
judgment?

2. Matt 5:31-32 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of
divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of
fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced
committeth adultery.

III. IN HIS WISDOM, GOD INSTITUTED CIVIL GOVERNMENT.

A. Government should be set up after the wisdom of God.
1. Ezra 7:25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and
judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God;
and teach ye them that know them not.

B. Civil government is a part of God’s plan.

Can you imagine a world without any government at all? We often disagree strongly with what our
and other governments do, or the way in which they do them. Still, as long as doing so will not contravene
our loyalty and service to God and Jesus Christ, we are obliged to obey civil law.

1. Titus 3:1-2 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers , to obey magistrates, to be
ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness
unto all men.

2. Col 1:16-17 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and
invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers : all things were created by
him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

3. Rom 13:1-7
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are
ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to
themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that
which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not
the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear;
honour to whom honour.
 5
IV. HOW GOD’S WISDOM WORKS FOR US.

A. Hear God’s word, the gospel, the good news, the demonstration of God’s manifold wisdom.
1. Acts 2:22-24 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among
you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also
know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and
by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death:
because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

2. Acts 10:33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now
therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

B. Believe.
1. Acts 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and
brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my
mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe .

2. Acts 16:29-32 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before
Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said,
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto
him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

C. Repent.
1. Acts 17:29-31 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the
Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this
ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath
appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath
ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

2. Acts 26:19-20 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But
shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then
to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

D. Confess Christ as the Son of God.

1. Rom 10:8-13
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which
we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath
raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call
upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

2. Matt 10:32-33 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before
my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny
before my Father which is in heaven.
 6
E. Be immersed for the forgiveness of sins.
1. 1 Peter 3:21-22 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting
away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of
Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and
powers being made subject unto him.

2. Acts 22:15-16 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now
why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the
Lord.

F. Remain faithful.
It is possible to fall from grace.
1. Gal 5:3-4 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from
grace.

2. 1 Tim 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou
shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

3. Col 1:21-23 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet
now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and
unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away
from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is
under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

4. Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you
into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death,
and I will give thee a crown of life.