O’Neal church of Christ July 28, 2013 As Seen Through God’s Church

Eph. 3: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 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: 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

Like a diamond that is turned in the light so that each facet can glisten, the various things about the church reflect the multi- faceted wisdom of God.

The The Manifold Manifold Wisdom Wisdom of of God God

The Church

So many beautiful things show the Wisdom of God….

Yet, The Church Showing The Manifold Wisdom of GOD

. “O Lord, how many are your works! In wisdom You have made them all” (Psalms 104:24).. “O Lord, how many are your works! In wisdom You have made them all” (Psalms 104:24). When considering this scripture, there can be no denying that there is an Awesome,Wise,and Powerful Creator.. by William Jennings Bryan

Without a doubt, God’s Wisdom is “manifold” Eph. 3:10 The Greeks used the word “manifold” to describe the intricate beauty of an embroidered pattern and the endless variety of colors in flowers. God’s wisdom is intricate, endless, and beautiful.

Eph. 3:8-12 The existence of the church declares the manifold (many-sided or multi-faceted) wisdom of God and is the fulfillment of His eternal purpose (plan) that He purposed to accomplish in Christ Jesus

Look what God has done with sinful men!!! 1, Everyone of us are marred by sin. Rom.3:23 and worthy of eternal damnation. Rom. 6:23. a )If you asked any sincere Christian about his life, he would confess that his sinful conduct made him unworthy of eternal life or unfit to be used in God’s service.

Isa. 59:1-2 Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Look who were in the church!!.... People who had been 1. Fornicators, Adulterers effeminate, homosexuals, thieves, covetous, drunkards and revilers changed to Saints! I Cor. 6: In the church there was ‘the chiefest of sinners” turned into an apostle. I Tim. 1:13-16

Look what God does! Gave His Son, that In Him, we can Be forgiven, and saved eternally!. John 3:16 Heb. 2:9,10 Heb. 12:1-2 Rom. 5:8,9

That shows Wisdom! That shows care, love, compassion, that God has shown to all of us!.

The Manifold Wisdom of God!

1. That the Gentiles could be fellow heirs of the promises of Christ through the gospel. That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

The middle wall broken down Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us];

Acts 10: Peter was blessed to teach and preach to both Jews and Gentiles, showing that God makes no distinction. 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him

Eph. 3: God had kept this secret since the world began but now at the end of the ages, God revealed his mystery! 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:

Look at the church… Look at the people who make up the Church, the body of Christ. The church, brothers and sisters in Christ, are different…Their affection is on the things that are above and not upon the earth. Col. 3:2

May we be humbled by God’s words out of the whirlwind to Job-

Job 38:1-4 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct Me! Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.”

The existence of the church declares the manifold (many-sided or multi-faceted) wisdom of God and is the fulfillment of His eternal purpose (plan) that He purposed to accomplish in Christ Jesus (Eph 3:8-11).

What must I do to be saved? Everyone does the same things!

All are saved the same way… Hear the Word. Rom. 10:17 Believe in Jesus. John 8:24. Repent. Acts 2:38 Confess your faith in Christ. Mtt. 10:32,33 Be baptized into Christ. I Pet. 3:21

All Erring Christians are told the same thing…. The erring Christian is told To 1. Repent. Acts 8:22 2. Confess his sin. I John 1:9 3. Pray. James 5:16

Live faithfully I Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Rev. 2:10 … be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.