While we are always to be growing in holiness, there must be an increasing sense of our total inadequacy.  The gospel we preach is a gospel we feel; that is, we are mindful of our sin and misery.  Without Christ, we are undone.  But continuing to taste the grace of Jesus, we have an ever-increasing affection for him. We, therefore, preach a felt Christ out of a posture of lowliness. 

Introduction

One of the most precious privileges of the Christianity ministry is the task of proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ.  In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul understood that the crux of his calling was “to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph 3:8).  This proclamation is God’s means to bring his people to himself.  

But what all is involved in this great task?  In Ephesians 3 Paul invites us to consider his role in God’s grand purpose of redemption, and his role has implications for every minister of the gospel.  What are those implications?  They are at least threefold: 1) we need to have a proper estimation of our ministry, 2) we must grasp the essence of our preaching, and 3) we must be clear-sighted about the end or the goal of gospel proclamation.  All of this is necessary for the proper preaching of Christ. 

In a series of three articles, let’s explore these three aspects centered on preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Having A Proper Estimation Of Our Ministry

We begin with Paul’s estimation of his own ministry.  From one vantage point the apostle Paul is one of the most remarkable human beings to ever live.  He’s a brilliant thinker, a man skilled in the Hebrew Scriptures.  He was a star-student, a standout among all Pharisees.  And he has great facility with both the ancient and present languages. 

Paul can quote Greek philosophers (Acts 17:28).  He can pique the interest of philosophical communities.  He can effectively address kings (Acts 26:2ff) and common servants (Acts 16:28-34), persuade masses (Acts 14:11-18), and compel magistrates (Acts 16:35-39).  Paul is, by any account, a shining star of cleverness, conviction, and courage. 

However, unlike the skilled men of his day, whether eloquent speakers or simply prominent people, Paul did not make much of himself.  Indeed, he’s persistent in denouncing any boasting in the flesh (1 Cor 1:31).  This is the opposite of a Greek mindset where philosophers like Epictetus argued that men should be incapable of humility. (1 ) Humility in the eyes of the world was a sign of weakness and timidity.   

To the contrary Paul sees humility of mind as a mark of the mind of Christ in us (Phil 2:3-5). That consciousness of lowliness—rejecting the love of honor in favor of the honor of God—is reflected in Paul’s estimation of his calling.  Paul is a minister of the gospel, but how is it that he is a minister?  It’s not due to being some kind of self-made man.  He’s a minister by grace alone. 

We Are Ministers By Grace

Notice in Ephesians 3:7-8 the emphatic stress on God’s grace.  “Of this gospel, I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.  To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given.”  The italics highlight the constant reference to God’s grace, God’s power, and God’s action to gift Paul this position. 

Paul is a prominent preacher, but he preaches not himself (2 Cor 4:5).  God’s grace has put him in the office to make much of Christ.  Paul has not made himself anything.  For, if we were to go back to Saul of Tarsus—the prideful, persecuting Pharisee—we would see that that man, that flesh-boaster, was bound for hell.  But God’s grace rescued him.  The risen Redeemer erupted into Paul’s life changing him and calling him to be the Lord’s servant. 

Paul didn’t figure anything out by his intellectual sophistication.  He didn’t gain insight into the mystery through his methodical study (Eph 3:3-4).  He was blind.  He used the Scriptures in error having a zeal without knowledge.  But the Lord turned on the lights.  Paul was made to see and then made a minister. 

Paul is stressing to the Ephesians that he engages in this glorious work of preaching Christ because of the gift of God’s grace.  The Lord is working mightily in him.  Paul didn’t craft a plan for personal success on the preaching circuit.  He isn’t a man looking for a stage to shine under the spotlights. 

We Are To Be Hard Working Ministers While Not Boasting In Our Hard Work

Sure, at this point in his ministry, Paul has worked hard, studied long, spoken all over the Roman world, and suffered much. But his two decades of preaching have been empowered by the grace of God alone.  There is no proper preaching of Christ and his riches without a recognition of this fact.

Read More