In this sermon, the speaker discusses how God's creation is not just like a museum to be observed, but it is intended to bless and benefit humanity. The speaker emphasizes that all of God's glory is meant to be shared and received by people. The main focus of the sermon is on the role of the apostle Paul as a steward of God's message, specifically in preaching the immeasurable riches of Christ to the Gentiles and making known the mystery of God's plan. The speaker also highlights the importance of being renewed in the spirit and putting on the new man through Jesus Christ.

Abide with me. There is peace, sweet peace, in your presence, in your presence there is. I will. Till your likeness may be seen in me. Maybe we weren't all called to preach. Or be a missionary. Or a Sunday school teacher. But every single person here has been predestined by God and called to be conformed to the image of his son. In the beginning God said, let us make man in our image and likeness. And God has been about making men in his image and likeness since creation. And since it didn't happen in the first Adam. He sent the last Adam. So that we could all be conformed to the image of Christ. Because Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God. The exact representation of his being. Sustaining all things by the word of his power. That's why we're being renewed in the likeness of the image of Christ. Because that's who he intended for men to be. And that's what he wants. That's his will. And you know what? Just a clue. For you husbands, your wives will not mind you looking like Jesus. And wives, your husbands will not mind you looking like Jesus. He's meek and he's lowly of heart. And when you are, you find rest for your souls. And those around you also find rest for their souls. So it's the highest privilege in the universe to be conformed. Being conformed to the image of Christ. Excuse me for that. I don't know what I did. Oh, I think I do know what I did. I brushed that. Can I make a deposit tonight? Do you mind? I want to make a deposit in those who are ready to receive a deposit. Okay. And you know, it's up to you whether you're able to receive a deposit. But I want to make a short deposit. And if you'll turn to Ephesians chapter 3, you'll understand, I think, when I'm said and done. In Ephesians chapter 3, Paul says, For this reason I, Paul, the very first of the chapter, For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles, If indeed you heard of the dispensation of the grace. Now, I'm reading from the New King James. Does some of your version say a different word for dispensation? Or is that pretty well? Oh, thank you. Dispensation is the word used there. Okay. Because you're going to find the translators have a difficult time choosing which English word they want to convey the meaning of the Greek word used here. If indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which was given to me for you. How that by revelation he made known to me the mystery. As I have briefly written already. In chapter 1, Paul briefly mentioned about the mystery of God. How his purpose was in Christ to make one new man out of the two. And that Paul was called to be a steward of this mystery. And he says in verse 5, which in other ages was not made known to the sons of man. As it is now been revealed by the Holy Spirit to the apostles and the prophets. In verse 6 says that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ through the gospel. Of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of his power. To me, who am the least of all the saints. This grace was given. That I should preach among the Gentiles. What? What is Paul to preach among the Gentiles? The unsearchable riches of heaven. No. If Christ weren't in heaven, there would be no riches there. Paul did not preach the unsearchable riches of heaven. Other religions were already preaching that the afterlife is already wonderful. You find me a religion that doesn't believe that the afterlife is already wonderful. Paul comes to preach that the wonder and the riches of God are not in a place. They're in a person. Jesus Christ. And if Jesus Christ weren't in heaven, I wouldn't want to be there. Because he is the one that makes it wonderful. That's where the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. And Paul was given a responsibility he's going to talk about. To preach to all the Gentiles the unsearchable riches in the person of Jesus Christ. Verse 8. Actually, verse 9. And to make all see. Hmm. What is it? Doesn't that sound exciting to you? If Paul was to preach. The unsearchable riches of Christ, his job was to make. Everyone see it. And it says. What is the fellowship of this mystery? I'm glad you have this up here. See, it's the same Greek word for what was the dispensation earlier. There in verse in verse 2, what it says, the dispensation of the grace. Now it's called the fellowship of the mystery. Let me try to unravel this. It's a difficult word for translators because it comes from the Greek. A combination of two Greek words, house and law. What is the law of the house? It was used in a noun form as the steward. You know, a rich man with a big estate had a person in charge of the estate. Called a steward. And his job was to take. Manage the account of the state and make sure that everyone in the family. And all the other servants had everything they need. So what's Paul saying is he was shown this mystery. To make everyone know. What how rich God is in Christ. And to make everyone. To dispense in a way. That's why it's called the dispensation of the mystery. When you think of the word to dispense something, what do you think of? Hand it out, pass it out, share it around. Paul's ministry was not only to just preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. But to make sure that everyone knew about these riches. What kind of riches are we talking about? All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that have been hidden in Christ. Matter of fact, it's didn't he say that they were been hidden in God. Since the beginning of the ages have been hidden in God. Looking if you have your Bibles flip back to 1st Corinthians chapter 2. If you don't, that's OK. I'll flip there for you and just read. Paul says in 1st Corinthians chapter 2, starting in verse 6. Says, however, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are coming to nothing, but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery. The hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for who? For our glory. This mystery of these riches in Christ were ordained before the ages for our glory. And then he says, which none of the rulers of this age knew. For if they had known, they would have not crucified the Lord of glory. Do you see what Paul saying? If the rulers in Jerusalem had known that God had sent his son full of the riches for their glory. Do you think they would have crucified him? They didn't understand it. They didn't understand what God had intended to do in Christ. And therefore they crucified the Lord of glory. Because then he says in verse 9, but as it is written, I has not seen nor ear heard, nor have it entered into the heart of man. The things which God has prepared for those who love him. But now look, but God has revealed them to who? To us. By his spirit. What things has God revealed to us by his spirit? The spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of man except the spirit of man, which is in him. Even so, no one knows the things of God except the spirit of God. Now we've now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. What things have been freely given to us by God? The inexhaustible riches of Christ. Everything that God invested and had in Christ. Jesus himself said when he the spirit of truth comes. He will testify about me. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine. And making it known to you. And what is hidden in Jesus? All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. You know the Bible says in Proverbs 4. Above all else get wisdom, get understanding. Though it cost all you have, nothing you desire compares with her. She is worth far more than rubies. Long life is in her right hand, riches in her left hand. And all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom. God is hid in Christ and the Holy Spirit is to take that from which is Christ. And and actually make it known to you. God wants you to have his wisdom. God wants you to have his understanding. God wants you to have his joy. Didn't he? Didn't Jesus say these things? I've spoken unto you that my joy may be in you and your joy would be. Didn't he say that the joy of the Lord is our strength? Didn't he say these things that I've spoken unto you that in me you might have peace? God wants his peace guarding your hearts and minds. God wants his joy being your strength. God wants his wisdom being your guide. God wants his knowledge and understanding to protect you and keep you. And he wants all of these things known to you. He's not interested in it being a museum. Museums are a nice place. But I don't get much out of them. God sets his creation somewhat like a museum, but it's not entirely, is it? Do we just look at the sun or do we get something from it? How about the clouds? Are they just objects to look at or do they actually do things? Provide shade. Bring moisture. Create current. All of God's glory was intended to do something. It's intended to bless someone. And God intends for every bit of his glory to be shared, to be partaken of, to be received. And that's what you're going to find out that Paul is saying here back in Ephesians chapter 3. Now go back in Ephesians chapter 3. And here he's saying this is his main job. He was sent to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. And to make known what is the dispensation of this mystery. His job, just like a good steward, just like a good steward would be this. To make sure that all the people in the house were fully equipped with everything they need. Because you know why? How do people know what the power and wealth of an estate is? What's the real evidence of how wealthy and powerful an estate is? The fact that every member in the house, every servant of the estate has every single thing he needs. See that? You know what the church is lacking today? It's lacking Christians who so manifest the riches of Christ. That the picture that the world gets is we lack nothing. We are so equipped. We have more joy than we need. We have more peace and wisdom and understanding. Because through God's servants and the Holy Spirit. All the things that God has prepared from the foundation of the earth. Are being made known to us. And as we begin to receive them. And as we begin to walk in them. It causes Jesus Christ and God to be glorified. By people watching these amazing people. Who live by love. And by peace. And by joy. And even when they're struck down, they get up. And even in adversity, they give thanks. And even when you feed them to lions, they sing. And even when you tie them to stakes, they pray. And even when they're whipped and beaten by persecutors, they bless. The world used to see that. When Christians had more of an understanding of how rich. All the riches that God had given to them in Christ Jesus. And they were living demonstrations of the Holy Spirit. There were men in the Bible so full of the Holy Spirit. You could pick them out of 5,000 men. You read the story. Choose you out from among yourselves men. Known to be. Full of faith. And full of the Holy Spirit. And full of wisdom. So out of 5,000 men you could pick men out. Known to be full of the Holy Spirit. Yes you could. So something. When a man is full of the Holy Spirit. And full of faith and full of wisdom. You can pick him out of 5,000 men. Even in the Old Testament. When Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. You remember those three guys? Actually that was their Babylonian names. Their Jewish names were Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. When God. When they purposed in their heart not to defile themselves with the king food. Even then it said God gave them so much wisdom. That they were ten times wiser than every other wise man in the kingdom. And men could see it. Because when the spirit of God is on the people of God. It's a marvel to the world. Religion will never be a marvel to the world. And an empty faith in Christ will never be a marvel to the world. But you see someone full of the Holy Spirit. And full of wisdom. Who has begun to receive the things that God has prepared for them from the foundation of the earth. They begin to display that in this earthen vessel. The excellency of the power being manifested. Is God in them. Christ in them. It's an awesome thing. It's an awesome thing. And so few find it. In our day. But Paul's job. As a steward. Was to make sure. Everybody. Everybody was equipped. Everybody. That was his heart. Back in Ephesians chapter 3. If you're still there. Okay. I'm going to read verses 8 and 9. Again. Okay. So to me he says. Even though I'm less than the least of all the saints. This grace was given me that I should preach among the Gentiles. The unsearchable riches of Christ. And to make all see what is the stewardship. I like to use of this mystery. Which from the beginning. Of the ages has been hidden in God. Who created all things through Jesus Christ. Now. I want to back up a little bit right there. That verse 9. Who created all things through Jesus Christ. We have a difficult time in English. Expressing. What they had. In the ability to express in the Greek language. And we have in English. We have past tense. Simple past tense. We have imperfect tense. We have perfect tense. And I know that it's a grammar lesson. And so you have to don't. Don't give up on me yet. I'll try to simplify it enough that we can all get it. But. We just say created. That seems past tense. Something he did in the past. But the Greek had a word. And a tense called the aorist tense. And aorist comes from the Greek word. Aorizo. Which. To aorizo would be. To set off a boundary. And then with the negative a. Which something with. So that the actual word would mean an aorist would mean. That which is without bounds. And in this particular case. This is not bound by time. Paul's not talking about time here. He's talked. An aorist is not concerned about when something happened. When the Greek writer uses the aorist tense. He's talking about the way it happens. Now follow me. How are things created? Not when are they created? That's the big question. How are all things created? Through Christ Jesus. Has he finished creating things? He's still creating things. All things are still being created. If you're in Christ Jesus. He's creating you. If any man is in Christ Jesus, he is a new. It's the same word. All things are what? Becoming new. He's not finished. God's still creating things. Matter of fact, you want to see that in another place. Look in the book of. Ephesians same same book Ephesians 4. 24. Actually, I'll read verses 21 to 24 to set the context. Ephesians 4. 21 to 24. If indeed you have heard of him and been taught. By him as the truth is in Jesus that you put off concerning your former conduct. The old man. Which goes corrupt according to the deceitful lust. And to be renewed in the spirit of your mind. And that you put on the new man which. Was created your Bible probably says doesn't it? This is another aorist. It's not talking about when it happened. It's talking about the way it happens. So how are all things created? God is now creating you new. In true righteousness and holiness. Through Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact, this is so important. Paul said it's the only thing that matters. In Galatians chapter 6. Verse 15. In Galatians chapter 6. Verse 15. Paul says for in Christ Jesus. Neither circumcision. Nor uncircumcision matters anything. But what? New creation. How do you really know whether you're in Christ or not? The fact that you're a member of the Baptist Church. I'm a southern Baptist. How do you but does that tell you? Is that what Paul says? Let's see. Doesn't say whether you're Catholic or you're Protestant or you believe. Here's how the Bible says you really know. You're in Christ Jesus. If any man is in Christ Jesus. He is a. New creation. That's how you know you're in Christ Jesus. He is making all things new. That's what he said in Revelation. Behold I make all things new. That's how you know you're in Christ. And that's what he does. How does he make all things new? He takes the old that you inherited from Adam. It's not that difficult to see. I mentioned this in the Revival Conference. But let me show you how he does this. This is a tree. But I want you to pretend it's a young shoot. It's just a big illustration. Has any of you ever done grafting fruit tree grafting? To graft a fruit tree. You take a shoot. About a pencil. But the. You plant a seed. And you have what you call. A root stock. And it can be just about any old tree. Just something. Hardy steady didn't really matter. But then you take. You take a branch. Off of the best tree you want. You want Bartlett pears. You pick the best Bartlett pear you want. You pick the kind you want. You want an apple. You pick the best kind of apple you want. You want a peach. You pick the best kind of peach you want. And you take a branch off that. And you come over here to this root stock right here. And you. All the ways up from the root. You just take a knife. And you just. Cut it. Right off. That would kill it wouldn't it? Wouldn't that kill it? You just cut it off like that at that age. Sure it would. But you don't leave it dead. You kill it. You kill the old. Then you take. That new branch. And it says. And he shall be called what? A branch. A branch. A sprout. From the root. Of David. And you take that new branch. And you cut it. And you put that new branch. Cut this way. And that. And that. Plain old ordinary root stock. Cut this way. And you put them together. And you bind them. And the two become. One. And so even though your roots. Have gone down an atom. All the fruit comes from. The branch. You see. All the treasures. So where are the treasures? And not of wisdom. And knowledge. They're all in the branch. And when we're grafted in. The branch is grafted in us. His life. Everything God hid in him. Begins to become new. In us. And that's what we're supposed. To be talking about Christianity. Not just getting people saved. And forgiven them. Forgiven and getting them to heaven. You know. I should ask you a question. If you're not being made. A new creature. You don't have faith. To be being made. A new creature. What makes you think. You're going to get to heaven. Because the Bible says. That the victory. That overcomes the world. Is our faith. And by faith. We even. We're more than conquerors. In Christ Jesus. And the. And my confidence. That I am going to heaven. Comes from the fact. That I am being made. That new creation. All things are becoming. And the final phase. Of it will be heaven. That'll be the final phase. Of it. But I've got. Lots of progress. To make right now. And that's what we're. Supposed to be encouraging. One another to do. That was Paul's job here. Paul was a steward. And he was given a revelation. That from the eternity past. God had prepared. And designed. That his creation. Was going to be. He had prepared. What no eye had seen. What no ear had ever heard. No what. No man had ever conceived it. And God prepared. All of this. All of the glories. Of his knowledge. And wisdom. And understanding. He placed them all in Christ. And he fully. Fully intended. Knowing ahead of time. What was going to happen. That he would take. All of that in Christ. And make it known to all. And the end result. Of it. It said here. In verse. Ten. Now. Read. The last verse. I want to read. Is. Ten. Ten and eleven. In Ephesians chapter three. To the intent. That when. I want you to notice this. I like. Tenses. Look at the top. If you don't have your Bible. To the intent. That when. Do you believe that? When does God intend. For this to be known. It's now. He wants. All of these glorious riches. Being manifested. It's now. In this life. You know what. It's. It's better. In this life. And even in heaven. That they be manifested. You know why. In heaven. There'll be no sin. No temptation. Nothing that even defiles. Or even can cause sin. Will even be allowed. Into the gates. But what about right now. What about when men. Are made new. And are filled with the spirit of God. And walk in the spirit of God. And begin to manifest the fruit of the spirit. Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Meekness. And self-control. Now. In this life. The angels marvel. At such a thing. It's one thing to take a star. Think about. What. What makes. It says. As we hold forth the word of life. We shine. Like a star. In the midst of the universe. What stars. Surrounded by. What are stars. Surrounded by. Darkness. You think the. You think the darknesses. Of the world. Is a problem with God. Nothing's a problem with God. But unbelief in us. That what. What makes. A star. Glorious. Is it. Of. Itself. An internal. Energy. Is bursting. Forth. Sending out light. And when. Christians have begun. To receive the power. Of the Holy Spirit. And they have begun. To appropriate. The glorious riches. In Jesus Christ. They begin. To manifest. These things. That God intended. For his glory. And the world. Takes notice. And it's rare. I admit. It's rare. Sadly rare. But that's your job. That's your job. God wants. His glory. To manifest. Demonstrated. In. Our. Lives. God. Wants. His glory. Demonstrated. In our lives. Because he said. Verse. Ten. Again. To the intent. That now. The manifold. Wisdom. Of. God. When I think of a manifold. You know what I think of. What do you think of. A car. Well. When you. When you have nothing. But a manifold. On a truck. I know. I know. I know it. You can tell when a truck. Goes down the road. And there's something wrong. With the manifold. Can't you. Boom. Boom. Well. God wants. His wisdom. To be that obvious. He wants. It manifold. He wants. It to be. Evident. He wants. It to be. Seen. Your wife. Doesn't just want. You to talk about Jesus. She wants. You to be a living. Demonstration. Of Christ. In you. And when. If the world. We're seeing. More of this. More of this glorious. Manifestation. This demonstration. Of God. Church would be. A different place. All together. And he wants. This known. To the. By the church. To the intent. That now. The manifold. Wisdom of God. May. Might be. Made known. By the church. To the principalities. And powers. In the heavenly realms. That was his. Eternal purpose. Which he. Which he. But you notice. What it says right. He accomplished. It in Christ. He accomplished. It in Christ. He just wants. It manifest. In us. Now. Okay. The church. Where is the church. Right now. In the earth. That's where he wants. These things manifested. Okay. And I just wanted. To deposit that here. That's the purpose. It's more. Than just getting people. Saved. Forgiven. And in heaven. Because you know why. That may be good for you. I'm not against that. I'm glad that God. Wants to get people. Saved. Forgiven. And into heaven. But you know. Who that's not good for. I'm not against that. That's not good for the world. Because if you're still. The same old. You. And you're not manifesting. The new creation. That Christ is creating. You to be. The world's not interested. In your religion. When they see. The living demonstration. Of the power of God. Transforming a life. Recreating him. Into his own image. And likeness. That. Is what will cause them. To be saved. So. That's why it's so important. God intends. For his work in us. To draw men. To them. Didn't he say. And they will see. Your. Good works. And do what. Glorify your father in heaven. That's what we need to see. Amen.