極大的奧秘 - 基督與教會

Origin

1. Ephesians 2:10 states "We are God's masterpiece," where the original Greek word "poiēma" means "a good work," "handiwork," or "written poetry"

2. Believers and the church are God's artistic creation, demonstrating God's wisdom and design

3. God created all things, but the church is God's special masterpiece, a wonderful product of God mingled with man

4. We are not products of our own work, but become the product of God's work

Method

1. Created in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:10)

2. Through regeneration becoming God's new creation (2 Cor 5:17)

3. God working Himself into man, and constituting man into Himself

4. Christ being wrought into us, we gradually become part of God's masterpiece

5. This is God's work, not work done by man for God

Explanation

1. The church is something completely new in the universe, God's new invention

2. Nothing in the universe is more meaningful than the church

3. The church expresses God's infinite wisdom and divine design

4. Believers in God's eyes are most pleasing, superior even to angels

5. We are a wonderful poem produced by the mingling of God and man

6. The New Jerusalem is the ultimate consummation of the church, which will eternally express God's wisdom

Examples

1. Artists creating masterpieces that express their wisdom and design

2. Poetry expressing the poet's wisdom

3. The church as a sweet, beautiful, wise poem, displaying God's wisdom in the eyes of angels and Satan

4. The New Jerusalem as the ultimate example, manifesting God's beauty, wisdom, and design

Application

1. Believe the fact that in Christ we are God's masterpiece, rather than only seeing our shortcomings

2. Recognize that we are not working for God, but letting God work in us

3. Allow Christ to be worked more into us, becoming part of God's masterpiece

4. View other believers with God's perspective, seeing their value<

5. Look forward to fully realizing our reality as God's masterpiece in eternity

Related Scripture

1. Ephesians 1:23: "which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."

2. Ephesians 2:15: "by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace."

3. 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

4. Ephesians 3:10: "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms."

5. Revelation 21 (description of New Jerusalem): Showcases the final completion of God's masterpiece