09/30/2026
The Sphere of the Church
To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the good news of the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for all what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. Ephesians 3:8–11
As we wrap up our study of the Spheres of Sovereignty this coming Sunday, we arrive at the most enduring aspect of God’s creation: the church. I call the church the most enduring aspect of God’s creation because it is the only one of the designated Spheres of Sovereignty that will exist in heaven.
Marriage is an institution for this earth only (Mark 12:24–25). In the new heavens and the new earth there will no longer be the international scrum of geopolitics, but only righteous nations worshiping before the throne of Christ (Rev 21:22–27). The church, as the bride of Christ, sits at the marriage supper of the Lamb and inhabits the New Jerusalem (Rev 19:7–10; 21:1–7). The redemption of God’s people through the church is an eternal plan.
Therefore, as a local church, it is vitally important for us to understand biblically the purpose of the church—and what our job is as disciples of Jesus here and now. Paul answers that question in a beautiful and transcendent way in Ephesians 3.
I call the answer beautiful because of the language he uses. Paul describes his gracious mission as bringing to light an age-old hidden mystery. This language of light reminds us of the God of all light, who created the celestial bodies and is light in Himself (Gen 1:3–4, 14; Rev 21:23–24). The mystery described is the salvation of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation on the earth. Though this was spoken of clearly in the Old Testament, it was easy for people to miss. Through the person of Christ and the labors of the apostles, this manifold wisdom of God was proclaimed. The word manifold is notoriously difficult to render and literally means “of greatly differing colors.” The picture that comes to my mind’s eye is the sun shining through the clouds to create all the hues and shapes of a prairie sunset. The church, like those clouds, provides the canvas for God to make His glory known to the world.
The picture is also transcendent, because this vast canvas of redemption is not intended merely for this world. It has a heavenly audience as well. In a certain sense, God is demonstrating His glory through the redemption of His people in order to prove to the angelic host—both righteous and unrighteous beings—that His plans cannot be thwarted or stopped by the work of the devil and the corruption of sin.
Dear saints, the purpose of the church and your place in it is of eternal worth, beauty, and glory to the One who created you. As you continue in your week, I pray that the eternal scope of salvation would be daily bread for your life. This day—and the way the Lord works in and through you—is part of that canvas of redemption and has an eternal purpose. Whether today brings you joy or sadness, rejoice in the One who is using all these things to make His glory known and ultimately to bring each of His children an eternal joy.
Grace and peace,
Steve Futrell
Pastor | Grace Bible Church
Colossians 1:9–14
