Transformed In Christ - The Church: God’s Cosmic Classroom

Grace and peace to you, beloved in Christ. It is my deepest joy to invite you into a profound exploration of the Scriptures. Today, we are going to dive into the breathtaking realities of the Christian faith, drawing our insights from a truly magnificent sermon titled "The Church: God’s Cosmic Classroom" delivered by Pastor Sam Merigala in his "Transformed In Christ" series, preached at Grace Gospel Church. Through this sermon, we are called to elevate our understanding of what it means to be part of the body of Christ, moving far beyond our earthly perspectives to see the church as the very center of God's eternal purposes.

The Marks of a Christ-Centered Missionary

In the sermon, Pastor Sam Merigala beautifully outlines the foundational posture of a believer who is truly captured by the gospel. He explains that a Christ-centered missionary is one who meticulously follows the will of Christ and deeply understands the message of Christ. This is not a calling reserved merely for overseas evangelists; it is the fundamental calling of every single Christian. When we are overwhelmed by the grace of Christ, our natural response is to proclaim the incalculable riches of Christ to a dying world.

However, there is a fifth characteristic that often goes overlooked in modern Christianity, which Pastor Sam Merigala rightfully emphasizes: a Christ-centered missionary must have a remarkably high view of the Church of Christ. We cannot claim to have a high view of the Savior while holding a low view of His bride. As we journey through the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians, we see that to love Jesus is to inherently and passionately love the church for which He bled and died.

The Broadening Perspective of the Gospel

As we look at Ephesians 3:10-11, the Apostle Paul’s perspective broadens in a way that should leave us completely staggered. Paul reveals that while the glorious gospel is addressed primarily and directly to human beings, it is simultaneously bringing a profound message indirectly to the angels—to the principalities and powers residing in the heavenly places. But what exactly does this mean?

Pastor Sam Merigala’s sermon explains that the first expected result of preaching "Christ’s unsearchable riches" is the miraculous birth and continued growth of the church. Through the preaching of the cross, Gentiles and Jews—once bitter enemies separated by profound ethnic and religious hostility—are converted and find themselves as joint members of the very family of God and the unified body of Christ.

This was not merely a theological theory for the Apostle Paul. As he penned his letter, this "mystery" was taking concrete, visible shape right before people’s very eyes. It was not an abstract concept discussed in the ivory towers of philosophy; it was a living, breathing reality. In this new, unprecedented multi-racial humanity, the multifaceted wisdom of God was being publicly displayed for all to see.

God’s Beautiful Tapestry

The sermon paints a stunning picture: the church, as a community of saved, washed, and reconciled people, is a breathtaking public demonstration of God’s mighty power, His immeasurable grace, and His manifold wisdom. Pastor Sam Merigala likens the church—this multi-racial, multi-cultural community—to a beautiful tapestry. The members of this divine society are drawn from a wide, beautiful array of colorful backgrounds.

There is absolutely no other human community on the face of the earth that resembles the church. Its diversity and its harmony are entirely unique in the history of the world. It is, in every sense, God’s new society. And this many-colored, vibrant fellowship of the church serves as a direct reflection of the many-colored, infinite wisdom of God.

If you possess a high view of Christ, it is a biblical imperative that you also maintain a high view of the church. Throughout Ephesians, we are confronted with this lofty view. In chapter 2, we see the breaking down of the dividing wall. In chapter 3, Paul prays for God to be glorified "in the church" (Ephesians 3:21). In chapter 4, he passionately discusses the unity of the Spirit and explains how God has gifted His people with spiritual leaders to equip them for the work of ministry. And in chapter 5, we are reminded of the ultimate sacrifice: Christ "loved the church and gave Himself for her" (Ephesians 5:25).

The Theatre of History and the Cosmic Audience

As the gospel tirelessly spreads throughout the world, this new, multicolored Christian community continues to develop and flourish. Pastor Sam Merigala uses a brilliant analogy in his sermon: it is as if a great, cosmic drama is being enacted. In this grand production, history itself is the theatre, the entire world is the stage, and the church members scattered across every land are the actors. The living God Himself has written the script of this play, and He sovereignly directs and produces every single moment of it. Act by act, and scene by scene, the redemptive story continues to unfold across the centuries.

But who is watching this play? Who is the audience? The sermon reveals that the audience consists of cosmic intelligences—the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. We must view these spiritual beings as the attentive spectators of the grand drama of salvation. In a phrase that should revolutionize our understanding of our Sunday gatherings, Pastor Sam Merigala notes that the history of the Christian church actually serves as a "graduate school for angels".

This is the astounding truth found in Ephesians 3:10–11. The Apostle Paul adds an incredible dimension to our theology of the church, declaring that the existence of the church has massive implications that reach far beyond earth, stretching throughout heaven and the entirety of the spiritual realm. The church, woven together from Jews and Gentiles, is actively making known the manifold wisdom of God to "the rulers and authorities in the heavens".

God’s ultimate master plan is to bring all principalities and powers under the absolute sovereignty of Jesus Christ, and He is achieving this very end "through the church". The sermon points out a fascinating theological inference: God did not reveal His master plan for the church directly to these heavenly beings. Instead, He intended to make His wisdom known to them through the actual, historical coming into being and growth of the church itself. Just as God reveals His staggering glory to human beings through the old creation—the physical universe—He reveals His unfathomable wisdom to the angels through the new creation, which is the church.

The Trembling of Demons and the Marveling of Angels

Who exactly are these "rulers and authorities"? The sermon clarifies that they encompass both good and bad heavenly beings, though the Apostle Paul is particularly concerned with the hostile, demonic forces. Pastor Sam Merigala offers a profound theological insight: the holy angels look on at the grace of God and marvel, while the demonic forces look on in absolute fear and tremble.

The evil forces of darkness were decisively defeated at the cross of Calvary, and they are currently awaiting their final, total subjugation. The very existence of the church is a blaring trumpet, announcing to the demonic realm that their wicked rule is coming to an end once and for all. Every time a sinner repents, every time the church gathers in unity across ethnic lines, it is a cosmic reminder to Satan that he has lost.

While our knowledge of these spiritual beings is admittedly limited, and we must be incredibly careful not to engage in idle speculation beyond what Scripture clearly teaches, we do know that angels are not omniscient. They do not know everything. The Apostle Peter informs us that the angels did not fully grasp the teachings of the Old Testament prophets or the New Testament apostles regarding the good news of salvation.

The Age of Fulfillment: What the Prophets Longed to See

In 1 Peter 1:12, we are told that the Old Testament prophets were serving not themselves, but us, when they spoke of the things that have now been announced through the preaching of the gospel. Pastor Sam Merigala’s sermon highlights how prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and David saw only fleeting glimpses of Christ’s suffering, His glorious resurrection, His boundless grace, and His intricate salvation plan.

These great men of faith did not get to experience the reality of what they saw in their visions. They were much like people standing on a high mountain, watching a beautiful sunrise from hundreds of miles away—they could see the brilliant light breaking over the horizon, but they never got to step into the warmth of the day. But you, Christian, are living in the very reality that they only dared to dream about.

Isaiah did not write the harrowing prophecies of Isaiah 53 merely for his own edification; David did not pen the agonizing words of Psalm 22 for himself; Ezekiel did not prophesy about God granting us a new heart just for his own generation. They were writing for a future generation—the generation that would live in the aftermath of Christ’s world-altering resurrection. And that generation is you! You are the intended, primary audience of the greatest, most profound prophecies in all of Scripture. You are immensely privileged to live in the age of total fulfillment, having emerged from the age of shadows.

Things Into Which Angels Long to Look

The Apostle Peter concludes that these realities are "things into which angels long to look" (1 Peter 1:12). The sermon rightfully calls this one of the most breathtaking, awe-inspiring statements in the entire New Testament. It is entirely legitimate to conclude that, although we cannot see these angelic beings with our physical eyes, they can certainly see us. They watch with absolute fascination as they witness Gentiles and Jews being brought together and incorporated into God's new society as total equals.

Pastor Sam Merigala unpacks the Greek word used by Peter here: parakyptō. This word literally means "to stoop down and intensely examine something fascinating". Imagine this: the angels—who were present to witness the speaking of the universe into existence, who stand before the blazing throne of God, who watched the Red Sea part—are bending forward, leaning in, and intensely studying the salvation that God has freely given to you! They are marveling and wondering at the grace bestowed upon the church.

Why are they so fascinated? The sermon provides a deeply moving theological answer: Angels were never redeemed. Angels have never, and will never, experience the saving grace of God. Angels never had the eternal Son of God take on flesh and become one of them. Angels never had the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, take up permanent residence inside of them. These are privileges reserved exclusively for redeemed humanity.

Therefore, God is making His eternal plan known to them through us. From the composition of the church, the angels learn the manifold wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10) and His eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:11). This grand purpose was realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, carried out in the very arena of human history, through His bloody death, His victorious resurrection, the outpouring of His Spirit, the fearless preaching of the gospel, and the miraculous emergence of the church.

The Cosmic Sermon and Unhindered Access

There is vastly more going on when the church gathers than meets the human eye. If you belong to the church, you are an active participant in a cosmic sermon that is continually being preached to spiritual rulers and authorities. The angels watch us intently because we are the living embodiment of the mystery of God. We possess a viewing audience that is far bigger and far more observant than any of us could possibly realize.

Of course, as the sermon is careful to note, our primary job is not to consciously preach to unseen principalities. Rather, the point is that God Himself is revealing His triumphant plan to these powers simply through the existence and unity of the church. Jesus Christ is the absolute central character in this divine plan, and all things in heaven and on earth will ultimately be summed up in Him.

The crucified and risen Christ is currently seated at the Father’s right hand, and He is coming soon to put every hostile power under His feet. Therefore, the church stands as a living witness to the glory of Christ. His grace and glory are dazzlingly displayed in a diverse, many-colored, multi-cultural, and multiethnic fellowship of people who have been called out of darkness, redeemed by blood, forgiven of all treason, made spiritually alive, and eternally united in Christ. The angelic host watches this reconciling work, knowing it is the blueprint for the final reconciliation of the entire universe.

Imagine how this soaring vision must have fortified and encouraged the early Christians in Ephesus! Picture the believers—farmers, bankers, metal workers, carpenters, shopkeepers, servants, masters, mothers, fathers, and children—leaning in to hear this letter read aloud. As they reach chapter 3, they are suddenly told that their humble gathering is actively testifying to heavenly beings! It is absolutely stunning. We must never underestimate the immense glory of God that resides in the church.

Because of this profound reality, a Christ-centered missionary draws near to God through Christ. Ephesians 3:12 declares that in Christ "we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him". This is the glorious doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. Whether Jew or Gentile, every Christian has been granted this foundational privilege. Part of the great mystery is that we can experience a nearness and intimacy with God that infinitely exceeds anything experienced under the old covenant.

We can approach the Creator of the universe boldly, not with arrogant presumption, but with the profound "freedom of access" purchased by Christ's blood. We come freely, openly, and without any constraint. Because of this, Christ-centered missionaries live by prayer, love by prayer, and advance the gospel by prayer. If you are in Christ, you can draw near to the throne of grace anytime, anywhere, finding help in your time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16). You are never alone; God hears you, He is for you, and He is intimately with you.

The Circle of Divine Communication

Pastor Sam Merigala’s sermon brilliantly highlights the "circle of divine communication". Notice how the medium changes at each phase. First, God revealed the mystery of His plan directly to Paul and the other apostles by supernatural revelation. Second, God commissioned them to verbally proclaim this gospel to all mankind throughout the world. Finally, this manifold wisdom is communicated from the church on earth back up to the heavens, to the cosmic powers, through the visual model of the multi-cultural Christian community. This stunning program for universal communication brings unparalleled honor to the gospel.

The Centrality of the Church in History, the Gospel, and Life

In the conclusion of his sermon, Pastor Sam Merigala drives home a critical lesson: the absolute biblical centrality of the church. It is a tragedy that many modern people attempt to construct a version of Christianity that consists solely of a private, personal relationship with Jesus, entirely divorced from the church. Others begrudgingly attend, viewing the institution as hopeless and irrelevant.

While it is true that every local church is flawed and in constant need of reform and spiritual renewal, we must fiercely guard our hearts against despising the church of God. If God has not abandoned His church—and He is actively building and refining it—how could we ever justify abandoning it? The church holds the central place in His eternal plan.

First, the sermon teaches that the church is central to history. This divine plan, hidden for ages, has now been realized in history through Christ and His people. Secular minds, like Henry Ford who once famously declared "History is bunk," view history as a random, meaningless succession of causes and effects. But Christians understand that history is, quite literally, "His story". The Bible presents a linear understanding of time, moving from eternity past to a glorious climax in eternity future, with Jesus and His redeemed church at the very center.

The contrast is stark: secular history focuses on VIPs, politicians, and kings; biblical history focuses on the "saints"—seemingly insignificant people who are intimately known by God. Secular history obsesses over earthly wars and changing maps; biblical history focuses on the ultimate spiritual war, the victory of Christ over darkness, and a multi-national church whose borders span the globe and whose empire will never, ever end. God is the Lord of all nations, but within the world, He has forged a specific covenant community, pledging, "I will be their God, and they shall be my people".

Second, the church is central to the gospel. A gospel that merely says "Christ died for me so I can go to heaven" is wonderfully true, but it is incomplete and far too individualistic. The full gospel, as revealed in Ephesians 3, is the good news that Christ died not only to save individual sinners, but to create a single, unified new humanity. He died to reconcile us to God and to reconcile us to one another. The gospel is the announcement of a new society just as much as it is the announcement of a new life.

The creation of the universe was a marvel. The creation of humanity was a marvel. But the greatest marvel of all is that God wooed rebellious sinners back with irresistible love, creating a community defined by love, forgiveness, justice, and mercy. When the church operates in true fellowship, Christ Himself is made tangibly present to the world.

Finally, the church is central to Christian living. Paul willingly suffered in prison because he was fighting for the inclusion of the Gentiles in God's new society (Ephesians 3:13). His sufferings were for their glory. He was willing to pay any price to see this diverse church become a reality.

If the church is this central to God's cosmic purpose, it must be central to our daily lives. We cannot push to the margins what God has placed at the very center of the universe. This means we are called to be responsible, active members of a local church. We must refuse to settle for low standards—whether that is mechanical, lifeless worship, icy fellowship spoiled by rivalry, or an isolationist mentality that turns the church into a holy huddle indifferent to a hurting world.

Instead, like the Apostle Paul, we must keep the soaring vision of God’s new society before our eyes. We must labor, pray, and even suffer if necessary, to ensure our worship is authentic, our fellowship is deeply caring, and our outreach is profoundly compassionate.

Beloved, let us never lose the wonder of what it means to be the church. We are God's cosmic classroom, displaying His unending wisdom to the heavenly realms. Let us live in a manner worthy of this staggering, glorious calling.