ONE HOPE Conference 2026 - Glory to God Alone: The Church (Mark Dever)

Text: Ephesians 3

From the ONE HOPE Conference: Soli Deo Gloria, this message from Ephesians 3 unfolds the grand purpose of God’s glory displayed through the church across all of redemptive history. Beginning with God’s promises to Abraham in Genesis 12 and tracing through the Exodus, the sermon shows that God has always been gathering a people for Himself from every nation in order to reveal His power, mercy, wisdom, and holiness. The church is not a side note in God’s plan, but central to His eternal purpose.

Mark Dever emphasizes that through the death, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus Christ, God is creating one people from every tribe and nation through the gospel. Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles reveals the “mystery” once hidden but now made known: that all who trust in Christ become heirs together in one body. Through the church, God is displaying His manifold wisdom not only to the world, but even to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.

At the heart of the message is the glory of God revealed in Christ and reflected through ordinary believers gathered in local churches. Though imperfect and weak, the church is God’s chosen instrument to showcase His grace, love, justice, mercy, and transforming power. The sermon closes with a call to trust God’s sovereign purposes, pray for the church, and devote every gift and every suffering to the glory of God, “to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

One Hope Conference 2026, Baltimore, MD March 7, 2026 Session 4

Mark Dever is the Senior Pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church and President Emeritus at 9Marks.