The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed

July 21, 2024
Pastor Jack

lady holding Bible

Ephesians 3:1-13

On account of this I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles —if indeed you have heard about the stewardship of God’s grace given to me for you. According to revelation the mystery was made known to me, just as I wrote beforehand in brief, so that you may be able when you read to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ (which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit): that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow sharers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I became a servant, according to the gift of God’s grace given to me, according to the working of his power. To me, the least of all the saints, was given this grace: to proclaim the good news of the fathomless riches of Christ to the Gentiles, and to enlighten everyone as to what is the administration of the mystery hidden from the ages by God, who created all things, in order that the many-sided wisdom of God might be made known now to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places through the church, according to the purpose of the ages which he carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through faith in him. Therefore I ask you not to be discouraged at my afflictions on behalf of you, which are your glory.

Mustérion - The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed

Ephesians 3:1

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—

  • Paul starts with his “Why”… why is he writing this?
  • What does Paul mean by the “a prisoner of Christ Jesus”?
  • Paul is 100% dedicated and committed to Christ’s control of his life.
    • Do we have even a sliver of that same dedication?
    • Do we even realize that we are His?
  • Paul is excited about this!
    • “…on behalf of you Gentiles”
    • God has made Paul a prisoner for these people who are “far off”.

Ephesians 3:2

assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,

  • Paul sees himself as the answer, the solution, that God has blessed him to be the way to reach these folks.
    • Who has God blessed you to reach?
    • We don’t benefit because we are Christ’s; others should benefit because we are His.

Ephesians 3:3

how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.

  • What is this mystery?
    • God loves us just because He does!
  • What is the revelation?
    • Witnessses
    • Life change

Ephesians 3:4

When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,

  • Paul is instructing the Ephesians (and us) to …what?

Ephesians 3:5

which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

  • So, how exactly has this mystery been revealed?
    • Apostles
    • Prophets
    • Holy Spirit
  • What does the Holy Spirit do?

Ephesians 3:6

This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

  • “These people”, who were far away, have become “us”!

Ephesians 3:7

Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.

  • Gospel of
    • Forgiveness
    • Grace
    • Unity
  • What is a “minister”?
  • How does one become a “minister”?

Ephesians 3:8

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

  • Paul sees himself as “normal”, small and trivial even, but, he serves a Great God!
  • Do you know that you serve that same God? He is still great!

Ephesians 3:9–10

and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

  • Again, what is this mystery?
    • Jesus has come!
    • He is resurrected!
  • It is time for the cosmos to know!
  • From these verses, what is a primary purpose of the church?
  • If we are the church and the world sees God through the church, how’s the world’s vision?

Ephesians 3:11–12

This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

  • What does this mean to you?
  • We can have communication with God through the Holy Spirit!

Ephesians 3:13

So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

  • Do not lose faith, even in suffering!

Thoughts for Reflection

  • Don’t get distracted, church!
  • God is about to do something!
  • God calls us!
  • God empowers us!
  • God protects us!
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