THE CHRISTIAN'S POWER PT 1

As we continue to journey through the letter to the church and believers in Ephesus let us keep in mind what Paul is building on. It's one complete letter, not a chapter book. So what has Paul said already –

Chapter 1 – With Unity in Christ, comes spiritual blessings – we bless God with our worship, praise, obedience and we also get blessed by God – most of which are in heaven not yet delivered but one of the biggest blessings on earth is the adoption as sons and daughters of the living God –

Through Adoption we are given Salvation and an eternal inheritance – one that Jesus says neither Moth nor rust can destroy – where thieves cannot break in and steal or destroy

Like official royal documents seal with the kings signet ring – we are sealed with power and presence of the Holy Spirit – with the Holy Spirit in us – we have His Power – the power that raised Jesus from dead – and we are responsible on how we use that power.

Finally, the last 2 weeks we talked about the Pardon – it is not earned neither is it deserved – but God pardons us – because of His love grace and mercy that He loves us by

He broke down the barriers between the Jews, the Hebrews and the Gentiles reconciling us to Himself and redeeming us through His love – this is what we remember as we being Chapter 3 and Paul says, for this reason…

As we continue our journey through this letter – let us Pray

The Christian’s Power

Ephesians 3:1–13

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 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. 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. 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. 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, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

I. THE PERSON—vv. 1–7

1. Prisoner—v. 1 – For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—

Paul in jail for preaching –

Preaching to the Gentiles

He has been arrested and sent to Rome – under house arrest

I imagine the sound of the shackles being locked triggering the faces of every Gentile that was adopted into the family of God because Paul was faithful to the calling God placed on His life

2. Plan—vv. 2–3 – assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.

The Gentiles were included in the plans of God. He wants all men to be saved! He told them about it when he was there as well as the brief mentioning in this letter.

Remember some were against Paul preaching to the Gentiles – others believed Gentiles could only accept Christ if they became a Hebrew first

The grace that was given to Paul for us – so that we could all be adopted into the family of God – Christ settled it on the cross – no hoops no membership requirements – no initiation

3. Purpose—v. 4 – When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,

Paul knowing God’s mystery. He is calling them to not only remember what he taught and preached when he was there but also previously what we call chapter 2:11-13 – they were separated but brought in through the Blood of Christ

4. Pleasure—v. 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.

God’s mystery was not known in the past, but now is made known unto all people.

As Paul says in Romans 16:25-26 – Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

All people have access to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit

Holy apostles and saints and prophets – not a revered title – not setting above others but testifying to the delivery method – the holy apostles and saints received their message from the Holy Spirit – it is the messenger and the message that is not – not the one relying the message

5. Promise—v. 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.

The Gentiles may hear the Gospel.

They are no longer considered unclean – uncircumcised

Adopted into the family like was said in ch 1

Members of the same body – grafted into the vine

John 15:2-4 – Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

Romans 11:19 – Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”

1 God – 1 Gospel – 1 Way to Be Saved – given freely to everyone – anyone who wants to be grafted into the vine – will be

6. Privilege—v. 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.

God gave Paul the privilege of telling the Gospel to all people.

Paul saw God’s calling on his life a blessing

Paul recognizes that he cannot do this on his power and the working power of God in life – the Holy Spirit working out this calling in his life?

Colossians 1:29 – For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

We have the person Paul – his take – now we have THE PLAN

II. THE PLAN—VV. 8–13

1. Preaching—vv. 8–9 – 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, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,

Chosen to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to man, showing God’s plan.

Paul sees his unworthiness – I am the least of the all the saints – not some – all the saints, yet God’s grace Gospel message is enough for me – enough for you – the receive the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ

Bring Light to everyone – not just the chosen, not some – to everyone!

1:7 – the riches Paul used the Greek word perisseuo – to exceed a measure, above and beyond a certain measure

Now he uses anexichniaston – meaning cannot be searched out nor can it be comprehended

Paul is not saying the riches are anexichniaston nor is the Gospel anexichniaston but Jesus Himself is anexichniaston

At one time God’s plan was hidden

No more

God wants all men to come to Him – His plan is no longer a mystery – all is revealed in Christ in Jesus

2. Plan—vv. 10–11 – so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

God always had all men in His plan and purpose, of knowing Christ personally.

We know that the law allowed Gentiles to come into the faith – before the law to become part of Abraham – there was the rite of circumcision – there was always a plan – complicated and not accepted much

Now through Jesus – not complicated – not hard

It started with Adam – it finished with Jesus – no more segregation – no more explusion from the flock – the eternal purpose is for all to Know the eternal God, the creator God, the Loving God, the forgiving God.

3. Prayer—v. 12 – in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

Come into His presence with boldness – the Greek word – parresia (par ray see ah)– w/o concealment – assurance – confidence

Confidence – the Greek word – is pepoithesis (pep oy thesis ) – trust to convince induce one to believe

We now have direct access to God – no more going thru a priest or rituals – we have access to God – direct access to God

Imagine believing we have that parresia and pepoithesis

4. Patience—v. 13 – So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Do not lose your patience when you face trouble, problems and tribulation nor when loved ones face them or are taken before “their time.”

Don’t allow your trials or the trials of others to deter you from seeing God’s Goodness and God’s grace

2 Corinthians 5:8-9 – Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

While he is suffering for the message he preached – his prayer is that it does not deter or deflect the believers –

We must have patience don’t allow the enemy to take would should draw us closer to God to use it to separate us from God

How faithful are you to the calling God placed on your life?

How does the Gospel give you strength?

How do you see God’s calling on your life? How can you move from burden to blessing in viewing His calling for you?

How do rely on God to work His ministry in your life – do you try to control the who, what, when, where, why and how or do you work off His Power and His Timing?

How does the anexichniaston – His riches cannot be comprehended affect how you live and your relationship with God?