Ephesians 3:1-13

Introduction

Read the passage Give context (v. 1-3)

Paul blinded on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) Paul in prison because of ministry to the Gentiles (Acts 13) Interruption to prayer to explain the mystery Explain “mystery” (not like OceanGate) 3 incredible things revealed to us in this passage:

Explanation

Every person who is covered by the blood of Jesus can stand with confidence before their Creator (v. 11-13)

The throne of a holy God turns out to be a throne of grace. Our confidence comes from the cross. How often our distrust in the sufficiency of the cross impedes our confidence before the throne! Martin Luther, "When I look at myself I don’t know how I could be saved, but when I look at Christ I don’t know how I could be lost.”

God’s hidden plan was always to bring people from every tribe, not just the Jews, into a relationship with Him (v. 4-6)

The OT is full of God’s heart for the Gentiles, but they never understood the extent of it. Even for Gentile God-fearers, they couldn’t walk into the temple courts past a wall that blocked them. Acts 10 In Colossians 1:27, the mystery is the indwelling of Christ, but he explains here it is for Gentiles as well. Now, through Jesus, all who believe have access to the throne of God. This is why Mission Sunday is so important! This is why the Toma Bible is so exciting! Why the future can never be bleak—more evangelicals in Nepal than Spain, 17x as many Anglicans in Nigeria as England itself

The church has the privilege of making God’s glory known, even among the angels (v. 7-10)

boundless/endless/unsearchable/unfathomable/incomprehensible/incalculable riches What else in life would be worth preaching? This is why it’s a privilege. But did you know we get to make God’s glory known to the angels too? Apparently even heaven itself couldn’t have imagined the beauty of all people having full access to the throne! This gathering, the translation of Scripture into the Toma, etc…the angels themselves are astonished at. 1 Peter 1 says angels don’t know everything Even the smallest church gatherings have cosmic effects “It is through the old creation (the universe) that God reveals his glory to humans; it is through the new creation (the church) that he reveals his wisdom to angels.” — Stott

Exhortation (+ communion)

Receive his grace by trusting in Christ crucified.

Reiterate point 1 Evangelistic call Call for prayer, trusting it’s a throne of grace Paul knowing he was a great sinner made him a great missionary.

Receive his grace by preaching Christ crucified.

Reiterate points 2-3 For Paul, grace didn’t end with knowing God, it included making him known. (v. 8) We are missing out on abundant life when it ends with us. There are moments of suffering—even imprisonment—but for those who know the joy of making him known, it is our glory. (v. 13)

Prayer (+ communion)