Why was I saved? - Ephesians 3:1-13

Have you ever asked the question - why me? Typically, it has a negative connotation. Fat tire, why me? Stubbed tow, why me? You parents are embarrassing, why me?

On the positive side, if you’re a Christian, you’ve recieved a gift that is so amazing, it can make you ask, why me? Tonight we’ll ask the question, why did God save me?

You were saved to bless others.

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.

Paul was writing this letter to non-Jewish Christians while in prison. Instead of saying, hey jerks, my ministry for you landed me in prison, you owe me. He wrote them to show them that their spiritual growth is worth his suffering.

God saved the apostle Paul, not only for his good, but to do good to outsiders. Though he was Jewish, he was called to specifically reach gentiles, non-Jews.

He understood that the revelation and knowledge God gave him wasn’t just to make him smart. It was to steward for others.

Explain the difference between an owner and a steward.

You are called to steward your knowledge of God to bless others. To whom much is given much will be required.

Will the baton drop with you or will you pass it on to another?

Be a river, not a swamp.

You were saved to unite with others.

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

Jews viewed gentiles as outsiders to their religion and traditions. The reason that Paul is in prison is because he mentioned that gentiles can be saved, a riot broke out and he was imprisoned until trial.

If you are saved by knowledge, then only the taught have a chance.

If you are saved by ethnicity, then only one people group have a chance.

If you are saved by tradition, then only insiders have a chance.

Because we are saved by grace, anyone can be saved.

This reality can change the way you view everyone. I have two things in common with every person in the world. We are all sinners. And Jesus died for us all. That means everyone can partake in grace if they believe the promise of salvation.

View everyone as someone that Jesus died to save.

You were saved to make the good news known.

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. 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, 9 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.

There is a common lie that you need to get your act together before you minister to others. If you wait to serve God until your sinless, you will never live for him.

Paul understood that he was a influencer for God even though he didn’t deserve that opportunity. In fact, he calls himself the least of all the saints. Because he used to persecute the church. He personally attempted to stop the Jesus movement. But God saved him, so now he wants others to get saved.

Once people become Christians, they are part of the church. And the church is the best visual illustration of the gospel.

Don’t let regrets from you past keep you from representing Jesus today.

Here’s how: your life before Christ - how you met Christ - your life now.

You were saved to honor and enjoy God.

11 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. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

When you pray or sing to God, are you able to approach him with confidence? If you’re a Christian, you’re invited to be bold when you come to your Father.

Even your suffering and hard days shouldn’t stop you from going to God. “Paul was being used, and probably in a greater way than he ever imagined. This Roman imprisonment produced the letters of Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon. They all certainly have a place in God’s eternal plan.”

If you’re not a Christian, why not you? And why not today?

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.