Ephesians 3:1-13 // MYSTERY REVEALED

WELCOME

40-in-40 Trips

INTRO

Our passage today begins with Paul referring to himself as a "prisoner of Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 3:1).

READ

Ephesians 3:1–6 (ESV)

The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed

3 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. 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.

MYSTERY REVEALED (1-6)

ILLUS: I’ve recently been listening to a podcast series of Sherlock Holmes mysteries. There’s rarely a time when those are solved in a single episode… there’s much anticipation that builds as I wait for the episode to drop where the mystery is REVEALED.

Ever get interrupted in your prayers? Paul does here

He digresses on the subject of the divine mystery.

One term I think it’s also important to define from today’s passage is that of stewardship

STEWARDSHIP, I would argue - is being faithful, with something of eternal value, for the good of others. This applies to more than just money - it encompasses your time, talent, treasures and truth. In Paul’s use of the word in our passage today: truth.

Mystery - the ordinary English sense of this word implies knowledge withheld. The biblical sense is truth revealed. [mystery = formerly kept secret but now revealed]

The mystery was made known only by divine revelation, that is illuminated by the Spirit.

divine revelation is when God sovereignly reveals His will and purpose to His people.

DIVINE REVELATION includes these essential beliefs in our faith:

General Revelation

Special Revelation

Inspiration of Scripture

Inerrancy of Scripture

Authority of Scripture

Clarity of Scripture

Illumination of Scripture

Preservation of Scripture

Ephesians for You Revealed, Not Evolving

Our privilege today is

In Christ, the mystery of God's plan for the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles is unveiled.

The content of the mystery is Christ: Christ for us in giving His life on our behalf.

Christ in us accomplishing His purpose by working in each member of His body.

Ephesians The Stewardship of the Mystery (vv. 1–6)

This mystery is received spiritually (

The administration of God’s grace. Paul refers to the administration or stewardship of God's grace, which was given to him. This privilege of revelation is not for boasting, but for service.

The concept of grace is central in Paul's teaching (Ephesians 3:7-8). Salvation and Paul's apostleship are understood as gifts of grace. This underscores the doctrine of grace as unmerited favor—receiving what we do not deserve and cannot earn. Understanding grace changes our perspective on service; it transforms duty into a privilege.

Practical Application: As followers of Christ, we are called to steward the grace we have received.

This includes living a life open to God’s revelations and obedient to His Spirit.

Ask yourself, how are you actively participating in God’s unfolding mystery today?

READ

Ephesians 3:7–13 (ESV)

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. 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.

THE MYSTERY’S PURPOSE (7-13)

Unsearchable riches – they far surpass our human ability to understand.

Paul used same word in Rom.11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out.

God’s riches are so vast no one can plumb their depths.

From the beginning of the ages – Paul traced this mystery all the way back to creation

Paul’s purpose: To preach (8) and make plain/make all see (9)

(10) Manifold wisdom – compound word (many + many sided). Or, very many-sided, or very many-faceted, or very many-colored.

The idea in this word is that the grace of God will match any situation which life may bring us. There is nothing of light or of dark, of sunshine or of shadow, for which it is not triumphantly adequate. - William Barclay

This was a rare poetical adjective used in the Septuagint to describe Joseph’s coat of many colors—Genesis 37:3, 23, 32).

Encompasses the concept of brilliance:  The brilliant wisdom of God, the brilliant gospel, should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, through the church.

As we saw last week—The many-colored fellowship of the Church, the variegated third race of Jews and Gentiles—multicultural and multiracial—shows the many-shaded wisdom of God.

Through studying the Church the angelic host observes the reconciling work of Christ, which is the model for the reconciling of the universe when everything on Heaven and earth will be brought together in him (cf. Ephesians 1:9, 10; Colossians 1:17-22).

God’s plan was more than a successful operation. It became a personal experience. [in Christ we have a free approach to God - access]

One Body. The mystery revealed is that Gentiles are now heirs together with Israel.

God’s plan was to bring all nations into one body through Christ.

Paul references the unity between Gentile and Jewish believers, a radical idea in his time (Ephesians 3:6). This unity exemplifies the doctrine of the Church as one body in Christ.

The Church is portrayed as a living organism where diversity is celebrated within the unity of faith.

APPLICATION

Proclaim: the heavens are watching!

Persevere: persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

Prayer: Recognizing God's sovereignty challenges us to trust Him amidst trials, knowing that He orchestrates all events for His purposes.

Prayer pulls the rope down below and the great bell rings above in the ears of God. Some scarcely stir the bell, for they pray so languidly; others give only an occasional jerk at the rope. But he who communicates with heaven is the man who grasps the rope boldly and pulls continuously with all his might. - C.H. Spurgeon

Serving: Embrace a posture of humility in service, acknowledging that both our calling and empowerment stem from God's grace. Like Paul, view each opportunity to serve as a grace-filled privilege.

Recognize your role in the church as part of a grand narrative that signals God’s wisdom to the world around you.

Live confidently, knowing your faith makes a local, global—and even cosmic—impact.

Reflect on how you can contribute to making God’s wisdom known through your actions and relationships. Then, share with others, get involved in this mission that God himself is on!

Foster unity within the body of Christ. This unity showcases the manifold wisdom of God expressed through the Church. REMINDER: we’re called to unity and warned against walls that divide.

CLOSE

The mystery of the Gospel calls us to join Paul in stewarding this mystery, living in unity, and fulfilling our role in sharing God’s manifold wisdom.

Receive encouragement today in the bold access you have to God and commit to making His mystery known in your everyday life.

Embrace the freedom given to you and let that liberty drive you forward, not with discouragement but with renewed purpose and hope.