Ephesians 3:1-13

Introduction:

Ephesians 3 opens with Paul reminding us where he is—and why he is there.

Writing from prison, Paul does not see himself as a victim of circumstances, but as a servant of Christ, faithfully carrying out a calling given by grace.

In this passage, Paul shows us that God’s saving plan has always been centered on Christ, driven by grace, and now fully revealed—bringing together people once separated and displaying God’s wisdom through the church.

1. (V1) For this reason I, Paul the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles

1. The Revelation of the Mystery: God’s Grace Made Known (3:1–7)

Paul was a leader in Jewish orthodox before Christ saved him

Paul gets saved and he is called to minister to the Gentiles and the Jews didn’t like that

The Jews considered the Gentiles dogs, even among Jewish Christians was the case

Because of that, the Jews hated Paul, they beat Him, stoned him, threw him in prison and would eventually kill him

a) Prisoner of Christ

Paul a prisoner and a minister

He didn’t view himself as a prisoner of Rome, but a prisoner of Christ for you Gentiles

Paul was faithful to carry out the work of Christ despite the things he suffered, in this case prison

He laid down his own life for the calling that was placed upon his life

This comes through humility and thanksgiving as Paul was willing to offer his life completely to God

Like Joesph, he was faithful to the calling and imprisoned because of it

Paul placed Christ as a priority over Himself and his own comfort

Application: Anytime you are a faithful to carry out a calling on your life the attacks will come, if they don’t there is a problem

1 Peter 4:13 “but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

b) For you Gentiles

God uses the most unlikely person, in this case it was Paul to minister to the Gentiles

 It’s amazing that God would take a Hebrew of the Hebrews

a Pharisee and a persecutor of the church to be the main minister of the mystery

the mystery of the work of the gospel in bringing Jew and Gentile together into one new body.

He was the most unlikely person, but God wisdom is above ours

Acts 10:28 Peter said, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”

1.1 (V2) If indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which was given to me for you

a) Dispensation of the grace of God

Dispensation means stewardship, or to have oversight

In this case, Paul was the administrator of God’s grace, it was given to him to make known as preacher and teacher

It was given to me for you

1.1 (V3) By revelation He made known the mystery

a) God made known the mystery by revelation

V6 Explains this mystery Jew and Gentiles fellow heirs and partakers of the promises through Christ

This revelation was not just given to Paul…

God spoke to Ananias in Acts 9:15 “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.”

It was also given specifically to Peter by revelation (Acts 11:1-18), and it is consistent with prophecy in the Old Testament (such as Isaiah 49:6) and the specific words of Jesus (Acts 1:8).

Then to Paul in Acts 22:21 “Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ””

Some of the revelation was already known, but he is enhancing their understanding

1.2 (V5) In other ages it was not made known, as it now has

a) Was not made known as it now has

The nature of the union of Jews and Gentiles into this new body is the aspect that was not made known.

In the Old Testament, the salvation of Gentiles in the Messiah is prophesied,

But the coming together of Jew and Gentile into the Church is never spoken of.

The church is full of people with different nationalities, languages, backgrounds, educations, yet we have everything in common because we have Christ in common

1.3 (V6) The mystery revealed

a) The mystery revealed by revelation

The mystery is the Gentiles are fellow heirs of the same body and partakers of His promises

Last week, Paul explained the Gentiles are no longer outside of God’s promises

Now they are fellow citizens and members of the household of God

Christ as the cornerstone holding everything perfectly in place

1.4 (V7) Paul a minister according to gift of the grace of God and by His power

a) Paul a minister

Paul says he is a minister, but that is a title of service, not exaltation.

It carries the idea of someone who waits tables

Paul lived his life for the purpose of spreading the Gospel message

Jesus didn’t come to be served, but to give His life as a ransome for many

Paul is following in the footsteps of Jesus

As we must follow the same pattern of service to the Lord

b) According to the grace of God

This is the same gospel Paul is a servant of, because of the gift of grace given to him

Paul didn’t look at Himself as Gods gift to humanity

I get to serve and to minister

I am so underserving, but God

1 Corinthians 1:27 “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;”

c) By His power

Romans 15:18 “For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient—”

By the working of God’s power

Paul doesn’t dare to take any credit for the work done

2. (V8) I am less than the least of the saints I should preach the unsearchable riches of Christ

The purpose of the mystery

2. God’s wisdom displayed through the church (V8-13)

Big idea: The church exists to display God’s wisdom and glory through the gospel of Christ.

a) Paul the least of all the saints

This denotes Paul’s deep humility in view of gods generous grace

Paul had credentials that could have led him to boastful or proud, but instead he takes an attitude of humility

Its by grace God chose to use him

I would imagine Paul is reflecting on his past life as he was a persecutor of the faith

1 Corinthians 15:9 “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”

b) Preacher of to the Gentiles

Preach” literally means “to announce good news.”

Paul’s preaching was simply the announcement of the good news of what God has done in Jesus.

A preacher to the Gentiles

Application: There are many preachers today, but the question is, what message do they preach?

Do they preach themselves or a false gospel message?

Paul is preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ…

c) The unsearchable riches of Christ

Chapters 1 and 2 are full of all our blessings in Christ…

We have the riches of grace

The riches of mercy

He is our peace

In Him we have reconciled to God

Paul says you cannot comprehend the riches in Christ

They are unsearchable

2.1 (V9) To make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery

a) The mystery of the fellowship

Jew and Gentile united in Christ

Without any separation, as it once existed between Jew and Gentile

No more dividing wall

Application: The enemy loves to cause to discord in the church

The goal is to break down the fellowship within a church

He comes to steal, kill, and destroy

He is the father of lies and deceit

To keep unity, we must resist the urge to get even or to defend ourselves

1 Peter 4:8 “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.””

Ephesians 4:26 ““Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,”

Jesus modeled these examples for us

We must deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Him daily

b) Hidden in God

This mystery had been hidden from the beginning until the God ordained time came

c) All things created through Christ

Colossians 1:16 “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”

2.2 (V10) His manifold wisdom of God made known by the church

a) Manifold wisdom of God

This wisdom is manifold. The ancient Greek word carries the idea of complexity, and great beauty.

Speaks of the new relationship between Jew and Gentile in the church

b) Made known by the church to the Principalities and powers of the heavenly places

The angelic beings both good and evil are witness

We wrestle not against flesh and blood

They are an owe over what God has done and is doing right now

2.3 (V11) According to the eternal purpose which He accomplished through Jesus our Lord

a) His eternal plan was accomplished

Over 2,000 years ago Gods eternal plan was accomplished through the cross

That is the manifold wisdom of God

In the middle of a trial, we don’t always understand why

2.4 (V12) We have boldness and access with confidence through faith

a) Reminder to come with and confidence through faith in Christ

We shouldn’t be timid with coming to God, but we should come boldly with confidence knowing that we have access through faith

Nothing to do with national or ethnic identity, only with faith in Him (Jesus).

2.5 (V13) Do not loose heart at my tribulations for you

His preaching brought salvation to many Gentiles, but with it came wrath from many Jews

Who are these Gentile dogs?

When we witness things that go against our own understanding we can loose heart

Application: Don’t be discouraged by suffering

Satan wants to stop you from moving forward

In Conclusion:

Paul’s life and message remind us that the mystery of the gospel is not just something we believe—it is something we live out.

God uses unlikely people, difficult circumstances, and even suffering to reveal His grace and display His wisdom through the church.

Because of Christ, we now have bold access to God, a shared identity as one body, and confidence that God’s eternal purpose cannot be stopped, even when obedience is costly.

Knowing that God’s grace has brought you near and given you access through Christ, are you willing to faithfully steward your calling—even when it involves sacrifice or suffering?

Communion is for believers, for the person who has already put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 11:27 “Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.”

Why We Do Communion?

Because Jesus Commanded It: “Do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). Communion is an act of obedience to Christ.

To Remember the Gospel: The bread and cup remind us of Christ’s body and blood given for our salvation.

To Proclaim Christ’s Death: We publicly declare the cross and live in hope of His return (1 Corinthians 11:26).

To Examine Our Hearts: Communion invites repentance, faith, and gratitude before God.

To Express Our Unity: We share one table as one body, united in Christ.

Please get the elements and examine your hearts before the Lord

If there is any sin in your life confess it and move forward in forgiveness

Eating of the bread is acknowledging His sacrifice on the cross.

He was perfect in all His ways, yet He was mocked, beaten, and left to hang on the cross for our sin

Matthew 26:26 “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.””

(The cup) In the same way he took the cup, it was the life that was poured out, he gave his life for you and me

It was an act of love, that He gave himself for the remission of sin, for you and me

Matthew 26:28 “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

Lets drink the cup