Family on Mission

In this chapter Paul is going to offer and prayer of intercession for the church.

Todays passage sets up that prayer but also serves as a tie in from the previous verses (2:19-22).

Paul has just told them that God has taken what was once separate and at odds with one another, the Jews and Gentiles, and made them one in Jesus

Making them family by becoming a dwelling place for the living God…

Ephesians 3:1–13 CSB

1 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—2 assuming you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that he gave me for you. 3 The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have briefly written above. 4 By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. 5 This was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. 8 This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ, 9 and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things. 10 This is so that God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. 11 This is according to his eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him we have boldness and confident access through faith in him. 13 So, then, I ask you not to be discouraged over my afflictions on your behalf, for they are your glory.

View yourself as a steward of God’s grace.

Paul speaks about the “administration of God’s grace” another term from Paul’s day would be a “steward”

A steward or household manager (Greek: oikonomos from oikos = house and nomos = law/management)

A steward is not the owner but one entrusted by the master to manage the estate’s resources, finances and other servants.

We, as the church, are God’s family and as such we are managers of the “family business”

We do not make the rules; we just administer the Father’s resources.

One of the resources Paul mentions it “God’s grace” - we didn’t invent grace but, like Paul, we are tasked with distributing it to those around us.

As stewards we are required to be faithful 1 Corinthians 4:2 “2 In this regard, it is required that managers be found faithful.”

But we must also make sure everyone in the “household” - including those being invited in - get their “portion…a the right time: Luke 12:42 “42 The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible manager his master will put in charge of his household servants to give them their allotted food at the proper time?”

As stewards we need to view our talents, time and even our testimony not as our possessions but as resources entrusted to us by God to be used for His glory and to be shared with others.

Embrace the fellowship of the gospel.

So often we heard the word “fellowship” and think about food, games and socializing… this a part of it

Paul mentions being “coheirs”, “members” and “partners”

We were not meant to be a “solo steward” - each one of us is a part of something more

The Greek word “koinonia” describes a shared life, a partnership, and unique relationship between believers and God - we hold all thing in common

We could call it a fellowship of “fellows”

Fellow heirs: as believers we share in the inheritance of heaven

Fellow members: as believers we share the same spiritual DNA in one body

Fellow partakers: as believers we share the seat at the table of the Lord’s promise

We could call it a fellowship of the “mystery of Christ” - the world see the incalculable riches of Christ not just through our preaching, but through our togetherness. Unity is evidence that the Gospel is true.

Our fellowship is not passive it is an active partnership - we join together in the work of the gospel

It is marked but radical generosity

Sharing in the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper

It involves the responsibility to Hebrews 3:13 “13 But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.” Hebrews 10:24–25 “24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”

When we adopt the mindset of being a steward and bring all we have - God brings all those different things together to form one functioning body

We we embrace the fellowship of the gospel we aren’t just hanging out, we are a demonstration community proving God’s victory to all of creation

Be confident in the mission - you are family.

Out boldness in sharing the gospel isn’t just a felling - it is a familial right

Paul tells us we have boldness and confident access to the Father - only a family member had access to the father at any time

As stewards we represent the owner - we are ambassadors

As ambassadors we carry the full weight and authority of the kingdom - as a child of God we carry the full authority of God

We aren’t “beggars” trying to convince the world - we can speak with the confidence knowing God has our back

We won’t encounter a closed door when it comes to approaching the Father - we can step right into the throne room and get what we need.

The mission cannot fail because it has already been realized in Jesus

We often fear because we don’t know what is going to happen but we know the outcome is secure in Jesus so be courageous

Imagine a massive, high-stakes construction site for a cathedral or a skyscraper. There are hundreds of contractors, specialized engineers, and heavy machinery operators. Everyone has a specific job, a deadline, and a high level of stress.

Among the workers is a Steward (an administrator) who manages the blueprints and the budget. He is careful and diligent because he’s responsible for the resources. Then there are the Teams of workers who must coordinate perfectly to get the job done—this is fellowship.

In the middle of the dust and the noise, a young person walks onto the site. This person doesn't have a hard hat on yet, and they aren't carrying a tool belt. The security guards might stop a stranger, but they wave this person through. Why? Because they recognize the face. It’s the Architect’s child.

This child walks straight past the "Authorized Personnel Only" signs and into the Architect’s trailer. They don't knock tentatively; they walk in because they have access. They aren't there to just watch; they are there to learn the family business. When they walk back out onto the site, they walk with a different kind of confidence. They aren't worried about being fired, and they aren't intimidated by the scale of the project. They know the one who designed it, they know the resources are limitless, and they know that the project will be finished.

Paul is telling the Ephesians—and us—that we aren't just laborers hired for a day's work. We are the children of the Architect of the Universe. We are Family on Mission. We carry the blueprints of the "God’s Mystery" in our hands and the confidence of the Father in our hearts.

We are not solo workers striving for God’s approval; we are a family entrusted with His grace, joined in fellowship, and sent into the world with the bold confidence of sons and daughters… we are a family on mission.