The Great Mystery

Text

Review

The book of Ephesians began by a look at our Spiritual Blessings

These blessings far outweigh any earthly possession we could gather

Before the foundation of the world God the Father ordained for us to be holy (vs 4)

We have redemption through the blood of Christ (vs 7)

We are sealed by the Spirit (vs 13-14)

Next we learned about the prayer of Paul for our understanding of Christ to increase

An increased understanding of our riches

An increased understanding of the power available to us through Christ

Then we looked at our condition before and after our Salvation

There was our personal condition - dead in trespasses and sins- now alive unto God!

There was our national condition -

Gentiles separated from the covenants and commonwealth of Israel (of course as Gentiles this applies to us as well)

But through Christ there is one body, the church made up of both Jew and Gentile

Ephesians 2:16 KJV 1900

And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Now we are both Jew & Gentile being built together for God’s glory

Ephesians 2:21–22 KJV 1900

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Introduction

As we enter the 3rd chapter of Ephesians we are wrapping up the doctrinal portion of this book as we make our way into more of a devotional section of the book. Paul is wrapping up his emphasis on the “mystery”.

Ephesians 3:3 KJV 1900

How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

Ep 3:

The Mystery was not previously known

The Mystery was revealed by God

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Six: I Know a Secret (Ephesians 3:1–13)

In the New Testament, a mystery is not something eerie or inscrutable, but rather “a truth that was hidden by God in times past and is now revealed to those who are in His family.” A mystery is a “sacred secret” that is unknown to unbelievers, but understood and treasured by the people of God.

I. Paul states his cause

“for this cause I Paul”

What cause? - the reconciliation of both Jew and Gentile in one body “the church”

What cause? - the building that is being fitly framed together

Ephesians 2:21 KJV 1900

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Paul had given his life for this “mystery”

Are we living for a cause? Weather we think we are or not, all of us have dedicated our life to something!

Illustration: “The Few, the Proud, The Marines” - this was one of the best advertisements ever created. It usually start with some battlefield scene of a soldier scaling walls, or some fighter jet doing barrel rolls is the sky and then at the end there is a clean shaven, crew cut man decked out in his military dress uniform with a shine sword.....The few…The Proud…The Marines!!! What are they getting at? Give your life a purpose, make a difference in the world, fight for your country, be a hero- JOIN A CAUSE!!!

Paul knew he was part of a cause

1 Corinthians 9:24 KJV 1900

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Are we living for a cause? Weather we think we are or not, all of us have dedicated our life to something!

II. Paul states his condition

“the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles”

Remember Paul was in prison in Rome when he wrote this epistle

The reason he was headed there was because of his unwillingness to waiver in his beliefs

He was arrested in (for his teaching against the law- even though he made a generous effort to appease the Jews)

He gave his testimony in

Acts 22:21–22 KJV 1900

And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

Acts 22:2

What are we suffering at the moment for the cause we have given our life for? Many times we are so derailed due to some minor discomfort! Paul embraced his condition!

2 Timothy 1:8 KJV 1900

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Ephesians 6:20 KJV 1900

For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

III. Paul states his capacity

“the dispensation of grace”

A. His Receiving of grace

“which is given me”

Paul knew he could do nothing were it not for the grace of God

Def: Grace is getting what we do not deserve

We would do well to come to the place where we recognize our inability to accomplish anything without God!

John 15:5 KJV 1900

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

The grace was dispensed it was “given”

B. His Remitting of grace

“which is given me to you-ward”

In other words Paul’s receiving of grace was not for himself it was for these Gentiles (to you-ward - toward you)

Illustration: many times growing up I would hear adults say… it seems like the money I earn is in one hand and out the other! The older I get the more true I think that statement is. With earnings we want to do our best to hold on to a least a little!

But with grace we want to do our best to be a channel.

Channels Only

How I praise Thee, precious Savior, That Thy love laid hold of me; Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me That I might Thy channel be.

Refrain: Channels only, blessed Master, But with all Thy wondrous pow’r Flowing through us, Thou canst use us Every day and every hour.

Just a channel full of blessing, To the thirsty hearts around, To tell out Thy full salvation, All Thy loving message sound.

One of the great secrets in the Christian life is that we live with our focus on others and not ourselves

IV. Paul states his calling

“whereof I was made a minister”

A. The Instruction of men

“to make all men see what is the fellowship”

Fellowship: It has the idea of participation

Illustration: The Christian life is not a spectator sport. When I was younger I loved sports, but I only enjoyed playing sports I was good at. At least good enough to play and not sit the bench! My freshman year of High School I tried out for basketball and about a week into try-outs it was pretty clear that if I managed to make the team I would need to be content riding the pine! Needless to say I did not continue with try out! I was not interested in spectating!!

B. The Instruction of angels

“unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church”

The wisdom of God is being made known to heavenly powers by the church!

God’s glory is being revealed through the church!

Ephesians 3:21 KJV 1900

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Our part and participation in the church bring glory to God which is the chief duty of man!

Isaiah 43:7 KJV 1900

Even every one that is called by my name: For I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Paul had a great understanding of the significance of the church!

Conclusion:

All of these truths are centered around the fact that Paul understands this “mystery” that God has revealed to him. It is true that the “church” was at one time a mystery, but that is no longer the case. Paul made it known to these believers at Ephesus and he has made it know to you and I as well.

Illustration: The Rosetta Stone of Bible Truth

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Six: I Know a Secret (Ephesians 3:1–13)

Most of us identify Napoleon Bonaparte as the would-be conqueror of Europe. But not many would name him as a patron of arts and sciences. Yet he was. In July 1798, Napoleon began to occupy Egypt, but by September 1801, he was forced to get out. Those three years meant failure as far as his military and political plans were concerned, but they meant success in one area that greatly interested him—archeology. For in August 1799, a Frenchman named Boussand discovered the Rosetta Stone about thirty miles from Alexandria. This discovery gave to archeologists the key to understanding Egyptian hieroglyphics. It opened the door to modern Egyptian studies.

“The mystery” is God’s “Rosetta Stone.” It is the key to what He promised in the Old Testament, what Christ did in the Gospels, what the early church did in the Book of Acts, what Paul and the other writers teach in the Epistles, and what God will do as recorded in the Book of Revelation. God’s program today is not “the headship of Israel” (Deut. 28:1–13), but the headship of Christ over His church.