Declaring Our Redemption

Ephesians 3:1-13

What hinders our sharing of redemption that God offers through Jesus. Fear, lack of training. It can’t be from lack of opportunities. We are surrounded daily with opportunities.

In 3:1-3 Paul speaks of the Grace of God.(Read) For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for 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 in Prison because of his Gentile ministry, which had included his proclamation that the Gentiles were included, along with the Jewish people in the new covenant. The fact that the Jew and Gentile were being brought together was the mystery Paul had received from God.

V1- Paul proclaimed he was a prisoner of Christ Jesus. He was in prison because of his ministry to the Gentile. Those who witnessed Paul’s arrest and imprisonment would have said that the authorities had arrested him. Paul here considers himself a prisoner of God. Do we consider and consider Gods control in all that happens in our lives.

V:2 Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles was a gift of Gods grace. The stewardship of this grace was given to Paul to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. Paul wants the Ephesians and us today to see our responsibility to take the Gospel to others.

V:3 To Paul , the revelation given him about the mystery of Christ was another experience of Gods Grace. He mentioned it back in V1:9 He said the knowledge you gain about God is to share with others.

In 3:4-6 (Read) 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 that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.                 Paul explains that the revelation had not been made known in Old Testament Times, but that God had revealed it to Paul and the other apostles and new testament prophets.

V:4 Paul wanted the Ephesians to know and understand the mystery of Christ. And how he received it as revelation from God. Through Christ all people, not only Jews, could be numbered among Gods people. People around us today. A lot of them do not look like us, speak like us or think like us, Paul’s telling us that Gods wants us to give them the message of salvation through Jesus.  

V:5 The Mystery was not made know to men in other generations because Jesus had not yet come. The cross, resurrection, and ascension made it possible. Now the mystery could be made known. Paul points to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all believers to make its understanding known.

       Again the message to the Ephesians and to us today, God demands that we take that message to all people.

V: 6 In last weeks lesson we heard Paul state that the Gentiles, before they knew Jesus were alienated, Separated from God and His People. . Through Christ they became Heirs. Paul reminds us that no matter what ones background is anyone can be part of Gods new people through Christ.  

In 3:7-9 (Read) 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 make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things;             Paul acknowledges his calling to the Gentiles and states it to be a gift of Gods grace and describes himself as the least deserving of all Gods people. His task was to preach the riches of Jesus.

 V:7 Paul saw his calling as a gift of grace, as another way of experiencing grace. The power of God was what enabled him. The Holy Spirit is what enables us to do the same.

V:8 Paul saw himself as least of all Gods people. We see Paul’s deep sense of Humility. Paul felt unworthy of Gods grace yet this never stopped him in his acceptance and execution of his responsibilities. We often feel unworthy and unqualified and we wonder how God can use us in his ministry. Paul is saying God used me and he will use you.

      What gift in particular is Paul referring to. To preach the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Unsearchable, that which can not be measured. The fact that they cant be measured should reassure us that they are capable of changing lives.

V:9  Paul’s mission, to help in the understanding of truth, the Gospel. It’s the responsibility God gives us and enables us to complete by the workings of the Holy Spirit. Paul says that every Christian must strive to make plain to everyone the message of the Gospel. While the Holy Spirit brings to us spiritual insight and leads the lost to Jesus, believers must strive to be instruments in the process.

In 3:10-13 (read) that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confidence of access 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.          God’s eternal plan of offering redemption to all that believe reveals his wisdom. God’s purpose Paul shows us was that trough the Church, he could make know this wisdom to the whole universe.

V:10 The Church, every member of the Church is involved in spreading the Gospel. The redemption reveals Gods wisdom. As we share the message of the redemption, we are making Gods wisdom known.

V:11 Christ means anointed one, the messiah the Jews awaited. To call him Our Lord, affirms his lordship in our lives.

V:12 Paul speaks of the access and confidence we have in God. A confident witness is an effective witness.

V:13 Even the strongest Christians get discouraged. Paul became a prisoner. He feared the people would be discouraged by his imprisonment. Paul gives the Ephesians and us today an example of how to react to dicouragement.