The Mystery

Ephesians 3:1–12 NKJV

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. 8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

eph3.

(NKJV)

The Mystery Revealed

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

Purpose of the Mystery

8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

The Messenger of The Mystery

Paul - the prisoner of Jesus Christ (The proclaimer of the mystery, the apostle)

Suffering was for Christ

A prisoner becasue of the Lord Jesus - becasue of his faith and work

For the gentiles also - that they could be saved

Addresses the Gentiles - us

until then, it was believed that Messiah was for the Jews only

they believed they only were chosen

Gentiles believed themselves unwelcome by God

For you Gentiles -

Literally for them - as he was arrested in Jerusalem, accused of bringing Gentiles in to the temple

Willing to suffer himself that they might have opportunity to know this gospel

Where are the saints that are willing to suffer loss that others might be saved?

— “save a soul from death”

What would you be willing to suffer for the gospel’s sake?

How is it looking so far?

Pray for opportunities - to speak boldly as we ought to speak

be willing - instant

How The Mystery Was Known

until then, it was believed that Messiah was for the Jews only

they believed they only were chosen

Gentiles believed themselves unwelcome by God

This mystery was by “revelation”

It was Divinely revealed

This mystery by “revelation”

As Jesus explained to Peter “flesh and blood has not revealed this to you...”

Spiritually discerned ( But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. )

14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The gospel is hid to those who are perishing ()

Our knowledge of God must be “divine”, must be by faith

we can learn about God - but that is not revelation

The devil knows about God

We should seek this revelation - seek God

“You seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” ()

If you are not seeking God, you should not be surprised when you don’t find “evidence”

The Mystery Revealed -

“That the Gentiles should be “fellow heirs” of the same body”

The mystery of The Cross

The sacrifice of Christ

The remissions of sins

the receipt by faith

the gentiles reconciled -

This was a shocking revelation -

had been kept secret for untold generations

That the gospel was not just for the Jews

for all men, everywhere

for you and I today

How refreshing this is in a time of such divisions

in a time when so many want “exclusive” claims to God

when so many people are dividing into groups and clicks

That we are all “fellow heirs”, “partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel”!!

The Position of the Messenger

Less than the least of all the saints - Humility

Paul’s position was one of humility

we see this throughout his writings

He was not there to promote himself, or his credentials, or his accomplishments

“this grace was given” - he had not “achieved” this right

Perhaps the church needs a fresh dose of humilty

in this age of the megachurch and star preachers

in these times of bragging and touting of titles and accomplishments

where are those who truly recognize themselves as “less than the least”, and yet compelled to run the race - for Him?

Perhaps that’s you

To preach the unsearchable riches of Christ

The wonders of Him - inexhaustible

“To make everyone see”

This was his only motivation

to make everyone see “what is the fellowship of this mystery”

not himself, but Jesus

Let the whole world know !!!

This good news, from the beginning hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ

God created all things

He did so “through Jesus Christ”

Jesus was there in the beginning- in eternity before and forever

This mystery by “revelation”

As Jesus explained to Peter “flesh and blood has not revealed this to you...”

Spiritually discerned

The gospel is hid to those who are perishing

The Purpose of The Mystery

“To the intent that...” - for this reason

God has purpose in this mystery - an intent - an intended result

That now -

For thousands of years this was not revealed

not to men, or kings

not even to angels or demons

but now, it is -

To Principalities and powers in heavenly places

There are “beings” that you cannot see

These are not earthly principalities and powers, as he specifies “in heavenly places”

Some scholars believe these to be “enemies of God” evil spirits, or demons, such as are mentioned in

Others believe these to be good angels and heavenly beings in the presence of God, learning this “manifold wisdom” of their creator

Perhaps it includes all of the above -

In any event, it is evident that there are spiritual beings -

living creatures - not invisible energy

having mind, will, emotions

having authority, and purpose

having power to perform their will and plans

And that God is “making known by the church”

That somehow, through the church, through us, God is making known his Wisdom

His multiplex of diverse and infinite wisdom

through, these ordinary human beings

That God has:

created man in His own Image

That He has loved us with an everlasting love

That He has redeemed us from sin through the blood of His Son

That HE has chosen to eternally identify Himself with us (the firstborn of many brethren)

That through Him, we are made partakers if His divine nature ()

Joint heirs together with Jesus

And that this is Wisdom

God did not make a mistake

He did not choose foolishly in choosing you

He did not err in putting His spirit in us

His eternal purpose is Wise and will accomplish His purpose

All creation is witness - here and there

The Result of The Mystery

His purpose was accomplished in Christ Jesus

It is finished

Now we have “boldness”

We can approach God directly

We have “access” to HIm

We don’t need to beg or plead

don’t need to climb a mountain or cross a sea

He is right here, and willing to hear you

HE has time for you

We have confidence

Our faith should cause us to be very confident of this access

That we “believe” Him

Confidence that our prayers are heard, and important to Him

Confidence that what He promised, He is able to perform

Confidence in eternal life!