The Mystery Revealed

Introduction

last week verse 14:22

THIS WEEK we will focus on Chapter 3:1-13

We learned Jesus is our peace. Through his death of the cross he made peace between God and man and united both jew and Gentile into one body called the Church.

Abolished the law of commandments expressed in ordinances

We now have access to to the Father through the Holy Spirit.

We are now being built into a holy temple built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Please stand for the reading of God’s word

Ephesians 3:1–13 ESV

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 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. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 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. 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, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Paul a prisoner of Christ

Paul a prisoner of Christ- Remember Paul was Saul and was converted

how the mystery was made know to me by revelation

2 Corinthians 12:1–4 ESV

I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.

So Paul received direct revelation from Jesus

Paul says hes been given a stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you.

The you here is Gentiles. God made Paul a Jewish Pharisee to be the main man to bring the Gospel to gentile

Paul says I am an apostle to the Gentiles

he says God was pleased to reveal his son to me in order that I might preach him among the gentiles

Eph 3:

Ephesians 3:4–6 ESV

When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 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. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Paul keeps writing about a mystery the mystery of Christ. In verse 4 he says that they can now perceive insight into the mystery of Christ. He says this mystery wasn’t made known to past generations. In other words it wasn’t revealed in the OT. This was something kept hidden but now has been revealed. Messiah Jesus revealed it to the apostles and NT prophets by the Spirit

Paul says what the mystery is in verse 6 THIS MYSTERY is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body and partakers of the promise in Messiah Jesus through the Gospel. Jesus suffered and died on the cross for both Jews and atoned for them as well as us gentiles.

it says

Galatians 3:28 ESV

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:29 ESV

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Did you hear that??

here this

1 Cor 12:

1 Corinthians 12:13–14 ESV

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many.

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 10:19 ESV

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,

God wants you to see who you are if you are in Christ. You are His child. His loved possession. Bought by blood atoned for and accepted. Throw off the lies of your past and put on Christ. He is our refuge and we have access to the power of All mighty God to change the curses of our family ties, to change your current state into the image of Christ.

PAUL a MINISTER

Ephesians 3:7–9 ESV

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. 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, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,

Eph 7:9

We see Paul was minister according to the gift of God’s Grace

We see the humility of Paul

He was given a stewardship to preach to the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. In other words the infinite riches.

Preaching to the gentiles the message of the Gospel- the mystery of both jews and gentiles being now one family one body and the abolishing of the ordincens of the law is why Paul was arrested and put into prison

We too are ministers- and it may cost us

Display the wisdom of God

Ephesians 3:10–13 ESV

so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

eph 3:10

Through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made know to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places

the plan from the beginning

Conclusion

Have you grasped the mystery of Christ? Do you see the amazing Grace to which we’ve been given

Paul had a stewardship, he had a mission. He saw himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. You too have a stewardship - A God given mission. Put God first and embrace his will for you life

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Are you being faithful to which you’ve been called?

Husband or wife?

Father or Mother?

Do you tell people the unsearchable riches of Christ? Do you witness at all for him?

If through the Church the manifold wisdom of God is being shown to the angles and demons. What do they see when they observe your life?

Remember through Christ you have access to the Father. He desires us don’t hesitate to approach him