Ministry of the Gospel

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.

What is the mystery?

A mystery points to something that was once hidden and now is exposed.

The mystery is that now gentiles can be, and are, members of the same body.

Gentiles now have equal footing.

This encompasses everything we have been talking about.

By the will of God

We are chosen, elected, adopted in Christ. We have had our hearts enlightened.

Ephesians 1:4–5 ESV

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

We are sealed by the Spirit. We have been redeemed.

Ephesians 1:13–14 ESV

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

We were once dead in our trespasses.

Ephesians 2:4–5 ESV

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:13–14 ESV

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

We are fellow citizens , being built into a dwelling place for God.

The mystery is how we, you and I, could be saved.

We are overjoyed at our ability to now know this mystery. To trust in this mystery.

But, what now? What does this mean to us?

The thrust of verses 1-13 is that of Paul being called to this ministry of the Gospel.

To proclaim Christ to the gentile world.

To make known the richness of the Grace of God.

Romans 10:14–15 ESV

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Someone had to tell us.

Someone has tell others.

Ephesians 3:10–12 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.

Paul, and the apostles, were meant to make this Gospel known to us. so that, we could make it known to others.

We would need confidence to do so.

Ephesians 3:12–13 ESV

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 knows that this “Good News” is wonderful and challenging.

We will be persecuted for our faith. We will see others persecuted for their faith.

That is why he has spent so much time helping us to know our standing before God.

He is helping us fear man less and be grateful to God more.

Next two weeks we will be studying how Paul prays for our spiritual strength. In that prayer, we can find tangible aspects of our faith that should help us to “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called”.

Hopefully, by the time we get to 4:1 we will have firm reasons and a good grasp on the cornerstone that will enable us to do just that.

May the good news of the Gospel give us the boldness we need to “Be A Gospel Witness!”