The Mystery of Christ Made Known

Introduction

Paul has been writing to the churches in Ephesus and the churches surrounding Ephesus . He is writing to encourage the Gentiles who are now chosen by Christ. This teaching was not shared before Christ but now Paul and other Apostles and disciples were sharing this mystery. Paul was a Jew who once was persecuting the church. Paul had an encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus and his life was never the same after that encounter. This letter was written about 25 years after Jesus ascended to be with his Father. He is continuing to remind the church what has taken place because of Christ. They have been redeemed, made holy, righteous, set apart, adopted, they have been blessed with every spiritual blessing, and made one with Christ. All this is because of the work of Christ. They must rely on Him who able to do these things. Paul continues to tell them about Christ in Ephesians chapter 3. We are going to read Ephesians 3:1-13

Lets pray!

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3 Por esta razón yo, Pablo, prisionero de Cristo Jesús por el bien de ustedes los gentiles, me arrodillo en oración.

Paul start will for this reason, he is going to pray for the Gentiles the saints in the church. In the English translation it does not talk of prayer until verse 14. In the English versions it’s like he is getting ready to pray but wants to say more before praying. Paul tells the church that he is a prisoner of Jesus Christ. He is in prison for preaching Christ and for sharing the Gospel with the world. He says it’s because of you Gentiles I am in here. He is not blaming them but he is saying I am going to continue walking, living, and breathing by faith. Nothing will stop him because he has found freedom in Christ. Most people in Paul’s situation would be complaining about the living conditions, how they are being treated. Not Paul his focus was on Christ so much so that he says he is a prisoner of Christ and not a prisoner of Nero who had him there. Another reason he writes at the beginning for this reason: He wants then to live in unity as the body which he ended chapter 2 with. Christ being the cornerstone will cause the church to grow in closeness to Himself and to one another. For this reason he going to kneel to the father in prayer, because he know that the enemy will want to destroy what Christ is building up. The enemy is never to far away from those who draw near to Christ. The enemy is a liar and deceiver that comes to steal, kill and destroy.

Point 1

In spite of Paul’s situation or circumstances his eyes were on Christ and the gift of grace and faith. It was because Christ strengthen him and he could not do what he was doing without faith. He knew that the church needed that same strength.

We can have the same strength, hope, and peace that Paul had.

Podemos tener la misma fuerza, esperanza y paz que tenía Pablo.

How can we learn from this in our day to day living? Are our eyes and thoughts always on Christ?

We need to get into the Word and read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it, and share Christ with others. it’s by this that our relationship grows with Christ. We don’t do these things for information but by doing these things His word transforms us. Him in us because we are one with Him transforms us.

Leer, estudiar, memorizar, meditar, practicar y compartir.

We need to work on our relationship with Jesus and daily spend time with Him.

Verse 2 and 3

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2 Sin duda se han enterado del plan de la gracia de Dios que él me encomendó para ustedes, 3 es decir, el misterio que me dio a conocer por revelación, como ya les escribí brevemente.

Paul wants to make sure everyone has heard about the mystery of Christ coming to redeem those who believe. God shared His grace with Paul and after the mystery was revealed to him he never looked back to his old ways. Paul writes about this mystery not just here but in chapter 3 but also 1, 4, 5, and 6 also in 1 Corinthians, Romans, Colossians, and 1 Timothy. Christ is no longer a mystery and he wants to make sure that the people know this mystery. He wants to make sure God is making Himself known to them. He is not keeping the mystery to himself but sharing it with others. Why?

¿Te ha revelado Dios el misterio de Cristo?

We need to ask ourselves this. If Christ has made Himself known to us why do we keep going back to our old way of living? If we are just meeting on Sunday it’s no wonder we get distracted through the week. The enemy is prowling looking to devour us.

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8 Practiquen el dominio propio y manténganse alerta. Su enemigo el diablo ronda como león rugiente, buscando a quién devorar.

We need to take these warnings seriously. Both Peter and Paul give warnings to the church about the enemy. Listen to what Paul tells Timothy.

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3 Ahora bien, ten en cuenta que en los últimos días vendrán tiempos difíciles. 2 La gente estará llena de egoísmo y avaricia; serán jactanciosos, arrogantes, blasfemos, desobedientes a los padres, ingratos, impíos, 3 insensibles, implacables, calumniadores, libertinos, despiadados, enemigos de todo lo bueno, 4 traicioneros, impetuosos, vanidosos y más amigos del placer que de Dios. 5 Aparentarán ser piadosos, pero su conducta desmentirá el poder de la piedad. ¡Con esa gente ni te metas!

Do any of these things seem to be a problem in church today?

If our eyes and thoughts are not on Christ when the enemy attacks or tempts we are more likely to be deceived and stumble.

Verse 4 and 5

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4 Al leer esto, podrán darse cuenta de que comprendo el misterio de Cristo. 5 Ese misterio, que en otras generaciones no se les dio a conocer a los seres humanos, ahora se les ha revelado por el Espíritu a los santos apóstoles y profetas de Dios;

Paul is writing to the church so that they will read the letter and understand it. Remember that even though Paul is the one writing this letter every word is inspired by God. It’s not his thoughts that he is writing or his opinion. It’s God’s inspired, breathed word. Paul knew that this mystery was not known before but it is now being made known. God has a plan for His children and it’s to do good works. One good work that we can all do is share with those we know the truth of the Gospel. There was a time when every Gentile did not know the truth and they were separated from God and without hope. But now because of Christ the truth is being made known to the Gentiles of the world not by Paul alone but by the Spirit or light that lives in Him and in every true believer.

Point 2

¿Estamos leyendo la Palabra de Dios? ¿Lo entendemos cuando lo leemos?

Are we reading the Word of God? Do we understand it when we read it? Are we sharing this truth with the world? Do we remember who we were and who we are now because of Christ? We need know Christ personally and when we do we will value the treasure what we have found in Christ or have been made known to us. If we read the word of God He will give understanding and wisdom. His word is for all who believe and not just pastors and leaders in the church. Maybe you don’t believe yet, pray and then read His word and maybe He will give you understanding. Maybe the Spirit is stirring in you right now. Don’t just leave hear today and not look for Christ until next Sunday. Seek Him today and everyday.

What is it we have in Christ? Lets keep reading.

Verse 6-7

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6 es decir, que los gentiles son, junto con Israel, beneficiarios de la misma herencia, miembros de un mismo cuerpo y participantes igualmente de la promesa en Cristo Jesús mediante el evangelio.

7 De este evangelio llegué a ser servidor. Éste fue el regalo que Dios me dio por su gracia, conforme a su poder eficaz.

Paul tells the Gentiles that they are heirs, members of His body, they share the same promise that once was only for the Jews. Christ in not just the Messiah for the Jews but now also for the Gentiles. He died for both Jew and Gentile. It’s here that Paul says again he is a servant or a slave to Christ he is no longer a slave to sin. The Gentiles no longer have to be salves to their old ways. They can now know and worship the one true God. It’s here that the believer knows of God’s grace and also experience His power working in and through those who are His children. Paul always points to the One who made all this possible. He humbles himself and looks to Christ. It’s Christ and His power working in Paul and all who believe. This power is for all believers. Let this power lead you so Christ can work freely in you. It’s called surrender. Have you surrendered to the Lord? Don’t wait any longer and see Him work in you and through you.

Verses 8-9

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8 Aunque soy el más insignificante de todos los santos, recibí esta gracia de predicar a las naciones las incalculables riquezas de Cristo, 9 y de hacer entender a todos la realización del plan de Dios, el misterio que desde los tiempos eternos se mantuvo oculto en Dios, creador de todas las cosas.

Paul humbles himself here to remind the readers of this letter they and he are both sinners in need of grace and faith in in Jesus.

The least of all the saints! He too received this grace. He needed it just as much as the Gentiles. He was not better because he was a Jew or an apostle. He was chosen on the road to Damascus. Why does he think he is the least of the saints? He has not forgot the fact that at one time he was persecuting Christians. He knows his struggles and he wants to bow down to the Lord and lift up and praise the one who deserves all praise. He is proclaiming Christ and the riches that are found and received in Him.

He could have easily bragged about himself. List some of the things he had done. He had the right to brag but did not.

He was making the mystery known because the one who created all things has made it known to him. His hopes was that all have this mystery revealed to them. God had hidden this for hundreds of generations but no longer.

Point 3

We are to humble ourselves and lift up Christ. We must not put anything or anyone in the place where Christ is. It is a real danger for us to do this. Paul is reminding the church not just in words but by example. Put Christ first and worship Him not people, money, things, live free in Christ with Him leading us. The knowledge and wisdom He has given to us is so we encourage and tell others. It’s because of Paul’s faithfulness and others after him that we have had this mystery made known to us. God uses His church to make known the hidden mystery. How is He going to use you and me? Do you believe He will use you? If you don’t believe that why is that?

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10 El fin de todo esto es que la sabiduría de Dios, en toda su diversidad, se dé a conocer ahora, por medio de la iglesia, a los poderes y autoridades en las regiones celestiales, 11 conforme a su eterno propósito realizado en Cristo Jesús nuestro Señor. 12 En él, mediante la fe, disfrutamos de libertad y confianza para acercarnos a Dios.

Here Paul is telling the Gentiles the once low class the ones who were seen as unworthy of God’s love, are going to be used by God to tell the world about Him. It’s by Him in them that He will use them to be the light of the world. His light will shine brightly for the world to see. He will get all the praise and the glory and they will stand humbly before the world in awe. It is a supernatural work that can only be done in those who believe.

8 Porque ustedes antes eran oscuridad, pero ahora son luz en el Señor. Vivan como hijos de luz Efesios 5:8

Only going to church on Sunday is not going to draw you to this light that gives life. You are hearing about the Gospel but you need to Love the Lord and seek him diligently.

17 A los que me aman, les correspondo;

a los que me buscan, me doy a conocer. Proverbios 8:17

Looking for Him once a week for an hour or 2 is not going to help you get close to Him. We are to come here to hear the Word and this should get us more hungry. We are to go home and look to Him or look for Him. We are to open up our Bible and seek Him, we are to get on our knees and pray. He will make Himself known to us and our relationship with Him will grow stronger and stronger as we truly and diligently seek Him.

In verse 12 Paul says it’s in Him and through Him that we can stand free and confident.

Point 4

We must remember who we are in Christ and that our freedom and confidence is to be found in Him. We can’t stand alone on our own works.

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13 Así que les pido que no se desanimen a causa de lo que sufro por ustedes, ya que estos sufrimientos míos son para ustedes un honor.

Paul ends his thought to connect with what he opened with. He is in prison but don’t let that discourage you. I am in prison because of you but it’s God’s will for me. Paul is thankful to be a prisoner or slave of Christ. This will not cause him to worry or get discouraged and his hope is that the gentiles reading this letter are encourage too with the Gospel.

In closing

The points from this morning

1 . Like Paul in his trials let us not let our circumstances or difficulties in life cause us to lose sight of Jesus who is our hope and strength. Paul was always encouraging in spite of his persecution.

2. We need to know Christ personally and we do that by reading the Bible and understanding it. When we know Christ we share Christ with others. It’s not just the pastor’s job or leaders in the church but it’s the churches responsibility.

3. We are to humble ourselves when we share Christ with others and make sure it’s Christ getting all the glory and praise. If we aren't careful we will put ourselves,things, or other people in place of Christ.

4. We must always remember who we are in Christ. We are reminded that as we daily read the word and as we do we remember that our freedom, confidence, and strength is found in Him.