Exploring Ephesians #6 - The Mystery of Christ Revealed

Exploring Ephesians #6:

The Mystery of Christ Revealed

Text: Eph. 3:1-13

Thesis: To stress the importance of the church and note the supreme wisdom behind the

              unfolding of the scheme of redemption.

Introduction:

(1)    Paul is about to offer up a prayer, but he stops to give a brief discussion of “some of the those truths which prompted it, emphasizing their divine sources” (MacArthur 86).

(2)    In this discussion, Paul will reveal the mystery of Christ.

Discussion:

I.                   The Text:

A.    In verse 1, Paul informed his readers that he was in a Roman prison.

1.      “The situation which led to Paul’s arrest and subsequent detention in Jerusalem, Caesarea, and Rome arose directly out of his Gentile ministry” (Bruce 309).

2.      However, Paul views himself as a ‘prisoner of Christ Jesus,’ “for it was the cause of Christ that made him a prisoner” (Hoehner 420).

B.     In verse 2, Paul reminded his readers of his Gentile ministry.

C.     Beginning with verse 3, Paul informed his readers of the mystery of Christ.

1.      ‘Mystery’ (Gr. mysterion) – “something which is beyond natural knowledge, but has been opened to us by divine revelation through the Holy Spirit” (Vine’s).

2.      ‘Revelation’ (Gr. apokalupsis) – “unveiling or disclosing something that had been previously hidden” (Hoehner 426).

3.      This mystery was not previously known fully by any person.

4.      However, it is now known fully because the Holy Spirit has revealed it.

5.      The mystery is that Gentiles would be ‘fellow heirs,’ ‘fellow members,’ and ‘fellow participants’ with the Jews in the body of Christ.

D.    In verses 7-8, Paul stressed his humility that God would use him to minister among the Gentiles and to reveal this wonderful mystery.

E.     In verses 9-10, Paul emphasized that the church declares the ‘manifold’ wisdom of God in all places.

F.      In verses 11-13, Paul noted that all of this took place in Christ and as a result of what Jesus did, Christians now can have ‘boldness and access with confidence.’

II.                The Application:

A.    God’s eternal purpose was that all would be one in the body of Christ

B.     God can use anyone in accomplishing His will.

C.     The church displays God’s supreme wisdom.

D.    As the church, we have boldness and access with confidence.

Conclusion:

(1)   These blessings are only for the body of Christ.

(2)   Are you a member of His body?