Ephesians 3: 1-7

The Mystery Revealed

Slide 1: Ephesians 3:1-7

Pastor Dave Barnes

Review from last lesson: Slide 2: Doctrine: Our Riches in Christ—Chapters 1–3 Our Spiritual Possessions in Christ—1:4–14 First Prayer—for Enlightenment—1:15–23 Our Spiritual Position in Christ—2:1–22 Second Prayer—for Enablement—3:1–21 Slide 3 Duty: Our Responsibilities in Christ—Ch 4–6 Walk in Unity—4:1–16 Walk in Purity—4:17–5:17 Walk in Harmony—5:18–6:9 Walk in Victory—6:10–24 Slide 4 SIT - Our Position in Christ (1:20-21; 2:6) He raised Him from the dead and SEATED Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 2:6…and raised us up together, and made us SIT together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus Slide 5 WALK - Our Life in the World (4:1) WALK in Good Works (2:10) WALK Worthy of the Calling (4:1) WALK in Love (5:2) WALK as Children of Light (5:8) WALK Circumspectly (5:15) Slide 6 Ephesians Chapters 1 to 3: Doctrinal Chapters 4 to 6: Practical Slide 7 Ephesians (Chapters 1 to 3) Be more heavenly-minded… (Chapters 4 to 6) …so you can be more earthly good. Slide 8 Ephesians (Chapters 1 to 3) Us in Christ (Chapters 4 to 6) Christ in Us

See:

3: 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith

3: 20 according to the power that works in us

4: 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

4: 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),… 14 And Christ will give you light.”

6: 6 doing the will of God from the heart,

In other words, if Christ is in us, then we should be Christ in the world

Slide 9 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,

Compare verse 14 - 14 For this reason I… Verses 2 – 13 appear to be parenthetical, but what a wealth of truth, v. 8 “unsearchable riches of Christ,”

Slide 10 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), Slide 11 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: Slide 12 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, Slide 13 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. Slide 14 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, Slide 15 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; Slide 16 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, Slide 17 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. Slide 18 Mystery μυστήριον musterion – something only God could reveal; man could never figure it out (Ephesians 3:5) 3466 mystḗrion (the root of the English term, "mystery") – mystery. In the Bible, a "mystery" (3466 /mystḗrion) is not something unknowable. Rather, it is what can only be known through revelation, i.e. because God reveals it. “refers to some sacred thing hidden, or to a secret that is naturally unknown to human reason and is only known by the revelation of God. It does not refer to something that is mysterious, difficult to understand, or hard to grasp. It means that which has not been revealed. The term in the Bible refers to truth that could not possibly be known except it be revealed by God.” https://www.salembible.org/the-church-as-a-mystery/ Slide 19 What is the mystery? Not the kingdom – O.T. prophets describe it in glowing terms (Isaiah 11:6-9) Not that the Gentiles will be saved – O.T. filled with promised blessings to the Gentiles (Romans 9:24-30, Matthew 12:18-21, Genesis 12:3, Isaiah 19:19-25) Not the sufferings and glories of Christ – O.T. prophets spoke of both (Isaiah 9:6-7, 11:1-9, 53:6-7) Slide 20 What is the mystery? Something prophets and angels did not see (1 Peter 1:10-12, Acts 1:10-11)

Between the cross and crown, a dispensation of grace God made a church that includes both Jew and Gentile Misunderstanding on part of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-12, 11:3, 7-8, John 1:29) Two mountain peaks – the valley in between

Slide 21 1 Peter 1:10-12 10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, Slide 22 1 Peter 1:10-12 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. Slide 23 1 Peter 1:10-12 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into. Slide 24 What is the mystery? The Church!

Ø It is a new thing – not a continuation of O.T. dispensation

(Matthew 9:16-17, Luke 16:16, John 1:17, Romans, 9, 10, 11, 11:13-14) - Right now God is dealing with all of the world; but He is not done with the Jew (Matthew 24:34-35, Romans 11:26)

Ø It is not the Kingdom

- The kingdom and the church always differentiated - Parable of the nobleman going to far country to receive kingdom (Luke 19:12-13) Slide 25 Romans 16:25-27 25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began Slide 26 Romans 16:25-27 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— 27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. Slide 27 Colossians 1:24-29 24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, Slide 28 Colossians 1:24-29 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Slide 29 Colossians 1:24-29 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. Slide 30 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.