Ministering to Gentiles

Background

What is our responsibility as Christians toward unbelievers?

Ephesus was one of the world capitals for worship of Greek gods and mythology (over 50 gods and goddesses)

Chapters 1-3 teach about our riches in Christ

Ephesians 3 was directed to gentiles.

Paul wrote Ephesians along with Colossians in prison at the same time. This is why you see very common language, examples, etc in these books.

Paul hopes by listening to him that the Gentiles will understand the mystery of the gospel.

Mystery Of The Gospel

Mystery in this passage means something that was once hidden and now God has revealed. Ephesians 3:3

Ephesians 3:3 CSB

The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have briefly written above.

The Mystery being stated to the Gentile people is that through Christ they are united into one equal body with Israel

Ephesians 3:6 CSB

The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

This verse shows that Gentiles can be coinheritors of Gods word and be on equal footing with God’s people, Israel.

Ephesians 3:8–9 CSB

This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ, and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.

These two verses explain Pauls heart and his calling and the grace God gave him to proclaim Jesus to the gentiles.

As Christians we are all called to go into the world and share the gospel. What can we learn from Paul about doing this?

Application

In our Ministry at Rose and wherever we go we need to copy Pauls prayer in verses Ephesians 3:14-21

Ephesians 3:14–21 CSB

For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

How is your prayer life for Rose?

Pray to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his spirit and that Christ will dwell in our hearts through faith

Pray to be rooted and firmly established in love

Pray for comprehension of Gods word in its entirety

Pray thankfulness to the one who can do all that we could ask or think according to his power.

Pray for Gods glory in the church, in the world, forever.