1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles– 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 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. 6 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. 7 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. 8 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, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. —Ephesians 3:1-13

The Church is not an

I. Paul’s role in the mystery of the Church 3:1-6

1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles– 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 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. 6 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. —Ephesians 3:1-6

• A. Paul a messenger 3:1
  
  1. A prisoner of Christ
  2. A prisoner on behalf of Gentiles
• B. Revelation of the message 3:2-6
  
  1. It was a stewardship 3:2
  2. It was a revelation 3:3
  3. It was a mystery 3:4-6
     a. Mystery explained 3:4-5
     
     1. Paul’s insight 3:4
     2. Past ignorance removed 3:5
        a. Fellow heirs/same body
        b. Partakers of the promises in Christ

The message of the Church is not to be a product of our

II. Paul’s authority and the mystery of the Church 3:7-13

7 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. 8 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, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. —Ephesians 3:7-13

• A. Source of Paul’s authority 3:7-8a
  
  1. God directed – “made a servant” 3:7a
  2. Grace enabled 3:7b-8a
     a. It is always about God’s grace, not our ability
     b. Paul never got over that grace – “very least”
     c. It is by His grace we are empowered
• B. Purpose for Paul’s authority 3:8b-12
  
  1. To preach the unfathomable riches of Christ 3:8b
  2. To bring to light the mystery 3:9
  3. To display the manifold wisdom of God 3:10-12
     a. God’s eternal purpose 3:11
     b. Our intimate access 3:12
• C. Application for his readers – “Don’t lose heart” 3:13

The mission of the Church is not a

Many Afghan Christians will die this week because they

Small Group Questions

1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

3. How does the unity and equality of Jew and Gentile display God’s plan for the world, and how can we speak this truth into our day?

4. How can our agendas and biases impact our presentation of the Gospel?

5. Do you think your opinion of and commitment to the Church match Paul’s? Why or why not?