PARTNERS IN THE PROMISE
Ephesians 3:6 (HCSB) – “The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”
Exploring some of Ephesians with reference to the mystery Paul writes about to help understand that we are all equal, included and find belonging in Christ.
CONTEXT:
Paul was under house arrest – his own personal lockdown.
Written to all Christians to emphasise the inclusion of the Gentiles.
Settle people in the truth.
What we read from Paul’s letter is that God revealed His plan for humanity stage by stage to help us understand:
1. We are all equal in Christ
2. We are all included through Christ
3. We all belong to Christ
THE PLAN:
Eph 2:1-10 – God removed the division between Himself and people
Eph 2:11-22 – God then removed the divisions between people and people; all barriers of exclusion gone.
Eph 3:6 – Partners in the Promise. God’s mystery made known to us to help us understand that we all belong.
1. We are all equal in Christ
This might seem obvious to us today, but it wasn’t always a reality.
The Old Testament only gave us a partial revelation regarding the coming Messiah, what he would do and who he would achieve Salvation for.
In Christ we are all equal – sinners saved by grace.
Eph 3:6 (NIV) – “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”
Emphasis on together – EVERYONE is equal.
Not only do we all have a part to play, we have a place at the table – we are included in God’s Kingdom.
2. We are all included through Christ
Previous to the mystery being revealed, Jews & Gentiles were separated in the temple courts – as were men and women.
Eph 3:3 “made known by revelation” – revelation here: Greek is apokalupsis – turn the light on; lifting a veil; disclosure of knowledge.
As partners in the promise we are included in the revelation; not just through receiving the revelation and having faith in Christ, but also through living this truth.
ie – love your neighbour as yourself
Understanding, receiving and living this truth helps us to courageously love and empower people to become like Jesus.
For us to be partners, to have inclusion with God, means we BELONG and have BELONGING in God’s family.
3. We all belong to Christ
Eph 2:4-10, 13 – “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do … But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
Say: I am a partner in the promise
Say: I belong to Christ Jesus
In Christ, we are equal. Through Christ, we are included. And to Christ, we belong.
Remember this: through Christ, we are no longer separated from God.
Jesus is inviting us to join him at the table; equal, included and in belonging. Embrace this promise and partner with God today.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What does it mean to you to be a partner in the promise?
- What does the concept of everyone being equal look like to you?
- How important is it to be included in anything? God’s family?
- Belonging is an inherent desire in all of us. Do you feel like you have that? How can we create a culture of belonging at Bayside?
- Who can you include at your table (yes, even virtually) this week?
- Do you struggle with how to / whether we should apply the notion of being equal, included, and find belonging?
- How can we live this truth in our every day life?
- What does it mean to you that Jesus’ death and resurrection did away with all forms of societal separation meaning everyone has access to God through Jesus?