Ephesians Lesson 5 Ephesians 3 1 6 Paul

Ephesians Lesson 5

Ephesians 3: 1 -6 • Paul: a prisoner for Jesus Christ vs. 1 a steward of God’s grace vs. 2 understood the mystery by revelation vs. 4 • The Mystery: Previous generations did not know • Revealed to Christ’s holy apostles and prophets • Paul is called to preach to the Gentiles • Paul brought light to the administration of the mystery • “Musterion” – once hidden but now revealed. Not something unknowable, rather it can ONLY be known through revelation because God reveals it

The Mystery • Gentiles: Fellow heirs Fellow members of the body Fellow partakers of the promise • Col. 1: 24 -29 • Christ IN believers • Jewish and Gentile believers IN the same body • Ephesians chapters 1 - 3 • Body: The Church with Christ as the head • Jew and Gentiles reconciled in one body – church • God’s manifold wisdom made known to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places through the church

Ephesians 3: 7 -13 • God’s grace given to Paul • Paul: a minister of this gospel • A preacher to the Gentiles of the unfathomable riches of Christ • He was to bring to light the hidden mystery • So that the manifold wisdom of God could now be known through the church • God’s eternal purpose: bold and confident access to the Father through faith in Jesus Christ • Jew and Gentile alike

Ephesians 3: 10 • “Wisdom of God might now be made known through the church TO the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places” • Who is in the heavenly places? Angels: both good and bad • “God is educating the angels by means of the church” Warren Wiersbe • I Pet. 1: 10 -12 …. things into which angels long to look. The angels were curious about God’s plan of salvation • I Cor. 4: 9 …. we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. Angels watch!

Ephesians 3: 14 -21 • • • Paul’s Prayer Confident access: Paul bows before the Father The Father is the origin of families Prays that they be strengthened with power Eph. 1: 19 There is surpassing greatness of His power toward believers • Eph. 3: 20 His power works within us

Christ’s Love • • • We are to be rooted and grounded in His love Paul wants us to comprehend what is: The Breadth Length Height Depth Surpassing knowledge of His love So we are filled up!!! Then: Christ dwells in our hearts Dwell: katoikeo – to settle down in a dwelling, to be exactly at home!! Christ: exactly at home in YOU