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eph-ch3.011
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1992-11-10
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EPHESIANS CHAPTER THREE
The Revelation of the puzzle (Mystery) of the Church.
NOTE. The word "mystery" merely means something is hidden
until the appropriate time to reveal it.
I. The Minister and the Mystery. v.1-13
A. Paul the Messenger, a prisoner v.1.
This phrase is caught up and carried on in v.14.
B. The Revelation of the Mystery. v.2-5.
1. in former ages hid, now revealed:
a. to Paul (his stewardship of the mystery, given
to him by revelation, for us.)
b. to the apostles and prophets.
C. The Mystery. v.6.
NOTE. The mystery of the Church is that the Gentiles are to
have an equal portion with the Jews, God's chosen people Eph. 3:6
All this was "by faith" Rom.15:9-10; Gal.3:8-9. This is a radical
thing that God would make Gentiles with the Jews "Co-heirs" with
Christ and "Co-members" of His Church.
1. that the Gentiles should be: v.6.
a. Fellow-heirs (joint-heirs)
b. Fellow-members (a joint-body)
c. Fellow-partakers (joint-partakers)
II. The Minister of the Mystery. v.7-13.
A. The source of this Ministry. v.7. (the calling of God)
"I was made a Minister" (a servant,"diakonos")
1. "according to the gift of God's grace."
In no way did this former persecutor earn the right.
2. "according to (by the effectual) working of His
power".
This ministry would have failed without Divine
Enablement.
B. The Purpose of this Ministry. v.8-9. (the message)
1. To preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches
of Christ. v.8.
2. To make men see the fellowship of the mystery. v.9.
(hidden in God from the beginning of the World.)
C. The Result of the Ministry. v.10-13 (function of the
Church)
1. Display God's wisdom before Heavenly intelligences.
"to the intent that principalities and powers in
heavenly places might know the manifold wisdom of
God." v.10.
2. We have Freedom of access. Heb. 10:19-25
"that in Christ we have boldness of access". v.12.
3. That "we faint not because of Paul's tribulation".
v.13. Because we benefit as a result of them.
III. Those Ministered to because of the Mystery. v.14-21.
Paul's prayer for us to know and be able to understand the
mystery as a member of the family.
NOTE. Paul's first prayer in chapter one gives us three
WHAT'S. This prayer gives us four THAT'S, and is saturated in the
love of Christ.
A. That you be strengthened in the inner man.
By the Spirit according to the riches of His glory.
B. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. v.17.
C. That we may be able to:
1. comprehend (grasp) v.18.
2. To know the love of Christ( which passeth knowledge)
a. the breadth,- to all mankind everywhere all the
time. (both Jew and Gentile)
b. The length, - From everlasting to everlasting.
c. The depth, - Christ's humiliation provides
unfathomable redemption to all.
d. the height, - the exaltation of Christ - above
all, providing exaltation for the redeemed.
(to be filled with all the fulness of God.)
D. That you may be filled with all the fulness of God. v.19.
IV. Doxology to Him who calls.
A. Source (from where we receive) = He is able.
B. Measure (in which we receive) = Exceedingly abundantly
= above all we ask.
= According to the power
that works in us.
C. Purpose (in receiving) = Unto Him be glory in
the Church.
= Unto all generations.