Ephesians 3:1-10

Gospelcome BibleGateway

"¹For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles--²Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, ³that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. ⁴In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. ⁶This 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.⁷I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. ⁸Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, ¹¹according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹²In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. ¹³I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory"

INTRODUCTION

A. Read Isaiah 11 - On Unity

B. These verse discuss spiritual unity between all peoples.

C. Do you want to know a secret?

D. Paul is speaking about a mystery (secret) "musterion". The Ephesians were into mystery religions. How was Paul using this word differently?

E. What was the mystery? (v 6)

F. Why was this a foreign concept to the Jewish people? How did they misunderstand Deuteronomy 7?

G. What happened over time to the Jews as a result of this? Contrast this with Isaiah 49 ("a light to the rest of the world.")

I. Unity Cost Paul His Freedom

A. For this reason....What reason? (Ephesians 2:13-14)

B. Verse 1 is completed in verse 13 "For this reason ....I bow my knee.."

C. What was the middle wall? How does the cross level the "playing field"?

D. Where was Paul when he was writing this?

E. Whose prisoner did Paul see himself as?

F. What does dispensation or "oikonomia" mean?

G. Paul knew the reason, he preached it, it cost him as a result.

H. Discuss Paul's history from birth, through the Road to Damascus and to his current imprisonment

II. Unity Cost the Angel's Their Attention

A. What does principalities and powers signify?

B. Why did God wait to tell the "secret"

1. To give Israel an opportunity to be the light they were called to be

2. To educate the angels (v10)

C. Angels (are or are not) omniscient?

D. How do these verses demonstrate that this is a "graduate course" for angels?

E. Read 1 Peter 1:10-12. What is the significance of these verses?

F. What were the angels learning?

G. What does this show us about God and His character?

H. Read 1 Corinthians 6

III. Unity Will Cost Us Our Pride

IV. Unity Cost Jesus His Life

APPLICATION

1. Are there any "middle walls" that you need to break down so as to build a bridge to those that need to hear about God's love?

2. Are you willing to embrace each other, building bridges and relationships with others, so that God might use you to build unity?

3. Do you really understand unity? Does it show in your life? What would others say about you?

4. Ask God to show you how to build the "mystery" of unity in, through and around your life to the glory of God.

5. Have you ever counted the cost in your life? Remember that Jesus purchased you with His own blood in order to bring unity in the kingdom forever. Lay down the barriers in your life that divide and ask forgiveness of those in your life that hiner unity...that the world might believe.

6. How important is it to you that God laid down His life "for this reason...."