LIVING A NEW LIFE IN CHRIST-05 (Ephesians 3:1-13)

EPHESIANS 3:1-13

Question:
Do you think God would
give us something and not expect us to use it?

God’s plan for Christians is “to do good works”.
    For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
    to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us
    to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

Paul felt that sharing the ‘message of redemption’ was also important.

EPHESIANS 3
VERSE 1.
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of
Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

Paul was in prison as a result of his ministry to the Gentiles.
However, he viewed his imprisonment as being under God’s control.

Question:
Do you think most Christians believe that all that happens
to them is part of God’s purpose, and that He is in control?

VERSE 2.
Surely you have heard about the
administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you,

Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles was a ‘gift’ of God’s grace.

“administration” (translated “to be put into effect”) .
    – The idea is that Paul’s ministry was part of God’s plan
      and that God was putting His plan into effect.

The administration of God’s grace
was the responsibility God gave to Paul.

Note:
God has given responsibilities to every individual Christian;
sharing the gospel is one of those responsibilities.
Look at the command from Jesus:
    Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
    baptizing them in the name of the Father and
    of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching
    them to obey everything I have commanded you.
    And surely I am with you always, to the very end
    of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Note:
The ministry He gives each of us is also a part of His plan.

Question:
We are not all preachers,
so what are some ways we can share the gospel?

VERSE 3.
that is, the mystery made known to me
by revelation, as I have already written briefly.

Paul refers to a previous scripture:
    And he made known to us the mystery of his will
    according to his good pleasure, which he purposed
    in Christ, (Ephesians 1:9)

Note:
Paul felt that he was to share all
the knowledge he had learned about God.

    Note:
    This is one way Christians can share the gospel.
        – As we learn new things from the scriptures,
          we can share them with others (we need to
          be unashamed to share; we should boldly share).

VERSE 4. 
In reading this, then, you will be able
to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,

Paul wanted the Ephesians to understand the
“mystery of Christ”, and how he received it as
a revelation from God.

Question:
What is the “mystery of Christ”?
    – His death on the cross provided a way for all
      people (not just the Jews) to be counted as God’s people.

VERSE 5.
which 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.

Question:
Why wasn’t this mystery
“made known to men in other generations”?
    – Jesus had not yet come to die on the cross.

    Note:
    The mystery was revealed by the Holy Spirit.
    This means it would have had to been after
    the ascension of Jesus Christ.
        But I tell you the truth: It is for your good
        that I am going away. Unless I go away, the
        Counselor will not come to you; but if I go,
        I will send him to you.(John 16:7)

Question:
Who are God’s apostles today?
    – Every Christian. We have a responsibility to share
      with others. God would not reveal the mystery to
      us just for us to keep it to ourselves.

VERSE 6.
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.

Paul explains the mystery:
    Regardless of one’s heritage or background,
    anyone can become a part of God’s family.

VERSE 7.
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of
God’s grace given me through the working of his power.

Paul saw his call to preach the deep truths of the gospel
as another experience of God’s grace. The power of God
enabled him to do this.
    Note:
    The Holy Spirit will enable us to do what
    God calls us to do (just as He did for Paul).

VERSE 8.
Although 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,

Although he felt unworthy, Paul readily and
faithfully accepted the responsibility God gave him.

Note:
We may feel unqualified or unworthy and
wonder how God can use us in His ministry.
Just as He used Paul, He can use each of us.

    Question:
    What are our requirements?
        – To be available and to be willing.

Question:
What are some things that make us feel unworthy?
    – Past sins.
    – Expected to do something we feel is beyond our capability.

    Question:
    How can we overcome them?
        – Turn it over to God.
       – Accept the fact that we are unworthy and move ahead
          with God’s plan for us. If He thinks we are worthy to
          be used by Him as part of His plan, then we should move
          forward with enthusiasm and confidence. After all, God
          knows more about our capabilities than we do ourselves.

“unsearchable”
    – A word referring to that which cannot
      be measured (like the sky).
          “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
            miracles that cannot be counted.” (Job 5:9)

Note:
When we think of the magnitude of the
riches He provides, we should be inspired to:
    1. Experience them.
    2. Share in His ministry

VERSE 9.
and to make plain to everyone the administration
of this mystery, which for ages past was kept
hidden in God, who created all things.

Paul’s mission was to help everyone
understand the truth of the gospel.

Note:
All Christians should strive
to make the gospel “plain to everyone”.

    Question:
    How can we do that?
        – We can do it by the way we live our lives.
        – We can do it by freely sharing
          new insights we discover in the scriptures.
        – In essence, we can create an environment around
          ourselves that will arouse interest in others that
         will cause them to want to know more about the
         God we worship, and serve.

VERSE 10.
His 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,

Paul points out the venue God wants to use to
demonstrate His “manifold wisdom”. That
venue is the church (we are the church).

Note:
As we share the message of God’s redemption
with others, we are making known His wisdom.

Note:
We can share one-on-one, by participating in mission
work, or by any number of ways. God expects us to be
usable and to serve Him in whatever capacity He has
chosen for us.

VERSE 11.
according to his eternal purpose which
he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Again Paul references God’s eternal purpose
of salvation provided through Jesus Christ.

Note:
When we pray and make ourselves available,
we will become aware of opportunities to
serve Him in a variety of ways. Check out
these websites:
    Imb.org (International Mission Board)
    Namb.net (North American Mission Board)

VERSE 12.
In him and through faith in him we may
approach God with freedom and confidence.

Paul refers to a key characteristic that
helps us to share with others – confidence.

Question:
How can we gain that level of confidence?
    – Through prayer.
    – Through learning more about the scriptures.
    – Through building and growing
      a personal relationship with the Lord.
    – Through serving in a small capacity initially
      so that can use us in other ways later. If we
      fail to be ‘useable’ in a small way, then why
      would He want to use us in a greater way?

VERSE 13.
I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged
because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Even the strongest Christian gets discouraged at times.
Satan loves trying to discourage us whenever we are
faithfully serving the Lord where He has ‘planted’ us.

Paul was in prison because he took the gospel to the Gentiles.
He was concerned that others would become discouraged
when they saw how he suffered as a result serving the Lord.
Doesn’t that say a lot about Paul’s understanding of what
we are told in his letter to those in the church at Phillipi?
    Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
    Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
    not looking to your own interests but each of you
    to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Question:
What are some things that could cause Christians to
become discouraged? How can we overcome them?
    – Heartache and grief.
    – Criticism.
    – Misunderstandings (not understanding God’s plan).
    – Disillusionments created by Satan (doubting our salvation).
    – Past sins. If Satan can get us to shift our focus from
      serving God, to the times we have failed in obeying
      Him in the past, then he will succeed in his efforts
      to discourage us.

Note:
We need to remember, God can work through discouraging
circumstances to bring victory in the lives of His people.

SUMMARY:
– God has given every Christian
  the responsibility of taking the gospel to others.
– God has expectations of everyone He saves,
  and He equips us to serve Him as He desires.
– If we have do not feel that He wants to use us in
  some way, then should we question our salvation?
– In order to serve God effectively, we need to discover
  the ‘spiritual gift’ He has given us. Sometimes we may
  feel that He wants us to serve Him and yet, we may not
  discover our spiritual gift until we begin serving Him.

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