MYSTERY Ephesians 3:1-13

Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to the Lord, but the things revealed belong to us and our children forever

Ephesians 3:1-3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles…[Then Paul gets distracted] Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.

Ephesians 3:4-5 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 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

Ephesian 3:5 the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets

1 Peter 1:10-12 This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven

Colossians 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, Jesus made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross

Ephesians 3:6 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.

Ephesians 3:7-8 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.

Luke 5:32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent

Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Philippians 3:8 Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ

Ephesians 3:9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Ephesians 3:10-11 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord

1 Peter 1:12 And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.

Ephesians 3:10-11 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord

through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms HOW? 1.Through Salvation There is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! (Luke 15:7)

through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms HOW? 1.Through Salvation For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son (Colossians 1:13)

through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms HOW? 2. God’s Power made perfect through weakness: Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me…For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:8-10)

Rob Reimer: The mystery of the Gospel is that God calls unlikely people into his family through the unexpected work of Christ to use them in unsuspecting ways to advance His Kingdom.

Take Home: How did God reveal salvation to me? (How did I come to faith?) In what ways have I experienced the transforming power of Christ in my life? What has God been revealing to me lately?