The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ GRACE EVANGELICAL SOCIETY National Conference 2019

The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Living according to our true identity! The contrast of Position and Condition My Position = In Christ Heavenly Wealth My Condition = On Earth Earthly Walk

The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Living according to our true identity! A Key Principle… NOTHING IN MY CONDITION CAN CHANGE MY POSITION… I AM SECURE IN CHIRST!

The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ If you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace… Verse 1 - For this reason… Verse 14 -For this reason…

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Verse 2 Paul the prisoner of Christ for the sake of you Gentiles – Paul was in prison because of the message he preached. Specifically that Jew and Gentile were now one in the body of Christ because of God’s amazing grace (2:11-22).

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Verse 3 Stewardship = oikonomia oikos – house nomos – law The idea is house rule or administration. The KJV translated this word dispensation.

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Verse 3 Stewardship of God’s grace! Given to Paul by revelation! For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11-12

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Verses 3-4 The mystery… Greek – mysterion “A hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding… a hidden purpose or counsel…”

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Verse 5 The mystery…not made known as it has now been revealed… Comparative of degree = Church was revealed in the O.T. just to lesser degree Comparative of kind = Church was not revealed in the O.T.

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Verse 5 Comparative of kind = Church was not revealed in the O.T. Colossians 1:26 …the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His saints.

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Verse 6 To be specific…Gentiles are… Fellow heirs Fellow members of the body Fellow partakers of the promise In Christ Jesus through the gospel

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Verse 6 “The mystery is not that Gentiles would be saved, for the Old Testament gave evidence of that, but rather that believing Jews and Gentiles are joined together. That was a revolutionary concept for Jews and Gentiles alike.” Harold Hoehner

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Verses 7-8 The gift of God’s grace – Paul considered it God’s gracious gift that he would be called to serve the Gentiles with the gospel! - This gift was given to me, the very least of all saints…

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Verses 7-8 The gift of God’s grace to Paul… To preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ! Unfathomable = “Past finding out or unsearchable”

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Verse 9 The administration of the mystery – Jew and Gentile becoming one in the church through the gospel!

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Verse 10 The manifold wisdom of God – Manifold = “Much varied or many colored”

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Verse 10

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Verse 10 This wisdom – now made known through the church to… The angelic host – Rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Implication – Satan knew nothing about the mystery!

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Verse 11 The eternal purpose… carried out in Christ Jesus or Lord – God in his wisdom and omniscience had the perfect plan in His mind. This plan was carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Verse 12 In whom we have boldness and confident access – The work of Christ on the cross… His resurrection power, His intercessory ministry for us… Through faith in Him.

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Verse 13 Therefore…do not lose heart at my tribulations… for they are your glory. If the Ephesians could truly understand the administration of God’s grace given to Paul then they would not be discouraged. They would understand he suffered because of his message, which led to their gain and glory.

Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Implications of our riches in Christ With revelation comes responsibility. Just as Paul was entrusted with a stewardship we also have been entrusted with a stewardship. God made us for a purpose and has gifted us so that we can fulfill that purpose. It is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. 1 Cor. 4:2

The Unfathomable Riches of Christ Ephesians 3:1-13 The Unfathomable Riches of Christ