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

2. 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

3. 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!

4. 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…

5. 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).

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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…”

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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…

14. 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”

15. 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!

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

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

18. 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!

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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

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