1. Ephesians Lesson 5

2. Ephesians 3:1-6 Paul: a prisoner for Jesus Christ vs. 1 a steward of God’s grace vs. 2 understood the mystery by revelation vs. 4 The Mystery: Previous generations did not know Revealed to Christ’s holy apostles and prophets Paul is called to preach to the Gentiles Paul brought light to the administration of the mystery “Musterion” – once hidden but now revealed. Not something unknowable, rather it can ONLY be known through revelation because God reveals it

3. The Mystery Gentiles: Fellow heirs Fellow members of the body Fellow partakers of the promise Col. 1:24-29 Christ IN believers Jewish and Gentile believers IN the same body Ephesians chapters 1 - 3 Body: The Church with Christ as the head Jew and Gentiles reconciled in one body – church God’s manifold wisdom made known to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places through the church

4. Ephesians 3:7-13 God’s grace given to Paul Paul: a minister of this gospel A preacher to the Gentiles of the unfathomable riches of Christ He was to bring to light the hidden mystery So that the manifold wisdom of God could now be known through the church God’s eternal purpose: bold and confident access to the Father through faith in Jesus Christ Jew and Gentile alike

5. Ephesians 3:10 “Wisdom of God might now be made known through the church TO the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places” Who is in the heavenly places? Angels: both good and bad “God is educating the angels by means of the church” Warren Wiersbe I Pet. 1:10-12 ….things into which angels long to look. The angels were curious about God’s plan of salvation I Cor. 4:9 ….we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. Angels watch!

6. Ephesians 3:14-21 Paul’s Prayer Confident access: Paul bows before the Father The Father is the origin of families Prays that they be strengthened with power Eph. 1:19 There is surpassing greatness of His power toward believers Eph. 3:20 His power works within us

7. Christ’s Love We are to be rooted and grounded in His love Paul wants us to comprehend what is: The Breadth Length Height Depth Surpassing knowledge of His love So we are filled up!!! Then: Christ dwells in our hearts Dwell: katoikeo – to settle down in a dwelling, to be exactly at home!! Christ: exactly at home in YOU