1. “The Mystery Of Christ” Text: Eph. 3:4-12 Scripture Reading: Eph. 2:14-16

2. “The Mystery Of Christ”Intro Eph. 3:4-12 4. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5. which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6. to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7. of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9. and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10. so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12. in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Eph. 3:4-12 4. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5. which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6. to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7. of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9. and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10. so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12. in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. The prophets of old longed to know the mystery of God, and it was withheld till the proper time!

3. “The Mystery Of Christ”Intro A world full of religious organizations that are designated “churches” seems to know little of the church (not plural) about which we read of in the Scriptures! Many think the church was formed the same way as:  Muhammad: Islam – 632 AD  Joseph Smith: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) – 1830 AD  Mary Baker Eddy: Christian Science – 1875 AD  L. Ron Hubbard: Church of Scientology – 1953 AD

4. “The Mystery Of Christ”Intro The church was purposed and planned before the foundation of the world!  Eph. 1:3-4: God’s Plan: “before the foundation of the world.”  I Pet. 1:17-21: Christ’s sacrifice: “before the foundation of the world.” “The mystery of Christ” (hidden for ages – Eph. 3:9) was revealed in the church! “The mystery of Christ” (hidden for ages – Eph. 3:9) was revealed in the church!

5. “The Mystery Of Christ” God’ Purpose Was a Mystery Eph. 3:4-7:  Paul says the mystery can be understood by reading his letter.  The entrance of the Gentiles into the church, “the body” (Eph. 2:14-16), is the mystery revealed! I Cor. 2:9-13: A mystery is that which man cannot know unless God reveals it:  Angels could not know God’s purpose. (I Pet. 1:12)  I Cor. 1:20-24: Men did not know God’s purpose.  God’s purpose was made known by the Holy Spirit! Eph. 3:9 (3:11) 9. and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; Eph. 3:9 (3:11) 9. and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; Eph. 3:5-6: The mystery has now been revealed: The church!

6. “The Mystery Of Christ” God’ Purpose Was a Mystery What is the significance of Gentiles and Jews made fellow heirs?  Gen. 11:1: The Tower of Babel – mankind all together in one mind, one purpose, and in one language!  Gen. 11:8-9: God gave them many languages and scattered them all over the whole earth – Divided by language, nationality, culture, and religion!  I Pet. 4:11a; Eph. 4:4-6; Eph. 2:14-16; II Cor. 5:9 The mystery now revealed shows God’s plan for the church was to unite mankind as one again, under one language & purpose in one body! The church (“body of Christ”) brings all people of varying backgrounds and nationalities into “one mind” & purpose (I Cor. 1:10; Phil. 1:27), and into the family of God! The church (“body of Christ”) brings all people of varying backgrounds and nationalities into “one mind” & purpose (I Cor. 1:10; Phil. 1:27), and into the family of God!

7. “The Mystery Of Christ” God’s Purpose and the Fall of Man Eph. 3:8-12: Through Christ all men may have the wisdom of God through faith! Gen. 1:26-27: God created man in His image:  Acts 17:28: Paul quoted Greek poets as saying, “For we are His offspring.” Josh. 24:15: God created man with the power of independent action and of choice:  Gen. 2:17: God gave one rule to man.  Gen. 3:1-6; II Cor. 11:3: The situation was complicated by Satan.  Eph. 2:1-3, 11-12: Men are alienated from God by sin.

8. “The Mystery Of Christ” God’s Purpose and the Fall of Man God had a plan to rescue mankind after they made the choice to sin (Gen. 3):  Rom. 5:6-10: The plan was based on God’s love for man.  I Peter 1:9-12: Prophets longed to know, and the angels desired to look into God’s plan – but the mystery was revealed in Christ! Rom. 5:8 8. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom. 5:8 8. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God’s plan would unfold at a Certain time of His choosing! (Dan. 2:44) God’s plan would unfold at a Certain time of His choosing! (Dan. 2:44)

9. “The Mystery Of Christ” God’s Wisdom Seen In the Church Eph. 3:10-11: The church is a demonstration of God’s wisdom! The church – People (G1577 ekklēsia: "The called out,” “assembly”):  Eph. 2:4-10: People made alive by Christ.  Eph. 2:11-18: People made near to God. (Formerly alienated by sin)  Eph. 2:19: People who constitute God’s family. (Eph. 1:5, 7) The wisdom of God is seen in the church: A people united as one in Christ! The wisdom of God is seen in the church: A people united as one in Christ!

10. “The Mystery Of Christ”Conclusion Eph. 3:11: God’s Son made God’s eternal plan a reality In studying the “eternal purpose” of God for the church, could a person think: Denominationalism with all its division is the church? Eph. 3:11 11. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, Eph. 3:11 11. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, That salvation is apart from the church? That the church is unimportant and insignificant?

11. “The Mystery Of Christ”Conclusion God had a plan to redeem mankind (you and me) from “before the foundation of the world!” The church is the mystery of God revealed to man! Have you obeyed the gospel?

12. “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17) Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24) Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38) Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10) Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16) Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10) For The Erring Child of God: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)