1. Ephesians 3:1-12 The Mystery Revealed 1

2. Ephesians 3:1-6 1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles- 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 2

3. Ephesians 3:7-12 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. 8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 3

4. Introduction The apostle Paul gives us some incite regarding the “mystery” The prophets inquired about it Angels desired to look into it It was revealed to the apostles of Christ So that the Gentiles might believe Made possible by God’s grace This revealed mystery would be made known by the church This was God’s eternal purpose The “mystery” is the Gospel! 4

5. “Mystery” Defined Strong - musterion - from a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth); a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites):--mystery. Vine - primarily that which is known to the mustes, "the initiated" (from mueo, "to initiate into the mysteries;" cp. Phil 4:12, mueomai, "I have learned the secret," RV). In the NT it denotes, not the mysterious (as with the Eng. word), but that which, being outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, can be made known only by Divine revelation, and is made known in a manner and at a time appointed by God, and to those only who are illumined by His Spirit. In the ordinary sense a "mystery" implies knowledge withheld; its Scriptual significance is truth revealed. Hence the terms especially associated with the subject are "made known," "manifested," "revealed," "preached," "understand," "dispensation." 5 “ I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want” - Phil. 4:12 - RSV

6. Prophets Inquired Angels Desired to Look Into 1 Peter 1:9-12 Isaiah 42:6-7 Isaiah 62:2 6

7. Mystery Made Known to the Apostles 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 1 Corinthians 4:1 Ephesians 3:8-11 Ephesians 6:18-20 Colossians 1:25-28 Colossians 4:2-4 7

8. The Mystery That Was Revealed Salvation in Christ Acts 4:12; 2 Timothy 1:6-11; 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 For the Jews & Gentiles Acts 2:38-39; 10:25-35, 44-48 Acts 15:7; 13:46-48; 26:15-18 Romans 1:16; Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 2:11-22 By Faith & Obedience to the Gospel Mark 16:15-16; Galatians 5:6 Romans 6:17-18; Hebrews 5:8-9 8

9. The Mystery is a “Mystery” WHY? Because they do not read, study & obey the scriptures! 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them - 2 Cor. 4:3-4 The Mystery (gospel) can be understood! Ephesians 5:15-18 The Mystery is not a “mystery”! It is revealed - John 16:13; 2 Peter 1:3 9

10. Romans 16:25-27 - NKJV 25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith- 27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. 10