EPHESIANS 3:1-7 THE MYSTERY REVEALED

Eph 3:1 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, 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. A.   A MYSTERY ONCE HIDDEN, NOW REVEALED (1-7)

1. Interrupting himself, Paul makes mention of His Status

• How Did it Effect Paul v1,2,7

V1 Paul was a Prisoner of Christ

2Ti 1:11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Ac 9:10-16

A.    V2 Paul was a Steward of the Mystery- He was entrusted with a great task

B.    V3-5 The Mystery is that Jews and Gentiles would be joined in the Church

• How Did it Effect the Gentiles

A.    V6 A new relationship

1)    Fellow Heirs of the Inheritance…sums up Eph 3:11-22

2)    of the same body

3)    and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,

Gen 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Galatians 3:28-29 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

A.    V7 New Power

Paul's role as a minister to the Gentiles of this "mystery" was a gift from God (7)

         a. A gift of God's grace

         b. A gift given to him by the effective working of God's power

 To Live the Christian Life – Overcome Sin, suffering and temptation to be able to walk in righteousness