Good morning Turning Point!

So glad to see all your smiling faces and be found in the presence
of God and His great people! We are continuing this week with our study of Ephesians. Today
we will look at the 3rd chapter of this awesome book but first let’s take a quick look at what we
have learned so far…

Recap

• Ephesians 1:1-14 – we are spiritually blessed because we have been chosen, redeemed
and sealed (saved).

• Ephesians 1:15-23 – prayer is the avenue by which we know Jesus better.

• Ephesians 2:1-10 – we were morally corrupt because of sin BUT BECAUSE of God’s
rich mercy and love we are made ALIVE in Christ so that we can do the good works we
were intended to do.

• Ephesians 2:11-33 – we learned that God’s desire is for believers of all races and
backgrounds to dwell in unity. This can only be accomplished through the Cross- and the
blood of Christ.

Today we are going to continue with that theme as Paul instructs the Ephesians further about the
blessing that comes from being united in Christ.

Ephesians 3:1-13
1
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2Surely you have
heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3that is, the mystery made
known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4In reading this, then, you will be able to
understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which was not made known to men in other
generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6This mystery
is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and
sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 7I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's
grace given me through the working of his power. 8Although I am less than the least of all God's people,
this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9and to make plain
to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created
all things. 10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made
known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according to his eternal purpose which he
accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12In him and through faith in him we may approach God with
freedom and confidence. 13I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you,
 which are your glory.

“For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles…”

One thing that we cannot forget about this man named Paul is that he was a Jew who was
converted to Christ. He was a brutal man who had “wreaked havoc” (destruction) against the
followers of Jesus. He witnessed the stoning of a Christian named Stephen. He had permission
from the Jewish leaders to go to Damascus and put in jail any men or women who were believers
in Christ. On the way to Damascus he has an encounter with Jesus and is converted.

Now this man whom at one time hated the believers in Christ is one of them. Then add to this
that Jesus calls him to be a “prisoner for you Gentiles.” I mean think about this whole scenario - -

• He has to walk away from the religion of his fathers and family (some think that Paul was
married but when he became a Christian his wife left him and his family disowned him)

• Then Jesus tells him he will have to work with GENTILE converts. To a Jew that is like
asking him to feed the pigs….

But Paul willingly accepts his calling and because he has accepted that call his is now in prison.
He is in prison because he was willing to take up the “cause of…outsiders” (Eph. 3:1 Message).

Back in the Book of Acts, chapter 21, Paul was accused of taking a man named “Trophimus”
who was an Ephesian into the Jewish Temple (vv. 27-40). This accusation caused a major riot
and the Jews were “toy-toying” in the streets and wanting to kill Paul. (This gives you an idea of
how much Jews hated Gentiles). It is for this reason Paul is in jail – because he dared to love
people for whom Christ died!

The calling Paul had accepted was also the cause of his preaching. But what was Paul supposed
to be preaching?

1. Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for
you…(v. 2).

a. Paul is basically referring to his calling from God and reminding the Ephesians
that he has been given this for their benefit.

2. That this administration has “revealed” a “mystery” through the Spirit to the apostles and
prophets (v. 3-5).
 a. This “mystery” is not a like a spy movie where you find out, in the end, who
committed a crime. Paul is, in my opinion, referring back to the promise God
made through the Prophet Isaiah who proclaimed there would be a day when ALL
MEN would worship God (not just Israel) and that God’s temple would be called
the “house of prayer for all peoples” (see Isaiah 56:1-8).

b. So the mystery here is not so much something that has not been known but
something that had been ignored. Now Paul is expressing the fact that Christ Jesus
has fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy and created a “new covenant” where all who will
believe and obey the Gospel will be included in the household of faith.

c. Paul is stating a fact! Because of Jesus Christ, His blood and His Cross all men
and women have the opportunity to respond to grace, become “members together
of one body;” and “sharers together in the promises in Christ Jesus.”

This is the message Paul was proclaiming – this is the message that caused Paul to be put in
jail by the Jewish leaders of Jerusalem. His mission (vv. 7-10) was to preach this message as a
missionary to the world. He was preaching the message of reconciliation in Christ that took “two
bodies” and made the “one!” He was preaching a Christ who fulfilled the “old” and by doing it
created a “new.” A “new covenant” a “new promise” built upon the work done at Calvary by
Christ to pay the penalty for our sin.

• Question: How does God reveal this “new covenant” or these “new promises” of
reconciliation?

• Answer: He reveals the power of forgiveness and grace through this thing called “THE
CHURCH” (vv. 8-13) The church is a model of what it means to live in a united body.
This body “SHOULD BE” revealing the “manifold wisdom of God” and “the eternal
purpose of God.”

• Question: What is the “eternal purposes of God?”

• Answer: In a nutshell it is that God preserved a nation (a people) because He had made a
promise (covenant) with Abraham. Part of that promise was that a Messiah would come
(Jesus) and open up a way for all men to come into relationship with God.

This is what the church reveals to the world! This is the faith the church should be revealing to
the world! Through faith in Christ we can approach God with “freedom and confidence.” For
this reason Paul tells the Ephesians not to be discouraged because he is in jail or suffering
because of them. He is telling them that he is simply a part of fulfilling the “eternal purpose of
God” and that is OK!

Ephesians 3:14-19 (READ)

“For this reason I bow my knees…”

Again Paul is connecting back to the message he has been preaching about the power of Christ to
“reconcile all things to himself” (Col 1:20). Now we see the 2nd prayer of Paul for the Ephesians.
The first in 1:15-23 where he prays for God to give them “enlightenment.” Now Paul prays the
that God would grant to Ephesians 2 things:

1. “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his
Spirit in your inner being…”(v. 16b) SO THAT…

2. “...Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” (v. 17a)

But why does Paul want God to grant the Ephesians strength and pwer; and that Christ would
“be completely at home” (Ryrie Note on dwell) in the hearts of the both Jew and Gentile
believers. He tells us the reason is - - (vv. 17b-19)…

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together
with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
19
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure
of all the fullness of God.”

• Question: What is the purpose of the “power?”

• Answer: So that the saints (those born again) would be able to “grasp” or “fully
understand” just how immeasurable (wide, long, high, deep) the LOVE OF CHRIST is to
those who are a part of the church. He doesn’t just want them to fully understand the love
of God he wants to LIVE IN THE FULLNESS OF THE LOVE OF GOD – TO LIVE
THEIR LIVES IN OVERFLOWING, ABUNDANT AND TO LET THIS LOVE
SPREAD THROUGH THEM INTO A WORLD IN NEED OF CHRIST.

Ephesians 3:20-21
 20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in
Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

These last two verses are what we call a “doxology.” A doxology is like a song of praise to God.
Paul, after having revealed the mystery, cannot help but take a “praise break!” In other words as
Paul is writing this letter under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he gets so overwhelmed by what
he is hearing from God that he just sort of BREAKS OUT IN SONG!

But what is this song about? Stop for a moment and think about what Paul has just revealed to
us:

• Through Christ we who were excluded from God and without hope have been brought
into the household of faith.
• We have been made a part of the promises of God through Christ.
• We have been given the power to approach God with freedom and confidence.
• We have been strength and power and Christ now dwells in us by faith.
• We now know the “extravagant love” (MESSAGE) that has been given to us in Christ.

I don’t know about you but they makes me want to REJOICE AND PRAISE GOD! My
hopelessness has been turned to hope! My weakness has been traded for His strength! I can now
walk in relationship with my Creator because my Creator has demonstrated His immeasurable
love for me at the Cross. I JUST WANT TO PRAISE!!!! AND THAT IS WHAT PAUL
DOES!

• Glory to God in the church!

• Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
• Glory down all the generations!
• Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!
(From “The Message,” Ephesians 3:22)
I THINK MAYBE THIS IS WHAT WE SHOULD DO RIGHT NOW! PRAISE GOD!