Sermon Tone Analysis

The Big Idea of Ephesians

scope of God’s eternal plan for all humanity—for Jews and Gentiles alike.

The apostle Paul wrote Ephesians (A.D. 60) to the churches around Ephesus () to display the scope of God’s eternal plan for all humanity—for Jews and Gentiles alike.

This is the mystery of God, hidden for ages but now made known in Jesus Christ.

The first three chapters focus on what Christians should believe, unfolding the glorious riches of God’s grace in Christ.

Dead sinners are made alive and gain eternal salvation “by grace … through faith” (2:8).

The last three chapters explain the implications of God’s grace for the church, for individuals, and for families.

This second section comes to a climax with a command to stand with the armor of God against the devil.

Paul wrote this letter while in prison, probably in Rome about A.D. 60.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

(Eph).

Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

(Eph).

Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The Mystery of Christ Revealed

“For this reason” refers back to what Paul explained in 2:11-22, His proclamation that the scope of God’s eternal plan includes Jews and Gentiles.

Paul’s perspective

“a prisoner of Jesus Christ” - Paul’s perspective of his persecution is spiritual.

He doesn’t acknowledge man’s authority or control ( i.e.

His Jewish persecutors or the rule of the Romans) over his circumstances or life, but only Christ sovereign control.

How often do we have that spiritual perspective over the spiritual warfare that face?

Ephesians 2

“Stewardship” [Grk - oikonomia]; from oikos = house; home; household; and nomos = law.

Where we get the English word economy & economics.

Economy defined - an area of the production, distribution, or trade, and consumption of goods and services by different agents in a given geographical location.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy

Spiritually - God’s plan for salvation accomplished through the Church

Economics defined - (i.e. the science of household management).

The church/ you are the household of God (cf. ).

As a believer you are called to manage/steward God’s household/economy/grace extended to you through Jesus’ sacrifice and his plan for salvation.

Eph 3:3

The Beginning of His Stewardship

This stewardship of “the mystery was made known…by revelation”

This stewardship was revealed to Paul at his conversion (Cf. )

Eph 3:4

This mystery had not been fully known by the OT saints/prophets but was revealed to the apostles and NT prophets (preachers/proclaimers of the gospel) by the Holy Spirit.

“fellow heirs”

Gal 3:29

The Gospel is for everyone - this was affirmed by the other Apostles (cf.

Peters vision - ; Peter at the Jerusalem Council ; James at the Jerusalem Council - he cites , ).

“members of the same body”

cf.

“partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus”

Christ made it possible for us (people from every tongue and nation) to be partakers in the promise - to be his people and He our God.

The Gospel is for everyone - this was affirmed by the other Apostles

Cf.

Peters vision - ; Peter at the Jerusalem Council ; James at the Jerusalem Council - he cites , ).

Peter’s Vision & Conversion of Cornelius’ Household

Acts 19

Peter speaks in support of Paul & Barnabas & the gospel to the Gentiles at the Jerusalem Council.

James also speaks at the Council

The Ministry of Christ Through Paul Revealed

The Nature of Paul’s Ministry

“a minister according to the gift of God’s grace”

Paul’s see’s the need to reiterate not only the authority of his ministry as coming from God, but to stress that his sufficiency is from God.

2 Cor 3:4-

Eph 3:8

"I am the very least of all the saints”

10:34

Paul’s humility & confidence

Despite possessing no sufficiency ( as a former persecutor of the church) to be a minister of Christ, he was called by God to preach to the Gentiles.

()

The Content of Paul’s Ministry

“unsearchable riches of Christ”

- Eliphaz speaks of God as one

Rom

The riches of God’s grace, knowledge, wisdom and judgments are marvelous, without number, unsearchable, and inscrutable!

Don’t you think explaining and sharing the riches of God is going to takes time, investment, faithfulness, steadfastness!?

The riches of God should continually be on our lips!

Every circumstance should remind us of the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of our God!

When you’re talking with your F.R.A.N.K.’s, whatever you/ or they are going through, it aught to bring your attention and conversation to the the depth of God’s riches!

"bring to light for everyone”

by proclamation reveal to everyone (lost/ saved) God’s redemptive plan to unite all things to himself ().

Why?

For What Purpose?

The Purpose of Paul’s Ministry

Eph 3:9

“Manifold” [Grk polypoikilos (poly = many + poikilos = various) = many various, many and diverse] wisdom of God.

The manifold wisdom of God is exemplified in the story of Job.

Manifold [Grk polypoikilos (poly = many + poikilos = various) = many various, many and diverse] wisdom of God.

“rulers and authorities in the heavenly places”

refers to angels- including the fallen.

The holy angels are fascinated with the workings of God’s redemptive plan and rejoice at his glory

1 Pet

Although the fallen angels (Satan, demons) have no desire or capacity to praise God, the recognize his power and sovereignty (Cf.

Satan’s accountability to God ; Legion’s fear of Jesus ).

Job 1:6-

Luke 8

Isn’t that amazing!

That God chose to use you (his church) to reveal His infinitely diverse wisdom to the angelic beings.

And this was according to his eternal purpose realized in Christ Jesus our Lord

All things work according to the counsel of His will!

This is the 5th time this truth is emphasized in Ephesians.

As the angelic beings (who don’t have the same direct & intimate relationship with God as we do) observe the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan, they are in awe that God actively engages his greatest creation that won’t even acknowledge his creative power, let alone his sovereign and sustaining work in the world, and He chooses before the foundations of the world to call some to himself, to adopt us, redeem us, to give us an imperishable inheritance, to give us a spirit of wisdom of revelation in the knowledge of him, to give us an active, living, experiential knowledge of our spiritual blessings, to break down the dividing wall of hostility that separates us from Christ, and unites us into one body, the body of Christ,

The angels who have more supernatural faculties than we see this and are mind blown by the manifold wisdom of God, how he works out all the rebellion, chaos, and evil in the world according to his eternal purpose, for our good, and His glory!

And they are amazed at the boldness and access God’s redemptive plan through Christ Jesus has created for us!

“Boldness…access with confidence...” We looked at this reality last week in vs 18

Heb

Whereas:

Moses - Could only view the glory of God from the back side

Israelites had to annually atone for their sins