Through Ephesians -05 - The Mystery Revealed

Reading: Ephesians 3:1-14
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.  
Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)

I. Blinded by the Truth (vv 1-6)

   A.   Paul’s personal encounter with Jesus (vv 2-3)

      1.   The first encounter: Acts 22:6-11 (also Acts 9:1-22)

      2.   The second encounter: Acts 22:17-21

   B.   The Mystery is New (v.5)

      1.   The O.T. does talk about God’s compassion for the Gentiles and His interest in their salvation. (Gen 12:2-3)

      2.   Two things are new:

          a.    The Gentiles and Israel become one people without the need to distinguish (Gentiles don’t have to become Jews)

          b.   The nation-state of Israel is no longer identified as God’s people, instead the Church.

   C.   The Mystery Revealed (v.6)

      1.   The 3 togethers (v.6)

          a.    Heirs together (co-heirs)

          b.   Members together (co-members)

          c.    Sharers together in the promise (co-sharers)

      2.   Everything that was uniquely Israel is now enjoyed by any and all who come to Jesus.

II.   Making the Truth Known (vv 7-13)

   A.   A Servant of Truth by Grace

      1.   It is no light thing to claim to speak for God! (v.7)

      2.   Paul was given the grace to “preach” lit. “evangelize” — announce the Gospel. (v.8)

      3.   Paul’s task: to make plain (lit. enlighten) the mystery. While the devil holds people in darkness, the Gospel is “light to the Gentiles” — the only thing necessary to end darkness is for light to be present.

   B.   The Truth Echoes through the Cosmos

      1.   The central Truth is unsearchable, inscrutable, unavailable to us except by revelation. (Rom.11:33-36) (v.8c)

      2.   Through the Church! that is through the way in which God is putting people together!

          a.    The Church is the central focus of God’s new work.

          b.   While every local church is imperfect, God is there — and so should we be.

      3.   The Truth about God is being made known through the likes of us to Angels and demons! (v.10)

          a.    They are not omniscient beings. They have to learn as they go, like the rest of us! They learn through the unfolding of His story.

          b.   Now we know why evil spirits often target the Church as they do!

   C.   The Truth about Approaching God

      1.   Through Jesus we have the freedom to return to God! Praise Him for that!

      2.   Little Bo-Peep lost her sheep and doesn’t know where to find them. Leave them alone and they’ll come home, wagging their tails behind them. This is poor advice to Ms. Peep. Some of the sheep may easily get lost on their way back. The good news is that the Good Shepherd always goes looking for the sheep.

          a.    We hold the Truth in trust. We are stewards of it. We have it to share, not monopolize.

The Bottom Line:

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