Walk Thru the Bible - Ephesians 3

Ephesians  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  56:57
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Wednesday night Walk Thru the Bible, Calvary Chapel Bishop, CA. “Church On Main”

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EPHESIANS

Chapter 1: Possession/Blessings because of Jesus

Ephesians 1:7–14 ESV
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:17–21 ESV
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Chapter 2: Position in Christ

Ephesians 2:4–7 ESV
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Chapter 3: Prayer

Ephesians 3:1 ESV
1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
Ephesians 2:19–22 ESV
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
This is huge! Paul is saying that these “Gentiles” are now part of the Holy temple in the Lord that, up until now, was only for the Jews!
Ephesians 3:1 ESV
1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
Paul is talking about being physically in jail but there is a double meaning in his words here. Physically bound in chains and spiritually slave of righteousness.
Romans 6:15–23 ESV
15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 3:1 ESV
1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
Ephesians 3:2–3 ESV
2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem and had their attention until the word “Gentile”
Acts 22:1–21 ESV
1 “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.” 2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said: 3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. 6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus. 12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ 17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”
Ephesians 3:4–5 ESV
4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
“…by the Spirit.” Referring to...
Ephesians 1:13 ESV
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
Ephesians 3:6 ESV
6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Reiterating and solidifying what he said at the end of chapter 2
Ephesians 2:19–22 ESV
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Ephesians 3:7 ESV
7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
2 Corinthians 3:6 ESV
6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Ephesians 3:7 ESV
7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
Referring to verse 2
Ephesians 3:2 ESV
2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
Which again was referring to Acts 22 and Acts 9
Ephesians 3:8 ESV
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Just as he pointed out their past reality of being apart from God, not only because they are Gentiles but because of sin, he points out his past reality…BUT THEN...
Let’s read this whole section and then dive into each verse...
Ephesians 3:8–12 ESV
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Ephesians 3:8 ESV
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Remember...
Acts 9:15 ESV
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
I believe he continues to bring up his past to remind them of there’s so that they can look to the future of God’s grace...
It is a common theme of Pauls to point out what God has done in his life through mercy and grace so that they can find mercy and grace.
It should be our common theme too...
2 Corinthians 12:9–10 ESV
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
“…unsearchable riches of Christ.”
Ephesians 3:8 ESV
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Referring back to...
Ephesians 1:18 ESV
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians 3:9 ESV
9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,
but is not hidden any more...
Ephesians 3:5–6 ESV
5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
“…who created all things.”
Revelation 4:11 ESV
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Ephesians 3:10 ESV
10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
“SO THAT” - the purpose statement.
We can bring every mystery to light…God’s grace and how we are now, as Romans says, grafted in, but why?!
Ephesians 3:10 ESV
10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
First referring back to...
Ephesians 1:20–21 ESV
20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Then!
What?! Wait, we know the mystery that the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places are learning from us?!
1 Peter 1:12 ESV
12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
All of heaven thronging to know what we know and have been blessed with…God’s grace through Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 3:11 ESV
11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
This purpose is eternal…there is no timeline. Eternity is where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re going forever in every direction. God has had a plan and purpose in Jesus for eternity...
Ephesians 1:11 ESV
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
Through that plan we..
Ephesians 3:12 ESV
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
We also see the writer of Hebrews say it again...
Hebrews 4:16 ESV
16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Ephesians 3:13 ESV
13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
“…what I am suffering...”
Ephesians 3:1 ESV
1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
Ephesians 4:1 ESV
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
Ephesians 3:14 ESV
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
Both prayers in Ephesians (Ephesians 1:15-23 and this one) complement each other. The first prayer for enlightenment; the second for enablement as we move into action in chapters 4-6. (Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament).
Ephesians 3:15 ESV
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
“family” from the Greek work Patria (patriarch) is closely related to father. This puts new emphasis on fatherhood...
Ephesians 3:16 ESV
16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Ephesians 3:8 ESV
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Ephesians 1:18 ESV
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians 3:16 ESV
16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Ephesians 1:13–14 ESV
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:17 ESV
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,
Ephesians 2:18 ESV
18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Ephesians 3:17 ESV
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
SO THAT! What is the purpose of being strengthened with power through His Spirit in our inner being…?
Ephesians 3:17–19 ESV
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
SO THAT…Christ may dwell in our hearts through FAITH…
Then he defines what that dwelling with faith looks like...
“being rooted and grounded in love...” in love = in Christ
Ephesians 3:18–19 ESV
18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Rooted and grounded in love = fullness of God
Ephesians 3:20 ESV
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
The power that we just read about! The riches of the inheritance of His grace through the Spirit that we, as the church, tell the authorities and powers of the heavenly places about!
Ephesians 3:21 ESV
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
We have the power not to abuse to call our own but to bring HIM glory only through His body the church and in Christ Jesus (in LOVE) throughout all generations, forever and ever. AMEN!
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