5 Spiritual Service

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you,

v.1 prisoner of Christ Jesus – writing from prison.

prisoner of Christ Jesus – writing from prison.

For the sake of you Gentiles – had been arrested for believing and preaching that Gentiles were brought equal with Jews when following Jesus. Goes on here with that emphasis.

v.2 you heard already about …

Steward of God’s Grace

Ephesians 3:3–6 NIV

that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This 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.

Ephesians 3:3-6

Ephesians 3:2 NIV

Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you,

Administration = stewardship = commission = calling

Missionary called to extend God’s grace to you Gentiles

Ephesians 3:3 NIV

that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.

v.3 the mystery now revealed to him (by God’s Spirit. v.5)

He goes on to describe the mystery = Jesus Christ and the Gospel Benefits of knowing Him

Ephesians 3:4 NIV

In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,

v.4 mystery of Christ = means the mystery of God’s plan through Christ.

mystery of Christ = means the mystery of God’s plan through Christ.

Ephesians 3:5 NIV

which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

v.5 revealed to Paul as one of the apostles and prophets 2:20

revealed to Paul as one of the apostles and prophets 2:20

by God’s Spirit

Ephesians 3:6 NIV

This 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.

Ephesians 5:6 NIV

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

v.6 that… this is really a continuation pointing back to the mystery, God’s plan is that

that… this is really a continuation pointing back to the mystery, God’s plan is that

Mystery is –

Through the Gospel = the proclaiming of the Good News of Jesus Christ and the Gentiles receiving it.

benefits to Gentiles are:

3x together = prefix meaning the same as Co-

Co-heirs, Co-members, Co-sharers/participants

Fellow heirs, united together as one body, enjoy benefits of promise of blessing available in Christ Jesus.

Summary – Paul’s calling as an Apostle is to extend God’s grace to the Gentiles bringing the Good News about Christ – the blessings for those who are In Christ.

Paul also then talks about being a …

Servant of the Gospel

Ephesians 3:7–13 NIV

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His 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, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Ephesians 3:7 NIV

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.

v.7 By God’s grace and His power working in Paul

Ephesians 3:8 NIV

Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ,

v.8 Recognizing he is less than the least = once not only lost, but persecuting the Gentiles. Also in prison

even so, this grace was given to me:

(ayce buffet, lifetime supply) Boundless, unsearchable, not traceable, infinite, bottomless

The gift(grace) = Preach/proclaim to the Gentiles boundless blessing available through Christ

Ephesians 3:9 NIV

and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

v.9 Illuminate plan – mystery again = God’s plan that was previously not known but now clear

v.9 Illuminate plan (help people understand) – mystery again = God’s plan that was previously not known but now clear

created all things = plan, mystery from the beginning

v.10 God’s purpose…

Ephesians 3:10 NIV

His 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,

God’s purpose…

As in 2:7 put His church on display to show the vast wealth of grace

Here the church is the servant of God’s prowess/wisdom/plan to continue to extend the grace and proclaim the mystery of Christ to the unseen. those who oppose God.

Paul’s purpose was to bring the message of Christ to the Gentiles that they are one body with Jews for the purpose of together proclaiming this same mystery to the world.

v.11 God accomplished this purpose through or in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:11 NIV

according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God accomplished this purpose through or in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:12 NIV

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

v.12 So the work God did in Jesus extends to those who are united with Jesus through faith.

So the work God did in Jesus extends to those who are united with Jesus through faith.

Which then gives access to the Father – as in 2:20

freedom/boldness = The courage and confident trust to approach the King because we are united with Christ.

Ephesians 3:13 NIV

I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Ephesians 3:13v.13 is like the right ) parenthesis closer. Coming back to his suffering as a prisoner.

v.13 is like the right ) parenthesis closer. Coming back from the rabbit trail to his suffering as a prisoner.

v.13 is like the right ) parenthesis closer. Coming back to his suffering as a prisoner.

glory = Paul’s suffering for your benefit.

Paul is a prisoner for Christ and because of serving the Gentiles. His Spiritual Service is as a steward of God’s grace and a servant of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

Application of this passage:

We see God’s grace to call/enlist Paul in Spiritual Service. This Grace, Calling, and Revelation are not for knowledge and a benefit for self but for action, to enlist to service.

Grace and revelation are triggers for action, not jewels of knowledge to store up. As in Paul’s commission and in the church’s purpose.

Question to ask – We want to hear from God. Are we ready to obey?

Last week we talked about cancer - rogue cells attacking healthy cells, and in the church cancer causing disunity.

The irony – if we are actively living out grace and revelation, there is much less probability of being cancer and destroying unity. Instead living out the oneness of Christ.

Unity in the church is a display to the (evil) powers in heavenly realms. But the purpose of the church is also to proclaim the mystery of Christ to the world.

Question to ask – Is our church, am I displaying unity and effectively proclaiming the message of Christ?

We do this when we love each other. When we care for the needs and situations of other above ourselves. When we speak up and point others to Jesus.

Big Idea: Grace and Revelation are a call to Spiritual service for those united together with Christ.

Our Spiritual service as a body, the church is to proclaim in word and through actions the love of God and the rescue available in Jesus.

What About You?

Consider - am I currently acting as cancer in the body or as a servant of the Good News of Jesus?