Making the Gospel Known
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Ephesians 3:1-7
1 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—2 assuming you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that he gave me for you. 3 The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have briefly written above. 4 By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. 5 This was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power.
Recap:
In chapter 1
God’s rich blessings
Chosen
Adopted
Grace
Redemption
Forgiveness
To know His plan in Christ
Inheritance
Sealed in the Holy Spirit
In chapter 2
We come from death to life
We were dead in trespasses and sins
But because of God’s love for us we were made alive in Christ Jesus
Not because of anything we have done, but because of His grace and His work on the cross
Unity in Christ
We are to remember
Who we used to be
Sinners and trespassers
· Where we came from
A lost and fallen world
Who we are now
Saints, believers in Christ Jesus
Where we are now
On mission in a lost and fallen world
What we are now
Untied in Christ
Without division and hostility
No longer separated, but being built to together as the dwelling place for God’s Spirit.
Ephesians 3:1-2
1 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—2 assuming you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that he gave me for you.
Paul the prisoner
Paul said that he was a prisoner of Christ Jesus
Paul was a man with a mission
Paul’s mission was to share the gospel to the Gentiles
Paul devoted his life to this mission
This devotion landed him in prison
Paul was arrested for sharing the Gospel of Christ
Take note of what Paul said
He was a prisoner of Christ
Not that he was a prisoner of Roman authorities
Why would he say that?
Consider what verse 2 says
Paul is an administrator, or steward, he is a manger of God’s grace.
As a manager Paul recognized that he was not arrested for any capitol crime such as theft, or murder.
These shameful acts are worthy of arrest
But sharing the Gospel is not shameful, therefore, as Paul was imprisoned, he recognized that he was there because of the Gospel, making him a prisoner of Christ Jesus and not of anyone or anything else.
Ephesians 3:3-7
3 The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have briefly written above. 4 By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. 5 This was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power.
The Mystery of Christ
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
All things brought together in Christ
Christ inside you
Servant
Paul said he was made a servant
He did not become a servant on his own merit
But instead he was created by God to accomplish His great works.
Just like all Christians everywhere
To serve, is to submit your will to that in which you serve
To serve God is to know and understand His will for you
It is to surrender yourself to the gifts that you have been given