The Apostle Paul’s Privilege

Ephesians Chapter 3:1-13

Island Glades Gospel Centre 31st May 2015 1

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INTRODUCTION

When man sinned, God was not Taken by surprise.

Christianity is not merely about The salvation of sinners & the forgiveness of sin.

It is much more than a rescue or recovery mission.

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REVIEW of Chapter 1 - 2

God’s People, the Church has a Heavenly Calling

1)Our salvation is founded upon God Himself

Predestination - by the FatherRedemption - by the Son

Sealing - by the Spirit

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2) GOD’S POWER

2.1) Manifested in Christ (1:19-23)

ResurrectionAscensionExaltation

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2.2) Manifested in the Believers

Spiritual resurrection 2:1-5

Spiritual ascension v.6

Power to do good works & Show forth God’s grace

throughout eternity v.7-10

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2.3) Manifested to all Believers (2:11-22)

The Gentiles (v. 11-13)

The Church of God (v. 19-22)

SUMMARYOur Blessings & Position before God in Christ

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CHAPTER 1

Chosen (v.4)Sanctified (v.4)Adopted (v.5)Accepted (v.6)

Redeemed (v.7)Forgiven (v.7)Enriched (v.8)

Enlightened (v.9)Sealed (v.13)

CHAPTER 2

Made Alive (v.1)Exalted (v.6)

Consecrated (v.10)Reconciled (v.16)

United (v.21)

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Eph.3:1-7 (RSV) For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—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. 4 When you read this you can perceive

my insight into the mystery of Christ,

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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 that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and

partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

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.

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3) Paul’s Privilege

V.1 - I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles.

V.2–3 ….mystery was made known by revelation.

V. 7–8 …I was made a minister

Mystery RevealedMinistry Entrusted

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3.1) The Mystery made Known to Paul

(v.1–6)

The mystery is about how the Gentiles are fellow heirs,

members of the same body, & partakers of the promise in

Christ Jesus through the gospel

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3.2) The Ministry entrusted to Paul

(v.7–13)

Mystery Ministry

Low position of a sinner, But high calling of God in Christ

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Paul elaborated his ministry :

a) Making known Christ’s riches to the Gentiles v.8

All revealed truth is held in stewardship. It is given to be shared,

not to be kept to ourselves.

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b) Making known the mystery to all men (v.9)

‘the prince of darkness’ holds men & women in darkness, and only by divine enlightenment

will their eyes be opened to see God.

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c. Making known God’s wisdom to the Cosmic Powers

(v.10)

10 that through the church the manifold wisdom of God

might now be made known to the principalities & powers in the heavenly places.

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What does that mean? The creation of the church is like a great drama, presented by God who is the author & director.

Christians are the actors & actresses.

Who are the audience? They are the cosmic beings, the principalities & powers

in the heavenly places.

Method of God’s Communication

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God’s Revelation

Paul & Believers Proclamation

Church Visual Model

Angelic Beings

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Major Lesson

The Church has a central place In His plan

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

(Eph.5:25)

a) The Church is central to history

God is the Lord of all the nations of the world,

yet there is a ‘covenant people’, His new creation.

His Everlasting Promise: ‘I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.’20

b) The Church is Central to the Gospel

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c) The Church is Central to Christian Living

Serving & strengthening one another so that the church may grow & reach out to others.

Live our lives pleasing to God to reflect His light & purpose in this darkened world.

God’s church is His family & His dwelling placeseeking to worship Him

building a caring fellowship reaching out faithfully to unbelievers

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Conclusion16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may

strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your

hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp

how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses

knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

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God’s Blessings

Be With You