TEACHING NOTES Introduction In Ephesians 1-2, Paul has tried to explain God’s plan to redeem humanity. In chapter one, Paul tells us how God chose a group of Jewish apostles to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. In chapter two, Paul tells us Gentiles that we were dead in sin but God made us alive with Christ, seated us with Christ in heaven, and is recreating us into one new humanity for Himself. In chapter three, Paul wants to pray for the Ephesians but he gets a little sidetracked. Today, we’re listen to how Paul describes the mystery of God’s eternal purpose. Next Sunday, we’re learn what Paul prayed for the Ephesians. ​ Ephesians 3:1–2 ESV 1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of 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, Prisoner = When Paul wrote Ephesians he was imprisoned either in Rome or Caesarea. Most of the time the Jews were responsible for Paul being “in trouble” but sometimes it was the result of Gentile persecution. Note: In Verse 1, Paul is beginning to pray for his readers, but he stops to explain some things first. Our English Bibles have a dash at the end of verse 1. This is because Paul interrupts his train of thought to provide a side note. This side note goes from verse 2 through verse 13. Since Paul doesn’t know his readers, he wants to make sure they know about his situation and encourage them. Assuming you have heard = This is one of the indications that this letter was not originally intended for Ephesus but for a wider audience. Paul knew the Ephesians because he had spent three years there previously. But this verse indicates that Paul doesn’t know these people. And he’s not sure if they know him. Stewardship of God’s grace given to me for you = Paul saw the gift of grace that God had given him as something to be managed for the sake of others. Grace is a gift that God gives with the expectation that we manage or steward it well. ​ Ephesians 3:3–4 ESV 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, Mystery was made known = Here again, Paul tells us that the mystery of the gospel is no longer a mystery. It has been made known in Christ. As I have written briefly = Refers back to Ephesians 1-2. When you read this, you can perceive my insight = When we read and meditate on what Paul wrote in Ephesians, we begin to understand the gospel more clearly. This shows us the importance of reading and studying the Bible. ​ 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. Not made known in other generations = Before Jesus came, people didn’t fully understand what God was doing. They had scriptures and prophesies in the Old Testament that spoke of a coming Messiah, but the details were mysterious. This is how biblical prophesy works. It’s mysterious until it happens and then it makes more sense. Now revealed to apostles and prophets = The mysterious plan of God to redeem humanity has now been revealed. It’s no longer a mystery. God is saving the world through Jesus the Messiah. This is what the apostles and prophets spoke and wrote about. Through them we have access to the truth. What is this mystery? The Gentiles are fellow heirs = Before Jesus came, the only way to God was through Israel and the sacrificial system. You had to be an Israelite and obey the Torah to be an “heir” of God’s promises. But in Christ, all people who believe are fellow heirs of God’s promises. Jews and Gentiles alike who have placed their faith in Jesus have become a kind of new Israel. The Gentiles are members of the same body = Those who are in Christ, both Jews and Gentiles, have become the body of Christ. There are no longer any distinctions between groups of people. All believers are part of the same body of Christ. The Gentiles are partakers of the promise = Since Paul refers to “the promise” as a singular promise, then he must be referring to God’s promise to Abraham. God promised Abraham that He would make him a great nation that would bless all people (Gen. 12:3). In Gal. 3:29 Paul says, “if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” Therefore, those in Christ have inherited God’s promise to Abraham to bless all people. The church is now the group that God is using to bless all people. ​ 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. A minister of God’s grace = For Paul, God’s grace is not gift that we keep to ourselves. It is a gift that should be shared with everyone. Every person who receives grace automatically becomes a minister of grace. Given by the working of his power = Our ministry is driven and empowered by God Himself. As we try to spread God’s grace in our community we depend on God’s power to work in and through us. What if I feel unqualified to be a minister of grace? Ephesians 3:8–9 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, The very least of all the saints = You may have sin in your past or present that makes you feel disqualified, but your sin doesn’t come close to Paul’s. Paul was a Pharisee (Messiah killers) who stood in approval of the stoning of Stephen and went all over Israel imprisoning Christians to have them killed. Preach = Grk. euangelizo - to announce or tell good news. The unsearchable riches of Christ = What are we preaching about? Christ, and always Christ. Specifically, the riches of Christ. Paul has already mentioned the “riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7), the “riches of his glorious inheritance” (Eph. 1:18), and that God is “rich in mercy” (Eph. 2:4). That’s our message when we talk about the good news. God is rich and generous in all the things we most need. To bring light for everyone = People surrounded by darkness need light. We are the only people in the world with the light. Jesus said that He was the light of the world in John 8:12. And Jesus also said that we are the light of the world in Matt. 5:14. For people in darkness, our light is their only hope. ​ 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 through the church = God did all of this because He wants to accomplish something through His people. The manifold wisdom of God = In Greek, Paul uses the word polypoikilos which refers to something that is many-sided or multi-faceted. God’s wisdom is like a diamond that reveals something new every time we look from a different angle. This multi-faceted wisdom of God is revealed through the church. Made known to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places = For Paul, rulers and authorities in heavenly places refers to spiritual beings, usually the evil ones. The rulers and authorities refer to the powers of evil who are rebellious spiritual beings. In the biblical worldview, these rebellious spirits are behind much, but not all, of the evil in the world. The “heavenly places” is not heaven as in where God dwells, but the space between heaven and earth. In Paul’s mind, the spiritual forces of evil had gained rule and authority in that space. Apparently, God is revealing His wisdom to the forces of evil through what He is doing in and through us. God is not offering grace and salvation to devils and demons. But every time a human receives God’s grace and forgiveness, devils and demons are reminded of their place and their future. When a human is redeemed, these evil spirits who thought they could outsmart God are put to shame. ​ Ephesians 3:11–13 ESV 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. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. The eternal purpose realized in Christ Jesus = The story of Christ teaches us the eternal plan and purpose of God. The story of Christ is a multi-faceted explanation of who God is and what He is doing. Think about how God chose to reveal Himself. He first led prophets to write 39 scrolls (OT) to tell a long history of God seeking and saving His people. Since those people still walked away from Him, God became a physical human being that could be seen, heard, and touched, not just read about. God could now be seen and heard directly because Jesus was the perfect picture of God the Father (Heb. 1:3). God’s eternal purpose is finally and fully realized in Jesus. Boldness and access through faith = Before the cross, only the high priest had access to the Holy of Holies (God’s presence) and only once-a-year (Day of Atonement). No one could approach God’s presence and live. Those who forced their way beyond the veil into God’s presence died immediately. Sin had made us unfit for God’s holy presence. Therefore, people were obviously afraid of God’s presence. But the moment Jesus died the veil was torn apart from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51). Now, those who believe can access God’s presence with confidence instead of fear. Listen to what the author of Hebrews wrote about our access to God... Hebrews 10:19–22 ESV 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 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. Conclusion The goal of God’s plan of redemption was to open the way for us to be with God. As we end our time together, let’s draw near to the throne of grace through worship and communion.