Ephesians 3:1-21

June 20, 2012 Ephesians shows how all spiritual blessings are in Christ. It doesnt matter if a person is Jew or Gentile because Christ has torn down the wall of separation and made the two into one, and both are being made into a temple for God. Now we pick up in chapter three: For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward: 3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) The Greek for dispensation is . It refers to the management of a household. Think of Joseph when he was put over all Potiphars house (Gen. 39:4). Paul is the manager responsible for explaining the mystery of Christ to the Gentiles. When I think about the mystery of Christ I think about a puzzle: its put together one piece at a time until the picture is clear.
5Which

in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; Men have been gathering clues (or puzzle pieces) since the beginning, but the mystery of Christ has been revealed to Paul,
6That

the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: The Jews were a special people but they perceived Gods favor as partiality. They thought that because they held the pieces to the puzzle that they were exempt from wrath and that the rest of the world was excluded from grace. But Paul says, actually Christ did away with the barrier separating Jews and Gentiles and He made me an apostle to the Gentiles. So that they should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel. Were fellow heirs of the inheritance with the believing Jews, were fellow members of the body of Christ with the believing Jews, and were fellow partakers of the promise of salvation in Christ with the believing Jews.

In Romans Paul says theres no difference between the self-righteous Jew and the pagan Gentile; theyre equally damned. In Ephesians Paul says theres no difference between the believing Jew and the believing Gentile; were equally saved!
7Whereof

I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, The murderous Saul didnt deserve salvation, and he certainly didnt deserve a ministry. But Gods gift is grace by His own effectual power. that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; Unsearchable means something thats beyond comprehension. It was only by revelation that Paul knew.
9And

to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, Theres some differences in the Greek texts, but I think the main idea is that, with God, its always been the same plan. God was never the Jewish God; He didnt change sides halfway through the game. The plan in the Old Testament is in fellowship (not at odds) with the plan in the New Testament. People get hung up because its the same plan, but its been more hidden at certain times than others. But it cant change because its from the beginning of the world and its the purpose of creation: who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10To the intent So, hes about to tell us Gods intention in creation: that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, Ive often heard that God created man so that He can have fellowship. Otherwise Hes just sort of floating around space with nothing to do, so He made us to keep Himself busy. But this verse tells us all things were created so that everything created will know manifold wisdom of God. Manifold is and it means something thats variegated. Its used to describe something with lots of colors. Gods wisdom is manifold, and this is revealed by the church to the powers for Gods glory.

Let me make it simple: creation exists so God can be glorified by all His ways of greatness.
11According

to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

God had an eternal plan in Christ, and He acted on it.

12In

whom we have boldness

That is, freedom to speak, and access with confidence Were not like those who flee from Gods presence because our hope is, by the faith of him. Everything we have is in Christ Jesus who dealt prudently (Is. 52:13).
13Wherefore

I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your

glory. Gods plan hasnt changed. He will still show His greatness over everything through the church, so theres no reason for them to lose heart when they see Pauls tribulations.
14For

this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. These poor Gentiles were troubled over the future and Paul prays for them. Notice that he never asks for deliverance from their problems. Instead he prays for strength to endure through the power of the Holy Spirit.

He prays that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith and that they will comprehend the vast and immeasurable love of God which surpasses what anyone can know.
20Now

unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. http://newgracebaptist.blogspot.com/