Series: Fully Alive - A Study of Ephesians
Sermon Recap
Ephesians 3:1–13 reveals that the gospel is
not a last-minute plan, but God’s eternal purpose to unite all people in
Christ. What was once hidden has now been made known — through Jesus, everyone
is invited to become part of God’s family. This mystery has been entrusted to
the Church, calling us to boldly proclaim it to the world. Because we have
confident access to God and a secure place in His plan, we can live on mission
knowing that even our suffering is not wasted but used for His glory.
Ephesians 3:1-13
The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed
[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, [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, [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. [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. [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, [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. [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. (ESV)
The
Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001
by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Ephesians
3:1-13.
Closing Thoughts
As a group, this means embracing the reality
that the gospel we’ve received is the mystery we’ve been entrusted to share.
Ephesians 3 reminds us that God’s plan has always been to bring all people into
one family through Christ, and now the Church is the vehicle through which that
message is made known.
As a group, this means we don’t turn inward —
we live with intentionality, praying for those far from God, creating space for
others to belong, and boldly speaking the truth of the gospel. We encourage one
another to see everyday moments as opportunities for mission, remembering that
we carry a message the world desperately needs to hear.
END
Teacher Notes:
The Mystery We Carry
We have the best news in all the world and
churches full of people who don’t talk about it.
“Whoever saves one life saves the world
entire.”
We are not saved by what we did… or didn’t
do.
But…
that doesn’t mean how we live doesn’t matter.
Paul says we’ve been entrusted with
something:
A mystery revealed.
A message meant to be shared.
And one day, we will stand before God, not to
answer for our salvation…
but for our stewardship of the mystery, we
carry.
1.
The Mystery: It’s
bigger than you - Ephesians 3:1–6
Ephesians 3:1-6
For this reason, I, Paul, a prisoner of
Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles — assuming that you have heard of the
stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was
made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this,
you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 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. 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.
What is the “mystery”?
Why do you think Paul calls the gospel a
“mystery”?
When Paul talks about the ‘mystery,’ isn’t
this just John 3:16?
In a way, it is connected.
John 3:16 tells us that God loves the whole
world… that anyone can be saved.
But here’s what makes Ephesians 3 different:
It shows us what the ‘mystery’ looks like.
Not just individuals being saved…but people
being brought together.
People who used to be divided — Jew and
Gentile — now one family, one body, one promise.
So, the mystery isn’t just that God saves…
It’s that He brings us together.
It’s like being invited to dinner.
John 3:16 is the invitation — Everyone is
welcome.
Ephesians 3 is what happens next…
You walk in and realize the
table is full of people who are
nothing like you — and yet…you all belong
there.
Not just invited…but seated together as
family!
When did your faith shift from being about
you to being about God’s purpose?
2. The Mission: You’ve been entrusted - Ephesians 3:7–11
Ephesians 3:7-11
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. 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, and to
bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in
God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of
God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly
places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in
Christ Jesus our Lord,
How does Paul’s view of his calling challenge
how we think about our role today?
We have the best news in all the world and
churches full of people who don’t talk about it.
What distractions pull us away from our
mission?
One simple act of boldness…
and millions went searching for Scripture.
He didn’t save anyone…
but he pointed people to the message that
does.
This is what Paul is saying.
We’ve been entrusted with something powerful.
What is one simple way you could make your
faith visible
this week?
3.
The
Confidence: You don’t carry this alone - Ephesians 3:12-13
Ephesians 3:12-13
Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have
boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him. So, I ask you not
to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
3 points here:
Boldness and access to God
Paul is writing this from prison
Confidence not based on circumstances
END
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