EPHESIANS 3:1-7 THE MYSTERY REVEALED

This message centers on the profound truth that the mystery of God’s redemptive plan—formerly hidden but now revealed—is the unity of Jew and Gentile in one body, the Church, through faith in Christ. Drawing from Ephesians 3, it emphasizes that this inclusion was not part of the Old Testament revelation but was made known by the Holy Spirit to the apostles and prophets, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed, Jesus Christ. The preacher underscores Paul’s identity as a prisoner of Christ for the Gentiles, not as a victim of circumstance, but as one divinely positioned to proclaim this inclusive gospel, demonstrating that God uses every situation—especially suffering and imprisonment—for His greater purpose. The message calls believers to embrace their identity in Christ, recognizing that salvation, adoption, and spiritual blessings are gifts of grace, not earned by works, and that true maturity comes through enduring trials with faith, allowing patience to have its perfect work. Ultimately, the sermon calls for humility, gratitude, and worship, reminding listeners that all glory belongs to God, who empowers believers through Christ to live faithfully and share the gospel with all peoples.

Eph 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles-- 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

A.   A MYSTERY ONCE HIDDEN, NOW REVEALED (1-7)

1. Interrupting himself, Paul makes mention of His Status

• How Did it Effect Paul v1,2,7

V1 Paul was a Prisoner of Christ 

2Ti 1:11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Ac 9:10-16

A.   V2 Paul was a Steward of the Mystery- He was entrusted with a great task

B.   V3-5 The Mystery is that Jews and Gentiles would be joined in the Church

• How Did it Effect the Gentiles

A.   V6 A new relationship

1)    Fellow Heirs of the Inheritance…sums up Eph 3:11-22

2)    of the same body 

3)    and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,

Gen 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Galatians 3:28-29 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

A.   V7 New Power

Paul's role as a minister to the Gentiles of this "mystery" was a gift from God (7)

         a. A gift of God's grace

         b. A gift given to him by the effective working of God's power

 To Live the Christian Life – Overcome Sin, suffering and temptation to be able to walk in righteousness