A New Kind of Peace

Ephesians: A New Kind of Peace 

1. The _______________________ and _______________ of the mystery.

For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— (Eph 3:1)

² Surely you have heard of the administration of God’s grace given to me for you, ³ namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation (as I have already written briefly). (Eph 3:2–3)

He made known to us the mystery of his will in keeping with his good purpose, which he planned in Christ. (Eph 1:9)

When you read this, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. (Eph 3:4)

This mystery was not made known to people in past generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets. (Eph 3:5)

In your seed all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice. (Ge 22:18)

the Lord said: It is too small a thing that you should just be my servant to raise up only the tribes of Jacob and to restore the ones I have preserved in Israel, so I will appoint you to be a light for the nations, so that my salvation will be known to the end of the earth. (Is 49:6)

In those days, when the group there numbered about 120 people, Peter stood up among the brothers and said, (Ac 1:15)

¹⁵ The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written: ¹⁶ After these things I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, ¹⁷ so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord— even all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord who does these things. (Ac 15:15–17)

This mystery is that in Christ Jesus the Gentiles are fellow heirs [συγκληρονόμος (soog-klē-ro-no-mos)], members of the same body [σύσσωμος (soos-sō-mos)], and people who also share [συμμέτοχος (soom-me-to-chos)] in the promise through the gospel. (Eph 3:6)

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. (Eph 3:6, NIV84)

[God] wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Ti 2:4)

2. The _________________________ of the mystery.

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. (Eph 3:7)

Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable [ἀνεξιχνίαστος (an-ex-ee-chni-as-tos)] riches of Christ, (Eph 3:8)

⁹ “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. ¹⁰ And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. ¹¹ Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them. (Ac 26:9–11)

Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? (Acts 9:4)

When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. (Ac 9:26)

and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. (Eph 3:9)

3. The _______________ of the mystery.

¹⁰ He did this so that, through the church, the multifaceted wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ¹¹ This was done according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Eph 3:10–11)

⁴ … when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son to be born of a woman, so that he would be born under the law, ⁵ in order to redeem those under the law, so that we would be adopted as sons. (Ga 4:4–5)

… from every tribe and language and people and nation. (Re 5:9b)

In him we can freely approach God with confidence through faith in him. (Eph 3:12)

No, it is your guilt that has separated you from your God, and your sins have hidden God’s face from you, so that he does not hear. (Is 59:2)

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery so that you are afraid again, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we call out, “Abba, Father!” (Ro 8:15)

So I ask you not to lose heart because of what I am suffering for you, because it is your glory. (Eph 3:13)

Points to Ponder

1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
2. Paul calls himself “the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles” (v.1). How do we see Paul’s suffering as purposeful? Have you ever experienced hardship that led to spiritual growth in others?
3. Paul speaks of “the mystery” made known to me by revelation (v.3). What is this mystery, and why is it so central to the gospel? How is it still “good news” for us today?
4. Verse 6 says, “Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body.” What does that unity look like in your church or community? Are there any invisible walls that need to come down?
5. Paul says he was given grace to preach “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (v.8). What do you think he meant by “unsearchable riches”? How would you describe the gospel to someone unfamiliar with it?
6. Verse 13 encourages us not to lose heart. What causes you to lose heart? How can this passage help strengthen your faith?

Homework: Ephesians 3