Keys of Truth: Ephesians (Chapter 3)

The Church is a Mystery
A) The explanation of the mystery (not revealed in the Old Testament).
(Eph. 3:1-4)

B) The definition of the Mystery (Jews and Gentiles are partakers of the same body).
(Eph. 3:5-13)

C) Prayer for Power and Knowledge (strengthened with might and to know the love of Christ). (Eph. 3:14-21)

1) Paul was a minister called to the Gentiles.

2) Paul’s mission: to bring the truth of God’s kindness to the Gentiles.

3) Paul received the revelation of God’s will relative to the Gentiles.

4) This chapter shows Paul’s knowledge of the mystery – the Church.

5) In the Old Testament this mystery was not made known, however, God chose to reveal this truth to the apostles and prophets.

6) The Gentiles have the same inheritance as the Jews. We all belong to the same body – the Church, and share the same promise that God made in Christ Jesus.

7) Paul became a minister of this revelation through the kindness of God, with God’s power at work in him.

8) Paul counted his self as nothing; believing that God’s kindness is shown to him, in that he is allowed to spread the truth of the immeasurable wealth of Christ to people who are not Jewish.

9) Paul was allowed to teach the truth of the mystery and how it works. God, who created all things, kept it hidden in the past.

10) Through the Church God’s shows His infinite wisdom and this wisdom is witness by all of Heaven.

11) The Church was God’s plan from the beginning of time, which God does through and in Christ.

12) We can go to God with bold confidence through faith in Jesus Christ.

13) Paul suffered so that God’s glory – God’s manifest presence might be revealed to the Church.

14) Paul prays that God’s glory be revealed.

15) God gives a name (or meaning) to our family – the Church - in Heaven and in Earth.

16) Paul prays that the Church would receive a gift from the wealth of God’s glory; inner strength and power through God’s Spirit.

17) Christ lives in us through our faith and that we the Church be grounded – planted in love which is the foundation the Church is built upon.

18) We are to know and understand the full dimensions of God’s love for us.

19) To know that Christ love for us goes far beyond any knowledge. To truly know the love of God completely fills us – gives us wholeness.

20) God’s power is at work in us, and God with His infinite power can do more then we can imagine or ask. All the glory belongs to God.

21) The manifest power in the Church and in witnessed Christ Jesus belongs to God for all time and eternity! (It Is So).