Paul's Privilege Ephesians 3 by Wong

1. The Apostle Paul’s Privilege
Ephesians
Chapter 3:1-13
Island Glades Gospel Centre
31st May 2015 1

2. 2
INTRODUCTION
When man sinned, God was not
Taken by surprise.
Christianity is not merely about
The salvation of sinners
& the forgiveness of sin.
It is much more than a
rescue or recovery mission.

3. 3
REVIEW of Chapter 1 - 2
God’s People, the Church has a
Heavenly Calling
1)Our salvation is founded upon
God Himself
Predestination - by the Father
Redemption - by the Son
Sealing - by the Spirit

4. 4
2) GOD’S POWER
2.1) Manifested in Christ
(1:19-23)
Resurrection
Ascension
Exaltation

5. 5
2.2) Manifested in the Believers
Spiritual resurrection 2:1-5
Spiritual ascension v.6
Power to do good works &
Show forth God’s grace
throughout eternity v.7-10

6. 6
2.3) Manifested to all Believers
(2:11-22)
The Gentiles
(v. 11-13)
The Church of God
(v. 19-22)

7. SUMMARY
Our Blessings & Position before God in Christ
7
CHAPTER 1
Chosen (v.4)
Sanctified (v.4)
Adopted (v.5)
Accepted (v.6)
Redeemed (v.7)
Forgiven (v.7)
Enriched (v.8)
Enlightened (v.9)
Sealed (v.13)
CHAPTER 2
Made Alive (v.1)
Exalted (v.6)
Consecrated (v.10)
Reconciled (v.16)
United (v.21)

8. 8
Eph.3:1-7 (RSV)
For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for 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,

9. 9
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 that is, how 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.

10. 10
3) Paul’s Privilege
V.1 - I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on
behalf of you Gentiles.
V.2–3 ….mystery was made known
by revelation.
V. 7–8 …I was made a minister
Mystery Revealed
Ministry Entrusted

11. 11
3.1) The Mystery made
Known to Paul
(v.1–6)
The mystery is about
how the Gentiles are fellow heirs,
members of the same body,
& partakers of the promise in
Christ Jesus
through the gospel

12. .
12
3.2) The Ministry entrusted
to Paul
(v.7–13)
Mystery  Ministry
Low position of a sinner,
But high calling of God in Christ

13. 13

14. 14
Paul elaborated his ministry :
a) Making known Christ’s riches
to the Gentiles v.8
All revealed truth is held in stewardship.
It is given to be shared,
not to be kept to ourselves.

15. 15
b) Making known the mystery to all men
(v.9)
‘the prince of darkness’
holds men & women in darkness,
and only by divine enlightenment
will their eyes be opened
to see God.

16. 16
c. Making known God’s wisdom to
the Cosmic Powers
(v.10)
10 that through the church the
manifold wisdom of God
might now be made known to the
principalities & powers
in the heavenly places.

17. 17
What does that mean?
The creation of the church is
like a great drama, presented by
God who is the author & director.
Christians are the actors & actresses.
Who are the audience?
They are the cosmic beings,
the principalities & powers
in the heavenly places.

18. Method of God’s Communication
18
God’s Revelation
Paul & Believers
Proclamation
Church
Visual Model
Angelic
Beings

19. 19
Major Lesson
The Church has a central place
In His plan
Christ loved the church and
gave himself up for her.
(Eph.5:25)

20. a) The Church is central to history
God is the Lord of all the nations
of the world,
yet there is a ‘covenant people’,
His new creation.
His Everlasting Promise:
‘I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.’
20

21. b) The Church is
Central to the Gospel
21

22. 22
c) The Church is
Central to Christian Living
Serving & strengthening one another so that the
church may grow & reach out to others.
Live our lives pleasing to God to reflect His light
& purpose in this darkened world.
God’s church is His family & His dwelling place
seeking to worship Him
building a caring fellowship
reaching out faithfully to unbelievers

23. 23
Conclusion
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may
strengthen you with power through his Spirit in
your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your
hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being
rooted and established in love, 18 may have power,
together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp
how wide and long and high and deep is the love of
Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses
knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure
of all the fullness of God.

24. 24

25. 25

26. 26
God’s
Blessings
Be With You