“The Wonder of the Mystery of Christ”
(Ephesians 3:1-13)
Series: Christ and the Church [on screen]
Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD
First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida
February 7, 2021
The Passage
Ephesians 3:1-13
1 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that he gave me for you. 3 The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have briefly written above. 4 By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. 5 This was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power.
8 This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ, 9 and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things. 10 This is so that God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. 11 This is according to his eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him we have boldness and confident access through faith in him. 13 So, then, I ask you not to be discouraged over my afflictions on your behalf, for they are your glory.
Introductory Comments:
Have you ever been in the middle of telling someone something and then you get excitedly carried away and start talking about something else? Perhaps you’re telling someone about a trip that you went on for work and then you get distracted by telling them about this great restaurant that you stopped at. You may start telling them about the fantastic burgers and delicious milkshakes and you just get carried away because it is so wonderful to you!
In today’s passage, Paul gets carried away speaking about the wonder of the mystery of Christ! He starts to say one thing but gets excitingly sidetracked with another thing before coming back to the first.
Before we hear what Paul has to tell us, let’s go to God in prayer and ask Him to speak to us.
(prayer)
In Ephesians chapters 1 and 2, Paul has shared a lot of theology and deep truth regarding salvation, the Church, and the availability of salvation to the Gentiles. Now, Paul is going to get a little more personal. He’s going to talk about his calling and how God is working through him.
While Paul is sharing about God’s work through him, he focuses on the mystery of Christ. As he does so, he gets a little excited, like someone telling a story of something they really enjoyed. That’s what we’re going to look at now. So, first, . . .
I. Have you heard about the mystery? (vv. 1-4) [on screen]
We’re going to see that Paul begins to tell the Ephesians about something related to his imprisonment (remember, Paul is in prison while writing this letter). However, Paul stops talking about that and picks up a discussion about the mystery of Christ.
Let’s check it out. Look at verses 1-4:
1 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that he gave me for you. 3 The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have briefly written above. 4 By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ.
First of all, Paul speaks about his imprisonment.
Notice of whom Paul says that he is a prisoner. Look at verse 1. Paul says he is, “ . . . the prisoner of Christ Jesus.” Paul doesn’t say that he is a prisoner to the Roman Empire, or to local authorities, or to Jewish leaders. Paul says he is a prisoner of Christ.
Paul also says he is a prisoner on behalf of the Gentiles. Here’s what he’s getting at: it’s because of his devotion to Jesus Christ that he is ministering to the Gentiles. It’s because of his ministry to the Gentiles that he is in prison. So, it’s because of his Messiah and his ministry that he is suffering. However, he is also totally in love with and devoted to his Messiah and his ministry, so he doesn’t want any sympathy. He counts it a joy to be imprisoned for Jesus (he’ll come back to this in verse 13).
So, Paul essentially says, “It’s because of my ministry to you Gentiles that I’m imprisoned.” Then he basically says, “By the way, I’m assuming that you know about what God did in my life and what He is now doing in your lives as a result of what He’s done in mine.”
In this statement, Paul speaks of God’s grace, given to Paul, for the Ephesians. We’ll come back to this theme in a moment.
Next, Paul diverges into a magnificent discussion about the mystery of Christ. Paul is basically asking, “Have you heard about this mystery?”
Paul says that this mystery of Christ was made known to him by God revealing it to him, he says that he has already written about it some, and he says that if they simply read what he was already written, then they will know what he’s talking about.
Check it out. Look at verse 4, Paul says, “By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ.”
So, Paul begins with this discussion about his imprisonment, but he is quickly sidetracked and he introduces them to this concept of the mystery of Christ.
Paul is essentially asking, “Have you heard about the mystery?”
Next, Paul, in essence, says . . .
II. Let me tell you about the mystery! (vv. 5-9) [on screen]
In verse 4, which we just read, Paul begins to introduce the details of this mystery. Now, he goes right into it. Let’s look at verses 5-9:
5 This was not made known to people in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power.
8 This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ, 9 and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.
Regarding this mystery, Paul says that it was unknown to previous generations. It wasn’t plain and obvious to them.
I believe that Paul is speaking of previous generations of both Jews and Gentiles. Basically, I think he’s saying that nobody previously understood this mystery.
Paul says that it is now revealed to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
Keep in mind that Paul is not speaking of the prophets of the Old Testament because he’s saying “now,” not “then.” He’s speaking of the present, not the past. Paul is speaking of apostles (those who were sent by God) and prophets (those who proclaim the message of God).
These leaders of the early church (including Paul) are able to receive this mystery and proclaim it to others because of a significant source of revelation and power. Well, what is that source of revelation and power? Look at verse 5: “ . . . by the Spirit.” It is by the supernatural Spirit of God that this mystery; which has been present forever, is now being lived out, understood, and proclaimed in the Church.
Well, what is the mystery? [show picture on screen] Look at verse 6: “The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”
That is the mystery! Paul just spoke about this mystery at the end of chapter 2, only He didn’t frame it as a mystery at that point. Now, Paul comes back to this theme of God extending the hope of forgiveness to all peoples of the world, not just the Jewish people.
The mystery is that what we once knew to be the Jewish way to peace, with a Jewish God, brought by a Jewish Messiah, to a Jewish people; has now become the one way to peace, with the one true God, brought by the one true Messiah, to any and all people!
The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners with those Jewish people who have been saved by Jesus Christ! What a beautiful mystery!
Paul then speaks of his devotion to this mystery and this Gospel. Look again at verse 7.
Paul says that he was a servant to this Gospel. Some other translations say that he was a minister to this Gospel. That is to say, Paul was committed to the spreading and outworking of this message; Paul was committed to making this mystery known.
Paul even goes so far as to say that it was a gift of God’s grace that he has become a servant to this message. Even though he would suffer, even though he would be misunderstood, even though he would be rejected, it was a gift of grace that he could proclaim this mystery. Church, let that be something that we understand. No matter the hardships that we may encounter and no matter how it might make us feel uncomfortable, it is a gift of grace and a privilege to proclaim the mystery of the Gospel.
In verse 8, we hear more about grace (I told you that we’d come back to this theme of grace). Paul says that grace was given to him by God in order that he might, “ . . . proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ.”
Notice in this description, that Paul refers to himself as, “ . . . the least of all the saints.” Paul is basically saying that he doesn’t even deserve to be proclaiming this Gospel, but God is graciously using him to proclaim God’s grace further to the Gentiles. So, God is showing Paul grace and then showing grace to others through Paul. It’s a big grace multiplication party!
So, the mystery can be revealed through Paul (and others) to all the peoples of the world (Jews and Gentiles) because of the grace of God! Now, all people have access to the, “ . . . incalculable riches of Christ.”
Paul also said that through His grace, God works, “ . . . to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.”
So, the mystery can be revealed through Paul (and others) to all the peoples of the world (Jews and Gentiles) because of the grace of God! Now, all people have access to the, “ . . . incalculable riches of Christ.” God’s plan is revealed for all to know that salvation is found only in Jesus, that salvation is available to any who would call upon the name of the Lord, and those who call upon Jesus receive all the full benefits of that salvation!
Paul told them about the mystery but he’s not done talking about it. That takes us to our final point:
III. How wonderful is the mystery! (vv. 10-13) [on screen]
Paul goes on to describe the mystery more and talk more about how wonderful it is! Look at verses 10-13:
10 This is so that God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. 11 This is according to his eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him we have boldness and confident access through faith in him. 13 So, then, I ask you not to be discouraged over my afflictions on your behalf, for they are your glory.
So, God gave grace to Paul, so that he would proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles, that they would know the mystery of God, and that the multi-faceted wisdom of God may be known to all!
The wisdom of God is lovely and deep. It is multi-faceted! It has many sides which highlight its brilliance, like a beautiful gem!
Through God’s grace, His mystery is made known and His work is displayed. His grace is shown and the mystery of Christ is revealed through the Church so that even the angelic beings in the heavens see God at work. Paul refers to these angelic beings as the rulers and authorities in the heavens. Isn’t that cool? Even the heavenly beings marvel at the mystery of God being displayed through the Church.
Paul then says in verse 11 that this is God’s, “ . . . eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
This was God’s plan from all along, to show His grace by bringing salvation to the Gentiles! This was not plan b. This was not something that God threw together because He was done with the Jewish people. This was God’s eternal purpose!
This eternal purpose was the very reason that Jesus came. God would then fulfill this purpose through Jesus!
In verse 12, Paul speaks some more about the benefits that we have in Christ.
In Jesus, we have, “ . . . boldness and confident access through faith . . .” to God.
Remember, church, Paul speaks again and again about the blessings found for those of us who are in Christ! Among those benefits are boldness and confident access before God! What a blessing!
Finally, Paul comes back to his personal affliction. Paul says in verse 13, “So, then, I ask you not to be discouraged over my afflictions on your behalf . . .”
Well, why wouldn’t they be discouraged over Paul’s affliction? Paul says at the end of the verse, “ . . . for they are your glory.” Remember, Paul is suffering because God is using him to proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles, including the Ephesians. His affliction is for their good.
Paul’s devotion is to Jesus, which is the very reason that he said that he was a prisoner of Christ Jesus back in verse 1. God’s grace is enough for Paul and God’s grace is shown through Paul to bring about the revelation of the mystery of God.
How wonderful is the mystery!
Concluding Thoughts:
We’ll see next time where Paul was going when he first started chapter 3. What we saw this week was that he got a little excited and got sidetracked to talk about the mystery of Christ.
Indeed, it was a beautiful sidetrack that Paul took us down. We can sum it up with this bottom line:
Bottom Line: The mystery of Christ is that the whole world has access to the riches of Christ. [on screen]
(repeat)
Jews and Gentiles can know God. Aren’t you glad to hear that? Aren’t you glad that mystery was revealed?
That takes us to our first weekly challenge for this week:
Weekly Challenge: [on screen]
1. Contemplate the mystery. [on screen]
Think about all the work that took place by God the Father, Jesus our Lord, and the Holy Spirit to reveal to you and me the mystery that Jesus Christ is Messiah to all.
Not only that, we who were far from God have been brought near and we are now in Christ!
How wonderful! Take some time to contemplate the mystery this week.
2. Consider your afflictions. [on screen]
Remember, Paul told the Ephesians not to be discouraged over his afflictions. Why? Because he was afflicted for their benefit. He was afflicted for the sake of the Gospel.
Not only that, even though Paul is in prison, he is also simultaneously seated with Jesus in the heavenlies! He is in Christ!
Being in Christ, experiencing the work of Christ, and proclaiming the mystery of Christ provide a satisfaction that far outweighs any afflictions that this world has to offer us. Paul understood this and I pray that we will understand this as well.
Consider your afflictions this week.
3. Proclaim the mystery. [on screen]
Paul made it his aim to proclaim the mystery of Christ. Will you make that your aim as well?
The mystery has been revealed. However, the truth is, to many it’s still a mystery. Let us continue to proclaim this mystery.
Challenge yourself this week to be faithful to proclaim the most important message in all the world.
Closing:
How wonderful is the mystery of Christ! It opened the door of salvation not only to the Jewish people, but to all the peoples of the world.
Have you been changed by the mystery of God?
(Gospel presentation)
(closing prayer)
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: The text contained in this sermon is solely owned by its author. The reproduction, or distribution of this message, or any portion of it, should include the author’s name. The author intends to provide free resources in order to inspire believers and to assist preachers and teachers in Kingdom work.
