God's Blessing to the Gentiles 7 God's Blessing to the Gentiles

Jews were in the minority but 1st to receive the gospel. The Problem at Ephesus Jews were in the minority but 1st to receive the gospel. Gentiles were in the majority but newer converts.

The Gentiles should have been thankful to God — not resentful towards the Jews.

Before Christ The Gentiles: Were apart from God Did not belong to God’s people Had no hope of salvation Were 2nd class citizens

Now in Christ the Gentiles: Had direct access to God through Christ

Now in Christ the Gentiles: Had direct access to God through Christ Were equal partners with Jews… In the Kingdom of God In the Family of God In the Temple of God

Now in Christ the Gentiles: Had direct access to God through Christ Were equal partners with Jews Now have: Hope of salvation Unity with all Value as the people of God

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles. - Ephesians 3:1

if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; - Ephesians 3:2

that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. - Ephesians 3:3

And He said to me, ‘Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ - Acts 22:21

4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; - Ephesians 3:4-5

to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, - Ephesians 3:6

of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. - Ephesians 3:7

To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, - Ephesians 3:8

and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; - Ephesians 3:9

so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 3:10

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look. - I Peter 1:12

11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory. - Ephesians 3:11-13

Summary God had a plan

Summary God had a plan God Worked His plan

God used people in His plan Summary God had a plan God Worked His plan God used people in His plan

God now uses the church to reveal the plan Summary God had a plan God Worked His plan God used people in His plan God now uses the church to reveal the plan

Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory. - Ephesians 3:13

We shouldn’t be discouraged because God wants to save us!

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, - Ephesians 3:14

from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, - Ephesians 3:15

that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, - Ephesians 3:16

Paul Asks for Strength For the “Inner” Man Increase their Power Strengthen According to His Ability Strength Through the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit Strengthens Through: The Word And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. - Acts 20:32

The Holy Spirit Strengthens Through: Comfort So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase. - Acts 9:31

The Holy Spirit Strengthens Through: The Indwelling Peter said to them, “ Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. - Acts 2:38

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. - Romans 8:11

What Indwelling Provides: Intercession In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; \ - Rom. 8:26

What Indwelling Provides: Enlightenment I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, - Ephesians 1:18

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, - Ephesians 3:17

18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. - Ephesians 3:18-19

What will this new “Strength” enable us to do or have? More Surrender of Ourselves to Christ.

What will this new “Strength” enable us to do or have? More Surrender of Ourselves to Christ. Deeper Understanding & Experience of God’s Love.

20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21

Paul prays that they be filled to the brim with the things of God.

Doxology = Spontaneous Praise

Summary II We are this church

We are God’s instrument today Summary II We are this church We are God’s instrument today

We have the Word & Spirit Summary II We are this church We are God’s instrument today We have the Word & Spirit

This should be our prayer Summary II We are this church We are God’s instrument today We have the Word & Spirit This should be our prayer More of God’s Things Less of the World’s Things