Eph. 3:1-13
Cracking the Code
1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and
stewards of the mysteries of God.
1.“God manifest in the Flesh”
2.“Church as one body in Christ”
3.“Christ Indwelling the New Testament
Believer” 4.“The Restoration of
Israel” 5.“Rapture” 6.“Iniquity”
7.“Babylon the Great”
I. The Presentation of the mystery
(Eph 3:1-6) For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he
made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my
knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his
holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers
of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
A. The Connection to the previous statements
(Eph 3:1) For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
(Eph 2:16) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the
cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
(Eph 2:17) And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and
to them that were nigh.
(Eph 2:18) For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the
Father.
(Eph 2:19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but
fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
(Act 22:19) And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every
synagogue them that believed on thee:(Act 22:20) And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them
that slew him.(Act 22:21) And he said unto me,
Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
(Act 22:22) And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted
up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not
fit that he should live.
A. The Connection to the previous statements
B.The Concept of Dispensation
(Eph 3:2) If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which
is given me to you-ward:
1. Innocence (From creation to the fall)
2. Conscience (from fall to Flood)
3. Human Government (Flood to Abraham)
4. Patriarchs (Abraham to Law
5. Law (Moses on Sinai to The Death of Christ)
6. Grace {Charge age} (Cross to Rapture)
7. Millennium (1,000 years of reigning)
The 7 Dispensations
(2Co 12:8) For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it
might depart from me.
(2Co 12:9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for
my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore
will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest
upon me.
A. The Connection to the previous statements
B.The Concept of Dispensation
C.The Comprehension of the mystery
(Eph 3:3-6) How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now
revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same
body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Gal. 1:11-18
(Eph 3:3-6) How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the
gospel:
I. The Presentation of the mysteryII. The Proprietor of the mystery
A. The Calling to be a minister of the mystery
(Eph 3:7) Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God
given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
A. The Calling to be a minister of the mystery
B. The Corruption of this minister of the mystery
(Eph 3:8) Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles
the unsearchable riches of Christ;
A. The Calling to be a minister of the mystery
B. The Corruption of this minister of the mystery
C.The Cooperation of the those that minster this mystery
(Eph 3:9) And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath
been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:(Eph 3:10) To the intent that now unto the principalities and
powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
(Eph 3:11) According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
A. The Calling to be a minister of the mystery
B. The Corruption of this minister of the mystery
C.The Cooperation of the those that minster this mystery
D.The Confidence of the those that minster this mystery
(Eph 3:12) In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of
him.
(Eph 3:13) Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which
is your glory.