God’s Marvelous Plan
Ephesians 3:1-6 3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. In this passage, Paul refers to the term “mystery” 3 times. What do you think of when you think of a “mystery”? I have never been a fan. It frustrates me when there is something that I can’t figure out. I am an extremely logical person, and in my mind, everything should make sense and fit in its perfect place. Obscurity is my enemy. What Paul is speaking of is the Greek word “mysterion”. Instead of something that forever remains unknown, “mysterion” means that the truth has eventually been revealed by God. “In English a ‘mystery’ is something dark, obscure, secret, puzzling. What is ‘mysterious’ is inexplicable, even incomprehensible. The Greek word mysterion is different, however. Although still a ‘secret’, it is no longer closely guarded but open… More simply, mysterion is a truth hitherto hidden from human knowledge or understanding but now disclosed by the revelation of God.” (Stott) Like this. Notice what the mystery is. It’s defined in verse 6: “This mystery is that the Gentiles [the nations, that’s most of us here] are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” The mystery is that the Gentiles—every tribe and language and people and nation—will now be included in all the promises of God made to Israel. The mystery hidden for ages is that all the peoples of the world will be included in the unsearchable riches of the Messiah.
The answer is contained the last phrase of verse 6. This mystery—this inclusion of the nations in the unsearchable riches of the Messiah—is “through the gospel.” And what is the gospel? Paul’s clearest definition goes like this: Now I would remind you of the gospel . . . that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). So we Gentiles are included in the riches of the Messiah because he died for us.
The crucifixion is not the world’s wisdom. It is not the world’s power. It is foolishness and weakness to the world. But it is God’s power. And it is God’s wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 In Summary: God’s plan is a mystery to this world. But it is not incomprehensible. Through God’s Spirit, He gives us understanding. If this is all still a mystery to you, know that there is a God that wants you to understand it all. All of us have experienced brokenness in our lives, whether it’s loneliness, heartbreak, shame, or just a longing for more fulfillment. Jesus is the answer to all of our problems. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 If you have been saved, this is evidence of the power of the gospel in you. Remember where you came from, what you were like before Christ saved you. Thank God for what He has revealed to you. It is a gift! Gifts are meant to be used. You were saved for a purpose. This purpose is to make God known to others around you. If you are suffering through this, remember it’s for a reason. Just like Paul knew he was in prison on behalf of the Gentiles. Only in our weakness does it truly reveal God’s strength. It’s easy to be content when everything is going right, but what does it say to the world when everything is going wrong and you can still praise God because He cares for you. Whom might God be wanting to save through you? God used Paul to save the Gentiles, a people that Paul used to think of as inferior. Think of those whom you might be tempted to despise. Maybe you think they’re a lost cause. Or you worry they think you are a fool for what you believe. Pray for those people today, and trust in the power of the gospel. Let’s go ChristFit - here is the mystery of God revealed in our motto verse: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Romans 1:16
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