Ephesians 3:1-11
- Eph 3:1-2 (KJV)
- For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, {2} If ye have
heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
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- What cause? It is the cause of the glorious gospel. 1 Timothy 1:11 Paul was a prisoner
of Jesus Christ, held captive in gospel bonds. Although Paul was a prisoner of
Rome, he was stating that he was a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
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- Dispensation - a stewardship or management - Colossians 1:25 - The word is never used as
a period of time as Scofield and other pre-mils use it. They take the word and misuse it
to endorse the fabricated belief system of Dispensationalism. Even the secular dictionary
does not define the term as a term of time periods.
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- From the Merriam Webster On-Line Dictionary 2.5
- Main Entry: dis-pen-sa-tion
Function: noun
Date:14th century
1 a : a general state or ordering of things; specifically : a system of revealed commands
and promises regulating human affairs b : a particular arrangement or provision especially
of providence or nature
2 a : an exemption from a law or from an impediment, vow, or oath b : a formal
authorization
3 a : the act of dispensing b : something dispensed or distributed
dis-pen-sa-tion-al - adjective
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- Notice the stewardship of the gospel is to you-ward. This means that the
Gospel in the bible is written toward or foe the believer. It is important to know that to
unbelievers the bible is a book of judgment. Even when we take the laws from the Bible and
transplant them to society, they are laws of judgment. For example, Thou shalt not
steal carries with it judicial penalty as does murder, or perjury (false witness).
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- Eph 3:3-4 (KJV)
- How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote
afore in few words, {4} Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the
mystery of Christ)
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- Revelation - (apokalupsis) something which is undiscoverable by human means
- Mystery - something that is revealed at a certain time when God chooses to reveal it.
- 1 Cor. 4:1-2; 2 Corinthians 12:1-4
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- Eph 3:5 (KJV)
- 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;
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- The other ages - the time of the old covenant even though the new covenant ran
concurrently with it.
- Holy apostles and prophets - a synonym for all true believers being able to understand
according to the Scriptures, notice the use of the word now - Eph 2:20
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- By the spirit - goes back to the meaning of revelation
- Colossians 1:25-27 - Verse 26 uses word now
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- Eph 3:6 (KJV)
- That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers
of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
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- Fellowheirs, same body, partakers - all carry the meaning of a joint or common
inheritance between two bodies of people. This means that both Gentiles and Jews stand on
the same ground. Here is the essence of the revealed mystery that Gods elect will be
from all races and countries.
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- The term Messianic Jew is a term which born again Jews use to identify with
both Christ and modern day Israel. They refuse to accept the single title of Christian.
Romans 4:14>>If they want to identify with the law keepers, then their faith is made
of none effect. Titus 3:7
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- Eph 3:7 (KJV)
- 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.
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- Minister - Servant - the ministry of servanthood is a definite gift of the grace
of God because it doesnt take much humility to be a ruler. Anyone can rule but it is
a gift to follow.
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- Matthew 20:26-28 - The Lord Jesus came to minister and give His life for the elect. This
is the responsibility of the believer. 2 Cor. 12:15 - Some Christians think we are here to
just go to church or write checks to a ministry and then lay back believing they have
fulfilled their responsibility in ministry.
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- Effectual Working - is the word energeian which is the word for
energy. We have words which measure energy today such as Joule. But this energy is the
energy of God which has no limit>>power (dunamis).
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- Eph 3:8 (KJV)
- 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;
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- Pauls real humility showed through as he considered himself the least (very least)
of all the saints. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 He was not putting himself down because that is
false humility which is a subtle form of pride. The easiest way to keep any extraordinary
talents or gifts in tow is to allow God to keep you humble. - (1 Pet 5:6 KJV) Humble
yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
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- Preach - announce the good news - 2 Cor. 4:5
- Unsearchable - Incomprehensible or cannot be explored - Philippians 4:19
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- Eph 3:9 (KJV)
- 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:
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- See - Bring to light or reveal - The question is will Paul or any Christian make
all men see the mystery which is in Christ.
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- Romans 5:18
- Romans 11:32
- Mark 1:37>>>Romans 3:10-11
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- We have taken a few verses and we have easily seen that God uses the word
"all" in two ways: First, to show completeness of what is in view (when all is
all); secondly, to show a completeness within the context of entirety. (when all is not
all)
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- God has withheld the mystery until the time of the Lord Jesus Christ since Christ was
the mystery. God created all things by Jesus Christ (this part of the verse is left out of
the new versions) - Colossians 1:16 - Not only did God create the physical universe but He
also created the Church by Christ Jesus.
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- Eph 3:10 (KJV)
- To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be
known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
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- 1 Peter 1:12 - Even the angels did not know what the mystery in Christ was but now
because of the Holy Spirit revealing the mystery, even those in the heavenly places can
now see the manifold wisdom of God.
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- Manifold (used only once in NT) - It really means the multi-colored or faceted
wisdom of God. In other words Gods wisdom is not just one action. Gods wisdom
comes in a variety of methods which is revealed differently in each situation. For
example: The Crossing of the Red Sea by Israel or the Crucifixion of Christ. It is wisdom
that the world cannot understand and the meanings can only be imputed to believers
by the Holy Spirit. Also this multi-faceted wisdom is contained in all the true doctrines
of the Bible such as election or predestination.
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- Eph 3:11 (KJV)
- According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
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- The eternal purpose which was revealed was the eternal nature of the gospel which was
found in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Great doctrines of the faith such as election makes it
impossible to thwart the will of God:
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- Isaiah 14:27 - Salvation
- Jeremiah 51:29 - Destruction of the Kingdom of Satan
- 1 John 3:8 - Destruction of the works of Satan
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- What are the works of Satan?
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- A - Neh. 2:18-19 - To attack the work of God
- B - 2 Cor. 4:4 - To blind the unbeliever - Christ opens the spiritual eyes
- C - 1 Cor. 14:33 - To confuse both the believer and unbeliever
- D - 2 Cor. 11:10-15 - To attempt to deceive the brethren - Keep in mind it
was written to the church.
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