EPHESIANS 3
5 Outlines
Ephesians 3:1-12
IT IS NO SECRET!
You might want to begin the message by reading the
words to the song, "It Is No Secret" by Stuart Hamblen. He was a song writer and singer who came to
know Christ as Savior. One night he was
at a party, and Stuart made the comment "It is no secret what God can
do". Upon leaving, his host suggested
that he write a song about that statement.
He went home and wrote the song in 17 minutes. The change in Hamblen's
life when coming to Christ is an indication of just how true the words of the
song are! Genesis 18:14, Jeremiah 32:17, Luke 1:37.
In this text we see four wonderful things that God did
for Paul that He will also do for us through the mighty working of His power.
1. GOD CAN EMPOWER US TO LOVE OUR ENEMIES Vs. 1
Jews and Gentiles were enemies. How remarkable that Paul would end up loving his
former enemies so much that he became a prisoner for their sakes. Acts 21:27-30, Acts 22:17-22.
God will also enable us to love our enemies. Ephesians
4:32, Matthew 22:36-40, John 14:34-35, Matthew 6:43-48
2. GOD CAN EMPOWER US TO UNDERSTAND HIS WORD Vss. 2-6
Paul and the other Apostles (See Acts 10:for Peter's story.) were given to understand a great
mystery.
A "mystery" is a sacred secret. The mystery
is that believing Gentiles would be fellow heirs of salvation with believing
Jews.
Just as Paul was empowered to understand God's Word. Luke
3. GOD CAN EMPOWER US TO SERVE AS MINISTERS OF THE
GOSPEL. Vss. 7-9
The word minister means "servant". Paul
considered it a special privilege to share the riches of Christ with the
Gentiles. We too have the privilege of
sharing Christ with others. Acts 1:8, 1 Peter 3:15
4. GOD CAN EMPOWER US TO COMMUNICATE WITH HIMSELF. Vs. 12
We have bold access to the "Throne of Grace"
through prayer.
1 John 5:14-15, James 5:16-18
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Ephesians 3:1-12
MISSIONARY AT WORK
PAUL'S PRIVILEGE - Vss. 1-6 - To understand the
mystery that the Gentiles are to be fellow heirs in Christ
PAUL'S POSITION - Vss. 7-8 - A preacher of the Gospel
to the Gentiles
PAUL'S PURPOSE - Vss. 9-11 - That people understand
God's mystery
PAUL'S POWER - Vs. 12 - By faith
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Ephesians 3:7-8
THE JOYS OF MINISTRY
MINISTRY IS A PRIVILEGE
- Vs. 7a
Paul was a minister
(servant) by God's grace. None of us are
worthy to be God's servants, but God has not only saved us by grace, but he has
chosen to use us by grace. Ephesians 2:8-10, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Peter
MINISTRY IS IN HIS POWER
- Vs. 7b
It is the power of God
that makes us effective in ministry.
MINISTRY IS PRICELESS -
Vs. 8
It is priceless to think
that God would save a wretch like me, and use me to further His kingdom!
Ephesians 3:14-21
IN PRAYER
I personally believe
that:
Satan would rather have
me witness than pray.
Satan would rather have
me study my Bible than pray.
Satan would rather have
me fellowship with other believers than pray.
Satan would rather have
me preach or teach than pray.
I feel this way because
God is the all-powerful God of the universe. He has the power to answer prayer
and to do great things. I pray first and then witness, study, fellowship,
preach or teach, I will be doing it in the power of
God! I must remember that Jesus said,
"Without me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
In Ephesians 3:14-21
Paul tells the Ephesians how he prayed for them. In this passage we learn some important
principles about prayer.
IN PRAYER GOD IS
ACKNOWLEDGED - Vss. 14-15
When we pray, we need to
think about the person that we are approaching. We need to realize that we are
coming to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we are saved, we are
coming to our Father (John
IN PRAYER GOD IS ASKED -
Vss. 16-19
Paul is praying for the
Spiritual needs of the Ephesians.
We can ask God the same
things for our own church and other churches we know.
It is proper to pray for
those who are sick, but let's not forget their Spiritual needs as well.
IN PRAYER GOD IS
APPRECIATED - Vss. 20-21
God is to be praised! He
can do greatly more than we would ever ask or think! And this power is at work
inside of us. May our desire be that He be glorified in His Son through His
church!
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Ephesians 3:14-21
INTERCESSION FOR THE
SAINTS
PAUL'S CRY TO GOD - Vss.
14-15
PAUL'S CONCERNS BROUGHT
TO GOD - Vss. 16-19
1. Strength from the
Spirit - Vs. 16
2. Sovereignty of the
Son - Vss. 17a
3. Love of the Saints -
Vss. 17b-19a
4. Fullness of God - Vs.
19b
PAUL'S CONFIDENCE IN GOD
- Vss. 20-21
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