Browse Bible Study Resources

Meditation

Go to  

THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST

Text: Ephesians 3
11 December 2016

OUR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Not everyone understands our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul used the word “mystery” to describe the gospel of the Lord.

                                                By revelation He made known to me the mystery

                                                (As I have briefly written already, by which,

                                                When you read, you may understand my knowledge

                                                In the mystery of Christ).                                   Ephesians 3:3

  1. The mystery of Christ

a) The message of the Gospel seems simple to the believer

b) But to the non-believer it is “a mystery”

  1. By revelation

a) God has to reveal knowledge

b) Paul understood the mystery of Christ only after he came to faith

PRIOR TO THIS REVELATION OF GOD

What was Paul like before he came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. By his own admission, he had this to say: –

  1. He blasphemed the Lord
  1. He persecuted the church
  1. He admitted ignorance 1 Timothy 1:13

IN HIS OWN RIGHT

Paul wrote about what he was like before he came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He took pride in the following: –

  1. He was a Hebrew of the Hebrews Philippians 3:5
  1. He was a Pharisee Philippians 3:5
  1. He felt he was blameless in the keeping of the law Philippians 3:6

Few had the privilege of being as educated as Paul was, yet for all his learning, he could not understand “the mystery of Christ.”

REVEALED BY THE SPIRIT

Paul was most grateful for the work of the Holy Spirit in his life.

                                                As it has now been revealed by the Spirit

                                                To His holy apostles and prophets:

                                                That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs,

                                                Of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ

                                                Through the gospel.                                             Ephesians 3:5-6

  1. The Apostles and prophets

a) They were given special revelation

b) This was the work of the Holy Spirit

  1. The content of this revelation- “the gospel”

a) Gentiles are fellow-heirs

b) They are of the same body

c) They are partakers of God’s promise in Christ

Let us share this wonderful gospel message with great joy and conviction of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!