The Apostle describes God’s efforts to reach out to the Gentiles in order to save them. (Eph. 3:1-22)

1. #7
Ephesians
God’s Blessing to the Gentiles
forBeginners
Mike Mazzalongo
BibleTalk.tv

2. The Problem At Ephesus
1. Jews were in the minority but 1st to
receive the gospel.
2. Gentiles were in the majority but
newer converts.

3. The Gentiles should have been thankful to
God—Not resentful towards the Jews.
The Problem At Ephesus

4. Before Christ The Gentiles:
- Were apart from God
- Did not belong to God’s people
- Had no hope of salvation
- Were 2nd class citizens

5. Now in Christ the Gentiles:
- Had direct access to God through Christ

6. - Had direct access to God through Christ
- Were equal partners with Jews…
- In the Kingdom of God
- In the Family of God
- In the Temple of God
Now in Christ the Gentiles:

7. - Had direct access to God through Christ
- Were equal partners with Jews…
- Now have
- Hope of salvation
- Unity with all
- Value as the people of God
Now in Christ the Gentiles:

8. Paul’s Apostolic Ministry to the Gentiles:
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ
Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
- Eph. 3:1

9. if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of
God’s grace which was given to me for you;
- Eph. 3:2
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry to the Gentiles:

10. that by revelation there was made known to
me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.
- Eph. 3:3
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry to the Gentiles:

11. And He said to me, ‘Go! For I will send you far
away to the Gentiles.’”
- Acts 22:21
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry to the Gentiles:

12. 4 By referring to this, when you read you can
understand my insight into the mystery of
Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made
known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed
to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
- Eph. 3:4-5
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry to the Gentiles:

13. to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs
and fellow members of the body, and fellow
partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus
through the gospel,
- Eph. 3:6
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry to the Gentiles:

14. of which I was made a minister, according to
the gift of God’s grace which was given to
me according to the working of His power.
- Eph. 3:7
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry to the Gentiles:

15. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace
was given, to preach to the Gentiles the
unfathomable riches of Christ,
- Eph. 3:8
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry to the Gentiles:

16. 9 and to bring to light what is the administration
of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in
God who created all things;
- Eph. 3:9
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry to the Gentiles:

17. 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now
be made known through the church to the rulers
and the authorities in the heavenly places.
- Eph. 3:10
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry to the Gentiles:

18. It was revealed to them that they were not
serving themselves, but you, in these things
which now have been announced to you
through those who preached the gospel to you
by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things
into which angels long to look.
- I Peter 1:12
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry to the Gentiles:

19. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose
which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in
whom we have boldness and confident access
through faith in Him.
13 Therefore I ask you not to
lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for
they are your glory.
- Eph. 3:11-13
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry to the Gentiles:

20. 1. God had a plan
Summary

21. Summary
1. God had a plan
2. God Worked His plan

22. Summary
1. God had a plan
2. God Worked His plan
3. God used people in His plan

23. Summary
1. God had a plan
2. God Worked His plan
3. God used people in His plan
4. God now uses the church to reveal the plan

24. Paul’s Apostolic Ministry to the Gentiles:
Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my
tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.
- Eph. 3:13

25. We shouldn’t be discouraged
because God wants to save
us!

26. Paul’s Prayer For The Gentiles
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
- Eph. 3:14

27. from whom every family in heaven and on earth
derives its name,
- Eph. 3:15
Paul’s Prayer For The Gentiles

28. that He would grant you, according to the
riches of His glory, to be strengthened with
power through His Spirit in the inner man,
- Eph. 3:16
Paul’s Prayer For The Gentiles

29. Paul Asks For Strength
1. For The “Inner” Man
2. Increase Their Power
3. Strengthen According To His Ability
4. Strength Through The Holy Spirit

30. The Holy Spirit Strengthens Through:
- The Word
And now I commend you to God and to the
word of His grace, which is able to build you
up and to give you the inheritance among all
those who are sanctified.
- Acts 20:32

31. • Intercession
• Comfort
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee
and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and
going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort
of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
- Acts 9:31
What Indwelling Provides:

32. The Holy Spirit Strengthens Through:
- The Word
- The Indwelling
Peter said to them, “ Repent, and each of you
be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for
the forgiveness of your sins; and you will
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 2:38

33. The Holy Spirit Strengthens Through:
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the
dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus
from the dead will also give life to your mortal
bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
- Rom. 8:11

34. What Indwelling Provides:
• Intercession
In the same way the Spirit also helps our
weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we
should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us
with groanings too deep for words;
- Rom. 8:26

35. • Intercession
• Comfort
• Enlightenment
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened,
so that you will know what is the hope of His calling,
what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance
in the saints,
- Eph. 1:18
What Indwelling Provides:

36. What will this new “Strength” enable us to do or have?
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through
faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded
in love,
- Eph. 3:17

37. 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints
what is the breadth and length and height and
depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which
surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up
to all the fullness of God.
- Eph. 3:18-19
What will this new “Strength” enable us to do or have?

38. 1. More Surrender of Ourselves to Christ.
What will this new “Strength” enable us to do or have?

39. 1. More Surrender of Ourselves to Christ.
2. Deeper Understanding & Experience of
God’s Love.
What will this new “Strength” enable us to do or have?

40. 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more
abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works within us,
21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ
Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
- Eph. 3:20-21
What will this new “Strength” enable us to do or have?

41. Paul prays that they be filled to the
brim with the things of God.
What will this new “Strength” enable us to do or have?

42. Doxology = Spontaneous Praise
What will this new “Strength” enable us to do or have?

43. Summary II
1. We are this church.

44. Summary II
1. We are this church.
2. We are God’s instrument today.

45. 1. We are this church.
2. We are God’s instrument today.
3. We have the Word & Spirit.
Summary II

46. 1. We are this church.
2. We are God’s instrument today.
3. We have the Word & Spirit.
4. This should be our prayer.
More of God’s Things
Less of the World’s Things
Summary II