Ephesians 3 - The Indescribable Love of God!

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God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

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.

Paul's call is not one he negotiated and certainly was one he did not wish for. It was given to him by divine revelation. After all who would make up a story of a Pharisee, who rounded up Jewish Christians because of his zeal for his Jewish faith, and who would also be the primary missionary to bring the gospel to Gentiles, who the Jews had disdain for. 

The mystery was that though God had chosen the Jewish people as a nation and made a covenant with them, their ultimate purpose was to bring into the world a Messiah for all people. Though God clearly made this promise to Abraham when he said, "You have been blessed to be a blessing to all nations", nobody understood what this was going to mean before Jesus came. 

This new movement of God was made known by the Holy Spirit whom was poured out on the apostles and prophets at Pentecost. In Joel 2:28, Joel prophesied that the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all people, men and women, slave and free, and Jew and Gentile. The gospel is that through faith in Jesus Christ, we were are born again. We are born again as children of God.  We are a new creation in Christ. In Christ Jesus there is neither Jew nor Gentile but all are on in Christ. Galatians 3:28 

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

God called Paul not because of his great resume but through his grace so that it would be clear that this power was from God. Paul says he is a "servant of the gospel". The word "servant" in Paul's day meant "table-waiter". That's right someone who cleaned up the dishes. It is also translated in English "minister", which comes from the work "diaknonos", which is where we get our term "deacon". 

Christian leaders are not called to a title or position of power, they are called to be servants. When the disciples were vying for positions of power at Jesus' right or left hand in heaven he said, "The greatest among you is servant. The greatest one among you is slave of all. Even the son of man did not come to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. " Mark 10:43-45

Note this gospel is made known through the "church" which reveals the manifold wisdom of God. This gospel not only gives salvation to individual believers, but is also made known in the heavenly realms. The gospel has power for salvation for each believer, but also is revealed to the spiritual authorities and powers  They all know Jesus is Lord.  One day when Jesus returns His rule will be final when God brings all things under his feet and Jesus' kingdom is consumated. 

A Prayer for the Ephesians

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Paul recognizes the Trinity in his prayers. He kneels before the Father. He prays that the Father may strengthen through His Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts. 

Paul's prayer is that Christ would dwell in their hearts. A Christian is someone who has Christ dwelling in their hearts. Most religions have a prophet or ruler like Muhammed, Buddha, or Krishna but they never become incarnated in dwell in a believers heart as God. 

The crucifixion is a historical event, not just a fairy tale. Jesus' resurrection from the dead is a historical fact. If Jesus didn't rise from dead the apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15 that we should all go hoem. We believe in a lie. 

At the heart of our faith is the love God has for us by sending us his Son. This "love" is much different than what the world or any religion can give anyone. Paul wants them to know the magnitude of God's love. He says, 

You being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 

Paul almost does not have enough words to describe the nature of God's love. But that is the love that dwells in us and the love that flows through us when we share Christ with people. This is why evangelism should be primarily relationally driven. As you get to know someone, they should feel and see the love of Christ in you. When the time comes to share about the love of Christ God has given you, it will already be evident in who you are. 

Jesus spent three years living, eating, and sleeping with his disciples. He used everyday examples to illustrate how God's kingdom had comes and how they too could bring God's kingdom to earth as it was in heaven. Most of all Jesus showed all people God's love no matter who they were or what they had done. 

At the heart of Christianity is God's magnificent and magnanimous love! Do you know this love? Do you feel loved by God? Have you received this love by trusting in Jesus as Your Savior? 

Jesus stands at your door and knocks. If you let him in you will never be the same!