THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, PART 3
THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS
Session #4
Pastor Brandon Cross
Woodland Church
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
The Book of Ephesians – Chapter 3
THE BIG IDEA:
The Gospel should affect the way we live our lives personally, in our communities, and with our families.
RECAP:
Ephesians 2: Made Alive and Reconciled
Paul explains that salvation is by grace through faith, not works, bringing people from spiritual death to life. He details how Christ broke down the wall between Jews and Gentiles, creating one new humanity and a unified temple.
WEEK #3
Ephesians 3: The Mystery of the Gospel
Paul explains the “mystery“ that Gentiles are co-heirs with Israel through the gospel. He prays for believers to be strengthened by the Spirit and to know the immense love of Christ.
PART 1: THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL REVEALED (Verses 1-13)
- The Mystery Revealed (Verses 1-6)
(Ephesians 3:1-6) “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, how that 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), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, 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”
- Verses 1-2 (The Prisoner): Paul recognizes that Jesus-not Caesar-is ultimately in control of his circumstances.
QUESTIONS:
Can you think of another scenario in Scripture where someone recognized that their difficult or tragic circumstances were by God’s design?
Can you think of anything difficult that you have been through that you know God used for His glory/purposes?
- Verses 3-5 (The Mystery): The mystery is a sacred truth that was hidden in the Old Testament and is now fully revealed by the Holy Spirit.
- Verse 6 (The Core of the Mystery): The mystery is that God’s plan of salvation includes all people through the promise of the Gospel.
QUESTION:
Why do you think that God’s plan for the salvation of all mankind was “hidden for so long?
- The Purpose of the Mystery (Verses 7-13)
(Ephesians 3:7-13) “of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. Therefore, I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.”
- Verse 7 (The Minister): Paul became a servant of this Gospel not because he earned it or chose it, but because it was a “gift of God’s grace.” He was empowered by God.
- Verses 8-10 (Paul’s Purpose): Paul’s purpose was to reveal God’s plan to unite both Jews and Gentiles into one unified body – The Church.
QUESTION:
Do you think that The Church is unified today as Paul intended? Why or Why Not?
- Verses 11-12 (Believer’s Confidence): Because of Christ, believers have the freedom to speak openly, transparently, and intimately with the Creator.
QUESTIONS:
Do you feel that you can confidently approach God’s presence and speak with Him, not just to ask for answers to prayer but real communion? What are the barriers?
PART 2: A PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL POWER (VERSES 14-21)
- A Prayer for Spiritual Power (Verses 14-21)
(Ephesians 3:14-21) “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
- Verses 14-17 (Strengthened and Rooted): Paul prays that believers are strengthened by the Holy Spirit to make room for Christ to take permanent residence in our hearts. Our stability comes from Christ’s love.
- Verses 18-19 (Supernatural Comprehension): Paul wants believers to realize that the love of Christ cannot be fully understood by the human mind; rather, it is a reality to be experienced.
By continually experiencing God’s boundless love, believers are transformed and infused with His divine character, power, and grace.
QUESTION:
How would you describe the greatness of God’s love to someone who expressed to you that they did not understand it?
- Verses 20-21 (Words of Praise):
Immeasurably More (Verse 20): God’s power has no ceiling. He is not limited by human logic, resources, or imagination.
Power at Work within Us (Verse 20): God’s extraordinary power is actively transforming and equipping believers through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Glory to God (Verse 21): God receives the praise—both in the collective community of believers (the church) and through Jesus Christ.
QUESTIONS:
How can we, The Church, function as the primary vessel for God’s praise? How do we show or point to God’s glory?