God’s Marvelous Plan
Author Note
From Ephesians 3:8-13
Main Point and Outline
To preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ. Ephesians 3:8-13
I. Introduction (1:1-2).
II. Praise for spiritual blessings in Christ (1:3-14).
III. Thanksgiving and prayer (1:15-23).
IV. Christ made people alive (2:1-10).
V. Jew and Gentile reconciled through Christ (2:11-22).
VI. God’s marvelous plan for the Gentiles (3: 1-13).
A. The administration of God’s grace (3:1-3)
B. The mystery of Christ (3:4-6).
C. Grace given to preach to the Gentiles (3:7-9).
D. The manifold wisdom of God (3:10-11).
E. How to approach God (3:12-13).
VII. A prayer for the Ephesians (3:14-21).
VIII. Unity and maturity in the body of Christ (4:1-16).
IX. Christian living instructions (4:17-32).
X. Walking the way of love (5:1-20).
XI. Christian households (5:21-33).
XII. The armor of God (6: 10-20).
XIII. Conclusion (6:21-24).
God’s Marvelous Plan
INTRODUCTION
Paul has been chosen to preach Christ to the world of the Gentiles. Although he considers himself as ‘lesser than the least’ of the Lord’s people, he accepts this mission readily and acknowledges the grace accompanying such a call from God. In Ephesians 3: 8-13, the apostle shows that he has a deep conviction of humility alongside this grace of preaching and leading God’s people to discover the mystery of God’s movement in history although it has been hidden through the ages. Saul, had been a staunch persecutor of Christ and his followers. He was a zealous Jew, who held the Jewish faith as the only real religion until Jesus called him, as he was on his way to Jerusalem. Falling on his horse, and all that he held dear, he was blinded as he saw the truth of Jesus’ real identity. He thereafter becomes Paul. Christ is God’s gift to mankind and is the fulfillment of the promise of salvation for all. Know that Christ is necessary for He is the source of all grace. Righteousness comes through faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ and It is necessary that all men know and acknowledge Christ as Lord to be saved. The apostle Paul, was an instrument that God used to speak and show Gods ways to the Gentiles and reveal to them who God is.
Context
The Lord has a unique way of using people and changing their lives from extreme situations. God tends to use some people we wouldn’t expect us to assume. One of the most famous characters that the Lord transformed and many people are aware of is Paul the Apostle. In the beginning, Paul the Apostle was known as Saul of Tarsus, who as many are aware goes from being a vehement and violent opponent of the Christian faith to its most famous impactful proponent. Years after his conversion he made his way back to the temple in Jerusalem and the result was a near riot. Before his conversion, Paul’s name was Saul. Saul was fully Jewish, born in Tarsus, of Cilicia, which is modern day Turkey. Tarsus an important Greek city on the banks of the river `was noted not only for trade but also for its …
