In the video titled “Ephesians 3” by Cathy Craig in the Women’s Bible Study by Refuge Calvary Chapel, she begins with a prayer and emphasizes the importance of studying the Bible and its teachings. Throughout the video, Cathy explores Ephesians 3:1-7 and delves into the mystery that has been revealed to Paul and its significance for the Gentiles. She highlights the concept of stewardship and how Paul was chosen as a steward of this mystery. Additionally, Cathy discusses Ephesians 2:14-17 and other related verses to provide further clarity on the mystery. She talks about Paul’s humility and redemption through Christ, emphasizing the richness and fullness of God that believers can experience. Cathy encourages the women to have faith, rooted in love, and comprehend the depths of Christ’s love. She prays for them to understand God’s eternal purpose and the power within them, inviting anyone who hasn’t accepted Christ to pray and receive him. The video ends with prayer, worship, and an invitation to continue studying the word of God through the Heart-to-Heart Women’s Bible Study.
Lesson 3
Welcome to Lesson 3 of the Women’s Bible Study! Today, we are diving into Ephesians 3 with our speaker, Cathy Craig. Let’s start with a prayer and then discuss the importance of studying the Bible and its teachings.
Prayer
Father, thank you for this beautiful day and for your Word that is truth. We ask that you speak to us today and open our hearts and minds to receive your message. May your Holy Spirit guide us as we study your Word together. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Importance of studying the Bible and its teachings
Before we jump into the specifics of Ephesians 3, let’s take a moment to reflect on the importance of studying the Bible. The Bible is not just a book; it is the living Word of God. It teaches us, ministers to us, comforts us, encourages us, and strengthens us.
Through studying the Bible, we gain a deeper understanding of who God is and how He wants us to live. It guides us in making wise decisions, helps us navigate through challenges, and equips us to grow in our faith. When we study the Bible, we open ourselves up to God’s truth and allow Him to transform us from the inside out.
Now, let’s dig into Ephesians 3 and explore the mystery revealed.
Understanding the Mystery
In Ephesians 3:1-7, Paul talks about the mystery revealed and its relevance to the Gentiles. Let’s dive into an exegesis of these verses.
Exegesis of Ephesians 3:1-7
In Ephesians 3:1-7, Paul describes the mystery that has been hidden in God from the beginning of the ages. This mystery is the “fellowship of the mystery,” which has now been revealed and made known to us through Jesus Christ.
Paul, as a chosen steward of the mystery, has been entrusted with a specific message for the Gentiles. This message is a dispensation of God’s grace given to bring the Gentiles into the same body as the Jews and to make them partakers of God’s promise through the gospel.
Explaining the revealed mystery and its relevance to the Gentiles
The mystery revealed in Ephesians 3 is that the Gentiles are now fellow heirs of the same body and partakers of God’s promise in Christ through the gospel. In the past, this mystery was not made known to the sons of men, but now it has been revealed by the Spirit to the apostles and prophets of God.
This revelation demonstrates the manifold wisdom of God, as it brings together all people, regardless of their background, into one body through faith in Jesus Christ. It is through this unity that the church becomes a powerful testimony to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.
Now that we have a better understanding of the mystery revealed, let’s explore the role of stewardship in this process.
The Role of Stewardship
In Ephesians 3:8-13, Paul emphasizes his role as a steward of the mystery for the Gentiles. Let’s discuss the concept of stewardship and how it applies to Paul.
Discussion on stewardship concept
Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care. In the context of Ephesians 3, Paul is a steward of the mystery revealed to him by God. He has been entrusted with the task of preaching among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Paul’s stewardship involves sharing the message of the mystery and making all people see its significance. His ministry aims to reveal the hidden wisdom of God and bring understanding to both believers and non-believers.
Paul as the chosen steward of the mystery for the Gentiles
Paul understood the weight of his stewardship and considered himself the least of all the saints. This humility stems from his past actions against Christians before his conversion. In Acts 22 and 23, Paul recounts his persecution of the early church and how he stood by while Stephen, a martyr, was killed.
Despite his past, Paul acknowledges that he has been forgiven and given the grace to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ to the Gentiles. His role as a chosen steward highlights the redemptive power of God and His ability to use even the most unlikely candidates for His purposes.
Now that we have explored the concept of stewardship and Paul’s role in it, let’s delve deeper into the mystery and its implications.
Further Explanation of the Mystery
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the mystery revealed in Ephesians 3, it’s essential to explore related verses, especially Ephesians 2:14-17. These verses provide further insight into the mystery and its implications for believers.
Exploration of Ephesians 2:14-17 and related verses
In Ephesians 2:14-17, Paul talks about Jesus being our peace, who has broken down the wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles. Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus abolished the enmity between them, creating one new man from the two.
This reconciliation allows both Jews and Gentiles to be reconciled to God and become part of His chosen people. The mystery revealed through Jesus’ work on the cross is that all believers, regardless of their background, have access to God’s grace and are united in Christ.
As we explore other verses related to this mystery, such as 1 Peter 1:10-12 and references in Daniel and Luke, we see that the prophets of old served us, even though they didn’t fully understand the depth of what they were writing about. The mystery was revealed to the apostles and prophets of the New Testament, who were entrusted with making it known to the world.
The mystery revealed in Ephesians 3 has eternal purposes, and it is through the church that the manifold wisdom of God is made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.
Now that we have a better understanding of the mystery and its implications, let’s focus on the theme of redemption and forgiveness in Christ.
Redemption and Forgiveness in Christ
The unsearchable riches of Christ include redemption and forgiveness. In Ephesians 3:8, Paul emphasizes that he has been given the grace to preach among the Gentiles the good news of redemption and forgiveness available through Christ.
Redemption means to be bought back or delivered from bondage by the payment of a price. Through His death on the cross, Jesus paid the price for our sins and redeemed us from the power of sin and death.
Forgiveness, on the other hand, means to pardon or release from guilt and punishment. In Christ, we find forgiveness for our sins and reconciliation with God. We no longer have to bear the burden of guilt and shame because Jesus has wiped our sins away through His sacrifice.
The redemption and forgiveness we have in Christ are not limited or temporary; they are available to us for all eternity. They are gifts of God’s grace and should be cherished and celebrated in our lives.
Now that we have explored redemption and forgiveness, let’s shift our focus to the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Unsearchable Riches of Christ
In Ephesians 3:8, Paul mentions the unsearchable riches of Christ. Let’s take a moment to highlight the abundance of riches and fullness that God desires for believers’ lives.
The unsearchable riches of Christ refer to the vastness of God’s blessings and provisions in the lives of those who believe in Him. In Christ, we are heirs of God’s kingdom, partakers of His divine nature, and recipients of His unconditional love.
These unsearchable riches include spiritual blessings, such as peace, joy, love, and eternal life, as well as material blessings that God graciously bestows upon His children. God desires to lavish us with His goodness and provide for our every need according to His riches in glory.
As believers, we are called to embrace and live in the fullness of God’s unsearchable riches. This means acknowledging our identity as children of God and walking in the confidence that comes from knowing we are deeply loved and cared for by our Heavenly Father.
Now that we have explored the unsearchable riches of Christ, let’s delve into comprehending Christ’s love.
Comprehending Christ’s Love
In Ephesians 3:17-19, Paul encourages believers to have faith and be rooted in love, with the ultimate goal of comprehending the width, length, depth, and height of Christ’s love for us. Let’s explore the dimensions of Christ’s love and how we can experience them in our lives.
Encouragement to have faith and be rooted in love
Paul encourages believers to have faith and trust in God’s love. It is through faith that we can fully experience the love of Christ and comprehend its depth. When our roots are firmly planted in love, we can bear fruit in every area of our lives, showing the world the love of Christ in us.
Exploring the dimensions of Christ’s love
The dimensions of Christ’s love are immeasurable. The width of His love encompasses all people, regardless of their background or circumstances. There is no one beyond the reach of God’s love.
The length of Christ’s love is everlasting. It stretches from eternity past to eternity future, leaving no doubt that His love knows no bounds.
The depth of Christ’s love is beyond our comprehension. It reaches into the depths of our souls and brings healing, restoration, and transformation. His love is able to lift us out of the darkest pits and draw us close to His heart.
The height of Christ’s love elevates us to new levels of intimacy with Him. It enables us to soar on the wings of His grace and experience the fullness of life that He has for us.
As we seek to comprehend the dimensions of Christ’s love, we are reminded that it is through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us that we can fully grasp the love of Christ.
Now that we have explored the dimensions of Christ’s love, let’s conclude our study with a prayer and worship.
Conclusion
Let’s close our study with a prayer and worship, thanking God for the revelation of His Word and the privilege we have to study it together. We invite you to continue studying the Word through the Heart-to-Heart Women’s Bible Study, where you can grow in your understanding of God’s eternal purpose and the power that dwells within you.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for the precious truths we have learned today. We are grateful for the mystery revealed through Paul, and we praise you for the redemption and forgiveness we have in Christ. Help us to comprehend the unsearchable riches of Christ and to walk in the fullness of your love. May your Word continue to transform our lives and equip us to share your love with others. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.
Thank you for joining us in today’s lesson. We look forward to studying the Word with you again soon. God bless you!