LESSON 4- Ephesians
Chapter 3
The Mystery- Revelation
Our Inheritance in Christ Cont.’
Chapter 3:1-21
Ephesians 3:1-21
Eph. 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—
Eph. 3:2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
3:1 My ministry is not measured by the size of my cell, I am confined by His grace; Christ Jesus is the prison Keeper; you are why I am here. Mirror Translation
3:2 (I may be hidden away in a prison, but my ministry is not.) It is common knowledge that I have been entrusted with a message that reveals how included you Gentiles are in the grace gift of God. Mirror Translation
GRACE — favor or kindness shown without regard to the worth or merit of the one who receives it and in spite of what that person deserves. Grace is also God’s freely given power working in you.
Greek words for grace: χάρη-sake, favor, on behalf of, comeliness, cuteness-χάρις-pardon favor. In Greek it is CHARIS and has the idea of graciousness in manner or action (Strong’s #5485) it comes from a root word CHAIRO to be cheerful, happy (Strong’s #5463)
Hebrew word for grace- The word ‘grace’ literally means ‘favor’ In Hebrew it is CHEN from a root word CHANAN – to bend or stoop in kindness to another as a superior to an inferior (Strong’s #2603)
In Greek it is CHARIS and has the idea of graciousness or gifting/enablement.
Grace in simple terms is God’s unmerited favor and supernatural enablement and empowerment for salvation and for daily sanctification.
Grace is one of the key attributes of God. His attributes are Himself. God is Grace! The Lord God is “merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” (Ex. 34:6). Therefore, grace is almost always associated with mercy, love, compassion, and patience. As already said, GRACE IS ALSO God’s freely given power working in you, the ability of God.
In the Old Testament, the supreme example of grace was the redemption of the Hebrew people from Egypt and their establishment in the Promised Land. This did not happen because of any merit on Israel’s part, but in spite of their unrighteousness (Deut. 7:7–8; 9:5–6).
Some call this sloppy or cheap grace. There is nothing cheap about grace!!
Although the grace of God is always free and undeserved, it must not be taken for granted. Grace is only enjoyed within the COVENANT—the gift is given by God, and the gift is received by people through repentance and faith (Amos 5:15). Grace is to be humbly sought through the prayer of faith (Mal. 1:9). This is Old Covenant.
The grace of God was supremely revealed and given in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus was not only the beneficiary of God’s grace (Luke 2:40), but was also its very embodiment (John 1:14), bringing it to humankind for salvation (Titus 2:11). By His death and resurrection, Jesus restored the broken fellowship between God and His people, both Jew and Gentile. The only way of salvation for any person is “through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 15:11).
God is grace! The grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ is applied to human beings for their salvation by the HOLY SPIRIT, who is called “the Spirit of grace” (Heb. 10:29). The Spirit is the One who binds Christ to His people so that they receive forgiveness, adoption to sonship, and newness of life, as well as every spiritual gift or grace (Eph. 4:7).
The theme of grace is especially prominent in the letters of Paul.
Eph. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
He sets grace radically over against the law and the works of the law (Rom. 3:24, 28). Paul makes it abundantly clear that salvation is not something that can be earned; it can be received only as a gift of grace (Rom. 4:4). Grace, however, must be accompanied by faith; a person must trust in the mercy and favor of God, even while it is undeserved (Rom. 4:16; Gal. 2:16).
The law of Moses revealed the righteous will of God in the midst of pagan darkness; it was God’s gracious gift to Israel (Deut. 4:8). But His will was made complete when Jesus brought the gospel of grace into the world (John 1:17).
FACTS FROM GOD’S WORD ABOUT GRACE
• Grace is sufficient for every problem.
• Grace is greater than sin, ROM. 5:20.
• Grace is greater than satan, JAMES 4:6,7.
• Grace is God’s acceptance: EPH. 1:6
• Grace is confidence in God’s plan: 2 THESS. 2:16
• Grace is assistance in prayer: HEB. 4:16
• Grace is daily provision: PSA. 84:11; ACTS 4:33,34; ROM. 8:32
• Grace, Christ suffered so we could have it: 2 COR. 12:9,10
• Grace is God’s patience with us: PSA. 103:8-12
• Grace is releasing the power of God: 2 TIM. 2:1
• Grace is victory over sin: ROM. 6:14
• Growing in Grace is spiritual growth: 2 PET. 3:18; ACTS 20:32; 1 COR. 15:10
• Grace is spiritual gifts: God’s ability in you) ROM. 12:6; EPH. 3:7,8; 4:7
• Grace is stability: 1 PET. 5:12
• Grace is becoming gracious: 2 COR. 8:19; COL. 4:6; 1 PET. 4:10
• Grace is method of living: HEB. 12:28; 2 COR. 1:12; ROM. 11:6
• Grace is worship of God: COL. 3:16
• Grace is the production of divine good: 1 COR. 15:10; 2 COR. 6:1; 9:8-11; EPH. 4:29
• Grace is becoming gracious: 2 COR. 8:19; COL. 4:6; 1 PET. 4:10
• Grace is method of living: HEB. 12:28; 2 COR. 1:12; ROM. 11:6
• Grace is worship of God: COL. 3:16
• Grace is the production of divine good: 1 COR. 15:10; 2 COR. 6:1; 9:8-11; EPH. 4:29
Dispensationalist called this age the age/dispensation of grace or the age of the church. I simply ask the question when did grace begin and end. God is Grace! He is eternal. Grace has always been. Ec 3:14.
We will continue with Lesson 4 next week.