Enjoy God’s Mystery

Topics: God's Grace, God's Spirit, God's Power

I. Enjoy the Mystery of God's Grace

* The gift of God's grace shapes who you are and how you live!

1. For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus, for the sake of you Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1)... For this reason I bow my knees before the Father (Ephesians 3:14).

2. If indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief (Ephesians 3:2, 3).

3. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight, He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him (Ephesians 1:7-9).

II. Enjoy the Mystery of God's Spirit

* The gift of God's Spirit brings harmony to your relationships!

1. By referring to this, when you read, you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit (Ephesians 3:4, 5).
2. To be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (Ephesians 3:6).
3. The mystery which has been hidden from the ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:26, 27).

III. Enjoy the Mystery of God's Power

* The gift of God's power ministers through you for His glory!

1. [The gospel] of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power (Eph. 3:7; see Romans 15:13).
2. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed (1 Corinthians 15:51, 52).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, July 27th, 2025.

Life Group Flow and Discussion Questions

Enjoy God's Mystery

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Understanding God's eternal plan of redemption and how He has progressively revealed it throughout Scripture is an important truth to guide your study. Take some time in your Life Group and discuss God's mystery that was hidden from past ages and generations, but has now been manifested (Col. 1:26, 27).

Getting Started:

1. In light of the spiritual warfare that is raging in the invisible realm, why do you think God revealed His redemptive plan in an unfolding manner?
2. How does God's grace that He "lavished on you" (1:9) influence the way you relate to others? What are some ways that you can be a conduit of God's grace to others?

Discussing Truths:

1. Why did Paul view himself as "the prisoner of Christ Jesus" instead of the prisoner of Rome or Caesar? How do you keep the right perspective in tough times?
2. How does the Holy Spirit create unity & peace within the church family (Ephesians 4:3)?
3. What is needed for you to enjoy God's mysteries that He has revealed in Scripture?
4. Paul invents new words for "fellow heirs", "fellow members" and "fellow partakers" to emphasize our spiritual union as ONE (Ephesians 3:6). Which of these truths are most meaningful to you personally?
5. What do you think of the title "co-owners" of the church instead of "members" of the church?
6. How can we grow in our unity as a church family? What ministries help demonstrate that each person is integral to the proper functioning of the church?
7. When you read Colossians 1:24-29, what are some clear ways you can exhibit "Christ in you, the hope of glory" to others?

Now What? Application:

1. How do you process the suffering in this life with a teachable spirit and desire to grow closer to God through it? Can you share that with someone else (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)?
2. Will you pray every day that God will fill you with His Holy Spirit's power and wisdom?