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A Different Mystery

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. EPHESIANS 3:1-10 ESV

God has invited me into his mysterious story

Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? MARK 4:30 NLT

Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness. Psalm 145:7 NLT

I have an important role in God’s story

Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. EPHESIANS 3:8-9 NLT

God’s plans for me tomorrow begins with my obedience to today

What I do in my role has eternal significance for others

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. EPHESIANS 3:20 NLT

What I do in my role is being watched from heaven

I saw in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold, a watcher, a holy one, came down from heaven. DANIEL 4:13 ESV

so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. EPHESIANS 3:10 ESV

Jesus said- “For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all”. LUKE 8:17 NLT

What I do in my role may be dangerous but it should never be boring

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, EPHESIANS 3:1-2 ESV

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. EPHESIANS 3:14-20 ESV

I can only have a place in God’s story if Jesus has a place in my heart

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. EPHESIANS 3:14-18 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few minutes to slow down, surrendering any burdens or worries from the day and offering them up to Jesus. When you examine your life, to what extent do you currently feel bored, depressed, anxious, or alone? How do these feelings contribute to the story you find yourself currently living in? Ask God what new stories He might want to write in and through you? Pause and sit with this question for as long as you need to. Ask God to reveal any areas where you might need to confess disobedience, or any new areas he might want you to step into as you pursue Him and the new story He wants to write with your life. Finally, ask God to help you be more regularly in tune with that story, for your joy and His glory. Close your time with thanks, writing your reflections in the space below and sharing with your group if you feel comfortable.

Discussion Questions

  1. PERSONAL REFLECTION: Begin group time by completing the Personal Reflection Guide, (link found on the top of sermon notes). Use this time to examine the story you’re currently living in. (Tip: playing some soft background music is helpful here!)
  2. REAL WITH SELF: On a scale of one to ten, how bored do you feel with your life currently?
  3. REAL WITH SELF: How does it make you feel when you consider that God has an important role for you to play in His story?
  4. REAL WITH GOD: Where do you think God might be inviting you into a different story? What risks might God be calling you to take to live that out?
  5. REAL WITH OTHERS: Read Ephesians 3:20 NLT. Think back over the past ten years; where have you seen God do amazing things in and through you? How can this help us to take even more risks for God in this next decade?
  6. TAKE ACTION: Read Ephesians 3:14-18 NLT. What old or damaging messages in your story need to change through the power of God’s spirit? How can God’s love change your story?