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Discover the mysteries revealed in Ephesians 3:1-13 and the confident access to God's presence. Understand God's purpose for the church and your role in embodying his wisdom to the spiritual forces of darkness. Experience the blessings, conquer the forces of hell, and confidently approach God's throne of grace.
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Attaining Your Potential • Complete in Christ "And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ." (Colossians 1:28)
A dwelling of God in the Spirit “in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22)
Mysteries Revealed Attaining Your Potential
I. Mysterious Plan Revealed • God’s grace to the Gentiles • A mysterious plan revealed to Paul • Immediate revelation from God
Direct Revelation • Galatians 1-3 • I received my message from no human source • Before I had done my best to destroy the church • Before I was born God chose me
14 years later went to Jerusalem • Met with leaders of the church • Wanted to make sure they were in agreement – not running the race for nothing • False Christians wanted to enslave us and force us to follow Jewish regulations • Opposed Peter about his hypocrisy • No one will ever be made right with God by following the law – if we could, then there would have been no need for Christ to die
Mystery – no longer mysterious, but a secret has been revealed • Not revealed to previous generations
God’s plan • All peoples saved by grace though faith • All saved are part of the same body • All saved equally enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ • Endless treasures available to them in Christ • Galatians 3:14 • The blessing of Abraham – justified by faith, eternal life • So we could receive the Holy Spirit
II. God’s Purpose • Use the church to display his manifold wisdom • In its rich variety – multicolored
God embodies diversity – to his people and through his people • To all unseen rulers in the heavenly places – spiritual forces of darkness • The works of the devil in the unseen realm where spiritual activity occurs • God desires these demons would see the glory of his power in the church • God’s plan from the beginning – to assault the powers of darkness through the church
Matthew 16:18 …upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. • Romans 8:37 – overwhelming victory is ours – overwhelmingly conquer
III. Confident Access • Because of Christ and our faith in him • Now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence • Hebrews 10:19-22 • Boldly enter heaven’s most holy place • Jesus opened the way through the curtain • Let us go right into the presence of God • Cleansed by Jesus blood
Hebrews 4:16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Photizo Image • Blessed even as Abraham • A part of the diversely gifted expression of God in his glory and wisdom • Even the worst of sinners can be brought into this blessing of God • A conqueror against the forces of hell • Confident access to God’s presence
Interactive Time • How does it make you feel to know that you have been blessed by God as Abraham was? • How does it make you feel to know that God has chosen you to express his great variety of wisdom to the demonic forces? • How does knowing the fact that you have confident access to the presence of God affect your daily life? Do you have that confidence?