Lessons 1 & 2
1. Read: Ephesians 3:7-9.
These verses contain Apostle Paul’s ministry statement.
Q: What is the two-fold purpose of Paul (and our) ministry found in verses 8 & 9.
ANS: (a.) “To preach among the gentiles (world) the unsearchable riches of Christ
(the Gospel of the grace of God).”
(b.) “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery.”
2. Read: 1 Timothy 2:4,
Q: How does the two-fold purpose of the ministry relate to this verse?
ANS: (a.) The preaching of the “unsearchable riches of Christ” (Gospel of the Grace of
God), is the only Gospel that will “save all men” today.
(b.) “making (teaching) all men (to) see (understand) the mystery” is: “coming unto
(into) the knowledge of truth.” (Salvation 1st, then teach right division/Mystery)
3. Q: What does “the unsearchable riches of Christ,” mean? (Eph. 3:8)
ANS: (a.) This is the message (vs 9) “which from the beginning of the world has
been hid In God.” Meaning the “Mystery of Christ,” or (Gospel of the Grace of God)
can’t be found anywhere in the Bible except, in Paul’s 13 Epistle’s = Unsearchable!
(b.) “The unsearchable riches of Christ,” is the message of the Grace of God that
contains: ALL that God has accomplished for us today through the cross work of Christ.
4. Q. What does God want us to do with the two-fold ministry of Ephesians?
ANS: God wants these 2 things: the message of the Grace of God & the fellowship
of the Mystery, to be put on public display through us, the ministry of the local church.
5. Read Eph. 3:10.
Q. What does this verse means to you?
ANS: Group Input.
(2.)
6. Q: Who is the “Unexpected or Unseen Audience” in verse 10?
ANS: “the principalities and powers in heavenly places.” (Angelic Creation).
7. Q: Why is the word “NOW” important in verse 10?
ANS: God’s intended purpose, goal, plan is that “RIGHT NOW,” in real time, the
Angels are going to learn this information through us the CBOC. In other words,
we have the responsibility of teaching Angels, RIGHT NOW!
8. Q: Teaching them what?
ANS: “The Manifold Wisdom of God.” What is this? A. When the Angels look at us, CBOC, what do they see? They see God’s Multifaceted Wisdom, Ability & Grace, that took 2 distinct realms of people, Jew and Gentile, and put them together in One Body, under One Head. (cf. Eph. 3:6).
B. And what Angels are seeing Is a microcosm (a version of something larger,) the
Eternal Purpose of God to bring all things in heaven (Mystery Prg.), and on earth (Kingdom Prg.) together, under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ. (cf. Eph. 1:10).
9. Q: Where do we find God’s “Ultimate Goal,” His “Eternal Purpose,” in scripture?
ANS: Eph. 3:11; “According to the eternal purpose” & Eph. 1:9-10.
9) “Having made known unto us the mystery (Eternal Purpose) of His will”…(10) ”That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one (Body) all things in Christ both”
10. Q: What was the purpose of Angels intervening in the affairs of men in Time Past?
ANS: 1. Angels cared for God’s people.
2. Angels revealed God’s Will to God’s people.
EXAMPLES: Daniel in Lion’s den; JC in the garden of Geth; Mary/Gabriel..”thou art
highly favoured;” Paul – Angel opened the prison doors; Jacob wrestled the Angel.
(3.)
11. Q: Do we have Guardian Angels protecting us today in the dispensation of grace?
ANS: No! Eph.1:3; “Ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. The
indwelling Holy Spirit (CEO of Heaven) is our Security, our Safety Net, Protector.
Eph. 4:30; “Sealed to the day of redemption!” “Complete in Him!” (Col.2:10) We have “All Spiritual Blessings in heavenly places!” (Eph. 1:3). We have the Complete Will of God in a Book!
**We Don’t need Angels, Angels need us! All we need is “the word of God (manifold wisdom) effectually working in us as we believe.”
12. Q: What does Paul mean when he says, “we are made a SPECTACLE unto the world,
and to angels, and to men.” READ: 1 Cor. 4:9-14. (*Spectator Sport).
ANS: Paul is saying that the faithful servant of God must often bear dishonor for the message (suffering for Christ) while the unfaithful shine as stars before the unthinking world. The world is watching! Both the Elect & Fallen Angels are watching & the Trinity!
13. Q: But do we have a relationship with Angels in the Dispensation of Grace?
ANS: Yes! *In Eph. 3:10; the Angels are observing us to be instructed by us.
We are teaching Angels “Divine Authority & Order!” In our homes, in our marriage relationships, & church relationships, the Angelic Creation is watching!
**1 Tim. 5:21; “I charge thee …God…LJC…Elect Angels…We (like Timothy), are under Divine orders to be accountable to what God has given us to do. The entire Angelic creation is watching us. And it is coming up again @ The Bema!!!
14. READ: Eph. 3:10 again. *Now look at vs 11 so you understand what the “manifold wisdom” is. *IT IS: “According to the ETERNAL PURPOSE which He purposed (agreed to carry out) In Christ Jesus our Lord.” SEE: Eph.1:9
Q: Where is this MANIFOLD WISDOM? this ETERNAL PURPOSE found?
ANS: Eph. 1:8-10: “Wherein (in which) He hath abounded (overflowed or sent) toward us in ALL WISDOM & PRUDENCE (Spiritual understanding);
9) Having (He) made known to us the Mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he had purposed in himself: (Christ Jesus).
10) That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth; even in him:”
(The Mystery Program & Prophetic Prg. Working together as one unit to glorify God’s Son, LJC)
Colman J. Gilliland 