The Strength ofthe Church

The Benefitsof “in”

How Do I Get “in”

The Mystery of “in”

The Strength of “in”

Strength “in”

Walking

Strength “in”

Marriage

Strength “in”

Battle

The Benefits of Being “in” Christ

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places...”

(Ephesians 1:3, ESV)

What Being “in” Christ Means

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God...”

(Ephesians 2:19, ESV; emphasis mine)

The Mystery of Christ

“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.”

(Ephesians 3:6, ESV; emphasis mine)

The Mystery of Christ

Paul and the Gentiles:

• Paul was a prisoner for the Gentiles. (Ephesians 3:1)

• Paul was appointed a minister to the Gentiles. (Acts 9:15)

The Mystery of Christ

What does “Gentile” mean:

• The word was used for nations. (Genesis 10:5, 20)

• The word was to describe the heathen. (Psalm 2:1)

• The word also described any nation that was not Israel.

The Mystery of Christ

The Mystery Involves the Gentiles:

• The mystery was known to the apostles and prophets. (Ephesians 3:5)

• Paul confirms the mystery:• The Gentiles are fellow heirs.

• The Gentiles are of the same body.

• The Gentiles are partakers of his promise in Christ.

The Wisdom of God

“...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)

The Strength ofthe Church