Ephesians 3:1-7 With Him, in Him and in union with Holy Spirit we rest!

Jesus, the name above all names. He is the only way to reconciliation with the Father. In Him and through Him alone is salvation.

Jesus came and will come again  to His chosen as their Messiah King. He is the fulfillment of the  promises given to the forefathers.

Paul came to share the mystery given to him by Jesus after His resurrection that the Gentiles are  joint heirs of those same promises in Christ. This was the gift of God to all those who believe in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He gave up His life for the sins of the world.  Carla

Ephesians 3:1-7 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

The stewardship of God’s grace to me for you refers to Paul’s calling as apostle to the Gentiles—one of God’s chosen agents to preach the gospel to non-Jewish people (Romans 1:5; 15:15–16; Galatians 2:9). Paul affirms that he received God’s plan of salvation directly from God (Acts 9:1–7; Galatians 1:11–12). 

The Greek word used here, mystērion, for mystery refers in this context to God’s plan of salvation through Christ (Ephesians 3:4). Paul explains this mystery of Christ phrase in verse 6: Through Christ’s death and resurrection, God has invited Gentiles (non-Jews) to join His people—expanding the scope of His salvation to include the entire world, not just Israel (Isaiah 49:6; Galatians 3:8). This stunning revelation is the heart of Paul’s gospel and missionary work. 

As God’s chosen people, the Jews were heirs of the blessings promised to Abraham (Genesis 17:4–8; Romans 9:4–5). Through Christ, non-Jews also become heirs of God’s promise. Faithlife Study Bible

The dispensation (stewardship) that God gave Paul for the benefit of the Ephesians had previously been a mystery. Now God was revealing this mystery more fully in Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles. The mystery was that Jews and Gentiles were to have an equal status in the church, the body of Christ. 

People who lived in the other ages, before Pentecost, had a great deal of knowledge about God and His grace, as the Old Testament demonstrates. However, that knowledge was not as all-embracing as the revelation that we receive in Christ Jesus. The Old Testament predicted that God’s grace would come to the Gentiles (Gentiles 12:3), but equality with the Jews in one body was a secret never before revealed. The NKJV Study Bible.

Colossians 1:23–27 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church…

Ephesians 3:8–10 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ…

Ephesians 1:9–10 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 

Romans 16:25–26 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—

Ephesians 6:19–20 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak

Presence is what spills from one who is unafraid to be at home in their own skin, even with a sore heart. Or at the very least, one who has given up the need to impress or jump hoops for laurels.

You see, presence does not distinguish.

Or judge.

Presence just is.

Or mostly… just makes the coffee.

I liked this, from Rabbi Dr. Ariel Burger, “My mantra this year has been the Hebrew words, Lev Basar, which means ‘a heart of flesh,’ from the biblical verse, ‘I will take from you a heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.’ Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, ‘There's nothing as whole as a broken heart.’ In these traditions, you cultivate a broken heart which is very different from depression or sadness. It's the kind of vulnerability, openness, and acute sensitivity to your own suffering and the suffering of others that becomes an opportunity for connection.” 

“The life I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt.” Frederick Buechner

Let us remember than many hearts are sore. People around us, people we know and love. So, this week... can I make you some coffee?

We make space to welcome.

We make space to offer comfort or reprieve or hope.

We make space to be sanctuary in a world of disquiet, disruption and misgiving. “Sabbath Moments” Terry Hershey

What sustains you, and carries you gently through your days? Terry Hershey

Covid has managed to come into our house…OMGoodness what time we have had! All these years we have escaped its grasp. I would not want any to have this. We did not get our vaccination this summer…what a mistake. Stay safe!

“What sustains you, and carries you gently through your days?

What heals and inspires?’

These invitations are grounded in Iain Thomas’ reminder, “Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place.”

And today, I have carried Maya Angelou’s words with me, “My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness. Continue to allow humor to lighten the burden of your tender heart.”

And I can still hear Mr. Rogers’ voice, as if he were speaking directly to me through the TV screen, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

And Mr. Rogers continues, “There’s something deep inside, that helps us become what we can.”

And yes, when I do watch the “scary news”, I can feel the tears begin to flow, and wonder, “Where do we go from here? And what difference can I make?”

Gratefully, I do not wipe my tears away. Nor do I chide myself. I am grateful, knowing that my tears are my teacher, a fountain of strength, and a gift reminding me of my capacity (and yes, my arsenal) for humanity, and empathy, and compassion. A reminder that my heart, while sore (or broken or overwhelmed) is still very much alive and well.

So. What do we do when life feels scary, or upside down?  I’m smiling because even with a deflated spirit, I can still find myself feeling guilty about my puny efforts, including my prayers. (As if caring is about keeping score. Lord have mercy.)

This week, my heart needed a replenishment retreat. To let me see, and embrace, that our best response (our best “weapon” if you will) is to let our heart do what it does best: to feel and hold the pain yes, and then to love, and care for, and gift grace (even “recklessly”) to those who can’t fight for themselves.

Yes indeed. Martin Luther King’s reminder, “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.”

I do confess that when I’m down, I'm susceptible to an internal grilling, “Does what I do even make a difference?” And I have found that this question messes with me only when I assume that something is missing from my life. Or that I need to prove something to someone. In those moments, I’ll remember Clarissa Pinkola Estes' wisdom that "Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. Any small, calm thing that one soul can do to help another soul, to assist some portion of this poor suffering world, will help immensely."

“There's a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter. We sometimes lose sight of this force when there is suffering, too much pain. Then suddenly the spirit will emerge through the lives of ordinary people who hear a call, and answer in extraordinary ways.” From the film "Mother Teresa"

My friends, let us remember than many hearts are sore. People around us, people we know and love. So, thank you again, Mr. Rogers. “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

In the Holocaust Museum there is a story about an exchange in a concentration camp on the Day of Liberation (1945). The prisoners still alive in concentration camps, were being set free. A young American Lieutenant, extraordinarily moved by the bleak and foreboding nature of the setting, asked one prisoner to show him the camp. As they approached a building, the lieutenant opened a door for the young woman, and she collapsed in tears. Certain he had offended, he did his best to comfort her. After some time, she told him, “I am weeping because it is the first time in years that someone has done anything kind for me. Thank you.”

With one simple gesture of kindness, we remember that a human world of helping is still alive and well, even when the news too often, feels otherwise.

I don’t tell this story of the Holocaust Museum as some kind of motivational tool. As if there is an obligation to “be kind.” I tell it as an affirmation, and as a reminder—mostly to myself—that within each of us there is a light. And that this light—of hope and dignity, of delight and passion, of justice and grace, of beauty and wonder—still shines, regardless of whatever may conceal it.

And yes, there are times we forget. However, there are also times when a simple act of kindness, or gift of compassion, rekindles the light in our own spirit.

This gift we give to another, becomes a gift we gratefully receive.

In the story, both the giver and the receiver are liberated.

 “Sabbath Moments” excerpt

Ephesians 3:8-13 The dispensation of grace!

Grace is the unmerited and underserved love of God for the world that He created.

Ephesians 3:3-4 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 

The Wisdom of God given to us by Holy Spirit produces knowledge. 

2 Peter  3:15-16 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

The risen Lord gave Paul the mystery of God’s amazing grace to all who believe in Him for salvation. A period of time was given for the dispensation of grace which offers eternal life with Christ to all who by faith believe. 

Romans 16:25-27 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. 

The birth, death and resurrection of Jesse Christ finished everything necessary for the restoration of our relationship with the Godhead…it is finished. 

Ephesians 3:5-7 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 

Led by Holy Spirit spiritual people spoke the truth of our Triune Godhead. Long before the printed page existed they kept the oracles of God in their hearts and minds for all of mankind.

Romans 8:14-17 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Ephesians 3:8-13 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

In Christ we are led by the indwelling of Holy Spirit as adopted children of the most high God. We are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We are positioned in the Body of Christ for His glory. Grace is the unsearchable riches of Christ in us. Carla

Paul was not expressing false humility when he called himself less than the least of all the saints. He was truly humble because he previously had persecuted Christ’s church. In another place Paul refers to himself as the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Paul’s mission as an apostle was to enlighten all people about the mystery of God’s grace in Christ, which was not understood in previous times but which had become clear with the coming of Jesus Christ. God’s ways are not only “mysterious,” but also varied. Angels are also learning about God’s wisdom as they watch His grace working in us (1 Corinthians 11:10). The NKJV Study Bible

After discussing God’s cosmic work of reconciliation (2:1–22), Paul now explains his role within the mystery of the gospel.

Ephesians is one of four letters that Paul wrote from prison (along with Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon). The location and time of this imprisonment are unclear. 

Paul’s calling as apostle to the Gentiles—he was one of God’s chosen agents to preach the gospel to non-Jewish people (Romans 1:5; 15:15–16; Galatians  2:9). Paul affirms that he received God’s plan of salvation directly from God (Acts 9:1–7; Galatians 1:11–12). The Greek word used here, mystērion, refers in this context to God’s plan of salvation through Christ. 

Through Christ’s death and resurrection, God has invited Gentiles (non-Jews) to join His people—expanding the scope of His salvation to include the entire world, not just Israel (Isaiah 49:6; Galatians 3:8). This stunning revelation is the heart of Paul’s gospel and missionary work.

As God’s chosen people, the Jews were heirs of the blessings promised to Abraham (Genesis 17:4–8; Romans 9:4–5). Through Christ, non-Jews also become heirs of God’s promise. 

Paul means that the fullness of God’s plan, and how it all would come together, was not known. God’s plan of salvation is through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The rulers and the authorities refers  to spiritual enemies of God (Ephesians 1:21). These forces were kept ignorant of Christ’s role—that His death and resurrection would be the catalyst for redeeming Gentile people groups. By responding faithfully to the gospel, the people of God—Jews and Gentiles together—reveal God’s plan of salvation. The purpose of the ages relates to God’s plan of salvation.

Through Christ, believers are reconciled to God. 

Paul’s hardships have contributed to the believers’ life with Christ in the age to come—when Jesus returns and makes all things right. Faithlife Study Bible

Ephesians 3:1–4 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you…

Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 

1 Peter 1:12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into

May I walk this day

in the realm of grace,

walking with You

my feet firmly on your earth-path,

my heart loving all as kindred,

my words and deeds alive with justice.

May I walk as blessing,

meeting blessing at every turn

in every challenge, blessing,

in all opposition, blessing,

in harm’s way, blessing.

May I walk each step in this moment of grace,

alert to hear You

and awake enough to say

a simple Yes.

Robert Corin Morris

1 Corinthians 2:13-16 Holy Spirit resides in us to proclaim the mystery of Christ and His grace.

For a period of time Israel will be set aside until the gathering of the Gentiles is complete.  The Apostle Paul made known the mystery of God  in the Gospel of Grace through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Ephesians 3:1-7 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. 

Ephesians was written  from a  Roman prison where  Paul was imprisoned   for revealing the Gospel of grace to the Gentiles. The mystery revealed to the Apostle Paul began a new period of time given until the fullness of the Gentiles would be fulfilled.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For  I delivered to you first of all that  which I also received: that Christ died for our sins  according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day  according to the Scriptures,

Paul was given the Gospel of Grace directly from the risen Christ. The truth of the salvation in Jesus Christ to all who would believe in Him was hidden until then. That the Gentiles could be on equal standing to the Jews was forbidden until this time. Christ died for the sins of mankind. In His shed blood our debt is paid in full. The Apostle Paul suffered greatly for preaching the Gospel of Grace directly to the masses.

1 Corinthians 2:13-14 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the  Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14  But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For  “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?”  But we have the mind of Christ.

Only Holy Spirit, through faith, can give us understanding of the spiritual things of God. They cannot be understood any other way. He takes the spiritual teachings of God and gives them life in our lives. Carla

Paul emphasized that the intellectuals of this world could not teach the knowledge he was giving to the Corinthian believers. Note that the Spirit did not simply dictate words to Paul and the other apostles; He taught them. The apostles related with their own vocabulary and style what they had learned from the Spirit. Comparing spiritual things with spiritual are words difficult to translate and interpret. The Greek term translated comparing may also mean “to combine” or “to interpret.” The two references to spiritual may mean interpreting spiritual truths to spiritual persons, or else combining spiritual truths with spiritual words. The latter seems better. In other words, the phrase teaches that the spiritual truths of God are combined with the spiritual vocabulary of the apostles (2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 3:16). 

The natural person does not have the Spirit of God, in contrast to the Christian who does have the Spirit (15:44–46). Receive here means “to welcome.” This verb does not pertain to discovering the meaning of a passage, but applying the meaning to life. The NKJV Study Bible

Without God’s help through the Spirit people lack the ability to understand His plans or work. In words taught by the Spirit, Paul is likely referring to the gift of prophecy, which involves speaking on behalf of God. 

The Spirit (pneuma) is the one who truly explains and reveals the ways of God to people—believers are just messengers and instruments of the Spirit’s message. The natural man refers to a person who cannot grasp the things of God. Paul again stresses that a true understanding of spiritual things occurs only with the aid of God’s Spirit. 

Additionally, Paul might be referring to the spiritual gift of distinguishing between spirits or the gift of wisdom. The gift of distinguishing between spirits fits contextually because of Paul’s earlier comments about rulers of this age and the spirit of this world. This spiritual gift would have been vital to the success of the Corinthian church because of their tendency to elevate people with certain spiritual gifts to positions of authority and to favor the gift of tongues (chapter 13). However, Paul may be referring to the spiritual gift of wisdom, which involves distinguishing between God’s preferred plan and that of the world; this seems to fit Paul’s emphasis in this verse. In addition, Paul discusses wisdom throughout 1:17–2:16, emphasizing that believers derive their understanding from God, not commonly held beliefs. Whichever spiritual gift Paul refers to here, his point is that God grants believers what they need; these gifts don’t come any other way. This gifting empowers them to follow Christ without having to worry about the judgment of others. Those who belong to the Spirit do not need to subject themselves to human condemnation or approval; they recognize that God is their only judge (4:3). Paul says this to combat the Corinthians’ suggestion that he should somehow justify who he is or his actions; his authority comes from Christ and the Spirit’s work in his life. 

Paul draws from Isaiah 40:13 to emphasize the gift of the Spirit. Since Christ has no need of an advisor, this quotation suggests that God’s wisdom is incomprehensible—yet He has enabled believers to understand the wisdom of His salvation through the crucified Messiah, Jesus. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God provides believers with the understanding they need). The Mind of Christ probably refers to God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to His people. The presence of the Spirit grants believers the ability to discern God’s will and works within them to make them more like Christ. Like Christ, believers can understand the difference between right and wrong and are empowered to seek God’s will over and against sin and their own natural desires and inclinations. Faithlife Study Bible

1 Corinthians 1:17–18 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 

John 14:17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 

1 Corinthians 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 

1 Corinthians 2:4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 

1 Corinthians 15:44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

…I raise a glass and say thank you to the men and women who make human helping choices. Often, at what feels like a cost.

Men and women who plant small seeds of compassion and justice, and kindness and restitution, and mercy and grace and healing in our world. Sabbath Moments