The Mystery of Unity Mitchel Lee
9 [He made] known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Eph. 1:9-10 (ESV)
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. Eph. 2:14-16 (ESV)
For this reason, I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles Eph. 3:1 (ESV)
2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 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. Eph. 3:2-5 (ESV)
2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 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. Eph. 3:2-5 (ESV)
27 Daniel answered the king and said, No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: Daniel 2:27-28 (ESV)
6 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)
19 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)
7 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. 8 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, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, Ephesians 3:7-9 (ESV)
American Christians have fallen into the bad habit of acting as if the church really does not matter as we go about trying to live like Christians. Stanley Hauerwas
10 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 hostile powers had sought to frustrate the work of God, and believed they had succeeded when they conspired against Christ and brought about his Crucifixion. But unwittingly they had been instruments in God s hands. The death of Christ had been the very means He had devised for the accomplishment of his plan! So it is here declared that the hostile powers...had now become aware of a divine wisdom they had never dreamed of...the Church arising as the result of Christ s death! E.F. Scott
One of the most significant ways in which Christ has begun to restore the fragmented cosmos is the unification of formerly alienated and hostile people groups. Ben Gladd
11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, Ephesians 3:11 (ESV)
13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. Ephesians 3:13 (ESV)
Our life together makes known the mystery.
Our life together makes known the mystery. Our life together is hard work.
4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV)
14 For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father... Ephesians 3:14 (ESV)