SHOW NOTES
Ephesians Study, pt6
Leadership in Context with Keith Tucci
Episode 191
Ephesians is a vision book about the Church. The book is Paul’s DNA download of what he believes the culture of the Church should be.
Ephesians 6:19
And pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.
The gospel itself was not a mystery. Here Paul is talking about the mystery of the Church. When the New Testament talks about a mystery, it’s not a secret. A secret is something you don’t know, something designed to be kept private. A mystery is something that is unveiled, revealed.
Ephesians 5:32
This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
This unveiling of the church is great; it’s incredible. Paul uses the word “mystery” six times in the book of Ephesians. God wants to reveal this, and he asked that people pray for him that the mystery may be revealed (Eph. 6:19).
He begins chapter 6 talking about relationships. He finishes chapter 5 talking about husbands and wives, and he starts chapter 6 talking about children and parents and how they relate. Paul’s version of the Church is not only that it’s just like a family, but the families in the church are healthy.
He goes on to talk about servants, slaves, and masters. In this context, slavery isn’t ownership but about debt repayment. Even in that relationship, Paul was saying that Christ has to be Lord and that those people were welcomed in the Church.
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
He talks about the schemes of the enemy and walking in victory by having the full armor of God. Paul is letting us know that what we are dealing with is demonic opposition against the Church. The Church is the enemy’s worst nightmare. If your local church is able to function anything close to the biblical instruction for the Church, then that is a nightmare for hell and there will be demonic pushback against it.
Ephesians 6:15
…and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
The purpose of the armor of God is not so you can be a museum piece. The purpose is so you can stand as you move somewhere. This armor is relevant to people going forward. It is the armor that is given to you so you can preach, not so you can have a nice, quiet life without attack. This armor is designed for going forward.
Ephesians 6:19
And pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.
We need the armor of God–not to be dressed well, but so we can demonstrate with boldness the mystery of the gospel.
Ephesians 6:23-24
Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.
Incorruptible love—isn’t that awesome?!? God wants us to love Him with an incorruptible love. Why can He ask us to do that? Because He loves us with an incorruptible love.
The picture that Paul paints here in this chapter is one of people who relate to each other–not on the basis of their social or financial status, but rather on the basis of promoting the gospel. The reason I’m friends with some of my dearest friends is because we have an agenda—we want to promote the gospel. That promotion of the gospel, that promotion of the Church, binds our hearts together in whatever we are doing and causes us to cherish those relationships beyond just the familiar benefits and blessings of a friendship.
Join us next week as Keith Tucci continues to put leadership truth in the context of the local church. And as always, please like, share, rate/review, and invite others to listen. See you next week!
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