#1430. The Nature of God’s mystery (14/1/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.

From Ephesians 3:6, we continue to reflect on the nature of the ‘mystery’ that God has opened up to us.

To watch this devotional, please select the link below: 

Maybe you’ve read or watched an Agatha Christie mystery, a Miss Marple or Sherlock Holmes story, or a modern equivalent. Throughout, there are clues - some obvious, some subtle - that, if we pay attention, lead us to discover who did it. The satisfaction comes when the mystery is revealed, and everything suddenly makes sense.

In a similar way, the Bible is full of clues, shadows, and promises pointing to God’s great plan of salvation. For generations, it was a mystery - hidden in plain sight—but now, through Christ, it has been revealed. As Christians, we are invited not just to notice the clues but to know the mystery: God’s eternal plan to unite all things and all people in Christ.

1. This mystery

As we saw in our last reflection, the word mystery (Greek: mystērion) does not mean something we can never know, but rather something that was once hidden and has now been revealed by God. Specifically, the mystery now revealed is that all people are united in Christ and will be eternally glorified in Him.

In the context of this letter, there was great division between Jews and Gentiles (the other nations). The Jews were God’s chosen people, called to be holy and distinct from the surrounding nations who did not know the Lord.

However, even in the Old Testament, God promised that these divisions would one day be broken down as the nations were brought into His people.

For example, God said to Abraham:

Paul explains how this promise is fulfilled through Christ:

We also see this in Luke’s Gospel. When Simeon holds the infant Jesus in the temple, he declares that the ancient prophecies are coming true—those given through Isaiah (42:6; 49:6)—that God’s salvation would reach the nations:

2. The mystery is what the gospel - what Jesus - has achieved

Paul describes God’s mystery in today’s text:

In essence, Paul is declaring the new and complete unity of all who receive Jesus. Through the gospel, believers - whether Jew or Gentile - are united by the Spirit, adopted as God’s children, made members of one body, and heirs of His promises.

In Colossians, Paul describes it in similar terms:

Christ Himself is the revealed mystery - the One who brings together all things and all people under His lordship (Ephesians 1:10).

Response

• How clear are you and I on this mystery of God?

• Do we truly believe that the gospel is what the world most needs?

• Do we see that the gospel unites all people, breaking down every wall of division?

• Do we live as members of one body - showing our unity through love, service, and devotion to one another?

• Are we full of hope in the eternal promise? Our future in Christ should no longer be a mystery!

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

2. Icebreaker

What about the Christmas period and New Year has inspired you in your faith? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

This week, we continues our Ephesians series: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

Our message on Sunday from Ephesians 3:1-13, was entitled: The Mystery Revealed and Our Call to Make It Known. 

I would love us all to think more on Ephesians together, and so, why not use our Come to Jesus Daily devotions each day; please ensure that everyone knows about, and knows how to access our daily devotions on the church website or other platforms. 

https://www.communitychurchputney.com/biblestudy

• Personal Reflection – What did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?

• Please read Ephesians 3:1-9: What was Paul’s calling from God and how does he demonstrate great faithfulness?

• What is the ‘mystery’ now revealed?

• Read Ephesians 3:10-13: We are called to reveal the ‘manifold wisdom of God’ together, what does this mean?

• How is what Paul says about our access to God in prayer and worship, the heart and springboard of the gospel and making it known? 

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• How does our love make us effective in mission?

• How would praying together lead to more effective mission? 

• Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.

• Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation?

Let’s pray together: 

• Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.

• Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.