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Review: The mystery that could not have been perceived or understood was that Jew and Gentile would become a new creation, one body, heirs of one promise. Ephesians 3:6 

Paul’s purpose was to preach and to administrate this unforeseen plan of God among the gentiles.  Ephesians 3:8-9

• While a Jew of Jews, he was the least among the least among the people of God, the church. (8a)
  • Clearly feels the guilt of having persecuted the church.
  • Overseeing the death of Stephen and perhaps others.
  • Not truly being ready to receive the coming of the Messiah.

• Grace was the banner under which he felt permission to do so. (8b)
  
  
• His message was the gospel—the boundless riches of Christ!
  
  
• He was also called to administrate and lead out this unforeseen for generations past, this new body the Church! (9)

The plan of God is for the church to reveal his wisdom to even the spiritual forces.  (10)

• This means that the church was a complete revelation and unforeseen to Satan and his demons.
  • Warren Wiersbe “Satan knew the savior would come. When he would come. How he would come. Where he would come.  He understood why he would come…redemption. But nowhere in the OT could one find prophecy pointing to the church the Jew and Gentile becoming one body.  He could see Jews rejecting the Messiah and Gentiles trusting in the Messiah, but he could not see both believing Jews and Gentiles united in one body seated with Christ in the heavenlies completely victorious over Satan.”

• Satan is not omniscient as we sometimes credit him.
  
  
• The church on mission was an eternal purpose that Jesus accomplished. (11)
  
  
• Satan got a taste of God’s brilliant plan in Luke 10:17-24
  • Human beings would have authority over him.
  • It would be quick like lightning.
  • It was an authority fulfilling Genesis 3:15 (19)
  • Given to the unlikely. (21)
  • A mystery that those in the past would have loved to see and hear. (24) 

The plan of God is to invite his church to approach him freely and confidently. (12)

• It was not an administration of a few prophets or priests but an entire people—the church.
  
  
• God among the people not removed from them!

Hebrews 10:19-22 ¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God,²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Satan approached God with fear and trepidation and as the accuser.
Caution in approaching was removed, but now God invites the church near.
Satan would now have to radically change his approach.

Be strong and courageous in the face of adversity.  (13)

• Victory amid suffering brings glory to God!
  
  
• Victorious courage in the face of adversity brings glory to the church—the unforeseen threat to the prince and ruler of this world.