Experiencing God's Inclusive Love and Purpose

Summary

Ephesians chapter three reveals the heart of God’s plan for humanity—a plan that was hidden for ages but is now made clear through Christ. God’s intention has always been to bring all people, both Jews and Gentiles, into one family through Jesus. This is the “mystery” Paul describes: that the gospel is for everyone, not just a select few. Our identity is not found in our past, our achievements, or our failures, but in being children of God, welcomed into his family by grace. When we truly grasp this, it changes everything about how we live and how we see others.

It’s easy to settle for a version of faith that is comfortable, predictable, and self-focused—like animals in a zoo, content with routine but missing the adventure we were created for. God calls us to more than spiritual consumption; he calls us to maturity, to walk out our faith, and to live on mission. Growth is essential, but it’s not the end goal. We are meant to move from growing to walking, and from walking to fighting for the freedom and purpose God has for us.

Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3 is that we would not just know about God’s love, but truly experience it. God’s love is wide enough to reach every place, long enough to last forever, deep enough to meet us in our darkest moments, and high enough to overlook our sins because of Christ. This love is not just an idea to be understood, but a reality to be experienced. No matter our background, wounds, or doubts, God invites us to receive his love and to live out of that fullness.

When we understand the vastness of God’s love and the inclusiveness of his invitation, it transforms our relationship with him and with others. We are empowered by his Spirit, rooted in his love, and called to reflect his grace to the world. The adventure of faith is not about what we can achieve for ourselves, but about joining God in his mission to bring hope, healing, and reconciliation to all people.

Key Takeaways

- Spiritual growth is not the end goal; it is the foundation for walking out our faith and living on mission. Many settle for spiritual consumption, but true maturity comes when we move from “feeding” to exercising our faith in real life, allowing our identity in Christ to shape our actions and purpose. [04:24]

- God’s plan has always been to include everyone in his family, breaking down every barrier that separates us. The “mystery” revealed in Christ is that the gospel is for all people, regardless of background, status, or history, and the church must reflect this radical inclusivity. [12:44]

- Our circumstances, even seasons of suffering or waiting, can be the very place where God’s greatest work is accomplished in and through us. Like Paul in prison, we can trust that God’s intentions are bigger than our present struggles, and that he can use every situation for his glory and our growth. [10:29]

- God’s love is not just to be understood intellectually, but to be experienced deeply. It is wide enough to reach every person, long enough to endure forever, deep enough to meet us in our lowest moments, and high enough to cover all our sins—inviting us to move from head knowledge to heart transformation. [23:54]

- Our identity as children of God is rooted in his grace, not our performance or our past. When we receive his love and forgiveness, we are empowered to live with confidence, freedom, and purpose, knowing that God’s power is at work within us to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine. [27:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Summer Series Overview & Ephesians Context
[02:45] - Identity in Christ: The Foundation
[04:24] - From Growing to Walking: Avoiding Spiritual Obesity
[06:22] - The Magic Show Analogy: Seeing God’s Plan
[08:15] - Misunderstanding “Immeasurably More”
[10:29] - The Call to More: Escaping Mediocre Faith
[12:44] - Paul’s Prison Perspective & The Mystery Revealed
[16:01] - The Gospel for Everyone: Breaking Down Barriers
[19:08] - God as Father: Healing the Father Wound
[20:45] - Paul’s Prayer: Experiencing God’s Unlimited Resources
[22:07] - Rooted in Love: The Grand Canyon of God’s Love
[23:54] - Experiencing, Not Just Knowing, God’s Love
[25:18] - The Four Dimensions of God’s Love
[27:23] - Receiving Forgiveness and New Life
[28:41] - Responding to God’s Love: Salvation Invitation
[29:36] - Closing Prayer & Ephesians 3:20-21 Benediction

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Ephesians 3 – The Mystery and Mission of God’s Love

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### Bible Reading

- Ephesians 3:1-21
(This is the main text for the sermon and study.)

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### Observation Questions

1. In Ephesians 3, Paul talks about a “mystery” that was hidden for ages but is now revealed. What is this mystery according to verses 4-6?
2. Paul describes himself as a “prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles” (v.1). What does this reveal about his circumstances and attitude? [10:29]
3. In verses 14-19, Paul prays for the believers. What are the specific things he asks God to do in their lives?
4. According to verses 18-19, how does Paul describe the dimensions of God’s love?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul emphasizes that the gospel is for both Jews and Gentiles? How might this have challenged the early church’s thinking? [12:44]
2. Paul says that our identity is not found in our past, achievements, or failures, but in being children of God. How does this truth challenge the way people often see themselves? [02:45]
3. Paul prays that believers would not just know about God’s love, but truly experience it. Why is it important to move from head knowledge to heart experience when it comes to God’s love? [23:54]
4. Paul writes this letter from prison, yet he speaks about God’s power and purpose. What does this teach us about how God can use difficult circumstances? [10:29]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon compared “spiritual consumption” to animals in a zoo—comfortable but missing out on adventure. In what ways have you settled for a comfortable, predictable faith? What would it look like for you to step into the “adventure” God has for you? [10:29]
2. Paul says the church should reflect the radical inclusivity of the gospel. Are there people or groups you find it hard to welcome or include? What is one step you could take to break down a barrier this week? [16:01]
3. The sermon mentioned that our identity is rooted in God’s grace, not our performance or past. Is there a past failure or label you still let define you? How can you remind yourself this week that you are a child of God? [02:45]
4. Paul prays that we would experience the width, length, height, and depth of God’s love. Which of these aspects of God’s love do you struggle to believe or receive? Why? [25:18]
5. The sermon said that even in seasons of suffering or waiting, God can do his greatest work. Are you in a “prison” or waiting season right now? How might God want to use this time for his purpose? [10:29]
6. Paul’s prayer is that we would be “rooted and established in love.” What is one practical way you can root yourself more deeply in God’s love this week (e.g., prayer, worship, serving others)?
7. The adventure of faith is about joining God in his mission to bring hope, healing, and reconciliation. Who is one person in your life who needs to experience God’s love through you? What is a specific way you can show them grace or kindness this week? [16:01]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray Ephesians 3:20-21 together, asking God to help you experience his love and live out your identity and mission as his children.

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Love Is Immeasurably More Than We Can Imagine
God’s love and power are far greater than anything we could ever ask for or even dream up. Many people take Ephesians 3:20 out of context, thinking it means God will give us more money, success, or comfort, but the true meaning is so much deeper. God’s “immeasurably more” is about His ability to transform us, to work in and through us for His glory, and to invite us into a life of purpose and mission that goes beyond our wildest imagination. When we understand that God’s “more” is about His kingdom and His love, we stop settling for mediocrity and start living on mission with Him. [08:15]

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you’ve settled for “just enough” instead of trusting God for His immeasurably more? How can you step into His greater purpose for you today?


Day 2: The Mystery of the Gospel—Everyone Is Invited
The great mystery God revealed through Christ is that the good news is for everyone—Jews and Gentiles alike. For centuries, it seemed like God’s blessings were only for a select group, but now, through Jesus, every barrier is broken down. No matter your background, your past, or your status, you are invited to be a full heir in God’s family. The church is meant to reflect this radical inclusivity, welcoming all people to experience the boundless riches of Christ and to share in His promises. [16:01]

Ephesians 3:6 (ESV)
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.

Reflection: Who in your life might feel excluded from God’s love or the church? How can you personally extend the invitation of Jesus to them this week?


Day 3: God Is a Perfect Father with Unlimited Resources
God wants you to know Him as a perfect Father, not limited by the brokenness of earthly fathers. He is the Creator of everything, and His resources are unlimited—He can empower you with inner strength through His Spirit, no matter what you face. Even if your experience with your earthly father was painful or disappointing, your heavenly Father is always good, always present, and always able to provide what you need. He invites you to come to Him with confidence, knowing you are His beloved child. [20:45]

Ephesians 3:14-16 (ESV)
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.

Reflection: In what ways have your experiences with earthly fathers shaped your view of God? What would it look like to trust God as your perfect Father today?


Day 4: Experiencing the Depth and Fullness of God’s Love
God’s love is not just something to know intellectually—it’s something to experience deeply. His love is wide enough to reach everywhere, long enough to last forever, deep enough to handle anything, and high enough to overlook every sin. No matter how far you feel from God, how deep your pain or shame, or how unworthy you feel, His love is greater still. When you let this love move from your head to your heart, you find strength, security, and the fullness of life that only He can give. [25:18]

Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV)
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Reflection: Where do you most need to experience—not just know—God’s love today? Take a moment to ask Him to show you how wide, long, high, and deep His love is for you.


Day 5: Receiving New Life and Forgiveness in Christ
No matter your past or your doubts, God’s love is so high that it overlooks your sins when you are made new in Christ. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, you are offered forgiveness, a fresh start, and a new identity as God’s beloved child. You don’t have to earn this love or prove yourself worthy—He invites you to simply receive it, to let Him make you new, and to walk in the freedom and fullness that comes from being completely forgiven. [27:23]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Reflection: Is there a part of your past or a sin you struggle to believe God can forgive? What would it look like to fully receive His forgiveness and walk in your new identity today?

Quotes

You have to grow before you can walk or fight. The problem for some Christians is we spend our whole life in grow mode. And what do you call a person who never stops growing? I would say that there's a lot of American Christians, ready for this, who I would call spiritually obese. They're people who come to church and they treat church like a spiritual buffet. Feed me, feed me, feed me, feed me, feed me. It's all about me, me, me, me, me. And until you start walking out your faith and exercising your faith, you'll never come to fruition. [00:04:12] (34 seconds) Edit Clip

Ephesians chapter three is Paul saying, I want you to have a seat like that where you can see what God has actually been doing from the beginning of time until now. I want you to see what God has always been about, okay? [00:06:38] (15 seconds) Edit Clip

Now to him who was able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine. According to his power that is at work within us, he says to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever, amen. [00:07:11] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

I wonder how many of us, if we could just take an honest audit of our own hearts, we feel like there is this part of our heart, of our spirit, where God's calling us to a great adventure in him, but we've settled for like the lowest level of mediocrity. Thank you. Thank you. mediocre Christianity. And just what would it look like if all of us just made this decision to say, God, no, I know you created me for more, so let me get the more that you intended and let me live on mission with you. [00:10:55] (27 seconds) Edit Clip

This word mystery in Greek is a fun word. It's the word mysterion. And mysterion means mystery but like when we think of mystery, we think of things like Scooby -Doo. Anybody remember Scooby -Doo? It's like who did it? Who did the bad thing? And usually in Scooby -Doo it was always someone wearing a mask the whole time, right? Like we think of movies that are mysteries as like who's the murderer? Who did this? And that's how mystery. In the Bible this word mysterion when he writes, he's like God had something that really very few people knew what he was doing and now he's been doing it the whole time but now he's revealing it to you. [00:14:33] (35 seconds) Edit Clip

The funny thing is a lot of us think that there's no way that God could possibly love me. I've had people say to me, if you knew what I did, I've had people come to my office and unload on me things that they thought were unforgivable. But you know what scripture teaches about the love of God? That when you've been made new in Christ, when God sees you, he doesn't see your sin. He sees the perfection of his son. And if God can overlook and forgive your sins, what if you just received it for yourself? [00:27:09] (33 seconds) Edit Clip

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen. If you believe it, say amen. [00:30:49] (21 seconds) Edit Clip