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Sermon Notes

Date of Sermon:    March 29, 2026

Title: The Devil Duped

​Main Idea: Take heart in playing our part as the Church! To the world’s joy and Satan’s dismay, God’s plan was always to restore peace to all humanity in Christ.
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Primary Passage:  Ephesians 3:1-13
 
Sermon Outline:

• Paul wants his Gentile readers not to lose heart over his suffering on their behalf,
  • Ephesians 3:13 (ESV)
• Because his part in the story was to reveal the mystery to the world;
  • Ephesians 3:1-5 (ESV)
  • Ephesians 3:7-9 (ESV)
• That God’s plan was always to include the Gentiles in His promise to restore peace in Christ;
  • Ephesians 3:6 (ESV)
• And their role is to help proclaim that mystery to the spiritual realms.
  • Ephesians 3:10-12 (ESV)

• ​For next week’s message: Read and reflect on TBD.

Things to Consider: (Feel free to read Scripture passages that God brings to mind as you work through these questions)

1. What about the sermon challenged, encouraged, or confused you? What, if anything, would you like further clarification on?
2. How do you suppose Paul, himself, was impacted by the knowledge that he was set apart to play the role of apostle to the Gentiles?
3. How do you suppose Satan may have tried to thwart God’s plan, if he had known that Gentiles were to be included in the gospel?
4. How do you suppose Paul’s Gentile readers were impacted by the knowledge that God had always planned to include them, along with the Jews, in the gospel?
5. Why do you suppose Paul thought it necessary to reveal this mystery to the Gentiles? 
6. How do you think Paul hoped the knowledge that he, and they, were set apart to play distinct roles in God’s story would impact them?
7. How does this knowledge impact you?
8. How does the possibility of suffering for the gospel, as Paul did, impact you?

As always, feel free to contact Charles if you have questions or concerns regarding the message; its content, meaning, or application to your life. The easiest way to do that is by submitting a Bridge Card at steamboatbiblechurch.com/bridgecard. 
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