Great is the Mystery of Godliness
A. CONSIDER THE GREATNESS OF THE MYSTERY.
1. Mystery does not refer to something that cannot be understood.
2. musterion – “1. A hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding.
2. A hidden purpose or counsel; secret will” (Thayer ).
3. Ephesians 1:8. Purposed in Christ. His plans for the Christ.
4. This mystery has been revealed!( Eph. 3:3-5; Col. 1:26; 1 Cor 2:6-13 ).
B. OUR TEXT EXPLORES 6 ASPECTS OF THIS MYSTERY.
C. CONSIDER JESUS, WHO WAS:
A. GOD’S PRESENCE ON EARTH WAS PROPHESIED( Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23 ).
B. IT WAS REALIZED IN JESUS( John 1:1, 14 ).
C. JESUS MADE THIS CLAIM FOR HIMSELF( John 10:30; 8:58; 5:17; 8:24 ).
D. OTHERS TESTIFY( John 1:14; 20:28; 20:30-31 ).
E. THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US!
1. A voluntary sacrifice( Phil. 2:5-8 ).
2. Motivated by love( John 15:13 ).
3. It was in this act of love that Christ learned obedience( Heb. 5:8-9 ).
4. Obedience led him the cross( Phil. 2:8 ).
5. He died so that we might not have to( 1 Pet. 2:21-24 ).
A. 2 GREAT TESTS AWAITED JESUS WHEN HE CAME.
1. The first was the struggle with sin( Matt. 4:1-11 ). Note: Satan tended this.
2. There were worse times perhaps( Mark 14:32-36 ).
3. Jesus conquered sin( Heb. 4:14 ).
4. He conquered sin for us( Heb. 2:14-15; 1 Cor. 15:55-57 ).
B. 1 Cor. 15:55-57. HE ALSO CONQUERED DEATH.
1. He was raised( Acts 2:22-24 ).
2. Through him we have our hope( 1 Pet. 1:3 ).
A. ANGELS ANTICIPATED HIS COMING( 1 Pet. 1:12 ).
B. THEY ANNOUNCED HIS BIRTH( Luke 2:8-14 ).
C. AN ANGEL TOLD OF HIS RESURRECTION( Matt. 28:1-6 ).
D. FAITHFUL WITNESSES( John 1:1-4; 2 Pet. 1:16-18 ).
A. ISAIAH PROPHESIED ALL WOULD BE ONE UNDER GOD( Isa. 2:2-4 ).
B. THE 12 SENT TO ALL THE WORLD AND EVERY CREATURE( Mark 16:15 ).
C. THE PROMISE TO ABRAHAM WAS FOR ALL( Gen 12:1-3; Acts 2:39 ).
D. THE GOSPEL CALL IS NOT JUST TO PREDESTINED INDIVIDUALS, BUT TO
ALL( 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9; Rev. 22:17 ).
A. THE GOSPEL WAS PREACHED AND BORE FRUIT ALL OVER THE WORLD!
( Col. 1:6, 23 ).
B. FROM PENTECOST( Acts 1:8; 2:5; 8:4 ).
C. IN THE MOST UNLIKELY PLACES( Phil. 4:22 ) CAESAR’S HOUSEHOLD!
A. WHEN JESUS CONQUERED DEATH AND SIN, GOD RECEIVED HIM BACK
( Acts 1:9 ).
B. HE WAS GLORIFIED ACCORDING TO HIS REQUEST( John 17:5; Phil. 2:9-11 ).
C. HE WAS GIVEN AUTHORITY( Heb. 1:3; Eph. 1:20-23 ).
D. HE IS HEAD, WE MUST DO WHAT HE SAYS( Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 3:15; John 14:15).
A. GOD’S WILL WAS A HIDDEN MYSTERY FOR AGES.
B. REVEALED IN ITS FULNESS IN JESUS( Eph. 1:9-10 ).