It is a mystery to me that I have begun to write things down. For one I am a perfectionist (a sin for which I must often appeal to God and my family for forgiveness) so nothing I ever write is good enough to suit me; and two, there is so much to write about that choosing a topic is difficult. And man did I “bite off more than I can chew” with the subject of this blog? As it turns out there is far more to say about this subject than is allowed for in this hopefully brief essay. It looks like we will have to break it into parts. But here we go.
God loves a mystery. I have a good word on that. “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” Proverbs 25:2. The word “mystery” appears twenty-seven times in the New Testament and is a beautiful expression for... things God has chosen to reveal to us in our age that He had kept secret for ages. Of course, the truth is that God has always had secrets that He reveals only to those of faith. “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29 and Psalm 25:14 states, “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” What a glorious thought! God desires to show His children mysteries that the world can not receive. Just look at the some of the great mysteries God reveals:
The Mystery...
You can do a fuller study of the subject with the verses listed above. The thing that led me to this subject was a study of the book of Ephesians. I have already preached through chapters one and two and as I approached chapter three the word “mystery” jumped out at me. Many of us love mysteries and God uses that word six times in this short book. Therefore it must be important.
In chapter one the apostle Paul announces that the Will of God contains a mystery that involves the uniting of all things in heaven and earth. In other words, absolutely nothing can be properly understood without realizing Christ is in control. This doctrine of the Preeminence of Christ was once a mystery but now it is revealed. Paul will expand this understanding in chapter three and also in Colossians 1:15-17. In chapter three he reminds us that this knowledge came to him “by revelation” from God through the Holy Spirit. And then he drops the bomb shell that raises the eyebrows of both Jews and Gentiles in verse six. “ That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:” Ephesians 3:6 Four things are clearly revealed here. 1.) Gentiles are fellow heirs with the Jews; 2.) Gentiles and Jews are in the same body; 3.) Gentiles, like Jews, partake of the promise; and 4.) Gentiles receive all this through Christ (a Jew) by believing the gospel.
To be a fellow heir is to be equal in those benefits received from the Father.
To be in the same body means we have an intimate relationship with the Son and are endowed with His purpose.
To be a partaker in the promise is to receive the Person, protection and power of the Holy Spirit.
And thus we are the recipients of the fullness of the Godhead by faith in the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One of God.
Paul will later explore, in chapter five, the mystery of the intimacy of Christ and His Bride, the Church. He will reveal the Sacrificial love of the Savior, the Sanctifying Truth of His Word, the Satisfying Care of His Oneness, and the Submissive Reverence of His Bride.
Finally, in chapter six he will conclude with a call to prayer that he may boldly make this mystery of the gospel known to the world. It is our desire to follow him in asking that God's people pray the same prayer for us and for all who proclaim this mystery of the gospel. Hallelujah! To God be the glory; great things He hath done!
God loves a mystery. I have a good word on that. “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” Proverbs 25:2. The word “mystery” appears twenty-seven times in the New Testament and is a beautiful expression for... things God has chosen to reveal to us in our age that He had kept secret for ages. Of course, the truth is that God has always had secrets that He reveals only to those of faith. “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29 and Psalm 25:14 states, “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” What a glorious thought! God desires to show His children mysteries that the world can not receive. Just look at the some of the great mysteries God reveals:
The Mystery...
- Of His Kingdom, Matthew 13:11; Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10
- Of Israel's blindness, Romans 11:25, 16:25
- Of Wisdom, 1 Corinthians 2:7, 4:1, 13:2, 14:2
- Of The Resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:51
- Of His will...a oneness in Christ, Ephesians 1:9
- Of inclusion of the Gentiles, Ephesians 3:3, 4, 9
- Of Christ and His Church, Ephesians 5:32
- Of The Gospel, Ephesians 6:19
- Of Christ in you, Colossians 1:26, 27, 2:2, 4:3
- Of Iniquity, 2 Thessalonians 2:7
- Of Faith, 1 Timothy 3:9
- Of Godliness, 1 Timothy 3:16
- Not to mention those of Revelation 1:20, 10:7, 17:5, 7
You can do a fuller study of the subject with the verses listed above. The thing that led me to this subject was a study of the book of Ephesians. I have already preached through chapters one and two and as I approached chapter three the word “mystery” jumped out at me. Many of us love mysteries and God uses that word six times in this short book. Therefore it must be important.
In chapter one the apostle Paul announces that the Will of God contains a mystery that involves the uniting of all things in heaven and earth. In other words, absolutely nothing can be properly understood without realizing Christ is in control. This doctrine of the Preeminence of Christ was once a mystery but now it is revealed. Paul will expand this understanding in chapter three and also in Colossians 1:15-17. In chapter three he reminds us that this knowledge came to him “by revelation” from God through the Holy Spirit. And then he drops the bomb shell that raises the eyebrows of both Jews and Gentiles in verse six. “ That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:” Ephesians 3:6 Four things are clearly revealed here. 1.) Gentiles are fellow heirs with the Jews; 2.) Gentiles and Jews are in the same body; 3.) Gentiles, like Jews, partake of the promise; and 4.) Gentiles receive all this through Christ (a Jew) by believing the gospel.
To be a fellow heir is to be equal in those benefits received from the Father.
To be in the same body means we have an intimate relationship with the Son and are endowed with His purpose.
To be a partaker in the promise is to receive the Person, protection and power of the Holy Spirit.
And thus we are the recipients of the fullness of the Godhead by faith in the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One of God.
Paul will later explore, in chapter five, the mystery of the intimacy of Christ and His Bride, the Church. He will reveal the Sacrificial love of the Savior, the Sanctifying Truth of His Word, the Satisfying Care of His Oneness, and the Submissive Reverence of His Bride.
Finally, in chapter six he will conclude with a call to prayer that he may boldly make this mystery of the gospel known to the world. It is our desire to follow him in asking that God's people pray the same prayer for us and for all who proclaim this mystery of the gospel. Hallelujah! To God be the glory; great things He hath done!
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