Sermon Central
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The Mysteries Of God: Revealing The Hidden Secrets Of Eternity
Contributed by Raymond Petzholt on May 13, 2024 (message contributor)
Summary: The Mysteries of God reveal the hidden secrets of eternity. They are an important means of strengthening Christians in their faith and establishing the Church throughout the World. God calls all of us to be faithful stewards of these Mysteries (I Cor. 4:1-2)
THE MYSTERIES OF GOD: REVEALING THE HIDDEN SECRETS OF ETERNITY
How to Strengthen Christians & Establish the Church (I Cor. 2:7-14; 4:1-2; Rom. 16:25-26)
What are the mysteries of God? The Greek word translated mystery has the idea of a hidden or secret purpose or counsel of God. The word is used 6 times in Ephesians and 21 times elsewhere in the N. T. Dictionary definition. 1. A profound secret; something wholly unknown therefore exciting curiosity or wonder. 3. Something beyond human comprehension until explained. Something awfully sublime or important that excites wonder. “Great is the mystery of godliness” (1 Tim 3:16KJV). (Webster's 1828: includes biblical definitions; free with e-sword.net).
The Scriptural definition of the “mysteries of God” is understood by comparing scripture with scripture. The N.T. "mysteries" are spiritual truth not revealed during the Old Testament, but now revealed by God to the whole world through the preaching of the Gospel. (Eph. 3:4-6; Col. 1:26; Rom. 16:25-26; Dan. 12:9-10). The mysteries of God give us a profound understanding of God, His Eternal Kingdom, The Church of our LORD Jesus Christ, and the spiritual warfare engulfing the Universe.
The Christian Minister has a responsibility to know and teach the Mysteries of God (I Cor. 2:7-14; 4:1-2). They are "foolishness to the natural man because they are spiritually discerned" (2:14). We must Pray for the Spirit of wisdom, & revelation in the knowledge of God (Eph. 1:17) if we are to grasp these Mysteries in a powerful life transforming way.
These Mysteries are very important. I Corinthians 4:1-2 makes it clear God calls us to be stewards of these mysteries! A steward is both a faithful servant & wise overseer of a household (read Luke 12:42-43 ff.; Gen. 39:4-6). A steward must be faithful (I Cor. 4:2). These mysteries are part of the "unsearchable riches of Christ" (Eph. 3:8; 1:7). They are the Church’s glory (1Cor. 2:7) and a priceless treasure that can transform our lives & society for incredible good. Understanding the mysteries will establish us in the faith and bring about the obedience of faith among all nations (Rom 16:25-26). The following charts present an overview:
THE MYSTERIES OF GOD (Related to the Kingdom and Israel)
In Matthew 13:11 Jesus said: “it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them (without) it is not given. The Kingdom of heaven is an earthly literal, physical, visible kingdom guaranteed Israel by the Davidic Covenant (2Sam. 7:8-17) (also Matt. 11:25; 13:1-52; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:9-14). The 7 parables of Matthew 13 reveal what happens on Earth between the time Christ spoke them till He sets up His millennial kingdom (Rev. 20:1-6)
In Mark 4:11 and Luke 8:10 Jesus said: “Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables" (also Lk. 8:4-21). The kingdom of God is a universal, spiritual invisible Kingdom (Lk. 17:20-21; Rom. 14:17). All spiritual blessings in heavenly places are part of this kingdom (Eph. 1:3). There are 4 parables of the kingdom of God in Mark 4:1-33. (The Kingdom of God & the Kingdom of Heaven overlap in many aspects but they are not completely synonymous). Eventually they do merge into one unified Kingdom (I Cor. 15:24-28; Dan. 7:27)
Romans 11:25 warns us: "Don’t be ignorant of this mystery… that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. This is the Mystery of God’s eternal plan for the Israel and the blessings & kingdom guaranteed to Her by the Abrahamic, Davidic, & New Covenant (Dan. 9:20-27; 10:14; Amos 3:7; Ps. 25:14). The church does not replace Israel in God’s plan. God will eventually fulfill His covenant promises to Israel. We will now give a brief overview of all the key Mysteries of God found in the New Testament. For more details and a full exposition see the full sermons on each Mystery that are uploaded in this series.
THE MYSTERIES OF GOD (Related to Trinitarian nature of the Godhead & incarnation)
The Apostle Paul mentions the Mysteries related to the Trinitarian nature of the Godhead in several Scriptures. In Ephesians 3:3-4 he says: “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. In Colossians 4:3 he asked for prayer that he would be able to proclaim this Mystery as he aught. In Colossians 2:2 the Scripture reveals that we must have “understanding, & acknowledge “the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.” As a Mystery of God we understand that this truth was not completely revealed in the Old Testament. Jesus is 100% God & 100% man so He alone can reconcile man & God (I Tim. 2:5; 2 Cor. 5:19). In I Timothy 3:16 (KJV) it is revealed: “. . .great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh.” This is a great verse on the deity of Christ.
