TEXT:  1 Tim. 3:16

INTRODUCTION:

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:

I.      MANIFEST IN THE FLESH.

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! (Heb. 2:9, 17-18)

          1.       A voluntary sacrifice( John 10:17-18 ).

          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 ).

II.     JUSTIFIED IN THE SPIRIT.

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. 4:15 ).

          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 ).

III.    SEEN OF ANGELS AND MEN.

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( 1 John 1:1-4;  2 Pet. 1:16-18 ).

IV.   PREACHED AMONG THE GENTILES.

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 ).

V.    BELIEVED ON IN THE WORLD.

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!

VI.   RECEIVED UP IN GLORY.

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).

CONCLUSION:

A.      GOD’S WILL WAS A HIDDEN MYSTERY FOR AGES.

B.      REVEALED IN ITS FULNESS IN JESUS( Eph. 1:9-10 ).