Biblical Mystery
Colossians 1:26 (GW), “In the past God hid this mystery, but now he has revealed it to his people.”
Ephesians 3:6 (NIV), “This mystery is that through the gospel, the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise of Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 3:1-13 (CEV) "Christ Jesus made me his prisoner, so that I could help you Gentiles. You have surely heard about God’s kindness in choosing me to help you. In fact, this letter tells you a little about how God has shown me his mysterious ways. As you read the letter, you will also find out how well I really do understand the mystery about Christ. No one knew about this mystery until God’s Spirit told it to his holy apostles and prophets. And the mystery is this: Because of Christ Jesus, the good news has given the Gentiles a share in the promises that God gave to the Jews. God has also let the Gentiles be part of the same body. God treated me with kindness. His power worked in me, and it became my job to spread the good news. I am the least important of all God’s people. But God was kind and chose me to tell the Gentiles that because of Christ, there are blessings that can’t be measured. God, who created everything, wanted me to help everyone understand the mysterious plan that had always been hidden in his mind. Then God would use the church to show the powers and authorities in the spiritual world that he has many different kinds of wisdom. God did this according to his eternal plan. And he was able to do what he had planned because of all that Christ Jesus our Lord had done. Christ now gives us courage and confidence, so that we can come to God by faith. That’s why you should not be discouraged when I suffer for you. After all, it will bring honor to you.”
Colossians 1:24-26 (CEV),“I am glad that I can suffer for you. I am pleased also that in my own body I can continue the suffering of Christ for his body, the church. God’s plan was to make me a servant of his church and to send me to preach his complete message to you. For ages and ages this message was kept secret from everyone, but now it has been explained to God’s people.”
The True Mystery:
- The Church
- Christ living in you
Colossians 1:27 (CEV),“God did this because he wanted you Gentiles to understand his wonderful and glorious mystery. And the mystery is that Christ lives in you, and he is your hope of sharing in God’s glory.”
1 Timothy 3:16 (NIV),“He appeared in a body, was justified by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.”
John 14:16-18 (CEV), “I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world can’t accept the Spirit, because they don’t see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you. I won’t leave you like orphans. I will come back to you.”
Colossians 1:28 (NIV) “He is the one we proclaim admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.”
Proclaim the Mystery Through
- Preaching
- Admonishing
Ephesians 2:8-9 (GNT),“For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it.”
2 Timothy 4:2 (NCV), “Preach the Good News. Be ready at all times, and tell people what they need to do. Tell them when they are wrong. Encourage them with great patience and careful teaching.”
- Teaching
Matthew 5:48 (GNT), “You must be perfect—just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
James 1:4 (CEV) “But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.
Colossians 1:29 (CEB) “I work hard and struggle for this goal with his energy, which works in me powerfully.”
Romans 16:25-27 (TV),“So to the One who is able to strengthen you to live consistently with my good news and the preaching of Jesus, the Anointed, with the revelation of the ancient mystery that has been kept secret since the earliest days, this mystery is revealed through the prophetic voices passed down in the Scriptures, as they have been commanded by the Eternal God. In this time, this mystery is being made known to the nations so that all may be led to faith-filled obedience. To the one true and wise God, we offer glory for all times through Jesus, the Anointed One.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (GW) “Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.”
God, I believe that Christ died for my sin
Please forgive me of my sin
And come into my heart as my Savior
I fully commit my life to you.
In Jesus’ name I pray
