Colossians 1:25-27; 2:2, 3                                      Uncovering Mystery

Kowloon International Baptist Church                        Kowloon Tong

Harry Lucenay, Pastor                                                   26 March 2006

 
The word “mystery” is used in the Bible several ways. Today we explore the “mystery” that was hidden in Old Testament times and revealed in New Testament times through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

1. Experience the Mystery of God.

I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

                                                                                     Colossians 1:25-27

 
God wants all people to discover the saving work of Jesus Christ and a living relationship with Him.

 
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.                John 3:16

The phrase, Christ in you refers to the concept of Jesus Christ living in the believer when the believer enters a relationship with Him.

Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

                                                                          John 15:4, 5 The Message

 
Nobody can be like Jesus like Jesus can.

 
If Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his spirit that lives in you.          

                                                                                         Romans 8:10, 11

 We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.                              2 Corinthians 4:7

 
Ray Stedman: The Christian is more than an empty vessel. He has something within – or, more accurately, Someone within. We have a treasure in our clay pot! And more than a treasure – a transcendent power!

2. Explore the Mystery of God.

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.       Colossians 2:2, 3

 
The mystery of God, the secret plan was not a timetable of events or a system of knowledge but a person…Jesus Christ.

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.                                                                          2 Corinthians 1:20

 
Major Ian Thomas: He had to be what He was to do what he did.

Jesus had to be both God and man in order to die in our place, be raised again, ascend into the heavens, send the Holy Spirit, and thus enter our lives.

Ray Stedman divides much of the New Testament into sections exposing our union with Christ. His divisions are:

·           Christ in You – Romans; 1, 2 Corinthians; Galatians

·           You in Christ – Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians;

·           1, 2 Thessalonians; 1, 2 Timothy; Philemon

·           Walk by faith – Hebrews; James; 1, 2 Peter; 1, 2, 3 John; Jude

For it is in Him, and in Him alone, that men will find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.                                       Colossians 2:4, Phillips

We must have what He is in order to do what He does.

The New International Version is used unless otherwise stated.