Faithfully Living in the Household of God: The Mystery of Godliness

Introduction:

At the heart of our faith lies an intricate dance between history and the Spirit, and this dance shapes the very nature of our faith. At its core, Christianity finds its foundation in the annals of history, tracing its roots back to a pivotal event—the birth of Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit in raise the first Christians from spiritual death.

This morning, we will explore the harmony of history and spiritual transformation that underpins our faith. We will delve into the significance of understanding Jesus Christ as a historical figure and examine the profound mystery of godliness, emphasizing that our approach to God is not defined by our actions, but God the Father’s relationship with us. Recognizing the historical realities of our faith and the spiritual transformation it brings to those who place their trust in the Lord.

Harmony of History and the Spirit- Cornerstones of Our Faith:

The foundation of Christianity is rooted in the events of history. Christianity teaches that the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, was really born of a virgin mother, really lived, and really died on a cross at the hands of Roman officials and by the urging of Jewish leaders. This historical figure thus serves as the transition point of world history. For until recent times, we have marked the movement of time by his birth, with the designations B.C. and A.D.

B.C. stands for “Before Christ,” referencing the historical timeline prior to the birth of Jesus Christ. And A.D. stands for Anno Domini, which is Latin meaning “The Year of Our Lord.” This dating system has been in place since the 6th century when a Christian monk name Dionysius Exiguus, sought to provide a unified way of tracking time.

However, in the late 20th century, a significant shift occurred as secular society, led by scholars and academia, opted to replace the traditional designations of B.C. and A.D. with B.C.E. (Before Common Era) and C.E. (Common Era). Aiming to create greater inclusivity and reduce the prominence of religious terminology in the calendar system.

Therefore, we witness the historical reality of Christ, the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Whose presence in history has allowed us to diligently trace significant events and a transformation of the world, beginning in the first century and permeating every facet of existence. For the historical Jesus has influenced the very foundation of western civilization.

In this context, Paul's proclamation in our scripture today, "He was manifested in the flesh," underscoring a pivotal moment in history when the second person of the Triune God became visibly present with humanity.

This is what the name Immanuel means, “God with us.” This historical revelation is the bedrock upon which the Christian faith is built, signifying a profound turning point in the course of human history.

We read further in:

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

1 Peter 1:20 “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you”

Hebrews 1:1–2 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”

This affirms the historical reality of Christ, underscoring that when we engage with the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we are delving into the ancient histories of the Christian faith. Our faith stands firmly on historical truths, passed down through generations by dedicated Christian historians. Paul emphasizes, that what was tangibly manifested and witnessed is precisely what has been heralded to the nations and embraced by believers worldwide.

John says of the historical truth of Jesus in, 1 John 1:1–2 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—”

Paul echoes these Spiritual truths in, 2 Corinthians 4:5–6 “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Therefore, we firmly anchor our faith in the historical reality of Jesus Christ, and strength found in spiritual transformation.

As we seek to relate to God, our approach to Him, then, must be based upon the truth of God’s word.

Godliness Unveiled: The Correct Approach to Our Relationship with God:

For we do not approach a mythological or created figure who can be bent and molded to our will. This is the essence of Paul's message in verse 16 when he states, "Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness."

In the Greek language, the term "godliness" means "religion." It signifies the correct devotion, respect, or piety toward a deity.

In the New Testament, religion/godliness is not centered on traditions, physical structures, formal institutions, rituals, statues, fasting, or other human methods of approaching the divine.

But, true religion/godliness pertains to our perspective, our response to, in approach to the Creator God. The nature of God makes it necessary that we see, react to, and approach Him in a manner aligned with His divine desires.

Let me illustrate with the following parable:

(Illustration) An architect who had a deep love for artistry and craftsmanship, decided to build a grand, ornate cathedral to honor God, with the aspiration that this sacred place would become a symbol of faith for generations to come. The architect spared no expense, and the cathedral's construction soon became a marvel of architectural excellence.

As the cathedral neared completion, the city was abuzz with anticipation. People from all walks of life looked forward to the grand opening. However, the architect was a perfectionist, and he alone had the privilege of setting the first foot inside the cathedral before its official unveiling.

With great excitement and pride, he stepped into the cathedral he had meticulously crafted. But instead of a warm embrace, he felt a sudden chill of unease. He realized that in his relentless pursuit of perfection, he had overlooked a fundamental element—a humble and sincere connection with the God.

In that moment, he understood that the cathedral, despite its breathtaking beauty, was merely a structure of stones and artistry. It was not a true dwelling place for God. With a heavy heart, he humbly recognized his arrogance and his failure to approach God with reverence and obedience.

Just as we sometimes misunderstand in our approach to God, believing that it's solely about our works, this serves as a reminder that God treasures true godliness/religion, humility, and obedience in his people, rather then great works done to forge a relationship with him.

(JOYFUL) For it is God who consistently takes the initiative to connect with humanity and outlines the proper response to Him. The error we make is similar to the architect, attempting to approach God on our own terms, disregarding His prescribed way.

In the passage, Paul emphasizes that the mystery of godliness/true religion, is that Jesus Christ has been revealed to reach out to humanity. Consequently, the only way for people to approach God is through Jesus Christ.

(Joyful) When humanity fell into sin, it came under the curse of the law. In response, the Lord established a covenant of grace with us. In this covenant, He graciously offers sinners the opportunity to obtain life and salvation through Jesus Christ.

To accept this offer, individuals must place their faith in Him for their salvation. Because God promises to grant His Holy Spirit to those who are predestined for eternal life, giving them both the desire and the ability to believe.

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

1 Timothy 3:16 For “He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.”

Godliness/religion is best defined then, as following the commands of God and approaching Him as outlined in His Word. It's crucial for us to distinguish between godliness and its absence.

Actions are often described as godly or ungodly, Christian or unchristian. However, it's important to note that the opposite of true, biblical godliness isn't merely "ungodly"; it's "godlessness."

In essence, godliness revolves around relating to God in a manner consistent with the one true God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. This connection is not solely defined by our moral conduct but by a genuine, right relationship with God, which is expressed by behavior fitting for one who belongs to the Lord.

Therefore, approaching the King of Glory appropriately entails embracing godliness, rooted in God's historical revelation of Himself. Any other approach veers into crafting a deity of our own making, which is the essence of godlessness.

A Guiding Message on Building a Relationship with God:

Paul's message in 1 Timothy 3:16 is clear: he's conveying the essence of how we should relate to God.

1 Timothy 3:16 “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.”

We find a powerful declaration of the mystery of godliness. It underscores that we're not left in the dark, fumbling our way toward God. Instead, God has revealed Himself through Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity. And He invites all people, through this message, to turn from their sins and approach God the Father through the Son.

We don't need to rely on elaborate religious rituals and traditions to approach God. Instead, we can place our trust in the truth of the Gospel based in history and draw near to God through Jesus by the work of the Holy Spirit.

When we examine these truths, we realize that the core principles of godliness differ from common moral expectations. The Christian faith, distinct from other religions, isn't centered on formal ceremonies, rituals, traditions, or mere acts of worship. Instead, it revolves around our relationship with God brought about by Jesus Christ, which not only brings forgiveness of our sins but also transforms us into those who genuinely love God.

Conclusion: The Mystery that Has been Revealed:

Thus the mystery of Godliness is that in Christ Jesus we are welcomed to approach God the Father in boldness. We do not need to work our way to him, for he has already drawn near to us by his Son. How are you going to react to His presence?

The right response to Him is to humble ourselves before Him, rest on the work of Jesus Christ, acknowledging that it is only through him that we have access to the Father and salvation from His wrath and death.

This teaches that you don't have to make yourself perfect for God to accept you, nor do you need to earn His favor through good deeds. All the necessary work has already been done by Jesus Christ, by His grace, God invites you to approach Him through the door, which is Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:1–2 “Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Prayer:

Song:

Benediction: 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”