Mystery of Godliness - I Timothy 3:15-16

The mystery of godliness is without question the reality from the incarnation to the ascension of God. The life of Jesus Christ, inclusive of all his works and affirmations is mysterious. This is the epitome of godly reverence and piety. If you want to see what godliness looks like, look at Jesus Christ.

This godliness revealed is the truth that the body of believers is the foundation of -- the truth which the uphold. And this truth is what teaches you to know how to behave in the household of God.

Not by religious practices to become godly but behavior because of the mystery of godliness. Not abstinence from creation but a godly stewardship of creation because of the mystery of godliness.

What does the “mystery of godliness” teach us about our behavior?

(1) That the epitome of godly perfection is the Person of Jesus Christ.

There is no doubt about this. This mystery of godliness is great. We cannot fathom the greatness of this.

Recently, many of you witnessed the aligning of Jupiter and Saturn. Would you please try to comprehend that Jupiter, at it closest to the earth is 365 million miles away.

The shortest route across the USA from CA to GA is 2,671 miles. In other words, the shortest distance from Jupiter to Earth is equal to almost 137,000 trips across the USA.

As difficult as this is to conceive in our minds, yet the great mystery is the incarnation, life, and ascension of Jesus Christ. You have a better chance at attempting to comprehend a planet from this distance than fully comprehending all of the Person of Jesus Christ.

(2) That our exhortation is uniquely the entirety of Jesus life.

(3) That our example is Jesus who shows us what true godliness.

This is humbling because it confirms for us just how fallen we really are. It is a mystery which shows our limited knowledge and understanding, but the example of Jesus Himself is humbling because for what other human did God order the angels in praise?

(4) That our effort for true godliness is a life lived by full faith.

(5) That I etiquette is to be in a certain way because of true godliness.

The epitome, our exhortation, our example, our effort, our etiquette is all found in One Person: Jesus Christ. He is the hub from which all the spokes on the wheel proceed.

So, we behave a certain way because Jesus has already attained for us something which we could never attain on our own: true godliness. This makes for a “Merry Christmas”.

It is not merry if we have to earn it...

It is not merry if we have to pay for it...

It is not merry if we have to practice for it...

It is merry because of Jesus Christ.