The Secret's Out!

ME:

How many of us have kept a secret before?

How many of you have one right now?

We want you to stand up and tell us what it is.

When we think of secrets it is usually thought of as something that is kept from someone to protect them because it was bad, harmful, illegal, or morally wrong.

Someone stoled something

You stoled something.

A secret about abuse or neglect.

You might think of an extra marital affair.

Tell the story of Shelly in the ER with severe headaches (after Lucas’s birth)

Sometimes secrets are kept due to embarrassment.

Shelly wanting to keep a secret from her boys that she was divorced.

Tell how Logans was going to rat her out.

THE SECRET OUT!

Transition Statement: We all keep secrets!

WE:

We all do this .... Keep secrets!

Some are kept for a short period of time ....

Some are kept for a long period of time ....

Some are kept for EVER!

The majority of the time we think of secrets as BAD!

But not all are bad.

Most parents with little kids would agree (Dec. 25th right parents?)

Holidays / Surprise birthday parties

Most adults would agree though that there are some secrets that must be kept and/or need to be kept.

I looked up “things that most people keep as a secret.”

Something in your family history.

A phobia.

Something you bought.

Someone you're in love with.

Have you ever kept a secret with the understanding that at the right moment, at the right time, you could share this secret and it would be the greatest thing ever?

Transition Statement: Did you know this is exactly what we find in the Bible?

GOD:

Did you know there was a HUGE SECRET that was kept in the Bible.

I am not talking about .....

..... David and Bathsheba

..... Sampson and his Hair

..... Abraham And Sara (Daughter)

This HUGE secret I am talking about was one that was kept by God!

Paul makes reference to this in ......

Col 1:24-29

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Paul makes mention of a “Mystery” in verses 26 and 27.

The greek word found here is the word μυστεριον (Mysterion)

We find this word to mean (TO SHUT THE MOUTH) that which must not or cannot be said.

This word is translated in the NLT as “SECRET”

Which makes sense when we read the Greek word meaning “THAT WHICH MUST NOT OR CANNOT BE SAID.”

In this day and time one of the groups Paul contended with was a philosophy called Gnosticism.

The term was given to various religious movements which make redemption and man’s liberation dependent upon knowledge of the nature, origin and goal of the world and human life as well as of the heavenly regions.

Gnosticism was a form of religion which drew elements from Judaism, eastern religions and Christianity.

In gnosticism (→ Knowledge) the word mystēria became “secret revelations granted only to the “perfect” (teleioi) with a view to the redemption of their souls.”

What is this SECRET?

Secret - Jesus (Death, burial and resurrection)

He is the Secret (Mysterion)!

Paul uses this word for a specific purpose ....

Jesus is the redemption of our soul.

THE SECRET’s OUT!

(28) “Him we proclaim” .....

“proclaim” (katangello) which means to proclaim publically

Not just proclaim publically but do it in a ceremonious way.

Like announcing of a baby or a wedding.

You couldn’t SHUT PAUL UP.

I can relate to Paul in this sense ....

You know why I do what I do? Because HE did what HE did.

You Can’t shut me up?

How is this public (ceremonious) secret being announced?

(28) Warning & Teaching about the Secret.

“Warning” - (Noutheteo) Warning (NLT) Admonish (NIV, NASB, ASV)

Has to do with the will and the feelings of a man.

“To put something in someones mind”

Sometime by way of making observations, or giving warnings.

“Teaching” - (didasko) to teach, instruct

This word is used with the idea of a teacher/student dynamic in mind.

Now you give application “Put something in their hands”

This is how this secret is being revealed .....

Telling people (Sharing the gospel) about Christ then instructing them (teacher/pupil) (instructor and apprentice). This would be the discipleship aspect.

The church may be really good at telling people about Christ but I believe we are failing at discipling them.

What we read Paul telling this church, that he has not yet visited, “Share the mystery (secret)! Warn them ..... Teach them!

And just as it was being taught by the Gnostics of that day,

Colossians 1:28 (ESV)

28 ..... that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

The word mature in the Greek is the word (teleios). SOUND FAMILIAR?

It can also be translated “perfect”

The mystery is to be revealed “THE SECRET’S OUT”

Paul is telling us that this mystery is to be shared with all and through this secret we can be made perfect.

Share Jesus!

And through you they will be made perfect!

CHURCH ...... THE SECRETS OUT!

Transitional Statement: How many of you know of this secret?

YOU:

Tell the story of a Pastor’s wife and a church body who revealed this secret to me ......

For those to receive the Secret ......

Maybe you felt left out of the secret?

Good news: Its no longer a secret

This secret is for you today!

For those to share the secret ......

I believe there are some here that God has been calling you to share the secret with others.

A call to preach (Pastor)

A call to minister to neighbors, friends, co-workers, family members

A call to teach about the secret (Small groups leaders, SS teachers)

ALTAR CALL

Transition Statement: As receivers of the Secret we have a calling to share the secret. LET IT OUT!

WE:

Because of this secret being shared by this church we are now going to witness 3 individuals who have heard the Secret (Jesus) and has responded.

We are honored today to be witness to the baptism into the church of Jesus Christ.

Have Tony Hawkins, JR Collins, and Kaitlyn Chance