Sharing the 'A-ha!'
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I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.
So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.
Epiphany is an A-ha! where someone has a revelation of what is going on behind the scenes.
Paul is revealing God’s mystery, God’s “a-ha”
God’s a-ha is Christ. He is the epiphany. He is God’s “secret” plan that is being made known. It is not an idea, or a principle. God’s plan is Christ, THE A-HA. And, it is a plan that includes ALL! Everyone is included in the a-ha that is Christ!
Paul’s ministry is to reveal God’s “mystery” to all!
Not a secret for a select few like the mystery cults or gnosticism
God’s mystery is being made known to ALL!
And, Paul is suffering for this mystery… There are those who do not like this mystery, and do not like that it is being revealed.
The mystery - God’s BIG plan - is that GENTILES and ALL PEOPLE can be included into God’s people because of Jesus Christ.
When you start messing with the status quo and telling EVERYONE that they can be a part of God’s plan, the establishment gets disgruntled.
Therefore, Paul suffers. But, he rejoices in his suffering because as long as he is suffering, the young church can grow.
In other words, if they are picking on him, they aren;t picking on them!
The biggest mystery is NOT that God is doing this. The mystery is HOW God is doing this. Why would God include you and me into His plan? Why would God include gentiles and Jews and everyone into His plan?
That is the mystery. That because of Christ - not because of the righteous things we have done - we are included!
Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.
But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.
But, the biggest part of this mystery is that ALL are included, all share in the glory of Christ, and ALL have Christ in them, working through them, to bring the hope of glory to the world.
For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Christ is the Great A-HA! And, Christ in us, working through us, displays this a-ha to our world - giving our world hope of Glory...
Yes, Christ in us gives us the hope of sharing in eternal glory. But, Paul also discusses how Christ in us allows us to work to bring glory to our world.
So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.
Because Christ is in us - and can be in EVERYONE - then when Christ works through us it can lead others to experiencing Christ - the Great A-ha!
Our world needs to see glory! Our world needs to see Jesus...
“When will the world see that we need Jesus?”
Our world has gone INSANE! And, it is yearning for a glimpse of GLORY and the hope this brings of things better to come!
So, if Paul is correct, that Christ is in ALL believers (holy ones/saints) and thins is the hope of glory, then the question is… why is our world not seeing Christ and Christ’s Glory?
A couple of answers....
1 - Christ really isn’t in his people
2- Christ is in His holy ones, but there aren’t many of them
3- Christ is in us, but we don’t allow Him to work through us...
Paul stated it this way...
1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
Our world needs Jesus. Our world needs a glimpse of Glory. Our world needs to see that a-ha from God. They will see that as WE allow Christ to work IN us and THROUGH us!
IF you want our world to be different, if you want our world to see Christ, if you want those in our world to be included in God’s plan and to see God’s glory, THEN you must allow Christ not only to be IN you, but to work THROUGH you.
Christ must change your attitude, habits, mindset, words, traditions, values, priorities… Christ must change you so you become more like Him so that our world does not see YOU, they see Christ.
Wait, Pastor, you mean I am supposed to show love to people?
Well, that’s what Christ did...
You mean I am supposed to be kind and compassionate?
Well, that’s what Christ did...
You mean I am supposed to lay aside my rights, wants, reputation, and sacrifice all that for others - even for people who I don’t get along with?
Well, that’s what Christ did...
If Christ is TRULY IN YOU, then Christ will be known THROUGH you as CHRIST changes you and transforms you!
Our world will see the hope of Glory - Christ, The Great A-HA, through you!
If you want our world to be a different place, then allow The Christ who is in you to be the Christ working THROUGH you.