Mystery No More

Introduction

Mystery revealed makes unity enabled (3:1-6)

As we have talked about in the past few weeks, unity is important, necessary, and possible because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul continues to stress to us the importance of the gospel to true unity with others in our lives.

In my mind this is so applicable as all of the Bible is to us today because of the amount of division among everyone today, including those in the church. I think many times we preach and teach as if those on the outside of the church are the only ones with the problems we talk about in Scripture or we talk about things as if they don’t happen here. In the church, and even more specifically within our youth group we have to fight for unity in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What do I mean by fighting for unity? Satan wants to fracture relationships, turn people against each other, stir up gossip, harbor unforgiveness, and ultimately create division within the church. What does that mean for us? That means we have to be vigilant, alert, and always seeking to make reconciliation happen between all people but ESPECIALLY with other believers. God does not desire for us to live a life of anger and resentment with other people in the body of Christ.

Paul has been giving us insight on the essential nature of unity in the gospel. Paul saw no way for there to be any division within the body of Christ because of the great unifying power of the gospel, of the Holy Spirit, etc. God’s plan through Jesus’ work was one of reconciliation and redemption that brings unity not division.

Mystery revealed makes pride concealed (3:7-9)

A mark of maturity in your faith is your understanding of your complete dependence upon God to see anything good, fruitful, or eternal come out of our lives. Paul continuously makes it clear that everything he might be able to boast about comes as a gift directly from the hand of God. He says that he was made a minister of the gospel ACCORDING TO THE GIFT OF GOD’S GRACE WHICH WAS GIVEN ME BY THE WORKING OF HIS POWER. TO ME THOUGH I AM THE VERY LEAST OF ALL THE SAINTS, THIS GRACE WAS GIVEN.

Paul never attributed anything that he labored for in the Lord to be of his own doing. When people repented and came to faith in Christ it was the working of the Holy Spirit. The boldness we get to do it comes from God. The wisdom and words to say come from God. The ability to be a minister of the gospel is a gift of God’s grace. Paul knew this and consistently gave all the credit to God with everything.

Reliance upon Jesus and his power, his grace, his purpose is essential for growth in your faith. Reliance is humility. You will work yourself to death and beat yourself into the ground if you take on your shoulders what is only supposed to be done by God. If you think you are the one that saves your friend you are wrong. Now don’t mistake what God DOES call you to do. God does ask you to forgive others. God does tell you to tell others about Jesus and what he did on the cross for them. God does tell you to share your testimony. God does tell you to love others. God does tell you to help others. God does tell you to do the work of the ministry. But he doesn’t expect you to save anyone because you can’t do that only He can. 2 Corinthians 3:5 “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Mystery revealed makes boldness achievable (3:10-13)

God is using the church to fulfill His great purpose in saving the lost and building His church through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus desires for us to have boldness before other people without fear or shame. Do you have a small view of God? The Holy Spirit lives inside of you. The same Holy Spirit that worked mightily through Paul, Peter, John and all of the apostles and members of the early church and all throughout the past 2000 years to build His church, save souls into an eternal relationship with God through the power of Jesus is also living inside of you. God wants to do miracles through you like bringing your friends from spiritual dearth to spiritual life in Christ. God wants to use you to shine light in dark places. God wants to use you to speak truth in the midst of the lies.

Faith in Christ is how we have access to God. Because we have access to God through Jesus we boldly approach the throne of God. Hebrews 4:16 says “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Guys nothing is too big or too small for you to go to God in prayer with. You should pray for your friend that is far from God because He can save them. You should pray for healing because He is the great physician. You should pray for peace or strength or wisdom because God gives graciously to those that ask in faith.

Conclusion

We need to pray. Talk to God tonight about what you’ve been wanting to talk to him about for a while. That you have thought was too big, too small, too far, too difficult. He wants you to share your burdens with Him. That’s part of relationship with the Lord is sharing your burdens and your requests with God. You can boldly approach the throne and you should often.