Mystery Series

I. EXORDIUM:

Are you a mystery?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To study the word "mystery" or "secret"

IV. TEXT:

1 Timothy 3:16 (Amplified Bible)

And great and important and weighty, we confess, is the hidden truth (the mystic secret) of godliness. He [God] was made visible in human flesh, justified and vindicated in the [Holy] Spirit, was seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, [and] taken up in glory.

V. THESIS:

Mystery is a secret. Only known to GOD and the people He chooses to reveal them.

VI. TITLE:

Mystery

Word study: "Mystery" according to Greek Word: "musterion"

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: Apostle Paul

B. Date written: To encourage Timothy

C. To whom written: Timothy, Paul's true son in the faith

1 Timothy 1:2 (Amplified Bible)

To Timothy, my true son in the faith: Grace (spiritual blessing and favor), mercy, and [heart] peace [be yours] from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

D. Main themes: Advice and exhortation to a young pastor regarding his personal conduct and ministerial work.

E. Keyword: conduct

F. Key verse:

1 Timothy 3:15 (Amplified Bible)

If I am detained, you may know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and stay (the prop and support) of the Truth.

The word "mystery" or "secret" came from the Greek word: "musterion".

It's purpose is to shut the mouth.

1. Mystery - a profound secret. Something kept cautiously concealed. That which is beyond human comprehension until explained. Anything artfully made difficult

2. Secret - concealed from notice or knowledge. Unseen, private, secluded, removed from sight, private, affording privacy, known to GOD only and the people He chooses.

VIII. MAIN BODY:

1. Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven is for us but to the unbelieving, it's hidden to them.

Matthew 13:11 (Amplified Bible)

And He replied to them, To you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

Mark 4:11 (Amplified Bible)

And He said to them, To you has been entrusted the mystery of the kingdom of God [that is, the secret counsels of God which are hidden from the ungodly]; but for those outside [of our circle] everything becomes a parable,

Luke 8:10 (Amplified Bible)

He said to them, To you it has been given to [come progressively to] know (to recognize and understand more strongly and clearly) the mysteries and secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that, [though] looking, they may not see; and hearing, they may not comprehend.

2. Mystery: Hardness of Israel's heart is temporary, until exact number of Gentiles are all in.

Romans 11:25 (Amplified Bible)

Lest you be self-opinionated (wise in your own conceits), I do not want you to miss this hidden truth and mystery, brethren: a hardening (insensibility) has [temporarily] befallen a part of Israel [to last] until the full number of the ingathering of the Gentiles has come in,

3. Gospel was hidden as a secret and mystery long time ago

Romans 16:25 (Amplified Bible)

Now to Him Who is able to strengthen you in the faith which is in accordance with my Gospel and the preaching of (concerning) Jesus Christ (the Messiah), according to the revelation (the unveiling) of the mystery of the plan of redemption which was kept in silence and secret for long ages,

Ephesians 6:19 (Amplified Bible)

And [pray] also for me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel),

Colossians 1:26 (Amplified Bible)

The mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations [from angels and men], but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints),

4. GOD's wisdom is a mystery

1 Corinthians 2:7 (Amplified Bible)

But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God—[that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence].

5. Apostles are trustees or stewards of GOD's mysteries

1 Corinthians 4:1 (Amplified Bible)

SO THEN, let us [apostles] be looked upon as ministering servants of Christ and stewards (trustees) of the mysteries (the secret purposes) of God.

6. Love greater than all mysteries

1 Corinthians 13:2 (Amplified Bible)

And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).