The Mystery Of God Series

The Mystery of God

CCCAG, March 19, 2023

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-5 (talk about handouts)

Introduction

How many people here this morning can honestly say they love mysteries?

I split this word mystery into two different subjects.

The first-TV mysteries, mystery books- the “who done it” type of mysteries.

But there is a second kind of mystery- that kind of mystery that deals with the things in life that are so vast and inscrutable that they boggle the mind and our ability to explain the intricacies of how they work.

Maybe it's getting home late and looking up at the night sky. I do this several times a week as I get home either at 440 or 540 when it’s still dark out. I always look up and see the constellations and the stars and even galaxies and stand there amazed at God’s creation.

The mystery of how God put all of that into being.

Or maybe it's an overlook where you can see miles and miles and you marvel in the grandeur of creation and if you're a person of faith your heart swells with worship of God.

I still love to drive to Independence and when you are coming over the hill you see all the bluffs and ridges way over in Buffalo County.

The bible says that God has put eternity into the hearts of men. I believe that is where we get this hunger for this idea of mystery- something that is awesome and mysterious to behold, but difficult to describe or to explain to someone else.

In fact my love of science is built around this love of mystery.

I like to figure things out. In fact, when I was growing up I’d drive my mom crazy because usually by the end of January, I’d be in my bedroom with the door shut disassembling some expensive toy she had bought me for Christmas just to see how it worked.

It’s also one of the reasons I love theology. Theology is simply the study of God. It's the study of why He does what He does, and how HE chooses to interact with HIS people.

Theology is both beautiful in it’s diversity, and solid in it’s truth. The bible is amazing as it can speak something to a homeless drug addict or a Harvard Law graduate.

Today, we will be continuing on our journey through the book of Colossians, looking at chapter 2, verses 1-5 and exploring the mystery of God and what it means for our lives today.

Scripture:

Col 2:1-5

I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.

2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

NIV

Prayer

A few moments ago, I said theology can be beautiful in it’s diversity. When I said that, I did not mean that you can believe what you want.

I simply stating that there are some parts of the bible and many parts of how we understand God and His ways are open to interpretation.

After all, any language we have is going to be very unable to describe that which is indescribable. At best, the bible gives us glimpses into the nature and character of God, but never assumes to be a complete picture- just the one HE wants us to know.

In fact, that in itself, is embracing the mystery that is faith.

Saying that, much of interpretation has been done for us, and handed down through the early church fathers, through many of the commentators that we use today, to even modern findings that shine the light on the authenticity and accuracy of scripture.

So we will begin there today- As we learn to embrace mystery and to search the deep things of God to discover His nature for ourselves, we still have to defend what has been handed down to us for the last 2000 years.

I. The Struggle for true doctrine

Doctrine can be a bit of a double-edged sword for us here in the A/G.

Let me tell you why-

Let’s take a time machine back to about 1910. We get out of our time machine onto a busy street, and decide to pick up a newspaper to see when are at, and what is going on in this time of history.