The Mystery
Ephesians 3:2 – 5
The word "MYSTERY" is used 27 times in the New Testament. It come from the Greek word "musterion" and means "a hidden secret".
I do love a mystery story. It would seem that every mystery story that I have ever read has certain elements which are true of all of them.
1. You have a crime that has been committed.
2. You have a villain.
3. You have a Hero.
4. You have a pretty young thing.
Did you know that the Bible is the greatest mystery story that has ever been written.
1. We have a Crime. - It is called sin.
2. We have Victims - The entire human race.
3. We have a Villain - His name is the devil.
4. We have a Pretty Young Thing - She is called the Church.
5. We have a hero - His name is Jesus.
A mystery-lover takes his place in the theater for opening night, but his seat is way back in the theater, far from the stage. The man calls an usher over and whispers, ’’I just love a good mystery, and I have been anxiously anticipating the opening of this play. However, in order to carefully follow the clues and fully enjoy the play, I have to watch a mystery close up. Look how far away I am! If you can get me a better seat, I’ll give you a handsome tip.’’
The usher nods and says he will be back shortly. Looking forward to a large tip, the usher speaks with his co-workers in the box office, hoping to find some closer tickets. With just three minutes left until curtain, he finds an unused ticket at the Will Call window and snatches it up. Returning to the man in the back of the theater, he whispers, ’’Follow me.’’ The usher leads the man down to the second row, and proudly points out the empty seat right in the middle. ’’Thanks so much,’’ says the theatergoer, ’’This seat is perfect.’’ He then hands the usher a quarter.
The usher looks down at the quarter, leans over and whispers, ’’The butler did it in the parlor with the candlestick.’’
Most of us love a good mystery, especially when the revelation of the mystery comes at the appropriate time.
The entertainment industry has made a living on “mysteries”. They will make documentaries on unsolved crimes, the building of the pyramids, and every other “mystery” under the sun. In order for it to be a mystery, there needs to be a seemingly unexplainable situation - something that you can’t figure out without help. If it involves murder, hatred, politics, or romance - it’s all the better. When the mystery is revealed by clear an indisputable evidence - it makes it perfect.
A mystery or secret brings excitement in your being. It is as though you cannot wait to share it with someone.
Mark 4:11
LO: He said to them, It is your privilege to know the secrets of the Reign of God, but to those without everything is vailed in parables;
GW: Jesus replied to them, "The mystery about the kingdom of God has been given directly to you. To those on the outside, it is given in stories:
WNT: "To you," He replied, "has been entrusted the secret truth concerning the Kingdom of God; but to those others outside your number all this is spoken in figurative language;
Talking to His disciples – to us – not to those on the outside – a secret has been given to us.
The Kingdom of God = the place where God reigns.
What is this secret?
Luke 17:21
Secret = kingdom of God = within us. Can say that’s no mystery or secret – but it is because difference between professing kingdom in me and understanding and practising kingdom in me.
What is this kingdom that is in me?
Romans 14:17
BWE: The kingdom of God is not about what a person eats and drinks. But it is about living in a way which is right with God. It is peace. It is joy because a person has the Holy Spirit.
Twenty: For the Kingdom of God does not consist of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and gladness through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
CEV: God’s kingdom isn’t about eating and drinking. It is about pleasing God, about living in peace, and about true happiness. All this comes from the Holy Spirit.
MSG: God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy.
Kingdom = righteousness.
Righteousness = right standing with God = nothing I can do – but all that has been done by Jesus. Can enter into His glory and presence not on what I have done or not have done, but because of what Jesus has done.
Kingdom = peace.
eirene {i-ray’-nay} = 1) a state of national tranquillity a) exemption from the rage and havoc of war 2) peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord 3) security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)
Do you see the mystery or secret? For many years we are living with this in us not knowing what we have.
Kingdom = joy in the Holy Spirit.
Proof that we don’t have or rather believe this secret = sad faces and lives of the children of God.
1 Corinthians 2:7 – 10
Colossians 1:26 – 27
CEV: For ages and ages this message was kept secret from everyone, but now it has been explained to God’s people. God did this because he wanted you Gentiles to understand his wonderful and glorious mystery. And the mystery is that Christ lives in you, and he is your hope of sharing in God’s glory.
GW: In the past God hid this mystery, but now he has revealed it to his people. God wanted his people throughout the world to know the glorious riches of this mystery-which is Christ living in you, giving you the hope of glory.
MSG: This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it’s out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our Message.
Mystery = kingdom of God in us = Christ living in us. Time to understand this mystery. Time to start living this mystery.
I’ve got a secret = Christ is living in me.
