THE GREAT MYSTERY IN THE MANGER – THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: 1 Tim. 3:14-16
Text: 1 Timothy 3:16
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Introduction: Everyone loves a GOOD mystery – Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, etc.
The doctrine of the Incarnation – God manifest in the flesh – is said to be “without controversy” a GREAT mystery.
I believe that it is the greatest mystery of all:
The mystery of the manger;
The mystery of the manifestation;
The mystery of the man, Christ Jesus;
The mystery of the GOD-man!
I. THE REJECTION OF THIS MYSTERY
John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
This mystery is
A. Hated by many people in society
1. Bible-denying science worshippers
2. Liberals in apostate denominations and seminaries
3. Cults like JFW’s (Jehovah’s False Witnesses)
B. Hidden in modern perversions of scripture
1. Check 1 Tim. 3:16; Luke 2:33; 1 Jn. 5:7; Acts 20:28; 7:59
2. Check the NASB, NWT, RSV, RV, NIV, NKJV
II. THE REQUIREMENT OF THIS MYSTERY
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
For reconciliation and mediation between God and man:
A. The Savior had to be GOD, as in eternity
1. Having God’s purity
2. Having God’s power
B. The Savior had to also be grounded on earth (as a MAN)
III. THE REALITY OF THIS MYSTERY
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.
A. This mystery was promised as a fact in the Old Testament
1. Gen. 22:7-8
2. Matt. 1:23 quotes Isa. 7:14
B. This mystery was preached as a fact by the apostles
1. Jn. 20:28 – Thomas declared it
2. Acts 7:59 – Stephen called upon GOD, saying, “Lord Jesus”!
3. Acts 20:28 – Paul declared it when he said that God bought the church with HIS own blood!
4. 1 John 5:7 – John declared it by inspiration
C. This mystery was proclaimed as a fact by Christ
1. John 10:27-31
2. Jn. 14:8-9
D. This mystery is puzzling, yet still a FACT
1. The birth of Christ was puzzling
2. As was His growth
3. As was His suffering
4. As was His death
5. As was His authoritative, declarative RESURRECTION
IV. THE RESULTS OF THIS MYSTERY
Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
A. We have a sympathetic Savior because He is very MAN
B. We have a sufficient Savior because He is very GOD!
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church |