The Mystery of God - Christ

Colossians 2:2-3


By Pastor Dan Kennedy

© March 5, 2017

www.pastorkennedy.com


The Mysteries of Life in Our Universe

There are a host of fascinating documentaries illuminating the natural mysteries of creation all around us.  They show us the dynamics of gravity shaping our fantastic planet, free-floating in space, with precise, unknown and self-perpetuating energy.  The mysteries of electro-magnetism and many, many sophisticated “laws” (such as: “The boiling point of sulfur is 444.6 degrees Celsius”) within all the forces of “nature” allows consistency in everyday life.  It is interesting to realize that we had no part in the origination of these “laws” and we do not need to understand them…how or why they may be essential to our life and well-being.  These myriads of the exacting “Laws of Nature” (we could not exist without many of them) function smoothly and independently without anyone’s interference, upgrade, or manipulation – having been firmly established since the beginning of time!


From the ultra-efficiency of the octagonal shape of the honeycomb, “intuitively” manufactured by bees, to the ability of extremely heavy “frozen water” (icebergs), to float on water because of the unique minute expansion of space in the readjustment of the formation of the water molecule when frozen – we can observe, in awe, and document these phenomenal natural events which seem to unfold so “normally,” without fanfare, keeping the everyday expectations of life consistent for all living micro and macro-organisms in the inner-connected and vastly diverse ecosystems on our planet and in the universe.  Everything in this complex creation consistently cries, without fear, “God, is our Creator!”  But the dense supernatural fog blinding spiritual eyes seems to only allow the natural person to enunciate and transcribe an incapacity to explain the profundity of life by mindlessly repeating the same politically correct explanation: “evolution,” which truthfully translated means, “we really don’t know, but nothing must have made us.”  (Although we innately know and have ample scientific experience and proof that “nothing” will never make “anything!”)


What fools we are to say, “there is no God.” (Psalm 14:1)


There are not only a host of mysteries in the visible universe, there are also many hidden and invisible mysteries in the spiritual universe.


In the first two chapters of Colossians, God reveals through Paul, two critical mysteries which profoundly affect mankind.


The Mystery of Spiritual Transformation:  “Christ in You, the Hope of Glory”


Colossians 1:27

27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.


God kept His own mysteries secret until just the right time.  The spiritual and physical forces dominating this world would never have crucified the Lord of Glory, if they had perceived that in crucifying Christ their own power would be overcome and the curse of sin, death, and hell would be broken.  So, God kept His Plan secret until He allowed the jealousy and hatred against Himself and His Son to overflow into a frenzied cry of “crucify Him.”  While His powerful spiritual enemies sadistically fanned the frenzy, they did not stop until they accomplished God’s secret Plan through the awful cross: Just payment for sin, and the Lawful Redemption of condemned souls, so they could become universally pardoned, Justified and transformed Children of the Most High God.  


The Holy Spirit was given by God at Pentecost.  It was at that time that God revealed the mystery of “Christ in You the Hope of Glory” (Col. 1:27).  It was also during that time that the revelation of the Gospel of Christ would be spreading throughout the world and available to any, Jew or Gentile, who would call on the Name of the Lord for salvation (Rom. 10:13).  Transformation by the power of the Holy Spirit is the key part of Salvation.  “Christ in You” is the essential part of New Birth (John 3:3, 16, 36).


The second mystery that God shared through Paul regarded the Person of “Christ” – The Messiah, revealed in Col. 2:2.


God reveals through Paul, the second Mystery of God – “Christ”


Colossians 2:2

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


The Mystery of God Revealed:  Christ, the Messiah, Savior and Redeemer


o   Christ, our Messiah, Savior and Redeemer


The One who is the Redeemer and Deliverer for those from every nation (not just the Jewish nation), who believe on Him for Salvation.


Revelation 5:9–10

9 And they sang a new song:

“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,

because you were slain,

and with your blood you purchased men for God

from every tribe and language and people and nation.

10  You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”


Scripturally committed Jews were (the Orthodox Jews today still are) on a constant outlook for the Messiah, the One who would be Israel’s deliverer.  Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother spent the day with Jesus and then rushed to find Simon to tell him that they had found the Messiah!


John 1:41

41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).


The “woman at the well” was very familiar with the longing of the Jews for their Messiah.


John 4:25–26

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”


Jesus Christ came to earth, the Incarnate Son of God, The Messiah, and Salvation and Eternal Life can Only be Found through belief in Christ and His Sacrifice for Sin


The only secure foundation for eternal life – spanning this physical world and the unseen spiritual world, is belief in CHRIST, The Messiah, sent by God, for forgiveness of our sins and eternal life.


Acts 4:12

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”


John 14:6

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.


Acts 10:43

43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”


1 Timothy 2:3–6

3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.


Jesus Christ is God-sent to be the Messiah for all who will call upon His Name for Salvation.


The Mystery of God Revealed:  Christ, the Son of Man, Messiah


The “Son of Man” identification originally came from the Messianic passage in Daniel.


Jesus was letting those around Him know that He was, in fact, the Messianic figure spoken of in Daniel 7:13.


Daniel 7:13–14

13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.


Jesus spoke of Himself as “the Son of Man” some 78 times in the four Gospels, referencing His life at that time, on earth, and what would be His Coming Kingdom.


Examples of Jesus’ use of “The Son of Man” – regarding His Earthly Ministry


Matthew 9:6

6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”


Matthew 12:1–2, 8

12  At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

Jesus Responded to the Pharisees:

8 the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”


Explaining a Parable

Matthew 13:37

37 He (Jesus) answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.


Luke 9:58

58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”


Matthew 20:18

18 “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death


Examples of Jesus’ use of “The Son of Man” concerning His Future Coming


Luke 9:26  

26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.


Matthew 16:27

27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.


Matthew 24:44

44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.


Mark 14:61–62  (at Christ’s Trial – His admission of being the Messiah, that condemned Him)

61 …Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”


Jesus was clearly letting those around Him know that He was, in fact, the Messianic figure spoken of in Daniel 7:13.


God’s Revelation of the Mystery of Christ was not only of the Messiah, but also of who would be the Eternal King.


The Mystery of God Revealed:  Christ, the Eternal King


Throughout the Old Testament God had promised a King who would deliver and be the Savior and eternal King of the Jewish people.  This promise is called the Davidic Covenant.


God promised David that through his offspring his kingdom and throne would endure forever (2 Sam. 7:1–17). This promise is known as the Davidic covenant or the divine charter, and is the source of the Jewish expectation of the Messiah; an anointed one of God from the line of David would always rule over God’s people.[1]


Isaiah 32:1

32  See, a king will reign in righteousness

and rulers will rule with justice.


Jeremiah 23:5–6

5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord,

“when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch,

a King who will reign wisely

and do what is just and right in the land.

6 In his days Judah will be saved

and Israel will live in safety.

This is the name by which he will be called:

The Lord Our Righteousness.


Isaiah 7:14

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son,

and will call him Immanuel. (God with us)


Isaiah 9:6–7

6  For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7  Of the increase of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

will accomplish this.

 

Daniel 7:13–14

13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.


Jesus Christ is not only:

  1. The Messiah,

  2. “The Son of Man,”

  3. “The Son of God,”

  4. The Coming Eternal King,

but He is also

      God the Son

Christ embodies the Fullness of the Godhead.


The Mystery of God Revealed:  Christ, The Fullness of the Godhead in Bodily Form


The Mystery that God the Father revealed, after Christ became our Sacrifice and Redeemer, was that…


·  Christ is also He in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge exist.


·  Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all the Law with the stability of the “spirit” (not just the “letter”) of its healthy societal legal structures, feasts, Sabbaths, celebrations and traditions.


·  Jesus Christ brings reality and understanding to the dynamic of the unseen and powerful authority of the spiritual world.


·  It is Christ in which all the fullness of God exists.


The reality of who Christ is, is the revelation of God’s Mystery, which could not be shared with the world until just the right time…the beginning of “the Church Age.”


Colossians 2:2-3


·  Purpose:  2  My purpose is that [those in the Church] may grow in…


o   Encouragement – be encouraged in heart and


o   Unity – be united in love,


o   Understanding – have the full riches of complete understanding,


o   Spiritual Comprehension – know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,


  1. 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

·  The Fullness of God in Christ:


o   The Fullness of God Exists in Christ –  9 In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,


Colossians 1:19–20

19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.


o   Our Spiritual Fullness is in Christ10 and you have been given fullness in Christ,


o   All Power and Authority is in Christ – Christ is the head over every power and authority.


  1. He forgave us all our sins,


·  14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us;


·  he took it away, nailing it to the cross.


  1. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities,

·  he made a public spectacle of them,


·  triumphing over them by the cross.


Conclusion


The Mystery that God revealed to us through Paul is the fullness of the Person of Jesus Christ:


  1. The Mystery of God Revealed:  Christ, the Son of Man, the Messiah


  1. The Mystery of God Revealed:  Christ, the Eternal King


  1. The Mystery of God Revealed:  Christ, The Fullness of the Godhead in Bodily Form


It is Christ in which all the fullness of God exists.  Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, is the Mystery of God, revealed in the fullness of time.





[1]  Myers, A. C. (1987). In The Eerdmans Bible dictionary (p. 712). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.