Please turn in the New Testament to Colossians 1

Our Mission is to Make the Mystery Manifest Colossians 1:25-29

Colossians 1:25-27 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;

Colossians 1:28-29 which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Vs. 25: Divine Dispensation Paul has a commission from God to present the Word of God!

Dispensation KJV translates as “dispensation” 4x and “stewardship” 3x KJV translates as “dispensation” 4x and “stewardship” 3x – the management of a household. – specifically, the management, oversight, administration, of other’s property. – the office of a manager or overseer, stewardship. Strong, J. (1996)

Paul Missed the G.C. Paul was not an apostle when Jesus gave the Great Commission Paul was not an apostle when Jesus gave the Great Commission Therefore, Paul here articulates the private commission or stewardship he received from the Savior on the road to Damascus. Therefore, Paul here articulates the private commission or stewardship he received from the Savior on the road to Damascus.

Paul’s Commission Acts 9:15-22 Notice what Paul immediately focused upon

Colossian 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; You is others

Vs. 25: Paul’s stewardship is: to fulfill the word of God to fulfill the word of God to make the word of God fully known to make the word of God fully known to make God’s message fully known to make God’s message fully known to present to you the word of God in its fullness— to present to you the word of God in its fullness—

All disciples of Christ have a commission from God to make the Word of God fully known.

Give an Answer 1 Peter 3:15 1 Peter 3:15 – But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Col 1:26 Vs. 26 further elaborates on Paul’s focus from the Word of God Vs. 26 further elaborates on Paul’s focus from the Word of God Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations,

Colossian 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

The Mystery is NOT Something! Our Hope is SOMEONE!

Religion Denomination ChurchMembership Its NOT ABOUT

Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: – We Preach Him

1 Corinthians 1:23-24 – But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; – But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

The HEART of the Mystery is the Revelation of Christ Turn to Matthew 16:13

Person and Work Peter’s Confession Has Two Parts: Peter’s Confession Has Two Parts: – You are the Christ (Work) Messiah Messiah – The Son of the Living God (Person) Deity Deity

Personal Confession The mere articulation of words is not sufficient to save the soul. The mere articulation of words is not sufficient to save the soul. Peter was not merely expressing an academic opinion about the identity of Christ; this was a confession of Peter’s personal faith, made possible by the revelation of truth from God— the Father. Peter was not merely expressing an academic opinion about the identity of Christ; this was a confession of Peter’s personal faith, made possible by the revelation of truth from God— the Father.

The Beginning of the Church Who is the main character of the first sermon in Acts 2?

Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

Acts 17:3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ : For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ :

2 Corinthians 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

Colossians 1:26, 27 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

The Mystery Includes The revelation of Jesus as God in Flesh The revelation of Jesus as God in Flesh The reality that their would be a 1 st and 2 nd coming The reality that their would be a 1 st and 2 nd coming The creation of the church consisting of Jews and Gentiles The creation of the church consisting of Jews and Gentiles Christ’s redemptive work on the cross Christ’s redemptive work on the cross The indwelling of the Spirit of Christ The indwelling of the Spirit of Christ

Like Paul our Commission Is a MISSION to make the MYSTERY known to all!

Colossian 1:28 Whom we preach, Whom we preach, – warning every man, and – teaching every man in all wisdom; – that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

RFPW ofChrist The Gospel is, the good news that anyone WHO Gains a glorious hope in in the

1. Repentant Feeling or expressing humble or regretful pain or sorrow for sins or offenses Feeling or expressing humble or regretful pain or sorrow for sins or offenses Repentant hearts are impacted by the Christ’s work on the cross, grieved by sin, convicted by the Holy Spirit, and experience regret for their unbelief and God alienating sin. Repentant hearts are impacted by the Christ’s work on the cross, grieved by sin, convicted by the Holy Spirit, and experience regret for their unbelief and God alienating sin.

2. Faith A belief, confidence, or assurance in the truth of the Word of God that results in trust and dependence upon the object of the faith. A belief, confidence, or assurance in the truth of the Word of God that results in trust and dependence upon the object of the faith. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen.

Repentance and Faith The faith that is unto salvation is a penitent faith and the repentance that is unto life is a believing repentance. Murray

Repentant faith creates an individual and personal connection with the indwelling Spirit of Christ which facilitates a relationship with the Holy Spirit and God the Father.

3. Person of Christ God: the Son of God God: the Son of God Humanity Humanity – Virgin Born – Sinless Life – Son of Man The mystery was the truth that the Messiah was going to be the Son of God!

4. Work of Christ Prophet (Teacher) Prophet (Teacher) Priest (Savior, Intercessor, Mediator) Priest (Savior, Intercessor, Mediator) King (Lord, Master) King (Lord, Master) The mystery was the truth that one man was going to be the Priest, Prophet, & King

The gospel is not a system, hierarchy, or set of regulations. It is the person and work of Jesus, which is indeed [our] message. R. Melick.