Colossians 2:1 (NET) 1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those who have not met me face to face.

Colossians 2:2-3 (NET) 2 My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches that assurance brings in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

We must affirm and say “yes” to the tensions we find in Scripture.

These tensions strengthen our faith and salt our speech.

Ephesians 6:19-20 (NET) 19 Pray for me also, that I may be given the message when I begin to speak—that I may confidently make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may be able to speak boldly as I ought to speak.

What will happen if I/we say “no” to these tensions?

“If you don’t say ‘yes’ to the tension, kids will start thinking God is a lot smaller than He really is.” --Reggie Joiner

Saying “no” to these tensions will lead to… 1.Idolatry

Isaiah 44:6 (NET) 6 This is what the Lord, Israel’s king, says, their protector, the Lord who commands armies: “I am the first and I am the last, there is no God but me.

Isaiah 44:7 (NET) 7 Who is like me? Let him make his claim! Let him announce it and explain it to me— since I established an ancient people— let them announce future events!”

Saying “no” to these tensions will lead to… 1.Idolatry 2.Immaturity

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NET) 8 “Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds, 9 for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans.

Saying “no” to these tensions will lead to… 1.Idolatry 2.Immaturity 3. Ineffective Witness (ambassador for Christ)

Secular Mysteries

Tension: Knowing the Unknowable God MYSTERYMYSTERY

M ysterious (yet known)

Tension: Knowing the Unknowable God M ysterious Y earning

Psalm 63 (NET) 1 O God, you are my God! I long for you! My soul thirsts for you, my flesh yearns for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. 2 Yes, in the sanctuary I have seen you, and witnessed your power and splendor. 3 Because experiencing your loyal love is better than life itself, my lips will praise you.

Tension: Knowing the Unknowable God M ysterious Y earning S ymbol

“God, according to Christianity of every stripe, is the supreme mystery, a blinding sun too bright to look at, but the source of illumination that allows us to see everything else on the landscape.” --Steven Boyer The Mystery of God

“We believe that the sun is in the sky at midday in summer not because we can clearly see the sun (in fact, we cannot) but because [by it] we can see everything else.” –C.S. Lewis

Tension: Knowing the Unknowable God M ysterious Y earning S ymbol T ranscendent (& Immanent)

Tension: Knowing the Unknowable God M ysterious Y earning S ymbol T ranscendent (& Immanent) E ternal

Psalm 90:1-2 (NET) 1 O Lord, you have been our protector through all generations! 2 Even before the mountains came into existence, or you brought the world into being, you were the eternal God.

Tension: Knowing the Unknowable God M ysterious Y earning S ymbol T ranscendent (& Immanent) E ternal R evealed

1 Timothy 3;16 (NET) 16 And we all agree, our religion contains amazing revelation: He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Tension: Knowing the Unknowable God M ysterious Y earning S ymbol T ranscendent (& Immanent) E ternal R evealed Y ahweh

We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. Nicene Creed

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same substance as the Father.

Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried.

The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.