"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS"
1st Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.”
(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/18/14)
Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:
Paul was writing this letter to encourage his young associate in ministry Timothy. He also, of course, wrote 2nd Timothy.
The purpose of both letters were to explain to Timothy how to conduct himself in the church, and gave him instruction related to issues that were of concern to Timothy and the church in Ephesus.
The one single verse we are looking at is it seems a moment where Paul the Apostle simply burst out into praise and adoration of God whom He had been speaking about. In this verse we have many great and wonderful truths expressed and defined for us about God. May You be blessed greatly as you consider them, and may the Lord direct you into whatever application He has for you.
1. There is no question that the things of God are a great mystery to us.
1st Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.”
Simply put, God and the truths of God are not easily put into a box if you will.
It's a mystery.
Meaning that these truths have to be revealed by God.
And, that God has to give us the ability through His Spirit to understand them.
And, God wants us to understand them.
2. There is no question that God became a man.
1st Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.”
Paul tells us that God was manifest in the flesh.
God took on a human body.
Jesus Christ is God.
Jesus left glory and took upon Himself human flesh.
God became a man.
3. There is no question that God/Jesus was justified in the Spirit.
1st Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.”
In other words, the Holy Spirit affirmed the truthfulness of Jesus Christ being God in the flesh.
Take, for example, the Gospel of John.
It was written primarily to prove that Jesus Christ is God.
The miracles recorded in John were recorded so men would believe in Jesus Christ.
Jesus fulfilled many, many prophecies about the Messiah.
Thus proving He was God.
Jesus was justified by the Spirit of God.
4. There is no question either that Jesus was seen of angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory.
1st Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.”
These four truths are without question.
They are part of what makes this mystery so grand and glorious.
Angels beheld the incarnation of Jesus, in fact, they announced His birth.
Christ was preached not only to the Jews but to the Gentiles as well, just as the Old Testament said He would be.
And, Jesus has been believed in by multitudes, myself included, and I pray you also.
He came here to be believed on, so that people could be saved from their sins.
Finally, after Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead, He ascended up into heaven where He sits today.
Questions:
1. Isn't it a lot to take in when you really consider these truths about God?
2. Does it make you realize how much there is to learn about Jesus Christ, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit?
3. When did you first really have your eyes opened to the truth about Jesus?
4. When (if you have) did you first believe in Christ to save you?
5. Do you know that one day, because of salvation, you also will be taken up into heaven to be with God forever?
A Prayer:
Father, indeed to say the least great is the mystery of Godliness. Who is like You? There is none like You. You alone are God almighty.
Thank You for sending Jesus into the world. Thank You Jesus that You came into this world and died on the cross to save us from our sins. And thank You Holy Spirit for dwelling in us, and teaching us more and more about Jesus. We pray for You to continue guiding us, especially in these very difficult days our world is going through right now. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
