Revealing the Mystery: Christ in Us, Our Hope
Summary
### Summary
Today, we celebrate the incredible work God is doing on the Key Peninsula, particularly through our recent Vacation Bible School (VBS) event. We had an amazing turnout with over 120 kids and 90 volunteers, all coming together to experience the love and teachings of Jesus. This event is a testament to our long-standing mission to be a light of Jesus in our community. It's heartwarming to see the cumulative effect of these efforts, as many children come to know Christ through these programs.
Our focus today is on the mystery of Christ, as highlighted in Colossians 1:26-27. This mystery, which has been hidden for ages, is now revealed to us: "Christ in you, the hope of glory." This revelation is akin to the anticipation and excitement of opening a long-awaited Christmas gift. Just as a child eagerly awaits the moment to unwrap a present, we too should be filled with joy and anticipation for the mystery of Christ revealed in us.
Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, speaks of his willingness to suffer for this mystery. He emphasizes that his suffering is not a cause for pity but a testament to the worthiness of the gospel. The mystery of Christ is not something unknowable but something revealed by God in His perfect timing. This revelation is meant to bring hope and glory, not just to the Jews but also to the Gentiles, making it a universal gift for all who believe.
As we reflect on this mystery, let us remember that it is Christ in us that brings hope and glory. This is a profound truth that should transform our lives and our communities. Let us continue to be a light on the Key Peninsula, sharing this incredible gift with everyone we encounter.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Light of Jesus in Our Community: Our mission is to be a beacon of Jesus' light on the Key Peninsula and beyond. This is evident in our community events like VBS, where we see the transformative power of Christ in the lives of children and volunteers alike. The cumulative effect of these efforts is a testament to our long obedience in the same direction. [05:33]
2. The Mystery of Christ Revealed: The mystery that Paul speaks of in Colossians 1:26-27 is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." This revelation, once hidden, is now disclosed to us, bringing hope and glory to all who believe. It is a gift that should fill us with joy and anticipation, much like a child eagerly awaiting a Christmas present. [30:54]
3. Suffering for the Gospel: Paul willingly suffers for the sake of the gospel, not seeking pity but demonstrating the worthiness of the mystery of Christ. His suffering is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel and the importance of sharing this mystery with others. [35:16]
4. The Universal Gift of Christ: The mystery of Christ is not limited to a specific group but is a universal gift for all who believe. This inclusivity is a cornerstone of the gospel, breaking down barriers and bringing hope and glory to both Jews and Gentiles. [36:49]
5. Transformative Power of VBS: Our recent VBS event is a powerful example of how community efforts can lead to spiritual growth and transformation. With over 120 kids and 90 volunteers, the event was a significant milestone in our mission to share the love of Jesus. The impact of these efforts is seen in the lives of children who come to know Christ and the volunteers who serve them. [31:55]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[05:33] - Light of Jesus on the Peninsula
[06:24] - Prayer and Invitation
[29:50] - Introduction to VBS
[30:54] - Mystery at the Museum
[31:55] - Impact of VBS
[32:59] - Christmas in July
[34:00] - Anticipation of the Gift
[35:16] - Paul's Willingness to Suffer
[36:49] - Mystery Revealed by God
[38:03] - Christ in You, the Hope of Glory
[39:05] - Universal Gift of Christ
[40:13] - Transformative Power of the Gospel
[41:30] - Closing Reflections
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Colossians 1:26-27 (NIV): "the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 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."
#### Observation Questions
1. How many kids and volunteers participated in the recent Vacation Bible School (VBS) event? What does this turnout signify about the community's engagement? [30:54]
2. What is the "mystery" that Paul refers to in Colossians 1:26-27? How is it described in the sermon? [36:49]
3. According to the sermon, why does Paul willingly suffer for the gospel? What does his suffering demonstrate? [35:16]
4. How does the sermon compare the revelation of the mystery of Christ to the anticipation of opening a Christmas gift? [34:00]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does "Christ in you, the hope of glory" mean for both Jews and Gentiles according to Colossians 1:26-27? How does this inclusivity impact the understanding of the gospel? [36:49]
2. How does the cumulative effect of community events like VBS contribute to the mission of being a light of Jesus on the Key Peninsula? [30:54]
3. In what ways does Paul's willingness to suffer for the gospel challenge contemporary Christians' approach to hardships and sacrifices for their faith? [35:16]
4. How should the revelation of the mystery of Christ transform the lives and communities of believers, as suggested in the sermon? [38:03]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the recent VBS event. How can you personally contribute to similar community efforts that aim to share the love of Jesus? [30:54]
2. The sermon emphasizes the joy and anticipation of the mystery of Christ. How can you cultivate a sense of joy and anticipation in your daily walk with Christ? [34:00]
3. Paul’s suffering for the gospel is seen as a testament to its worthiness. Are there areas in your life where you can endure hardships for the sake of the gospel? How can you prepare yourself for such challenges? [35:16]
4. The mystery of Christ is a universal gift. How can you actively share this gift with people from different backgrounds and cultures in your community? [36:49]
5. The transformative power of VBS was evident in the lives of children and volunteers. How has participating in church events or community service transformed your faith? Share a specific example. [31:55]
6. The sermon compares the revelation of Christ to the excitement of opening a Christmas gift. What steps can you take to maintain a sense of wonder and excitement about your faith? [34:00]
7. How can you be a light of Jesus in your own community, similar to the mission on the Key Peninsula? Identify one specific action you can take this week to shine Christ’s light in your neighborhood. [05:33]
Devotional
Day 1: The Light of Jesus in Our Community
Our mission is to be a beacon of Jesus' light on the Key Peninsula and beyond. This is evident in our community events like VBS, where we see the transformative power of Christ in the lives of children and volunteers alike. The cumulative effect of these efforts is a testament to our long obedience in the same direction. [05:33]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Think of a recent community event or interaction where you had the opportunity to be a light for Jesus. How can you continue to shine His light in your daily interactions this week?
Day 2: The Mystery of Christ Revealed
The mystery that Paul speaks of in Colossians 1:26-27 is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." This revelation, once hidden, is now disclosed to us, bringing hope and glory to all who believe. It is a gift that should fill us with joy and anticipation, much like a child eagerly awaiting a Christmas present. [30:54]
Ephesians 3:4-6 (ESV): "When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel."
Reflection: Reflect on the joy and anticipation you feel when you think about the mystery of Christ revealed in you. How can you share this joy with someone who may not yet understand this incredible gift?
Day 3: Suffering for the Gospel
Paul willingly suffers for the sake of the gospel, not seeking pity but demonstrating the worthiness of the mystery of Christ. His suffering is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel and the importance of sharing this mystery with others. [35:16]
2 Timothy 2:8-10 (ESV): "Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."
Reflection: Consider a time when you faced challenges or suffering because of your faith. How did you see God's transformative power at work in that situation, and how can you use that experience to encourage others?
Day 4: The Universal Gift of Christ
The mystery of Christ is not limited to a specific group but is a universal gift for all who believe. This inclusivity is a cornerstone of the gospel, breaking down barriers and bringing hope and glory to both Jews and Gentiles. [36:49]
Galatians 3:28-29 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."
Reflection: Think about the diverse people in your community. How can you actively break down barriers and share the universal gift of Christ with someone who may feel excluded or marginalized?
Day 5: Transformative Power of VBS
Our recent VBS event is a powerful example of how community efforts can lead to spiritual growth and transformation. With over 120 kids and 90 volunteers, the event was a significant milestone in our mission to share the love of Jesus. The impact of these efforts is seen in the lives of children who come to know Christ and the volunteers who serve them. [31:55]
1 Corinthians 3:6-9 (ESV): "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building."
Reflection: Reflect on the role you play in planting seeds of faith in your community. How can you continue to support and participate in events like VBS to nurture spiritual growth and transformation in others?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "We hope too that if you come in here with any kind of darkness or hopelessness or anxiety that the light of Jesus shines into your hearts today at this service and that you leave here a little lighter than when you came." [06:05] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Man, we can trust in God today, that's for sure. And that song we just sang, that's part of who we are. We sought the Lord. We could trust in Him. He answered." [29:50] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Every year it seems like we've got a number of kids who pray to receive Christ and to follow him and you know that's just something that's that is a blessing to be a part of." [31:55] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When we talk about the mystery, that's kind of what we're talking about. That Jesus is the gift. I mean the cat's out of the bag now. Christ in you the hope of Glory is the gift and people had waited for a long time for that to be revealed." [34:00] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Paul is just saying that I'm gladly suffering because it's worth it and he is suffering for this mystery. He says I become its servant by the commission God gave me to present the word to you in God of God in its fullness." [35:16] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "We see a cumulative effect of just year after year, born into kids on the peninsula. Some of them are kids that go here. Some of them are kids that don't. But this year, we talked about this mystery at the museum at 12627. And it's over here on the board. Christina Matthews did a great drawing there. And the spoiler here is that the mystery of 12627, that's just Colossians 1, 26 through 27, right?" [30:54] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "To them God has chosen to make known among the gentiles the glorious the glorious which is of this mystery which is Christ in you the hope of glory the mystery is this Christ in you the hope of glory and when it talks about Jesus he is the one we proclaim admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ." [35:16] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "This particular mystery is worth suffering for right so so Paul is willing to suffer for the revealing of this mystery and we find in scripture that mystery is something revealed by God in God's time in the Bible it's not something that's unknowable it's it's what can only be revealed to you by God." [36:49] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Paul just starts out and say I'm so I'm suffering for this thing and I don't get the idea that Paul is trying to like have a pity party here maybe you've got that friend who you know when they're suffering like you never have to ask are you suffering right now because that'll let you know." [35:16] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so, we're talking about VBS today, this past week, Monday through Friday. We had VBS up at North, and we just want to talk about what happened there, and then use that theme as a springboard for what we're going to talk about today out of the Scripture." [29:50] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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