The Profound Mystery of Christ's Death

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:18-20, Paul speaks of the mystery of the Gospel, a theme that has been the focus of our recent gatherings. This evening, we delve into the profound mystery of the death of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Gospel, by its very nature, is a mystery to humanity, something hidden and secret that can only be known through divine revelation. The New Testament describes the Gospel as a mystery, emphasizing that it is beyond human comprehension and can only be understood as God reveals it to us.

The death of Christ is a central and perplexing aspect of this mystery. It is a focal point of the Gospel message, yet it remains a stumbling block for many. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, emphasizes the importance of Christ crucified, a message that was often met with ridicule and misunderstanding. The death of Christ is not merely a historical event or a tragedy; it is the divine plan of salvation, a mystery that God has chosen to reveal to us.

Throughout history, the death of Christ has been misunderstood and attacked by various heresies. Some have tried to explain it away as a mere tragedy or a demonstration of God's love, but these explanations strip away the mystery and wonder of the cross. The New Testament presents the death of Christ as a profound mystery, an event that defies human understanding and reveals the depth of God's love and justice.

The mystery of the cross is that the immortal God, the Prince of Life, died for our sins. This paradox is at the heart of the Gospel. Jesus, who had the power to command nature and perform miracles, willingly laid down His life. His death was not a result of human actions alone but was part of God's eternal plan to reconcile the world to Himself. The cross is the ultimate expression of God's love and justice, where our sins were punished in the person of His Son.

Key Takeaways:

- The Gospel is inherently a mystery, something hidden and revealed only by God. It is beyond human comprehension and requires divine revelation to be understood. [03:36]

- The death of Christ is a central mystery of the Gospel, a profound event that reveals the depth of God's love and justice. It is not merely a historical event but a divine plan for salvation. [07:34]

- Throughout history, the death of Christ has been misunderstood and attacked, but the New Testament presents it as a profound mystery that defies human understanding. [09:52]

- The paradox of the cross is that the immortal God, the Prince of Life, died for our sins. This mystery reveals the depth of God's love and justice, where our sins were punished in the person of His Son. [34:47]

- The cross is the ultimate expression of God's love and justice, a divine plan to reconcile the world to Himself. It is a mystery that invites us to marvel at the wonder of God's grace. [56:25]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:18-20
[00:52] - The Mystery of the Gospel
[01:55] - The Urgency of Understanding the Gospel
[03:36] - The Nature of Mystery in the Gospel
[04:41] - The Mystery of Christ's Person
[06:32] - The Mystery of Christ's Death
[08:22] - Attacks on the Mystery of the Cross
[10:36] - Misunderstandings of Christ's Death
[18:25] - Illustrations of the Mystery
[28:03] - The Paradox of Christ's Power and Weakness
[35:32] - The Explanation of the Mystery
[37:56] - Christ's Teachings on His Death
[43:19] - The Transfiguration and the Cross
[46:18] - The Garden of Gethsemane
[49:08] - The Last Supper and the New Covenant
[52:19] - The Apostolic Explanation of the Cross
[56:25] - The Wonder of the Cross

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 6:18-20
2. 1 Corinthians 1:23-24
3. John 3:14-16

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Ephesians 6:18-20, what does Paul ask the believers to pray for, and why is it significant in the context of the mystery of the Gospel? [00:12]

2. How does the sermon describe the nature of the Gospel as a mystery, and what does it mean for something to be a mystery in this context? [03:18]

3. What are some of the historical misunderstandings and attacks on the death of Christ mentioned in the sermon? [09:52]

4. How does the sermon illustrate the paradox of Christ's power and weakness, particularly in relation to His death on the cross? [34:47]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Gospel is beyond human comprehension and requires divine revelation? How does this impact our understanding of faith? [03:36]

2. The sermon mentions that the death of Christ is a stumbling block for many. Why might this be the case, and how does this challenge our modern understanding of justice and love? [26:01]

3. How does the sermon explain the significance of the cross as the ultimate expression of God's love and justice? What does this reveal about God's character? [56:25]

4. The sermon discusses the paradox of the immortal God dying for our sins. How does this paradox deepen our understanding of the Gospel message? [34:47]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to understand a spiritual truth. How did you seek divine revelation or guidance, and what was the outcome? [03:36]

2. The sermon highlights the importance of Christ crucified as central to the Gospel. How can you keep the message of the cross central in your daily life and interactions with others? [07:34]

3. Consider the ways in which the death of Christ has been misunderstood historically. How can you engage in conversations with others to clarify these misunderstandings? [09:52]

4. The sermon describes the cross as the ultimate expression of God's love and justice. How can you reflect this love and justice in your relationships and community? [56:25]

5. The paradox of the cross challenges our understanding of power and weakness. How can you embrace this paradox in your own life, especially in moments of personal weakness or failure? [34:47]

6. How does the understanding of the Gospel as a mystery influence your approach to sharing your faith with others? What steps can you take to communicate this mystery effectively? [03:36]

7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the divine plan of salvation. How does this understanding shape your view of God’s purpose for your life and the world around you? [56:25]

Devotional

Day 1: The Gospel as Divine Mystery
The Gospel is described as a mystery, something hidden and revealed only by God. It is beyond human comprehension and requires divine revelation to be understood. This mystery is not a puzzle to be solved by human intellect but a divine truth that invites us to rely on God's wisdom and revelation. The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 6:18-20, emphasizes the importance of prayer and supplication in the Spirit, highlighting that understanding the Gospel requires a heart open to God's revelation. As believers, we are called to approach the Gospel with humility, recognizing that it is a gift from God, not something we can grasp on our own. [03:36]

Ephesians 3:8-9 (ESV): "To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on God's revelation rather than your own understanding? How can you cultivate a heart open to His mysteries today?


Day 2: The Centrality of Christ's Death
The death of Christ is a central mystery of the Gospel, a profound event that reveals the depth of God's love and justice. It is not merely a historical event but a divine plan for salvation. The cross is where God's love and justice meet, where our sins were punished in the person of His Son. This event, often misunderstood and ridiculed, is the cornerstone of our faith. It challenges us to see beyond the surface and recognize the divine purpose behind Christ's sacrifice. The Apostle Paul reminds us that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. [07:34]

1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV): "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Reflection: How does the understanding of Christ's death as a divine plan for salvation change your perspective on suffering and sacrifice in your own life?


Day 3: Misunderstandings and Attacks on the Cross
Throughout history, the death of Christ has been misunderstood and attacked, but the New Testament presents it as a profound mystery that defies human understanding. Many have tried to reduce it to a mere tragedy or a demonstration of love, but these explanations fail to capture the full depth of the mystery. The cross is a stumbling block for many, yet it is the very heart of the Gospel. It invites us to embrace the mystery and wonder of God's plan, recognizing that His ways are higher than our ways. As believers, we are called to defend the truth of the cross and proclaim its power to a world that often misunderstands it. [09:52]

1 Corinthians 2:7-8 (ESV): "But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

Reflection: What are some common misunderstandings about the cross that you encounter in your community? How can you lovingly address these misconceptions with the truth of the Gospel?


Day 4: The Paradox of the Cross
The paradox of the cross is that the immortal God, the Prince of Life, died for our sins. This mystery reveals the depth of God's love and justice, where our sins were punished in the person of His Son. Jesus, who had the power to command nature and perform miracles, willingly laid down His life. His death was not a result of human actions alone but was part of God's eternal plan to reconcile the world to Himself. This paradox challenges us to see the cross not as a symbol of defeat but as the ultimate expression of victory and love. It invites us to marvel at the wonder of God's grace and to live in the light of His sacrificial love. [34:47]

Philippians 2:6-8 (ESV): "Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

Reflection: How does the paradox of the cross challenge your understanding of power and weakness in your own life? In what ways can you embrace this paradox in your daily walk with Christ?


Day 5: The Cross as the Ultimate Expression of Love and Justice
The cross is the ultimate expression of God's love and justice, a divine plan to reconcile the world to Himself. It is a mystery that invites us to marvel at the wonder of God's grace. Through the cross, God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This act of love and justice is not just a past event but a present reality that transforms our lives. As we reflect on the cross, we are called to respond with gratitude and to live out the implications of this profound mystery in our relationships and communities. The cross compels us to love others as Christ has loved us and to seek justice in a world that desperately needs it. [56:25]

Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV): "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Reflection: How can you embody the love and justice of the cross in your interactions with others today? What practical steps can you take to be a peacemaker in your community?

Quotes



The Gospel, by its very nature, is a mystery to men as is by nature now what we mean by mystery is this something which is hidden and secret from Men and which can only be known as God reveals it and when the New Testament talks about the mystery of the Gospel what it means is this thing which in and of itself is secret but which God In His Infinite kindness and mercy and compassion has chosen to make known to us the children of men. [00:03:16]

The death of Our Lord was always something extraordinary unusual unexpected and mysterious and no set of people found the death of Our Lord more mysterious than our Lord's own disciples and let me give you one example to show you what I mean and it's a very very striking one most people are agreed that one of the most striking figures in the apostles was the Apostle Peter quick energetic and Men was always ready to volunteer and to do things. [00:18:47]

The Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians reminds them that the preaching of Christ crucified is to the Jew use a stumbling block and to the Greeks it is foolishness they ridiculed it they ridiculed the Apostle Paul they said who is this man who's always talking about some man who's been nailed on a tree died on a jibit Jesus Christ and him crucified the Jews said this is nonsense our Messiah when he comes is going to be a great Mighty military deliverer. [00:25:49]

The paradox of the cross is that the immortal God, the Prince of Life, died for our sins. This mystery reveals the depth of God's love and justice, where our sins were punished in the person of His Son. The cross is the ultimate expression of God's love and justice, a divine plan to reconcile the world to Himself. It is a mystery that invites us to marvel at the wonder of God's grace. [00:34:47]

The New Testament tells us right away through that the death of Our Lord has been a standing mystery it was a mystery at the time to everybody what is this what's the meaning of of it well let me put to you a third proposition which will help us to come in the direction of a solution why is it such a mystery well the answer is obvious from the Gospels it is of course because of this apparent contradiction in him he stands as an enigma. [00:27:46]

He says I am come into the world he says before Abraham was I am he says I and the father are one there's one side but there's another side he is arrested in parent utter weakness weakness and helplessness the one who can commend the elements in even control the Sea and the wind heal people who are diseased give life to the dead he can't resist just a handful of people who come to arrest him he arrested in apparent helplessness and complete helplessness nailed to a tree. [00:30:08]

The mystery of the death of Christ upon the cross what is it oh I'll tell you it's this there at the grave of his friend Lazarus he thinks like this death what's brought it into the world oh it's the sin of men man wasn't made to die man died because he rebelled against my father because he broke the law because he listened to the devil death is the consequence of sin and it's such a terrible thing that before I can deal with it I've got to die. [00:45:38]

The explanation of the mystery coming from his own mouth and from his own words and after he had died and he had risen again he began addressing two men two CEST Fallen followers of his who were traveling from Jerusalem to a little place called em and were absolutely cast down before because of his death and couldn't understand why he died they said we had hoped that it was he who would bring he would have redeemed Israel. [00:49:48]

The apostles V with one another in saying it listen to Paul God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself he ha made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him yes as Peter who his own self bear our sins in his own body on the tree that we being dead to sins should live and to righteousness by whose stripes we are healed. [00:52:43]

The mystery of the Gospel the mystery of God's way of making forgiveness through putting our sins on his son and punishing them in him have you seen it if you are you'll be ready to join me in saying something like this upon that cross of Jesus mine eyes at time can see the very dying form of one who suffered there for me and from my smitten heart with tears two wonders I confess The Wonder of his glorious love and my own worthlessness. [00:56:04]

The cross is the ultimate expression of God's love and justice, a divine plan to reconcile the world to Himself. It is a mystery that invites us to marvel at the wonder of God's grace. Do you now see the Wonder and the amazing character of it all do you now understand why Isaac watz talks about the Wondrous Cross do you understand why he now says where the whole realm of nature mind that were an offering far too small love so amazing So Divine demands my soul my life my all. [00:56:25]

God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself that's the mystery this is God's way of forgiveness he punishes our sins in the person of his his own dearly beloved only begotten son it is God who sent his son to the cross on calvary's Hill that's why he set his fear steadfastly that's why nobody could hinder him he came to die he came to taste death for every man he came to be the Lamb of God. [00:55:38]

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Transcript
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