The Profound Mystery of the Gospel Revealed

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:18-20, Paul requests prayers from the church in Ephesus, emphasizing his role as an ambassador in chains tasked with making known the mystery of the Gospel. This mystery, often misunderstood or dismissed by the modern world, is not a vague or nebulous concept but a profound truth revealed by God. The confusion surrounding the Gospel today stems from a lack of understanding of its true nature. Many attempt to demystify the Gospel by stripping it of its miraculous elements or simplifying it to mere ethical teachings, but this approach misses the essence of the Gospel's mystery.

The Gospel is a divine revelation, not a human construct. It is a mystery because it originates from the wisdom of God, which transcends human understanding. This mystery is not something that can be fully grasped by human intellect alone; it requires divine revelation and the illumination of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel's mystery is evident in the life and teachings of Jesus, which often baffled even those closest to Him. His message was not merely about moral or political reform but about a deeper, spiritual truth that challenges human wisdom.

The Gospel's mystery is also seen in its ability to be understood by the simple and humble, while often confounding the wise and learned. This paradox highlights the Gospel's divine origin and the necessity of approaching it with humility and repentance. To truly understand the Gospel, one must become like a child, acknowledging their own limitations and seeking God's revelation.

The Gospel is a mystery because it is the wisdom of God, revealed through Christ and made known by the Holy Spirit. It is not something that can be fully comprehended by human reason alone but requires a heart open to God's revelation. This mystery challenges us to humble ourselves, repent, and seek God's wisdom, trusting that He will reveal His truth to those who earnestly seek it.

Key Takeaways:

- The Gospel is a divine mystery, not a human construct. It transcends human understanding and requires divine revelation to be truly comprehended. This mystery is not about vagueness but about the profound depth of God's wisdom. [06:10]

- Attempts to demystify the Gospel by removing its miraculous elements or simplifying it to ethical teachings miss its essence. The Gospel's power lies in its divine origin and the revelation of God's wisdom. [12:47]

- The Gospel's mystery is evident in the life and teachings of Jesus, which often surprised and confounded even those closest to Him. His message was not about mere moral or political reform but about a deeper spiritual truth. [23:24]

- The Gospel is accessible to the humble and simple, while often confounding the wise and learned. This paradox highlights the necessity of approaching the Gospel with humility and repentance, acknowledging our limitations. [37:23]

- To understand the Gospel, one must become like a child, seeking God's revelation with an open heart. The Holy Spirit illuminates our understanding, revealing the mystery of the Gospel to those who earnestly seek it. [54:35]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:18-20
- [00:47] - The Mystery of the Gospel
- [01:21] - Confusion in the Modern World
- [02:39] - Authority of the New Testament
- [04:09] - Importance of the Gospel's Mystery
- [06:10] - Meaning of Mystery in the New Testament
- [09:57] - Revelation of the Mystery
- [11:14] - Denial of the Gospel's Mystery
- [18:39] - Mystery to the Natural Man
- [23:24] - Surprising Nature of Jesus' Message
- [30:55] - Independence from Human Understanding
- [39:10] - Why the Gospel is a Mystery
- [45:48] - Human Condition and the Mystery
- [50:12] - The Way to Know the Mystery

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:18-20

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific request does Paul make to the church in Ephesus regarding his role as an ambassador? ([00:28])

2. How does the sermon describe the modern world's confusion about the Gospel? ([01:38])

3. According to the sermon, what is the Apostle Paul's understanding of the term "mystery" in the context of the Gospel? ([06:10])

4. What are some ways people today attempt to demystify the Gospel, as mentioned in the sermon? ([12:47])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does the sermon suggest that the Gospel's mystery is not meant to be fully comprehended by human intellect alone? ([10:14])

2. How does the sermon explain the paradox of the Gospel being accessible to the humble and simple, yet confounding the wise and learned? ([37:23])

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Gospel challenges human wisdom and understanding? ([39:43])

4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in revealing the mystery of the Gospel? ([54:35])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you tried to understand the Gospel solely through your own reasoning. How did that experience compare to seeking divine revelation through prayer and the Holy Spirit? ([10:14])

2. The sermon emphasizes approaching the Gospel with humility and repentance. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a humble heart in your spiritual journey? ([37:23])

3. Consider the ways in which you might have attempted to simplify or demystify the Gospel in your own life. How can you embrace its mystery and divine origin more fully? ([12:47])

4. The sermon suggests that the Gospel is accessible to those who become like children. What does it mean for you to approach your faith with childlike openness and trust? ([54:35])

5. How can you actively seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in understanding the deeper truths of the Gospel in your daily life? ([54:35])

6. Think about a situation where you felt challenged by the Gospel's teachings. How can you rely on God's wisdom rather than your own understanding in similar situations? ([39:43])

7. Identify one area in your life where you need to trust God's revelation more than your own intellect. What steps can you take this week to surrender that area to Him? ([39:43])

Devotional

Day 1: The Gospel as Divine Mystery
The Gospel is not a product of human invention but a divine mystery that transcends human understanding. It is a profound truth revealed by God, requiring divine revelation to be truly comprehended. This mystery is not about vagueness but about the profound depth of God's wisdom. The Gospel's power lies in its divine origin and the revelation of God's wisdom, which cannot be fully grasped by human intellect alone. It challenges us to seek God's wisdom and revelation, trusting that He will reveal His truth to those who earnestly seek it. [06:10]

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: In what ways have you tried to understand the Gospel through your own reasoning? How can you open your heart to receive God's revelation today?


Day 2: The Essence of the Gospel's Mystery
Attempts to demystify the Gospel by removing its miraculous elements or simplifying it to ethical teachings miss its essence. The Gospel's power lies in its divine origin and the revelation of God's wisdom. It is not merely a set of moral guidelines but a profound spiritual truth that challenges human wisdom. The Gospel's mystery is evident in the life and teachings of Jesus, which often surprised and confounded even those closest to Him. His message was not about mere moral or political reform but about a deeper spiritual truth. [12:47]

Colossians 1:26-27 (ESV): "The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Reflection: How have you seen the miraculous elements of the Gospel at work in your life? What steps can you take to embrace the full mystery of the Gospel today?


Day 3: The Surprising Nature of Jesus' Message
The Gospel's mystery is evident in the life and teachings of Jesus, which often surprised and confounded even those closest to Him. His message was not about mere moral or political reform but about a deeper spiritual truth that challenges human wisdom. The Gospel is accessible to the humble and simple, while often confounding the wise and learned. This paradox highlights the necessity of approaching the Gospel with humility and repentance, acknowledging our limitations. [23:24]

Matthew 11:25 (ESV): "At that time Jesus declared, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.'"

Reflection: In what ways has Jesus' message surprised or challenged you? How can you approach the Gospel with humility and openness today?


Day 4: The Paradox of the Gospel's Accessibility
The Gospel is accessible to the humble and simple, while often confounding the wise and learned. This paradox highlights the necessity of approaching the Gospel with humility and repentance, acknowledging our limitations. To truly understand the Gospel, one must become like a child, seeking God's revelation with an open heart. The Holy Spirit illuminates our understanding, revealing the mystery of the Gospel to those who earnestly seek it. [37:23]

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a childlike faith in your daily walk with God? What practical steps can you take to seek God's revelation with an open heart today?


Day 5: Seeking God's Revelation
To understand the Gospel, one must become like a child, seeking God's revelation with an open heart. The Holy Spirit illuminates our understanding, revealing the mystery of the Gospel to those who earnestly seek it. This mystery challenges us to humble ourselves, repent, and seek God's wisdom, trusting that He will reveal His truth to those who earnestly seek it. The Gospel is a divine revelation, not a human construct, and requires a heart open to God's revelation. [54:35]

James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need God's wisdom and revelation? How can you actively seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in this area today?

Quotes



The Apostle solicits the prayers of the members of the church at Ephesus he asked them to remember all the saints but to remember him in particular because he is an ambassador at the moment he was in prison and therefore an ambassador in Chains but nevertheless he is an ambassador of Jesus Christ and to him had been committed this great task of making known as he puts it what he describes as the mystery of the Gospel. [00:55:20]

The Apostle says that he's an ambassador in bonds the message that has been entrusted and committed to him is the Declaration of the mystery of the Gospel what do you mean by mystery this is a most important matter now the word mystery in the New Testament always Carri carries a particular meaning it always has a very definite and particular connotation and we must be perfectly clear as to what that is. [05:58:19]

The gospel is a mystery in the New Testament is something which while in and of itself inscrutable and unattainable by the human intellect has nevertheless been made plain and clear by the goodness and the grace and the mercy of God it's no longer a mystery it has been revealed it has been explained it has been made known. [09:57:00]

The man who started this a man of the name of bulkman he argued like this he said why is the church failing why don't people believe the message of the Christian Gospel and he said there's only one explanation he said the trouble is that the message the simple message of the Gospel is so cluttered up in the New Testament with Miracles and things of that description but the Modern Men not only doesn't believe it he can't even look at it. [12:33:20]

The Modern Men if only you take the gospel to him in Simplicity he will believe it now now that's the exact opposite of what the Apostle teaches what the whole of the Bible teaches let me therefore try to show you what I mean by this that's how people try to get rid of the element of mystery I answer by showing you some of the ways in which this element of mystery is shown in the New Testament itself. [17:49:00]

Our Lord in speaking Parables was not just telling little stories or using little illustrations to make it obvious and plain and clear he says the exact opposite apparent something that is a mystery to any man who doesn't have the explanation of it that he himself can give Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven There It Is from the mouth of our blessed Lord himself. [20:20:00]

The Apostle puts it specifically in the 14th verse of that second chapter the natural men receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned could anything be pler here is a gospel here is a message that man with his natural ability and human wisdom Rejects and dismisses as Folly and nonsense. [35:54:00]

The wisdom of God that's why it's a mystery or take this other tremendous statement in the 10th verse but God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit for the spirit searcheth all things yay the Deep things of God can't you see that by definition when you come here you're coming to a different realm it's not the realm of men man's got his ideas. [40:08:00]

The wisdom we need is this isn't it what is a man what is life how can I live in a decent worthy manner how can I know God how can I die magnificently gloriously triumphantly how can I face the unknown future without a fear but rather with certainty and with Assurance you go and ask the wisdom of this world about that go and ask your politicians about that. [41:19:00]

The wisdom of God in a mystery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world and to his glory you want to understand the mystery of the Gospel listen to this challenge then who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct you come along answer my question who of you ha known the mind of God that you can instruct him. [42:38:00]

Repentance the only way whereby a man can ever be saved by this gospel saved in time saved for eternity saved from himself and his sins and the wrath of God and the judgment to come what is it oh it's to repent what's that mean it means to think again and when I think again I say this I say what a fool I am fancy trying to understand the mind of God. [50:12:00]

You become a little child in other words as our Lord put it you become a babe you admit you've got nothing that you know nothing that you come empty-handed to him and you ask him to have pity and mercy upon you and you ask him to reveal the truth to you because that is what he does that's his whole Plan of Redemption and of salvation. [53:16:00]

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Transcript
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