The Mystery of God, Christ

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

The Mystery of God, Christ

Date: Dec. 23, 2016

Passage

Colossians 1:24-2:5 (ESV)

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 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. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 2:2

that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,

First, Jesus, the mystery of God (1:24-29). Paul rejoiced in suffering for Colossian believers for Jesus' sake, who called him to suffer for his name even to go to the end of the world, Spain to present to them the word of God in its fullness. The main point was Jesus Christ, the glorious riches of the mystery, the hope of glory. This has been kept hidden for ages and generations. But it is now disclosed to the Lord's people whom God has chosen so that everyone may fully mature in Christ.

Second, in Christ, hidden all the treasures of God (2:1-5). Paul struggled very much to reach his goal that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ. In Jesus are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Paul wanted no one might deceive them by fine-sounding arguments. He wrote to make them stand firm in their faith in Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for revealing Jesus, the hidden treasures of the wisdom of God. Help us never be deceived by fine-sounding arguments.

One Word: Reveal God's hidden mystery, Jesus

Servants of God’s House

1 Chronicles 6:1-81

Key Verse: 6:32

Today's Question

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