Sunday School - May 17, 2009
A mystery is often considered to be something that is difficult to explain or understand; such can be stories where a problem, crime, or puzzle are to be solved; or an enigma which contains secrets or hidden knowledge, not yet revealed to man. But more often, the word mystery harbors a mystical connotation, which leaves more of us to wonder and less of us to comprehend. Although mysteries try the hearts and knowledge of man, such is a tool use by a Holy God.
Matthew 13:17. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Mark 4:11-12. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
If we see and perceive, and hear and understand, we are partakers of God’s revealed mystery. Such is a revelation obtained not of our wisdom or endeavor, but by the sovereign will of God. His will, serves His good pleasure, by choosing the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, that no man find cause to boast.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.
This week's lesson is again from the book of Ephesians. For those who follow the International Sunday School Lesson Plan (aka: The Standard Sunday School Lesson), this Sunday's lesson (May 17, 2009) comes from Ephesians 3:1-13.
Paul begins with a proclamation that he is a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Paul is Christ’s prisoner for the purpose of telling the Gentiles of the stewartship of God Grace for them. Paul is under bondage to Christ in such, he has forsaken his will for the will of Christ. Such is confirmed again in scripture: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage (2 Peter 2:19).
Through divine revelation it was made known to Paul the mysteries of Christ Jesus. As he put forth those revelations in writing, it would be received by those who read it. Thus by reading, the mystery of Christ would be perceived and understood. Now a reveal mystery, such was not so to past generation, but now reveal to holy apostle, prophets by the Holy Spirit. In this glorious reveal mystery, the Gentiles are fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ.
Romans 8:17. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
This gracious hope was provided to the Gentiles by Paul, although Paul considered himself the least of all saints, God chose him to be a gospel minister through effectual working of His power. God will fit those for His purpose; for that which He use is flawed, if the instrument He use is man. Just as Paul, we also must never loose thought of such fact.
1 Timothy 1:15. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Paul was given the grace of preaching to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; such unsearchable riches are beyond that which can be defined, of which no appraisal could establish its value. His ministry would reveal to all men, the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. Paul’s message was not just to Gentile, he spoke it to Jews and Gentiles alike that all mankind could be reconciled to God, through redemption by Christ.
Now through the body of Christ (the Church), principalities and heavenly bodies will see the manifold wisdom of God. This is done in accordance to God’s purpose, which He accomplished through Christ, our Lord. A mystery kept by divine seal, even to holy angels it was not revealed.
1 Peter 1:12. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
The revealed mystery, that God will allow man to make peace with Him, gives us courage to boldly approach Him through faith (Hebrews 4:16). It is Paul's desire that the Ephesians (and all Christians) not loose faith, due to his or our tribulation. For all tribulations is for our glory and when we endure, such is the evidence of a lasting faith and through faith, we obtain the strength to endure.
2 Timothy 3:12. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
If you are not a typical Sunday School attendee, Go and surprise the teacher. If your Church does not follow the Standard Sunday School Lesson and you are not aware of the topic of discussion, take on the attitude of "positive anticipation". I am sure you will like it; there is nothing like reading and discussing God's Word.
FYI: Sunday School is not just for Kids, it is also for the Humble (those who desire to know God’s mysteries) at heart.
Good Day and God Bless
A mystery is often considered to be something that is difficult to explain or understand; such can be stories where a problem, crime, or puzzle are to be solved; or an enigma which contains secrets or hidden knowledge, not yet revealed to man. But more often, the word mystery harbors a mystical connotation, which leaves more of us to wonder and less of us to comprehend. Although mysteries try the hearts and knowledge of man, such is a tool use by a Holy God.
Matthew 13:17. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Mark 4:11-12. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
If we see and perceive, and hear and understand, we are partakers of God’s revealed mystery. Such is a revelation obtained not of our wisdom or endeavor, but by the sovereign will of God. His will, serves His good pleasure, by choosing the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, that no man find cause to boast.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.
This week's lesson is again from the book of Ephesians. For those who follow the International Sunday School Lesson Plan (aka: The Standard Sunday School Lesson), this Sunday's lesson (May 17, 2009) comes from Ephesians 3:1-13.
Paul begins with a proclamation that he is a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Paul is Christ’s prisoner for the purpose of telling the Gentiles of the stewartship of God Grace for them. Paul is under bondage to Christ in such, he has forsaken his will for the will of Christ. Such is confirmed again in scripture: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage (2 Peter 2:19).
Through divine revelation it was made known to Paul the mysteries of Christ Jesus. As he put forth those revelations in writing, it would be received by those who read it. Thus by reading, the mystery of Christ would be perceived and understood. Now a reveal mystery, such was not so to past generation, but now reveal to holy apostle, prophets by the Holy Spirit. In this glorious reveal mystery, the Gentiles are fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ.
Romans 8:17. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
This gracious hope was provided to the Gentiles by Paul, although Paul considered himself the least of all saints, God chose him to be a gospel minister through effectual working of His power. God will fit those for His purpose; for that which He use is flawed, if the instrument He use is man. Just as Paul, we also must never loose thought of such fact.
1 Timothy 1:15. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Paul was given the grace of preaching to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; such unsearchable riches are beyond that which can be defined, of which no appraisal could establish its value. His ministry would reveal to all men, the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. Paul’s message was not just to Gentile, he spoke it to Jews and Gentiles alike that all mankind could be reconciled to God, through redemption by Christ.
Now through the body of Christ (the Church), principalities and heavenly bodies will see the manifold wisdom of God. This is done in accordance to God’s purpose, which He accomplished through Christ, our Lord. A mystery kept by divine seal, even to holy angels it was not revealed.
1 Peter 1:12. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
The revealed mystery, that God will allow man to make peace with Him, gives us courage to boldly approach Him through faith (Hebrews 4:16). It is Paul's desire that the Ephesians (and all Christians) not loose faith, due to his or our tribulation. For all tribulations is for our glory and when we endure, such is the evidence of a lasting faith and through faith, we obtain the strength to endure.
2 Timothy 3:12. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
If you are not a typical Sunday School attendee, Go and surprise the teacher. If your Church does not follow the Standard Sunday School Lesson and you are not aware of the topic of discussion, take on the attitude of "positive anticipation". I am sure you will like it; there is nothing like reading and discussing God's Word.
FYI: Sunday School is not just for Kids, it is also for the Humble (those who desire to know God’s mysteries) at heart.
Good Day and God Bless