The Mystery of Godliness

1 Timothy 3:16  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

INTRODUCTION: We can readily see several things surrounding our Lord Jesus.

              Yet, as we look at what it was all done for you and I.

Luke 19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

             Those of us who were Lost.  I was last now I am found.

John 9:25  He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

              We were all blind to spiritualness at one time or another.  However, some who profess Christ are still blind to the service required of them.

              In our verse a phrase is used “…the mystery of godliness…” and it appears we are sorta left in dark concerning this phrase.  In actuality, defining it is not required; it is another title for our Lord and Saviour Jesus.  He is our “Amazing Grace.”

              In this verse we find six things which define Him

I.            HE WAS MANIFESTED

              A.           In The Flesh (Made Man)

                             1.           Becoming Man

                                           i.            He experienced us

                                                          a.           All our trials

Hebrews 2:16-18  For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.  (17)  Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.  (18)  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

                                           ii.           He was visible to us  (Manifested)

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

              B.           To Take Away Our Sins

1 John 3:5  And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

                            1.           So we could see Him

                                           i.            Then knowing He is the Messiah

              C.           He Became Man

                             1.           To destroy the devil

Hebrews 2:14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; …

II.           JESUS WAS JUSTIFIED IN THE SPIRIT

              A.           The Holy Spirit

                             1.           Justified = is to vindicate= To defend; to justify; to 

                                           support or maintain as true or correct, against   denial, censure 

                                           or  objections.

              B.           The Holy Spirit Gave Jesus The Power

                             1.           To do mighty works

John 3:2  The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

                                   2.           Works beyond our wildest dreams

John 21:25  And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

              C.           The Holy Spirit Raised Jesus

                             1.           As our Messiah

                             2.           Defining Jesus sacrifice as

                                           i.            Acceptable to God

III.         HE WAS SEEN OF ANGELS

              A.           Heavenly Beings

                             1.           They were involved in:

                                           i.            The preparation of Jesus’ birth

Luke 1:26  And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

                                           ii.           His birth

Luke 2:8  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Luke 2:13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

                                           iii.          His trials

Luke 22:43  And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

                                           iv.          His temptations

Mark 1:13  And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

                                           v.           His resurrection

Matthew 28:2  And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

                                           vi.          His ascension

Acts 1:10-11  And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;  (11)  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

              B.           These Angels

                             1.           Saw All That Happened To Jesus

              C.           These Angels

                             1.           Were not:

                                           i.            Women

                                           ii.           Children

                                           iii.          Figments of imagination

                             2.           They were:

                                           i.            Real

                                           ii.           Men

IV.         JESUS PREACHED TO THE GENTILES

              A.           To All Nations of The World

Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

                             1.           Jesus came for us

                                           i.            To teach via the Holy Spirit

                                           ii.           To lead the lost to Him

Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

V.           CHRIST [Was] BELIEVED ON

              A.           Many Believed He Was The Messiah

                             1.           Because they believed

                                           i.            They were given everlasting life

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Colossians 1:6  Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

                             2.           They saw Him and believed

John 20:29  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

VI.         JESUS ASCENDED TO HIS FATHER

              A.           He was received of God

                             1.           He is:

                                           i.            Our Supreme Majesty

                                           ii.           Our LORD of lords

                                           iii.          Our King of kings

Mark 16:19  So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

CONCLUSION:               Here we have seen this “…the mystery of godliness…” defined as our Saviour.

              Some would say that this could apply to others, such as the disciples.  Not all six, maybe one , two or three, but not all six.

              So the “…mystery…” is solved.  We have seen in this simple, single verse, a summary of Christ’s life.

              What would the summary of your life read like?  We have heard several times about the date on our tombstone, for example my Fathers tombstone reads, 1922-1951.  We know the dates define our birth and our death.  What does the “DASH” represent for you?  Is yours a life of serving God, being obedient or is it a sinful, bitter hateful life avoiding the obedience toward God.  The choice is yours.