Okay, this morning then. I'm
entitling the message from Ephesians chapter 3, from verses 3, 4,
and 5, how that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery,
as I wrote afore in few words, whereby when you read, you may
understand my knowledge of the mystery of Christ, which in other
ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it's now
revealed, unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit of
God. So I'm calling the message and
using the title, The Revelation and Mystery of the Gospel. The
Revelation and Mystery of the Gospel. This word, mystery, is
found several times in the book of Ephesians. It's found in verses 3 and 4.
And again, look at verse 9, "...to make all men see what is the
fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world
hath been hid in God, who created all things by the Lord Jesus
Christ." And again, over here in chapter 5, turn over there,
the word mystery again is used when it talks about husbands
and wives being made one flesh. Ephesians chapter 5, verse 32. This is a great mystery, but
I speak concerning Christ and His church. So, and again, if
you look at chapter 6 of Ephesians, Paul asks for prayer that he
might be able to preach the gospel, verse 19. And for me that utterance
may be given, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known
the mystery of the gospel." Now the word there, mystery, I looked
the word up, and it has to do with something secret. It's something
that is not naturally discovered or naturally known. The gospel
of the Lord Jesus Christ is completely hidden from the natural man.
We read a moment ago, the natural man receiveth not the things
of the Spirit of God. To the natural man, the preaching
of the cross is mere foolishness. Unto those who are called by
the gospel is the wisdom and power of God. The gospel is completely
hidden from the natural man. It cannot be understood by natural
wisdom, understanding, or intellect. It's a mystery that comes by
revelation. It's a revelation by the power
of God the Holy Spirit taking the Word of God and showing us
the gospel of Christ. And when I talk about the gospel
of Christ, It's specifically concerning who he is and what
he has accomplished. The Lord, by the power of the
gospel, must reveal this mystery unto us, or we'll never understand,
love, receive, or believe the truth. Never happen. The reason why is because we
are dead in sin. You had the Quicken who were
dead. Now let me show you another verse
that will help us on this. Find Matthew 11. Matthew 11. The apostles taught a sovereign
revelation, a sovereign revelation of the Gospel. And our Lord Jesus
Christ taught them the same message. Matthew 11. Look at verse 25. At that time, Jesus answered
and said, Matthew 11, 25. I thank Thee, O Father, Lord
of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from
the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even
so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight. Now look at
verse 27. This mystery and the revelation
of the mystery of the gospel comes by a sovereign revelation. God teaches sinners whom He will
teach. Look at verse 27. All things
are delivered unto Me and My Father. No man knoweth the Son,
but the Father. Neither knoweth any man the Father,
save the Son, and He to whom the Son will..." What? "...reveal
Him." So it's a revelation. God must command the light to
shine in our dead hearts to cause us to see the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God that shines in the face of our blessed Savior,
the Lord Jesus Christ. The natural man receiveth not
the things of the Spirit of God, I've often said to you over the
years I've been here, getting close to almost 30 years now,
it takes God to reveal God. That's just so. It takes God
to reveal God. The revelation of the Gospel
is a revelation of the mercy and love and grace of God in
the Lord Jesus Christ. There's no coming to God apart
from Christ. You're not going to come to God
who was holy and sovereign and almighty, you're not going to
come to God apart from the designated mediator. The Lord said, I'm
the way, I'm the truth, I'm the life. Right? What's the next
word? N-O. No man come to the Father
but by and through Me. Our Lord said again, no man can
come to Me except the Father which sent Me to draw him. It
takes a drawing, convicting, Revealing, regenerating power
of God. That's what we studied in Ephesians
chapter 2 verse 1. Remember? You hath he quickened
who were, what? Dead. Dead. A dead man can't
think. A dead man can't look. A dead
man has no appetite. He has no thirst for the spiritual
things of God. God must give us life, and then
we thirst after Him. And then we believe Him. And
then we come to Him. And then we repent. And then
we believe. Now, in Ephesians chapter 3, Paul says in verse
3, he says, how that by revelation... Now, how did Paul learn this
gospel? We know what he was by nature, a lost Pharisee named
Saul of Tarsus, going about to persecute those who believed
the gospel. How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery,
as I wrote before in few words, whereby when you read, you may
understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ." Now, where
did he get this knowledge? Let's turn back to Galatians
1. Galatians 1. Verse 11. Galatians 1. Verse
11. He said, I certify you, brethren,
that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I
neither received it of man, I wasn't taught it by man, but by the
revelation of Jesus Christ. For you've heard of my conversation
in time past in the Jews' religion. Have that be on measure. I persecuted
the church of God. I wasted it. I profited in the
Jews' religion among many of my equals, being more exceeding
zealous of the tradition of my fathers. But when it pleased
God, separated me from my mother's womb, called me by His grace,
verse 16, to reveal His Son in me that I might preach Him. You can't tell what you don't
know. that I might preach Him among
the heathen, immediately I didn't need any confirmation from any
man whatsoever. He said in verse 2, you've heard
of the ministry that I have of the grace of God which is given
to me for you. Look up here at verse 7. Ephesians
3 verse 7. He said, Wherefore I was made
a minister, His ministry was to sinners in need of mercy,
wherefore I was made a minister according to the gift of the
grace of God, given unto me by the effectual working of his
power. Unto me, whom less than the least of all saints, is this
grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles, here it is,
What? The unsearchable riches of the
Lord Jesus Christ. You remember that scripture where
it talks about, though He was rich in grace, yet for our sakes
He became poor, that you through His poverty might be made rich. Believers in Christ are heirs
of God and joint heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ. Look at Ephesians
3 verse 5. He said, this mystery in other
ages was not made known to the sons of men as it's now revealed
unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit that the Gentiles,
now he's talking about Jew and Gentile being one, one body in
Christ, that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs of the same body,
partakers of the promise in Christ by the gospel. They should be
fellow heirs. Remember, look at chapter 2,
Ephesians chapter 2, verse 12. We had this last week. He said,
what you are by nature. Verse 12, that at that time you
were without Christ, being alien from the commonwealth of Israel,
strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope without
God in the world. But now in Christ, you who sometimes
were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ, for He is
our peace. He has made both one He hath
made both, excuse me, He hath made both one, and hath broken
down the middle wall partition between us, having abolished
in His flesh the enmity of the law, of commandments contained
in ordinance, for to make in Himself of two one new man, that
He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross,
having slain the enmity thereby, read on, and came and preached
peace to you who were far off, and to them that were nigh, For
through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
And here's what I want to get to. Look what it says there.
Now therefore you're no more strangers, foreigners, fellow
citizens with the saints in the household of God, and are built
upon this foundation, Jesus Christ Himself. Both Jew or Gentile,
doesn't matter race or place or time or anything. the elect
of God, of all people, out of every kindred, tribe, nation,
tongue, and heaven, are one in Christ. He is the head, we are
His body. Look back at Ephesians 1, verse
22. He put all things under His feet,
and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which
is His body. His body. We're members one of
another. We're His body, the fullness
of Him that filleth all in all. Remember, Christ is all and in
all. The Lord Jesus Christ is all. So believers in Christ are fellow
heirs. Verse 6 again, Ephesians 3, verse
6. They're fellow heirs. Heirs of
God and joint heirs with Christ. They're of the same body. He
is the head. We are the body and we are partakers
of the promise, of his promise in Christ by the gospel. Now,
what's his promise? All the promises of God in Him
are yes and in Him, amen. The promise of eternal life,
the promise of redemption from all our sin, the promise of righteousness
freely given to these people, the promise of eternal life,
it's in Christ and it's by the Gospel of God concerning our
Lord Jesus Christ. Now, let me get to this. to make
all men see, verse 9, what is the fellowship of this mystery,
which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who
created all things by Jesus Christ, to the intent that now unto the
principalities and powers in the heavenly places might be
known by the church the manifold wisdom of God according to the
eternal purpose which he purposed in Jesus Christ our Lord, in
whom we have boldness and we have access with confidence by
the faith, the faith of him. by the faith of Him. Now, the
Gospel can give you four things. The Gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ is a complete hidden mystery to the natural man. Now, you
can take up religion. There's no problem with that.
Works religion is natural to this flesh. There is a way that
seems right unto men. The end of that way is death.
What appeals to the flesh is do this, do this, do this, and
everything will work out okay. The gospel of the grace of God
says, don't do. It says, it's done. Rest in Christ. That's the difference. The gospel
of the Lord Jesus Christ is a complete hidden mystery to the natural
man. It must be revealed through the Word of the Lord, and it
must come in the power of the Holy Spirit. He must take the
things of Christ and reveal them unto us. Now here's the first
reference I want you to turn to. This is a mystery that must
be revealed. First of all, find 1 Timothy
3. 1 Timothy 3. Verse 16. And here we see the
word mystery again. Without controversy, great is
the mystery of godliness. Now this is a great mystery.
God was manifest in the flesh. Now who is the Lord Jesus Christ?
Some say He was a good man, a good teacher, a prophet, a miracle
worker. But who is the Lord Jesus Christ?
God was manifest in the flesh. He's God our Savior. Justified,
vindicated by the Holy Spirit. seed of angels, priest unto the
Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory."
He went back exactly where he came from. When he by himself
purged our sin, he sat down on the right hand of God. We will
never understand who the Lord Jesus Christ is until God is
pleased to turn on the light and to show us that He is God,
our Savior. Remember, 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. And
of His fullness have we all received grace because of grace. What
gives the Gospel the power and might When the Lord Jesus Christ
shed his blood, it's not the blood of a mere man. He was,
in the flesh, a man, apart from sin. He had no sin, knew no sin,
and did no sin. But this one who dies, the appointed
death for the appointed people, is none other than God in human
flesh, God incarnate. Now this is a mystery. We'll
never grasp it, understand it, or believe it unless God reveals
it unto us. And what gives His atoning blood
power and weight and virtue before God is this fact that He is our
God and Savior. God bought us with His own blood. This is just not the blood of
some helpless victim. This is God's appointed Lamb
who is God Himself. God and man in one blessed person
remaining who He is and becoming what He was not. Another reference,
if you will turn to Philippians chapter 2, it also tells us here
again The Lord Jesus Christ, he's a mysterious person and
this must be revealed to us who he is. Philippians chapter 2,
let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who
being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with
God. Now to be equal with God is to
be God. But made himself of no reputation,
took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness
of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,
became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore,
God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is
above every name, that at the name of Jesus, the Lord Jesus
Christ, every knee should bow at things in heaven, things in
earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. He's Lord, to the glory
of God the Father. He's not Lord by a democratic
process. We didn't take a vote on this.
He's Lord by God's decree. God had made that same Jesus
whom you crucified both Lord and Christ. So, who He is, is
a mystery to the natural man that must be revealed unto our
heart, who He is. And that causes us to love Him.
To you who believe, He is precious. Here's the second thing. The
union of our Lord Jesus Christ with His church. This is a mystery. This union and oneness with the
Lord Jesus Christ is a mystery. If you look at Ephesians again,
5, I mentioned this earlier, he
says in Ephesians 5 verse 30, For we are members of his body,
of his flesh, and of his bones. We are in union with him. For
this cause shall man leave his father and mother, and shall
be joined unto his wife, and they too shall be one. This is
a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and His church.
His church, His body, they are one together. One together. And this is a mystery. I want
you to turn to Colossians chapter 1. Turn over there. Colossians
chapter 1. Remember, our Lord prayed, I
in them and thou in me, that we may be one in Him. John 17. Look at Colossians chapter
1, verse 25. Wherefore I made a minister,
Colossians 1.25, according to the dispensation, there's that
word again, it's stewardship, ministry, the ministry of God,
the ministry of grace, which is given me for you, to fulfill
the Word of God, or to fully preach the Word of God, even
the mystery, which hath been hid from ages and generations,
but is now made manifest, or revealed to the saints. What
is it? To whom God would make known.
What is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles? Notice, it's a mystery, which
is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We are one in Him. We're in union with Him. Now,
let's turn and read that in John chapter 17. This is our Lord's
prayer for His church as our great mediator, John 17. Turn
over there. He says in verse 20, John 17,
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall
believe on me through their word, that they all may be one as thou,
Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in
us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the
glory which thou gavest me I have given them, that they may be
one even as we are one. Now watch it, verse 23, I in
them, Thou and me, that they may be made perfect in one, that
the world may know that Thou hast sent me and hast loved them
as Thou hast loved me. Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ
are so much one with Him that when God Almighty sees us, He
sees us in His Son. Christ in you, the hope of glory. Hope of glory. That's a mystery
that must be revealed to us. Now here's the third one I want
you to look at. Find the book of Romans chapter
16. The last chapter of the book
of Romans. Romans 16 verse 25. To Him that is a power to establish
you according to my gospel, the gospel of God concerning Christ. Paul said, it's my gospel. saved,
justified by this gospel. And the preaching of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret
since the world began, but now is made manifest or revealed
by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment
of everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience
of faith, to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever."
This mystery of the gospel, Christ, the power of God, and the salvation. Now turn to Romans 1 verse 16. The gospel doctrine of justification
of sinners by the free and sovereign grace of God is called a mystery. How God is just and the justifier
of the ungodly. Romans 1, look at verse 15. Romans 1, 15. For as much as
in me is, I'm ready to preach the gospel to you who are at
Rome also. For I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. It's
the power of God and the salvation to everyone that believe it.
to the Jew and also to the Greek, the Gentile, where therein is
the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, as it is
written, the just shall live by faith. Now, what is the power
of God unto salvation? The gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ, how he justifies the ungodly by his grace. Stay right
here in the book of Romans, turn to Romans chapter 3, We had this this morning, verse
20, Romans 3, 20, Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall
no flesh be justified in his sight, for by the law is the
knowledge of sin, it's not the removal of sin, but now the righteousness
of God, Notice, "...the righteousness of God without the law is manifested,
being witnessed by the law and the prophets, even the righteousness
of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and
upon all them that believe. There is no difference, for all
have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Verse 24,
"...being justified freely by His grace through the redemption
that is in Christ Jesus." Now, there's not a period there, so
turn the page. Verse 25, whom God set forth,
foreordained, pictured, and promised to be the propitiation, the atonement
for our sin, through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness
for the remission of sins that are pious, through the forbearance
of God, to declare, I say at this time, His righteousness,
that He might be just and the justifier of them which believe
in the Lord Jesus Christ. How God justifies the ungodly
by the grace of God is a mystery that must be revealed. Now, have
you got patience to look at a couple more? Romans 8, look there, verse
1. Romans 8, verse 1, There is therefore
now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, no condemnation
to those who are in the Lord Jesus Christ, who walk not after
the flesh, but are seeking salvation by the revelation of the Spirit
of God. Now today in Romans chapter 8, look at verse 31 and following. What shall we say then to these
things? If God be for us, who can be
against us? Moreover, whom he did predestinate
he called, and whom he called he justified, and whom he justified
he glorified. Now, what shall we say to these
things? Well, if God be for us, who can be against us? He that
spared not his own son. but delivered him up for us all.
How shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who
shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It's God that
justifies. Who is he that condemneth? It
is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again, who is even
at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. How sinners are justified is
a mystery that must be revealed. And God, when He does that, He
teaches us that salvation and sinners are justified by the
grace of God and the grace of God alone. It's a mystery that
must be revealed. And here's the last one I want
to look at. If you turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 1 Corinthians chapter
15. Chapter 15. Look at verse 50. 1 Corinthians 15,
verse 50. Now this I say, brethren, flesh
and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth
corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery. Now here's another mystery. We
shall not all sleep. That is, talking about when the
Lord returns. We shall not all sleep, but we
shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling
of an eye, at the last trump, for the trumpet shall sound,
and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be
changed. That is, if we are living when the Lord comes back, We're
going to be changed in a moment, and it's winkling an eye. For
this corruptible must put on incorruption. This mortal must
put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall
have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on
immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,
death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting?
O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, the
strength of sin is the law, but thanks be unto God who has given
us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, on that same
last point, find 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. This
is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and His church.
We're going to be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of
an eye. God's going to raise up. He was delivered for our
offenses and raised again for our justification. He's going
to raise us up. This body and this flesh is going
to be changed and it's going to be conformed to the image
of the Lord Jesus Christ. How can that be? It's a mystery.
that must be revealed to us. Look what he says here. 1 Thessalonians
4, verse 14. Well, let's read verse 13. But
I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which
are asleep. Talking about those who have died in the Lord, resting
in the Lord, that you sorrow not, even as others which have
no hope. For if we believe, that Jesus died and rose again, even
so them also which sleep in him will God bring with him. For
this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are
alive and remain at the coming of the Lord shall not prevent
or precede them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend
from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, with
the trump of God, and the dead in Christ, shall rise first,
and we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds. To meet the Lord in the air,
so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort one
another with these words." What a great mystery. What a great
blessed truth that we are predestinated to be conformed to the image
of the Lord Jesus Christ. We'll have a new body without
sin, without sorrow. We'll worship Him perfectly then,
like we want to now. And He gives us this understanding.
Last Scripture, find over here, 1 John 5. The second coming of the Lord
Jesus Christ to take His bride home to glory and to enjoy her
forever is a mystery that must be revealed, and it is in the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now here's what must happen.
1 John 5, 20. All this is according to God's
eternal purpose, which He purposed in the Lord Jesus Christ, And
He must give us an understanding of these things. 1 John 5, 20. We know that the Son of God has
come and has given us an understanding that we may know Him that is
true. And we are in Him that is true. Even in His Son Jesus Christ,
this is the true God. And this is eternal life. This
is eternal life that you might know Thee, the only true God,
Jesus Christ, whom God hath sent. And all of this works, if you
go back to Ephesians chapter 3, back to the bookmark, one
verse, verse 11. All of this, you see verse 11? to the eternal purpose which
He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. You remember Ephesians
1 verse 11 says, in whom He says, you also have obtained an inheritance
being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh
all things after the counsel of His will that we should be
to the praying of His glory. May God be pleased to reveal
the gospel unto us and cause us to love him and believe him
and rest in him.