THE MYSTERY REVEALED

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for his body, that is, the church. I have become its servant, according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” —Colossians 1:24–27 (CSB)

THE MYSTERY OF GOD

The theme of our Advent series comes from a concept stated in Revelation 10:6-7: the

of God. It’s pregnant with prophetic significance.

Biblically speaking, a mystery is something that was previously

but presently

.

GLORY: GIVEN THEN GONE

The word glory comes from a Hebrew word for

. It conveys the idea of greatness or significance in life.

Humans have had a

for glory from the very beginning. Because of sin, that glory has

. (“Ichabod” - 1 Samuel 4:21; Romans 3:23)

We spend our entire lives

after glory and

up it’s absence. (“Existential Cotton Candy”)

GLORY: REVEALED & REGAINED

The glory that was given and lost can now be

through the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s the mystery now revealed!

Throughout the Old Testament there were hints that God was going to do something new. That new thing was

through Jesus’ life, death, resurrection & ascension.

When you understand & embrace the reality of “Christ in you,” everything else in your life will be

.

GLORY: THE DIFFERENCE IT MAKES:

Christ is IN YOU gives you a different

on your suffering. (He’s with us IN it & working good THROUGH it)

Christ is IN YOU gives you a different

for living. Jesus’ mission becomes your mission. His loves become your loves.
(John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18-20)

Christ is IN YOU gives you a different

for obedience.
(1 John 4:19; Philippians 2:12-13)