9/3 Fundamental Thoughts - Sermons

The Mysteries 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.

9/1 Fundamental Thoughts - Sermons

Giving Of Ourselves

John 12:1-11 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. (2) There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. (3) Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. (4) Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, (5) Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? (6) This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. (7) Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. (8) For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. (9) Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. (10) But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; (11) Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
INTRODUCTION: We have some interesting side notes concerning this anointing of Jesus. (vv 1-2)
(Matthew 26:6) Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
(Mark 14:3) …being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, …


In our text
(John 12:1) Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
We see Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon. Lazarus was also there. This house to the best of our knowledge was the home of “Simon the Leper.” Little is known about this Simon, other than we can make some suppositions.
He was a man with leprosy, who Jesus healed. Maybe the one
who came back?
In addition there are a couple more theories one that this Simon was the husband of Martha, consequently Martha was over the household in charge of serving
Another is that Simon may have been Martha’s Father. Simon may have been a widower, consequently leaving the eldest daughter in charge of the serving. If this was true then this Simon was also the Father of Lazarus and Mary.
So we don’t know all the answers but we know that Jesus impacted this family on a large scale. Jesus not only resurrected Lazarus but he also resurrected Simon “the leper” to a new life.
We see in our text it is only six days until the Passover festival, that time when Jesus would become the Passover Lamb for you and I.
I. THE SUPREME BELIEVER (v 3)
A. A Person Like Mary
1. She sacrificed all she owed
i. She loved Jesus with all her heart
ii. With all her soul
(Deuteronomy 6:5) And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
2. Cleave unto Him
i. Desired His presence
B. Is A Person Who
1. Expresses a repentant love
i. Not afraid to show their love for Him
a. A love that knows I am a sinner
b. I am not worthy
(Acts 8:22) Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
ii. Pray for forgiveness
C. A Person Who Has A Sacrificial Love
1. Has a costly love
i. The perfume = I years wages
a. Like a diamond to us.
ii. Other than her clothing it may have been her only possession.
D. Has A Believing Love
1. Her anointing Jesus was her expression of her love for Jesus.
2. Jesus had given her much
i. He gave her brother back
ii. Now she was giving back
a. When we see Jesus at home
b. What are you going to give Him?
3. How willing are you to put away your pride
i. To worship Jesus
(Matthew 6:20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
II. THE UNBELIEVING DISCIPLE (vv 4-8)
A. Judas, A Follower Of Jesus
1. A professing believer
i. Not always in agreement with the others
ii. When they disagreed with him
a. He criticized them
(Matthew 7:3) And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
B. Judas Expressed Concern (v 6)
1. He had an ulterior motive
i. He was having a hard time with the waste
2. A years wages poured out
3. He wanted to help the homeless
4. Why? He was a thief yet he wanted
i. To be socially accepted
ii. To be recognized
iii. To be honored
iv. To gain credit with God
(Matthew 23:25) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
C. Judas Worked For Jesus (vv 7- 8)
1. He did not love Jesus
i. Jesus was abrupt with Judas
(John 12:7) Then said Jesus, Let her alone:..
ii. Jesus knew Judas didn’t understand
a. Because he did not love Jesus
iii. Jesus said Mary’s anointing was
(John 12:7) Said Jesus, …against the day of my burying hath she kept this.


III. THE CROWD WAS NOT SINCERE (v 9)
A. They Did Come To See Jesus
1. The person calling himself “The Messiah.”
2. They wanted to see for themselves.
B. The Crowd Came To See A Spectacular Event
1. First, they wanted to see Lazarus
i. Another dead man raised to life.
2. They wanted to see if Lazarus was any different
C. The Crowd Was There For Fellowship
1. A carnival like atmosphere
2. People whose thoughts were on the festival
i. They were there for the fun
(Matthew 23:28) Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
IV. SELF SEEKING RELIONISTS (vv 10-11)
A. Seeking To Kill Lazarus Also
1. In addition to killing Jesus
2. Lazarus’ resurrection
i. Had impacted so many people
ii. Now Lazarus was also a target
(John 8:44-45) Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
B. Many Who Had Opposed Jesus
1. Were now believers
C. Jesus’ Impact On Israel
1. Was enormous
2. His impact on the Sanhedrin
i. Was enormous
(John 5:24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.


CONCLUSION: We have seen all facets of Church goers. We have true believers to those who claim to believe yet are skeptical of certain things stated in the Bible. They sorta believe the “Discovery Channel” more than the Bible.
Then we have the skeptics among us who though they have heard the Word of God, His Gospel, just as Judas, yet they believe not, they for one reason or another attend church, yet may never be a believer.
So the question comes; what are you? Are you a secure believer, who serves Christ asDeuteronomy 6:5 tells us?
Or are you a skeptic, one who is willing to listen, and does believe that Jesus is the Messiah, but there are problems, some of what I hear I doubt?
Or are you one who attends, can understand why most are here, but like Judas, just cannot accept that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God?
These are questions only you can answer. I do not have the ability to discern your thoughts; though I can witness your fruit.
For those who have not accepted Jesus as your personal Saviour, consider:
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.
That God tells us that “…whosoever believeth in him…” There is this word “whosoever” which tells us regardless of what you have been, what you are, or even what you might be considering becoming. If you will call on Jesus’ name in belief, God will grant you eternal life with Him in heaven along with His only begotten Son Jesus.
Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.