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      THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS
      1 Timothy 3:16
      Strong's Concordance
      Theme:       God's Spirit manifests His power through gifts which He sovereignly dispenses.

      Theme: Every genuine believer embraces the truth of the message of Christ.

      "By common confession. . ." - the unanimous conviction of all believers; this was an early church hymn that affirmed some of the core truths of the Christian faith that can be summarized by the following phrase:
      ". . . great is the mystery of godliness" - a reference to Christ Jesus, who is the very likeness and manifestation of "godlikeness" since He was God - cp. John 1:18. The Incarnation, and its benefit to men, is therefore the primary focus of this section. From Him, we gain our righteousness as we are found "in Him" - a reference to the practical application of the righteousness of Jesus Christ - the redemption of sinners!
      I. THE "MYSTERIOUS" PURPOSE - INCARNATION

        A. THE DISCLOSURE OF GODLINESS - "He who was revealed in the flesh"

        1. This is the basis for the work of redemption - that Jesus Christ "was revealed in the flesh"

        2. The fact that he "was revealed" affirms the fact of his preexistence - that he was not created, but was "made visible" - he existed prior to His birth - cp.John 17:5

        3. The fact that this disclosure of God was "in the flesh" affirms that Jesus Christ was truly a man of flesh and blood; thus, He was qualified to serve as a substitute for all other men because of His sinlessness - cp. 1Peter 2:21-22

        4. It was this very godliness that qualified Him to take our place under the hand of God's wrath - cp. Hebrews 2:14-17; 7:26-27 (cp. 2 Corinthians 5:21)

        B. THE DELINEATION OF GODLINESS - "… was vindicated in the Spirit"

        1. However, having been made sin and receiving he fullness of the wrath of God against sin in Himself, did He emain accursed?

        2. Here we are told that He "was vindicated in the Spirit" - that is, the godliness of the Son of God was exonerated by means of God's Holy Spirit.

        3. How was this exoneration or vindication certifiable? - through the resurrection of the Son of God from the dead - cp. Romans 1:4

        4. Had Jesus any sin of His own, he would not have qualified for resurrection - He'd have stayed dead as penalty for that sin (Romans 6:23)

        5. However, since Jesus died for our sins only, the Father would not permit "His Holy One to see corruption" - and declared His innocence by raising Him from the dead - cp. Acts 2:24-28

      II. THE "MYSTERIOUS" PROCLAMATION - GOSPEL

        A. THE PROCLAMATION AMONG THE HEAVENLY HOSTS

        1. We are told here that the first ones to behold the resurrected Christ were the angels - ". . . seen by angels"

        2. These are the ones who had been so attentive to the redemptive work of Christ from the very beginning:

          a) They had been there at His birth showing tremendous interest - Luke 2:9-14

          b)They had shown compassion for Him after His temptation - Matthew 4:11

          c) They had strengthened Him at Gethsemene - Luke 22:43

          d) They were also the first to see the successful, victorious conqueror upon the event of His victory, the resurrection - Matthew 28:2-7; Mark 16:5-8; Luke 24:4-7; and John 20:12-13

        3. In addition, they addressed the disciples upon His ascension - Acts 1:10-11; and welcomed Christ Jesus back into glory - Revelation 5:11.

        B. THE PROCLAMATION AMONG THE HEATHEN

        1. Once the good news of the Gospel seen by the angels, then Jesus was "proclaimed among the nations" - a reference to the clear commission given to believers by the Lord Jesus Himself - cp. Matthew 28:19-20

        2. This was something that was dependent upon the reception of the Holy Spirit for its accomplishment - cp. Acts 1:8

        3. This declaration of the Gospel message throughout the world presupposes the prevailing characteristic of Godliness, whereby men are conformed to the image of Christ Jesus - the godly One - cp. Romans 8:29

      III. THE "MYSTERIOUS" POWER - GLORIFICATION

        A. THE POWER OF GOD'S GRACE - ". . . believed on in the world"

        1. The final area in the establishment of godliness is the work of redemption in providing saving faith. Having come, died, resurrected, proclaimed victory, and declared the Gospel, there is the work that only God can do of bringing a person to faith in Christ.

        2. Notice that a person does not become godly, then receive the grace of God; rather, a person who is godless, is brought near through the blood of Christ Jesus and given as a gift - saving grace through faith.

        3. This was immediately accomplished the very first time the Gospel message was proclaimed - at Pentecost - cp. Acts 2:41.

        B. THE POWER OF GOD'S GLORY - ". . . taken up into glory"

        1. This is the final element in the "mystery of godliness" - the entrance of Christ Jesus into the glory of Heaven.

        2. This was what Jesus had prayed for prior to the crucifixion - that he would be restored to the glory He had before the incarnation - John 17:5; to receive it would certify full success in the redemptive mission.

        3. This was exactly what happened - God fully restored the Son to His pre-incarnate glory - cp. Philippians 2:8-11

        4. Not only was He granted immeasurable pre-eminent glory, He was able to "SIT AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER" indicating the complete fulfillment of all necessary redemptive work, and that all that was left to occur is the timely salvation of individual sinners who would turn to Christ - Acts 2:32-37