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My dear beloved believers and friends, Greetings to you in the precious name of our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ. Today morning . the word of the Lord came to me as a promise verse for this month. The Bible verse is 1 Timothy 3:16.
The Mystery of Godliness is great
“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.”(kjv)
J.B.Philip’s New testament translations writes this verse in different order: “No one can deny that this religion of ours is a tremendous mystery, resting as it does on the one who showed himself as a human being, and met, as such, every demand of the Spirit in the sight of angels as well as of men. Then, after his restoration to the Heaven from whence he came, he has been proclaimed among men of different nationalities and believed in all parts of the world.” Let me put these points in order. Before that, let me provide a title for this message: “ THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS IS GREAT”.
Godliness is necessary for a person to be selected for important position in the world. We are living in a godless generation without hope or faith in God. There are two kinds of godliness: 1. Practical Godliness, and 2. Doctrinal or spiritual godliness. What we read in the above verse is spiritual side of Godliness. The practical side of godliness is explained in the book of James first chapter and last verse.
“ Pure and unblemished religion [as it is expressed in outward acts] in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit and look after the fatherless and the widows in their distress, and to keep oneself uncontaminated by the [secular] world.”( James 1:27).
Pure religion is expressed in outward acts of visiting the fatherless (orphans) and taking cares of widows. Providing them food, clothes, shelter and enquiring them with kind words, meeting their basic needs in a practical way, the Bible says that it is a pure and clean religion. Some examples of ministers of God are: Mother Teresa who cared poor people in the slums of Calcutta in North India , George Mullar who constructed orphanages and literally took care of 1000s of Children and Dr. C.Peter Chandran, who is caring poor people in Chennai and the state of Tamilnadu.
Next, the spiritual side of Godliness is what the Apostle Paul has written in a nutshell in 1 Timothy 3:16. He is saying that Great is the mystery of Godliness. It is great, because it centres in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. He lists six constituents in this great mystery:
- God was manifest in the flesh
- Justified in the Spirit
- Seen of angels
- Received up into glory
- Preached unto the gentiles
- Believed on in the world
Let us explore these great truth about the mystery of Godliness one by one: It is/was a mystery to many people. But it was revealed to us through the preaching and writing of Apostles. Therefore, let us study this great mystery :
1. GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH
“ 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.” ( John1:14)
In the beginning was the word. The word was God. God created everything through His divine word. John says that Jesus is that Word. His name is the Word of God. Inside God, but on the appearance, he looked like an ordinary man. That is the great mystery. His own people did not receive or believe Him. Some ridiculed him, ragged him and used bad words against him, because of ignorance. His own people did not receive him. But those believed and received Him, they were given power to become sons and daughters of God. The divine Son of God became a son of man, so that sons of men will become sons of God. That is the purpose of incarnation.
He dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. Moon shines with full glory on full moon day. Similarly, Jesus was full of grace and truth, resulting in God’s glory. They saw His brilliance on his face full of glory (divine power manifesting in shining). He was a human being, but revealed God’s glory. Further this is explained fully in I John 1:1-4 verses in the N.T.
“1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”
The Apostles saw him, heard his words, touched him, they focussed on him. John says that the life was eternal life. And his words were full of life, the living word. His words were full of life and power. That makes us live for ever, live for many years even in this life. Let us see, hear, touch, speak that living word. The divine experience will make a happy person. The happiness of sinful life is momentary for brief time. But, the happiness, joy which comes from fellowship with God is spiritual, eternal and lasting happiness.
The next constituent in the mystery of Godliness is: Justified in the Spirit.
2. JUSTIFIED IN THE SPIRIT
“16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt.3:16,17).
Jesus fulfilled all righteousness by obeying God’s command in baptism of the waters of Jordon. He went up out of the water. This speaks about the death and resurrection of Jesus. Now He is ready for the power anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God, descended like a dove upon Him, lighting upon Him. At the same time, there came a witness and voice from Heaven saying that Jesus is the Son of God, in Him God the Father was well pleased. At this event, He proved that that His personality, His Spirit was clean, holy and pure. He was justified in the spirit.
The Apostle Paul explains the same truth in a different and elaborate manner:
“3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:”(Romans 1:3,4).
Paul is saying that Jesus Christ is our Lord. He was made the seed of David according to the flesh. His birth was royal family birth. David was a man after God’s own heart. Jesus was born in the generation of David. He was called the son of David. According to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus was declared to be the Son of God with divine power. Only, a live man is called the Son of God. Devil kills people, stealing life from them, making them impotent. But the sons of God have life. Jesus is life, and the devil was defeated. He was justified in the Spirit.
The third constituent in the mystery of Godliness is: He was seen of angels!
3. HE WAS SEEN OF ANGELS
“ And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.”(Mark16:1-8).
The following ladies bought sweet spices and came to the tomb to anoint Jesus. They were:
- Mary Magdalene
- Mary the mother of James
- Salome
They rose very early in the morning. A good habit we need to follow, in order to have a resurrected life. The sepulchre was closed by a great stone weighing several tonne. The question, the ladies had was: Who shall roll away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? Here comes the ministry of Angels! An Angel of God in the form of a young man sitting at the right side of Jesus place, clothed in a white garment. That angel was a mighty, young, beautiful spiritual person. The angel saw Jesus ascending up, coming out of the sepulchre alive. That is how the apostle Paul here says, Jesus was seen of angels. Not only that the angels announced the resurrection news to the ladies and they in turn told the good news of resurrection to His disciples.”He is risen, he is not here.”That is the resurrection news.
The fourth constituent in the mystery of Godliness is: “He was received into glory”. Let us meditate this truth:
4. HE WAS RECEIVED UP INTO GLORY
“49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.”(Luke 24:49-51).
Jesus promised His disciples the power of the Holy Spirit. At the end of His early ministry He imparted the divine blessings to His disciples. Jesus led His disciples to a place called Bethany, a village in Israel, and lifted up His Holy hands and He blessed His beloved disciples with His whole heart full of good will toward them. As He did this final act of divine empowerment, while he blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into Heaven. That is why Paul the apostle says: He was received up into glory. Heaven is a glorious place. After our ministry on the earth, we will also enter into this glorious place. What a glorious good news we have in Jesus!.
5. PREACHED UNTO THE GENTILES
“34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37 that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”(Acts 10:34-38).
Cornelius was a gentile and godly man. He fasted and prayed for four days for his family salvation. God spoke to him in a dream to invite Peter to come and preach good news to his household. Cornelius obeyed the voice of God. He invited apostle Peter as God’s messenger of good news. He also invited his neighbours to hear the good news. The Apostle Peter came to his house and preached in the house. God graciously opened the door of faith to gentiles. Peter preached the good news of Jesus Christ as above, describing His life, ministry and death and resurrection of Jesus. The Holy Spirit fell on the gentiles and they were filled with the Holy Spirit, God graciously saved them and they were all baptised in the water by the Apostle Peter. What a wonderful salvation experience! Gentiles received Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord.
The last constituent in the mystery of godliness is: He was Believed on in the world:
6. BELIEVED ON IN THE WORLD
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;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:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;(Colossians 1 ).
The truth of the gospel, when heard by you produces hope in you, this hope is about hope of Heaven. The resurrection of Jesus produces living hope in you. People are dying in this world without hope about their future life. Hope is for the present. That hope is what you get when believe on the good news of Lord Jesus Christ. Three things should be done in your spiritual life to strengthen your life:
- You continue in the faith
- Be grounded and settled…grounded refers to stabilisation and settlement leads to safety and durability of life. Your life will be safe.
- You will not be moved away from the hope of the Gospel,…because you have the assurance of salvation.
People all over the world are believing the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ, they are saved, healed, delivered, blessed and they are prospering! Glory to God. These are the mystery of Godliness. And without controversy great is the mystery of Godliness. Amen. God bless you.
Your’s in Jesus Our LORD,
Dr.C.Peter Chandran
You are welcome to donate to God’s Ministry, in Favour of “C.PETER CHANDRAN” payable at Chennai by DD/Cheque/M.O. and send it to:
Dr.C.Peter Chandran, Ph.D.,
The Living God Ministries
No.46/61, First Floor, Ravi Electronics,
East Jones Road, Saidapet,Chennai - 600 015 Tamilnadu, India.
Visit web: www.thelivinggodministries.org
Prayer line : 9445113726
Email: peterchandran@hotmail.com
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