A Healthy Distraction

Some News You Can Use from Shelby Center

Anyone love a mystery? Maybe it’s a mystery novel, or the mysteries of the depths of the ocean or space, of mathematics, physics, DNA, or some unseen realm.

We explore, then contemplate what has been revealed, anticipate what will be discovered, illuminate for more understanding, then reverberate with excitement.

Mysteries can be a great delight. Especially when there is division.

Paul points these divided disciples to the depths of Christ crucified - the mystery of the gospel, godliness, and of God’s goodness and grace. It’s a healthy distraction.

Paul will bring two key things to bear to help these conflicted Christians: The Mystery of the gospel of Christ not revealed before the New Testament, and the Mind of Christ revealed through God’s word.

We’ll take the first part today (From 1 Corinthians 2:6-10):

1. The Mystery of Christ (6-10)

· Corinth had conflicts because it was a healthy and growing church. But there was a risk: Division and damage done to young or struggling believers would not come so much from the unrighteous among them as from the self-righteous. They needed a distraction that would delight them.

· (6-8). The mature believer explores and explains the mystery of the gospel (Col. 1:25-29, Eph. 3:1-6). When we plumb the depths of Calvary, we never reach the bottom and discover endless and exciting new mysteries (Eph. 3:14-21, 1 Tim. 3:16, Rom. 16:25-27).

· As we ponder Jesus from His word, the more we wish to know and grow (1 Th. 2:10-13). Outside the camps, controversies, and carnality Calvary beckons deeper consideration (Heb. 13:11-15).

· (9-10). For this we’ll need the Spirit’s help for He seeks to only glorify Christ and will reveal Him on every page of the Bible and in each mystery it contains (John 16:13-15).

· (Isa. 64:1-6). We mature as we see ourselves for who we really are. We then long for Christ to come and wait for Him to deliver us to what we’ll become in Christ. Rediscover the mystery of Christ and:

1) Contemplate Calvary’s implications of what Christ has done and is doing.

2) Anticipate Christ’s coming & new creation, seeing, being like, thanking... Him.

3) Illuminate Christ’s life thru more study, meditation, yielding, and practice.

4) Reverberate the glories of Christ anew, more and more, and to all, always.

When division occurs, renew your excitement about Calvary and plumb the depths of God’s love, goodness, and godliness.

The mystery of the gospel of Christ is a healthy distraction that brings glorious delight. We make the gospel audible by proclaiming it; we make the gospel visible by living it.

As we uncover the mysteries and discover the mind of Christ, we’ll reveal the glories of the gospel we proclaim and live more unified amid struggling saints and sinners in transition and transformation.

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