Mystery Managers

Can't remember when I wrote this.. but it was in my drafts and not posted.. not sure why.  So, I thought I would post it now.  

This is for all those out there that have helped me along the way… thank you so much and am so glad to have you as my 'Mystery Managers'  You know who you are!

We talked about this in our Sunday School class today... this was from our books..

A spiritual leader is called to be a manager of God’s mysteries (1 Corinthians 4:1).  this has to be the coolest job title ever.  Imagine introducing yourself at parties as a ‘mysteries manager!’  But before you start printing up business cards, let’s figure out what it means.

The word “mystery” (Greek mysterion) is used throughout the New Testament to refer to something from the Old Testament that didn’t make sense until Christ came.  However, when Christ was born and the prophecies came to life one by one, it was evident that He was the One foretold for generations.  Through Christ, all these mysteries began to make sense.  God knew before time began that Adam & Eve would sin in the garden, that the Israelites would rebel against Him, that Christ would die on a cross, and SO much more.

And that should thrill you.  Why?  Because it proves that God had a plan all along for the future and through eternity.  God didn’t wait to see what would happen and then react.  Instead, He knew ho time would unfold and prepared for eafch nation, each family, and each life to play specific part in the story of His Kingdom. 

Now, remember: this was all a mystery for thousands of years.  The Israelites had no clue why God was allowing them to be held captive in Egypt for four hundred years.  But God knew the exodus would prefigure our release from the captivity to sin.  The prophets had a very limited understanding of what their prophecies added up to (see our discussion of 1 Peter 1:10-12 on page 10) But God knew all along.  His mysteries became their faith as they approached Him with their devotion and their belief that God’s plan-though a mystery- would lead to eternity with Him.  And this was all they needed.  They managed His mysteries by living lives of faith based on hope in God.  And it is that hope that leads others to Him. 

Manager of mysteries?  Sign me up!!!

Now I did not write this, it came from our Sunday School book….Bible Studies for Life.. Life Truths.  (Lifeway)

Servants of Christ

¹Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 

~1 Corinthians 4:1

 

As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who reached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into which angels long to look.

1 Peter 1:10-12 (New American Standard Bible)

Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the Word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:25-27 (New American Standard Bible) Pin It