LIVING WITH MYSTERY

LIVING WITH MYSTERY

Ephesians 3:9 (KJV)

And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by

Jesus Christ.

LIVING WITH MYSTERY

LIVING WITH MYSTERY

John 6:51-53 (NLT)

51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world

may live, is my flesh.”

LIVING WITH MYSTERY

John 6:51-53 (NLT)

52 Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh

to eat?” they asked. 53 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you

eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have

eternal life within you.

MYSTERY CAN OFFEND

John 6:61-62 (NLT)

61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to

them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what will you think if you see the Son

of Man ascend to heaven again?

MYSTERY CAN BRING SUCH DISCOURAGEMENT

John 6:66 (NLT)

At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.

• Some turn their back on the Lord, but many just leave the pursuit of more

PEOPLE OFTEN DEMAND ANSWERS

• Discouragement is the mother of all bad doctrine

• When people are faced with mystery, often they demand answers (educated culture)

• Constant need

• So we often make up answers

• I don’t understand

• … Why???

LIVING MYSTERY

1. Beyond my present ability to comprehend

2. Narrow Perspective

3. You will understand in the future

• It is a timing thing

• You will understand more as you grow

LIVING MYSTERY

1. God’s love for me is not in question

2. God is a good, good Father

3. Often what is required of me is to trust God in the midst of mystery

LIVING MYSTERY

Proverbs 3:5-7 (NKJV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall

direct your paths. 7a Do not be wise in your own eyes

LIVING MYSTERY

• Power of God is for miracles, but also for endurance when things do not happen the way you had hoped for and when there seems to be a delayed answer

LIVING MYSTERY

1. God’s power enables me, or equips me to do and see a miracle

2. God’s power empowers me to endure when I do not see the miracle yet and I am living with the unknown

LIVING MYSTERY

• Contrast between the prophetic and the unknown, or the revelation and the mystery

LIVING MYSTERY

• Lean not (do not derive your support from) your own understanding

• This is not anti-intellect

• If I can explain everything going on in my life I have reduced God to my understanding

LIVING MYSTERY

• It is important, and commonly will be, that parts of my life will be buried in mystery

• There are times God is speaking about everything except what you really want to know

LIVING MYSTERY

• “Mystery can be as important as revelation is in our life.”

~ Pastor Bill Johnson

*In our quest to know God there will always be mystery

• Why is mystery so important in your life??

LIVING MYSTERY

After love, trusting Him is the most essential attribute in my relationship with God

• Trusting God in mystery is not always easy!

LIVING WITH MYSTERY

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own

understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,

acknowledge - yada` - intimacy

• Living with mystery causes me need to know Him in all areas of my life

LIVING WITH MYSTERY

• Acknowledging the One who wants to be so involved in every area of life

Prov. 3:6

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

• When we acknowledge Him in a way, He directs our paths in that area of life

LIVING WITH MYSTERY

John 6:67 (NLT)

67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to

leave?” 68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You

have the words that give eternal life.

LIVING WITH MYSTERY

John 6:69 (NKJV)

“Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son

of the living God.”

LIVING WITH MYSTERY

• Jesus I don’t understand either (what you just said is, at present, a mystery to me)

• What just happened didn’t happen… is a mystery

LIVING WITH MYSTERY

• But I know you have the words of life (Even those words I don’t understand)

• And I also believe you are

• Christ… Son of the living God

• Judas and Peter ??