Hidden Mysteries that God Wants to Reveal to Us - Zac Poonen - May 6, 2020
http://rlcfchurch.org/hidden-mysteries-god-reveal-u River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker discusses Jesus' use of parables, noting that understanding the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven is a gift granted by God, not something achievable through mere intelligence. He argues that true understanding comes not from cleverness or deep study, but from humility, comparing the necessary mindset to that of a little child. Pride and self-sufficiency obscure the recognition of Christ, which is the core mystery revealed.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why do some people understand spiritual truths while others do not?Examining Jesus speaking in parables in Matthew 13, the speaker notes that despite making New Covenant truths as simple as possible, most people do not truly grasp them in a life-changing way.Matthew 13:10–11
Praising God for hiding truth from the cleverJesus thanked the Father for hiding these wonderful truths from the clever and intelligent while revealing them to infants, showing that academic Bible school training does not automatically grant spiritual understanding.Matthew 11:25
The necessity of childlike humilityTrue humility is recognizing that before Almighty God we are a zero with no superiority over others, and without this humility, the poison of Adam's pride leaves us blind to God's mysteries.
Studying the scriptures without seeing ChristThe Pharisees studied the entire Old Testament and could trace scriptures from Genesis to Malachi, yet because of their pride, they looked at Jesus and called him the prince of devils instead of recognizing the Messiah.
Understanding versus supernatural revelationScribes study and gain intellectual understanding, but disciples receive revelation—a supernatural opening of the eyes of the heart granted by the Father through the Holy Spirit to those with clean consciences.Matthew 16:17
Practicing first, then preachingFollowing Jesus's pattern in Acts 1:1, we must live out and practice God's truth in our own lives before attempting to preach it to others, rather than relying on empty theory.
What human eyes cannot seeQuoting Isaiah through Paul in 1 Corinthians 2, the speaker emphasizes that the deep things God has prepared are reserved exclusively for those who passionately love Him above money, men's honor, and earthly life.1 Corinthians 2:9–10
Paul's journey from brilliant scholar to revelationDespite being a brilliant scholar trained by Gamaliel, Paul opposed Christ until he received direct revelation on the road to Damascus and spent time in the desert letting God clear out academic chaff.Ephesians 3:3–4
The two great mysteries of the New TestamentOut of several mysteries mentioned in Scripture, two are specifically designated as great: the mystery of godliness and the mystery of Christ's relationship with the church, which are whispered by God to those who fear Him.1 Timothy 3:16
The first great mystery: Christ coming in our fleshThe first great mystery is that Christ came in human flesh, faced the same fleshly weakness we do, and kept His spirit pure without utilizing His divine resources as God, thereby opening a genuine path for us to walk as He walked.
The second great mystery: Christ and the churchThe second great mystery concerns Christ's relationship with the church as His body, where believers become one spirit with Him and learn to function harmoniously as small parts without selfish competition.
Committing completely to building God's true churchJust as Noah built the ark to survive the flood, believers who grasp the mystery of Christ building His church will commit their entire lives to it rather than living selfish, nominal Christian lives.Matthew 16:18
