This morning, we consider together 1 Timothy 3, verse 16. 1 Timothy 3, verse 16. In connection with that, we read together John 1, the first 14 verses, and then verses 14 through 16 of 1 Timothy 3. Beginning with John 1, the first 14 verses. Hear now the Word of God. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made. Without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light so that through Him all men might believe. He Himself was not the light. He came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. Children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision, or a husband's will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory. The glory of the one and only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. In 1 Timothy 3, beginning at verse 14, Verse 16, again, being the text this morning. Paul says, Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great. He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels was preached among the nations was believed on in the world was taken up in glory. Beloved, let's bow together in prayer. Father, again we thank You, O Lord, for Your Word. Your Word is truth. We praise You for the beauty of Your Word and we pray, Father, that indeed You would cause us to see this beauty and this truth. That you would open our hearts in a most powerful way and illumine us by your Holy Spirit. That you would pour into us your Spirit and your Word. That we might hear, that we might believe, that we might obey. Father, give to us a great assurance, O Lord, of such a blessed salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord. In his name alone we pray. Amen. Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ, many enjoy a good mystery. Maybe some of you do. Whether that be in the form of a good whodunit novel, or for the boys and girls, a good game of hide and seek. Whatever it may be, many of us enjoy the suspense of a mystery. A mystery, you see, deals with something that was hidden, which then becomes known when it is revealed. And of course, there are certain mysteries built into our celebration of Christ's birth, which really have nothing to do with our Savior at all. We often exchange gifts. And up until those gifts are open, there is a mystery for those who receive those gifts as to what those gifts are, what is hidden inside of that wrapping paper. And the Bible also speaks of a mystery, and that mystery deals with the plan and the purpose of God. Paul speaks to the Ephesian believers about the mystery not made known to the sons of men in other ages, but has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets. It deals with His redemptive history and His revelation of that redemption. God's plan of salvation is a mystery hidden from those lost in sin. Yet He has revealed this mystery and it is embraced by grace through faith by those born again through the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. And as we consider together, beloved, God's greatest gift to the world, His only begotten Son, we rejoice in His mystery of salvation. And beloved, as we peer into the manger, as it were, as we gaze into that manger this morning, we must rejoice in the celebration of the mystery of salvation as Paul sings it here. It's believed that this text, 1 Timothy 3, verse 16, was a part of a hymn sung by the early New Testament churches. And there are countless New Testament references supporting the fact that the truths of the Savior, which are listed here in this text, formed the doctrine of the greatness of the Savior that was confessed and still is confessed by the church. And as we celebrate the mystery of salvation, we consider two things. The portrait of the mystery. The picture, if you will. What does it look like? And also the possession of that mystery. In verse 15, Paul speaks of the church as being the pillar and foundation of the truth. And this truth is the mystery of godliness he speaks of in this text. Now the word godliness is referring to true faith, yet not simply the idea of faith, but the exercise of faith. Paul is talking about the believer's devotion, his piety in action, his godly living, the conscientious devotion of our lives to God in Christ. But we must understand that the mystery of this godliness, that which stands behind this godliness, is the foundation of this godliness, is Jesus Christ. He is the center of God's mystery of salvation. He is that mystery. He is the one around whom the whole history of redemption and revelation revolves. He is the truth of the church. And the substance of that church, or the portrait of the mystery of salvation, is detailed in this hymn. He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. Congregation, God's mystery deals with the revelation of the Son of God, as Colossians 2 verse 3 says, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Now there are different ways that we could study this portrait. We could contrast these six lines two by two. Therefore, looking at it in the sense of body versus spirit, angels versus nation, world versus glory. And in this way, we always have before us an earthly element and a heavenly element or a physical element and a spiritual element. Another way would be to contrast the first three lines with the second three lines. And here then, the first three lines deal with Christ's person and work, including His earthly ministry. and the second set deals with His ongoing ministry through the church. But however we deal with this text, we must notice that this portrait of the mystery lays before us three things about Christ. His humiliation, His exaltation, and His glorification. As well, it lays before us what is to be done with that mystery. And we must also notice that Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, In this text, he uses verbs that represent somewhat the language of mystery. Appeared or revealed. Vindicated. Seen or beheld. Preached. Believed. Taken. All of them with an element of mystery. And here then, we have the mystery of God's salvation unfolded before us. Jesus Christ appeared in a body. Or as another translation says, He was revealed in the flesh. Now this is what we specifically celebrate today, isn't it, boys and girls? Jesus Christ appeared in a body. God became man. The Christ child was born. John says the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. In Philippians 2, verse 8, Paul says He was found in appearance as a man. We read in Hebrews 2 verse 14 that He Himself likewise shared in the same. What is that same? Flesh and blood. Today we celebrate and we exalt the Christ child as well we should. But brothers and sisters, we must not forget that what we celebrate was a necessary part of Christ's humiliation. Our celebration is of Christ's humiliation. That entire verse from Hebrews 2, verse 14 says, Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. Boys and girls, our Lord Jesus Christ was born in order to die for you and me. Our Lord became man, we know, because man sinned, therefore man must pay for sin. He left His home in glory to take on the human nature, our human nature, weakened by the curse of sin. But by the very fact that Paul says He appeared in a body or was revealed in the flesh, Paul is hinting at the fact that Christ existed before His incarnation, before He became man. John 1, verse 1 says, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Beloved, this is the very same Word that became flesh. As we peer into the manger, we can sing in truth, Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see, pleased as man with men to dwell. And the portrait of the mystery of salvation also reveals that Christ was vindicated by the Spirit. Another version again says that He was justified in the Spirit. And this is to declare one just and righteous. Beloved, the life of our Lord Jesus Christ was the life of His Holy Spirit. He was anointed in His flesh at His baptism with the Holy Spirit. And as He walked this earth, He demonstrated and proved His sinlessness, His righteousness and justice. And although our Lord was nailed to the cross and crucified as the guilty one, a curse of God, God the Father vindicated Him in His resurrection. By Christ's resurrection, God declared Him to be righteous. Romans 4, verse 25 says of Christ, who was delivered up because of our offenses and was raised because of our justification. By His resurrection, God was saying, I accept Christ's work as sufficient and complete. And in order for this to be true, He had to be perfectly righteous. And therefore, God pronounced the verdict of righteousness upon Christ's conduct, upon His character, upon His work. And as we peer into the manger, as we gaze into the manger, then we can sing in truth, Hail the Son of Righteousness! Peace on earth and mercy mild! God and sinners, reconcile beloved our lord was also paul says seen by angels the angels these ministering spirits of god whose whose desire and delight is to do the will of god has all have always been interested in god's whole program of redemption think about what scripture tells us angels were interested in his birth as they announced to the shepherds for unto you was born this day in the city of david a Savior who is Christ the Lord. They were interested in His triumph over Satan's temptation as they came to attend Him afterward. They spoke to the disciples, His disciples, after His ascension, foretelling His second coming. They welcomed Christ back to heaven. But don't forget, the angels were also the first to look upon the risen Lord, the victor over Satan, sin, and the grave. And therefore, is it any wonder as we peer into the manger, we can sing in truth, Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord. This mystery includes that Jesus Christ was preached among the nations. He Himself gave the command to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. And that Gospel, beloved, which is to be preached, is the very portrait of this mystery of salvation. That God has come in the flesh. That He fulfilled all righteousness. That He paid the debt and punishment for sin and secured eternal salvation. And all of this for whom? Those who believe. He has sent His Holy Spirit to guarantee that indeed then He would be believed on in the world. And beloved, as we sit here today, we are proof of that. We are proof that the Holy Spirit has gone out into the world sent by Jesus Christ. That He might be believed on in the world. By the grace of God, He has revealed the mystery of salvation to His people. He has given to us a saving faith to make that truth our very own. This one who was not esteemed but instead was despised has been proclaimed as the Savior of the world and believed unto salvation. And thus we may sing in truth as we peer into the manger, light and life to all He brings. The final touches of this portrait, the final brush strokes, if you will, include the truth that He was taken up in glory. Now this is the very same language of the ascension which we find in Mark 16 and in Acts chapter 1. Not only does our Lord reside in the glory of heaven, but His session to the throne, His very taking of the throne, boys and girls, at His Father's right hand was glorious and is glorious. You see, as the echo of crucify Him, crucify Him, still hung in the air, heaven opened for Him and received back its victorious King and 10,000 times 10,000 and thousands upon thousands sung, worthy is the Lamb. And therefore, beloved, we can sing in truth, join the triumph of the skies. People of God, this Jesus Christ, with His humility, exaltation, and glory, He is the mystery of salvation. This is the mystery which Mary pondered in her heart. This is the mystery we celebrate even though we cannot fully comprehend and understand the God-man and how He could give Himself for such a worm as I. This is the mystery which is the possession of Christ's church. In the context of this text, Paul has been instructing Timothy about those who are to rule the church, to govern the church, the elders along with the deacons. And Paul stresses the importance of the task of ruling the church and proper leadership because of what the church is and because of what it possesses. The church is the household of God. In other words, the church that is the people of God is the dwelling place of the living God. The church is not the temple of dead idols. It is the pillar and the foundation of the truth. We know that in a building, the pillar supports the roof and the foundation supports the pillar. In other words, beloved, the whole message and the one and only message of the church is the truth of the mystery of Jesus Christ. There is no other message and the church must give herself wholeheartedly to this one and only message. Not only is He the foundation and chief cornerstone of His church, but He is the entire content of her confession, of your confession, of my confession. Paul says, beyond all question. Another version says, and by common confession, that is, the unanimous confession of God's people is the mystery of godliness is great. That's the unanimous confession of God's people. And our comfort and confidence is that indeed, This confession that the mystery of godliness is great, it is beyond all question. There is no doubt about it. The church's confession in thought, word, and deed is the mystery of salvation through Jesus Christ her Lord. And beloved, the church of Jesus Christ must cling to her confession of the mystery of God revealed in and through Christ. Because He alone is the reason for her piety, for her obedience, for her faith, for her hope and love. The mystery of the church's devotion to God in Christ is Christ because from heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride. With His own blood He bought her. And for her life He died. Beloved, our Lord Jesus Christ is the mystery of godliness that crowns our confession and life. And it is this mystery which governs and directs His church. One commentator beautifully describes Scripture's teaching with regard to how the church is to function as the pillar and foundation of this truth. She functions by hearing and heeding it. She functions by handling it rightly. By hiding it in the heart. By holding it forth as the word of life. Or the commentator says, by digesting it through study and meditation. By defending it. By disseminating it. And demonstrating its power in consecrated living. The heart and the mystery of this Gospel is Jesus Christ our Lord. And the Christian's life of godliness itself is a mystery to the world. We know that, don't we? The world simply doesn't understand. The world cannot understand why we would give up one day a week, our day off of all things, to spend in church. Or why we would bother to gather on a holiday like this, especially since it's on Sunday. Again, it's family day. The world cannot understand why we give of the firstfruits of our labor to God in our tithes and offerings. The world cannot understand why we support the work of missions or to train men to preach the foolishness of the Gospel. The world cannot understand why we are dedicated to paying the cost of tuition to give our children a godly education relating to all areas of life. The world cannot understand how the Christian can turn the other cheek when persecuted or how we can have peace. Peace when faced with a deadly illness. The world cannot understand how a Christian can indeed love his neighbor and desire for his neighbor more than he desires for himself. And of course, there is so much more that we could add. The congregation, the reason the world doesn't know the mystery of our godliness is because the world doesn't know this mystery himself, Jesus Christ. As we peer into the manger today, we understand. By the illuminating grace of God, we understand the mystery of our Savior. His coming is proof of His giving of His all, the firstfruits of God Himself for us. And indeed, beloved, this is the mystery that we come to hear more of Lord's Day after Lord's Day. This is the mystery that we are called to proclaim among the nations. This is the mystery which is the foundation of and holds together the church of Jesus from all ages and all tongues and makes the church militant. That's us. One with the church triumphant. The saints who have gone before. And beloved, this is the mystery which is coming again to judge the living and the dead. That's the only thing left for Him to do. And when our Lord comes again, this mystery from eternity will be fully revealed in Him. On that day, every single eye will see Him as He truly is and that mystery will be made clear. Yet for those who rejected Him, His coming again will be a mystery of horror as they are cast into the eternal lake of fire where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. But for those who by grace through faith repented of their sins, His coming again will be a mystery of glory as they enjoy forever such a great salvation. Beloved, knowing Jesus Christ and the significance of His humble birth is not something to be taken for granted. It's not something to be trivialized. But it is something to be cherished. You see, the reason the world keeps the baby in the manger, all cute and cuddly, if the world can even consider a baby, The reason the world does not go beyond that is because then the world never has to deal with the cross and their sin. But you see, there will be no escape from that. All will have to deal with their sin, either in Christ or by themselves. We are to be deeply humbled, beloved, that the Almighty God should reveal His glorious mystery to such undeserved sinners like we. And we are called to worship and adore Him as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He calls us to rejoice because the Christ child is indeed risen with healing in His wings for those who repent and believe. And as we peer into the manger, we must confess the truth that He was born that man no more may die. Beloved, may we sing of the mystery of our Lord. Glory to the newborn King. Amen. Shall we pray? Father, indeed, we thank You and praise You that You have removed the blinders from the eyes of Your people. From our eyes. That Your mystery of Jesus Christ and His saving love is no longer hidden from us. Revealed to us. That we might know. That we might believe. that we might trust in Him. Father, we pray for Your blessing upon Your people in this day and in every day of life. We pray that You would use us in a most powerful way, indeed, to share this mystery with those who do not know. And indeed, O Lord, may You receive all the praise and the honor and the glory. In Jesus' name we pray these things. Amen. Thank you.