Title: A Synopsis of Jesus Christ

Text: I Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Opening prayer: Illustration: Mission trip to Nova Scotia

I. The great mystery of Christ. V. 16a. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness :

A. Christ was the Word: John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 1. Jehovah false witnesses (a) (the)

B. Christ is pre- existent: Mark 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 1. Adoptionism: 2 nd century cult (into) (upon)

II. The manifestation of Christ: V. 16b. God was manifest in the flesh ,

A. John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,…

B. John 3 : 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

III. The justification of Christ: V. 16c . justified in the Spirit , 1. This is a rather obscure expression. But it seems to describe our Lord's spotless righteousness, perhaps with special reference to the declaration of it at His baptism. “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Spence

A. I Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

B. Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

C. Matthew 4: 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 1. Christ was accountable to Himself, The Word of God.

IV. The preview of Christ: 16d. seen of angels ,

A. Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God

B . Matthew 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

V. The Gentian ministry of Christ: 16e. preached unto the Gentiles

A. Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

B . Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

VI. The world's reception of Christ: 16f . believed on in the world,

A . Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

B . Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

VII. The closure of Christ' earthly ministry: 16g . received up into glory .

A . Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

B . John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Closing: What will you life story mean? How will your story read? What will be the lasting legacy of your life?