Those who follow Jesus are called to mission. That’s clear.
The mission is fueled by a mystery. What? Not very clear.
When we see the word “mystery,” we usually think of our favorite investigative show. Depending on your generation, you may think of Sherlock, Shawn and Gus, Scooby and Shaggy, Monk, Columbo, Matlock, or some may even think of Jessica Fletcher. A mystery is a problem to be solved, a “whodunit” scenario. The game, it is famously said, is afoot.
In the book of Colossians, however, Paul writes of a different sort of mystery. The gospel is a mystery because it has been hidden for ages and generations, but is now revealed. We don’t need Nancy Drew or Encyclopedia Brown to figure this out — it is a mystery revealed. Throughout the Old Testament, people tried to understand what was being foretold -even the prophets themselves according to 1 Peter 1:10-12. When Jesus finally came, the gospel was revealed. And his last piece of instruction was to share the gospel with everyone…all people, all nations. In the early church, the gospel spread to the Gentiles. God was doing a great thing.
So Paul writes that “God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery…” Notice how Paul piles up lavish descriptions of the mystery: great, riches, glory. We know something powerful is coming. And Paul reveals this mystery:
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
It’s a message of inclusion, Gentiles are part of God’s kingdom. It’s also a message of indwelling, Christ IN you is the hope of glory.
And this mystery fuels Paul’s mission. In the surrounding verses, Paul rejoices in his suffering for the sake of the church, he labors, and he struggles. Why? This mystery is great, rich, and glorious, and it’s worth giving your life to share it with others.
Venture Church is preparing for a Missions Sunday. And there is much to celebrate! We like to think of ourselves as a small church with a big vision. And it shows up on Missions Sunday. We will celebrate:
- Our guest speakers Jonathan and Tracy Shoemaker, church planters in Lisbon
- Amy and Elizabeth Peterson, who just returned from Thailand with Ohana Ministries
- Ken DeWitt, who is assisting church planting ministries in Liberia
- Our upcoming trip to build a house for a needy family in Mexico
- Opportunities to serve in global missions with E3 Partners
- The Hovivians, church planting missionaries we support in Ireland
- Jenna Sisson,preparing to do missions work in eleven countries in eleven months through an experience known as “The World Race.”
A great mystery has been revealed to us: Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Our mission is to reveal this mystery to the nations.
The game is afoot!
Note: A version of this article appeared on Mark Brown’s blog. To access Mark’s blog, click here.