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SCRIPTURE - MAT. 13:10-11                                                                    FEBRUARY, 2006


And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

SUBJECT - THE LORD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS!!!

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Have you ever said, or heard someone say, the words in the above subject title??

What do you mean, or what do you think they meant, when they said it??

Well, we are going to look in to this, all too common quotation, and see just what is being implied by those that made it.

First, let's look at the word, mysterious. It is derived from the word, mystery.

A mystery, is the occurrence of something that is unexplained, or unknown. Something out of the ordinary.

Now, admittedly, when one thinks about this world, and all of the things, both good and bad, that are happening, to it, and us, we sometimes wonder, why these things happen. And, to those, that are unfamiliar, with the circumstances, everything appears to be, something that is totally unexplainable, or in other words, a mystery.

Now, those that tend to believe that there is a God, and that He is in control of everything, then that seems to partially solve the problem, while at the same time, opening up another one.

How??

Well, it depends on just what you believe, or know about God.

You see, those that don't know anything about Him, but believe that He is real, are the ones that usually do not understand Him, or His ways. And to them, everything that God does, is a mystery. They go through life, not understanding what is going on, and just how God, figures in to all of this.

Well, to the Christian, nothing that occurs in our lives, should be a mystery.

Why??

Because God has provided us, with the opportunity, to understand Him, His ways, and the circumstances that come in to our lives. All we have to do, is get to know Him, by studying His Word, the bible.

If we look at how many times the word 'mystery', or one of its derivatives appears in the bible (27 times), or even the word 'strange' (75 times), we can see, there are things that are things that are addressed as being somewhat unexplainable.

Now, when we want to find out something, that is a mystery, we usually go into an investigative mode. And, in doing an investigation, we seek clues, much the same way police investigators, try to solve a crime.

Now, as I have said, if the bible provides the answers to all of the things that we call mysterious, or strange, then evidently, we haven't been reading it, of seeking God, for the answers. For nothing, should be 'mysterious, or strange', to those of us, that are His children.

Take a look at these scriptures, Mat. 13:10-11 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Mark 4:11-12 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

Both of the above scriptures, spoken by Christ, let us know, that any mysteries, in the things that He says, and does, are only to be understood and known, by His followers. To everyone else, they are hidden. It is designed to be like that.

Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

You see, God, has specifically designed things the way they are, so that no one, can understand them, without His assistance, by way of the Holy Spirit.

It is the Holy Spirit, that opens up the door, to all of the mysteries of mankind's situations. Without Him, we are all blind.

Rom 16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

We are told by the apostle Paul, above, that it is God, through the scriptures, that uses these mysteries, to establish to the world (the unsaved), the ability of His people to maintain a peace of mind, that far surpasses the knowledge, and wisdom of the world.

Have you ever heard seen people, that despite the craziness that is going on around them, seem to be able to take it, with a smile, and even rejoice, in the midst of it all??

Phi 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

This person, other than the ones, that are blown out of their minds, or high on drugs, is a person, that understands what is going on, and knows what God is doing.

When you see people, that seem to be falling apart, whenever problems arise?? Do you know where that comes from?? Fear. Fear of the unknown. Not being able to cope with the unknown.

And unfortunately, a lot of Christians, fall in to this category, and the reason being, they are just as ignorant to the ways of God, as the unsaved are.

1Cor 2:7-8 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

1Cor 4:1-2 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Christians, should know all things, as it pertains to those things that are unknown, or mysteries, as far as God is concerned. And, it is up to the ministers, who are supposed to not only have this knowledge, but to share it with those that have not acquired it, so that they will be able to stand in this day and time, and show the world, the way to deliverance.

That is what a faithful steward is.

1Cor 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

The apostle Paul, understood all mysteries, and all knowledge, and he didn't keep it to himself. He shared it with all of us, in the letters that he wrote to the various churches, and other apostles.

One of the biggest mysteries, that quite frankly is about the biggest mysteries, that has people on edge, is death, and what happens after we make our transition.

Of all the unknowns that man will face, death is the one that puts the greatest fear in us. Man wonders, what happens after it. Is it the final step?? Is there anything after it??

Well, the bible gives us, the answer to both of them.

1Cor 15:50-57 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Then we have, this promise from Christ.

John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

And who, if anybody, should know about death, and what happens after it, that Jesus Christ, who experienced it, conquered it, and overcame it??

There are thousands of things that we encounter in this journey we call, life, that we may not understand, and would ask, why is this happening?? But, to those that know God, we understand, the plan, that God has in place.

Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Eph 3:3-4 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

One thing that we need to understand, is nothing is mysterious about what God does. As long as we can rest assured of His promise to us, that says, Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Now naturally, we may not know, or see the total plan that God has in store for us, but, we can rest assured, that if we put our trust in Him, then we will know, that no matter what the situation, something positive will come from it. And, really, isn't that all we need to know??