Hi there, welcome to NECF. We're excited to share
today's message with you. Don't go anywhere,
stay with us till the end for some valuable resources
to enrich your faith. Here's today's sermon.
Amen. Thank God for food. we've been ministered
to. I want to encourage us to don't use the food
as a foil to sleep. If I see you sleeping, I
will call your name. Amen. So let's turn to Matthew
16 once again. Hope you're enjoying our time.
Alright. Matthew chapter 16. Matthew 16. And
I'm reading from verse 13 once again. When Jesus
came to the region of Caesarea, Caesarea Philippi,
he asked his... disciples saying, who do men
say that I, the son of man, am? So they said,
some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and
others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. He said
to them, but who do you say I am? Simon Peter
answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son
of the living God. Jesus answered and said to
him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, for flesh
and blood has not revealed this to you, but my
Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you
that you are Peter. And on this rock, I will
build my church and the gates of Hades shall
not prevail against it. And I will give you the
keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatever you
bind on earth will be bound in heaven. And whatever
you lose on earth will be lost in heaven. Hallelujah.
So we are down to verse 17. where Jesus replied,
Jesus responded to the revelation that we see
Peter made about Jesus Christ. And there are
some key and very vital words that we will study
from the response of Jesus Christ to Peter. Firstly,
Jesus said to Peter, said to him, Blessed are
you. Or we say blessed or blessed are you. Simon
Barjona. For flesh and blood has not revealed
this to you. But my father who is in heaven.
So one thing that is crucial in this verse is
the idea of God's blessing. And I don't want
to go detail into it. because I know that we
have a teaching in church, Pastor Victor, I think
you taught about the blessings of Abraham, right?
So please, I would love you to find time and
go back to the church website and go through
that. What does it mean, blessed? When Jesus
Christ said, blessed are you, Simon Barjona,
what does it mean by blessed? What does it mean?
Jesus called Peter blessed. What does it mean
to be blessed? Now blessing or blessed is never
used especially in the New Testament. The Gospels
and the Epistles will see clearly that it's never
used for anything material. Alright? So when
Peter When Jesus said Peter is blessed, it's
not meaning that you are rich in money or immaterial
things. That's one thing that we should note.
That the blessing here is not a material blessing.
It's not because he has gained something material.
That is why he is blessed. The blessing is a
product of his faith in The word of God. The
faith he had in what the prophets have said about
who Jesus is. And the word bless is the word
mercurius. And there's another one which I wouldn't
want to just go into that. But it means fortunate.
It means to be well spoken of. So Peter rather
He is fortunate. He is fortunate. He is fortunate
in the understanding of what he has concerning
the Christ. The blessings or the fortune is to
be found in the riches of God in Christ Jesus.
That is in the revelation of who Jesus is. It
has to do with the gospel. It has to do with
the gospel. The blessing of the believer has
to do with what? With the gospel and all that
Jesus has done. The gospel is actually what Jesus
has done. So the blessings of the believer is
enshrined in the finished work of Christ. John
20 verse 29. John chapter 20 verse 29. Jesus
said to him, Thomas, that's Thomas when he was
in unbelief. Thomas, because you have seen me,
you have believed. Blessed are those who have
not seen and yet have believed. So Jesus Christ
here is calling Thomas a blessed man. No, not
Thomas. He's saying that it is a blessing to
what? To believe. It's a blessing to believe.
It's fortunate. It's to be fortunate to be found
in what Christ has done. Blessed are those who
have not seen, but they have believed. And we
see that Peter, in the same way, believed what
Jesus Christ is in regards to what the prophets
have written about him. That he is the Messiah.
He is the one that Christ, that is the one that
will come to die for the forgiveness of the sins
of men. And he said flesh and blood. Flesh and
blood simply means this information you've received
is not from men. Alright? This information is
not from men but is a revelation that is from
God. It's a supernatural revelation. So flesh
and blood have not revealed this to you. So what
does it mean revealed? That is what I really
want us to focus on this moment. All right? Maybe
tomorrow we'll come around and we'll look at
more about Peter himself. But what does it mean
to have revelation? What does it mean revealed?
Why would Jesus say, you know, flesh and blood
have not revealed this to you? How did Peter,
God is revelation? Revelation is important for
us in life and ministry. Now the word revealed
as in Matthew 16 verse 17. Matthew 16 verse 17.
Blessed are you Simon for flesh and blood has
not revealed. The word revealed here is translated
from the Greek word apocalypto. And the word
means to uncover. It means to uncover. It means
to make known or disclose something. Especially
something that is hidden. To disclose something.
To make known something. To uncover something.
So this revelation is not just a feeling. This
uncovering that Peter had is not just an emotional
feeling, but an understanding that comes by faith
in the written word of God. In the written word
of God. Hallelujah. In the cell meetings, we've
been talking about the issue of rapture. And
we told you that the word rapture is not, is
new. I mean, rapture per se, the doctrine of
rapture is new in the Christian faith. And we
made mention of a man and their beliefs and how
that they depend on inspiration, right? Apart
from scripture, we saw that the doctrine of rapture
was not found in the explanation of scriptures,
but rather an inspiration that they have. So
this revelation is not an inspiration that Peter
had. It's not an inspiration that he had apart
from what is written and can be seen in scriptures.
It's actually faith. In what has been taught
in scriptures. So the revelation he had. Is not
something new from anywhere. In fact this is
not the first time. He had this revelation. It's
seen in scriptures. Alright. It's littered around
all through scriptures. So this concept is not
new. It's what God has been doing. Has revealed
to Moses. And has revealed to Abraham. And all
the men of old. So it's not just an emotional
thing, but Peter had faith in the written word
of God. So the written word of God is fundamental
to any revelation that we are going to have.
Without an understanding of the written word
of God, then our revelation, whatever inspiration
we have, is questionable. Faith is the access.
to the revelation of the mystery of God, the
mystery of God. Faith is an access to how we
understand or we have, you know, an uncovering
of the mystery of God. It is given to us who
believe. It is given unto us believers. The scripture
says, To understand the mysteries of the kingdom.
It is unto us who are believers. That God has
given the ability to have the revelation of mysteries
in scriptures. Mark chapter 4 verse 10. We will
see. Mark chapter 10 verse 4. Mark chapter 4
verse 10. But when he was alone. Those around
him with the twelve asked him about the parable.
Jesus would teach in the parables, in signs and
symbols and speak in parables to the people.
Then the disciples would come. Mark chapter 4,
verse 10. But when he was alone, those around
him with the twelve asked him about the parable.
And he said to them, To you, it has been given
to do what? To know the mystery of the kingdom
of God. Today, it has been given to us who are
believers. It has been given to know the mystery
of the kingdom of God. But to those who are outside,
who are the outsiders? Those who are not in faith,
right? Those who are unbelievers. Those who are
outside. All things comes in what? In parable.
Why? So that seeing, they may see and not perceive.
This is a quotation from Isaiah. And hearing,
they may hear and not understand. Lest they see.
Lest they should turn and their sins be forgiven
them. And he said to them, do you not understand
this parable? How then will you understand parables?
Then he began to explain to them what he meant
by what he says, the parable of the sower. Because
the children of God have access to the revelation
of God. Hallelujah. But to those who are outside,
to them it's parables. To them are mysteries.
Okay? For to us, it's a revelation that we've
known, we've received. To them, it's a mystery.
And sometimes it seems, why would Jesus call
Isaiah and say, sin, they may not see. Let's
go back to that, verse 11. Mark 4, 11. Verse
12. Verse 12. So that seeing, they may see and
not perceive. And hearing, they may hear and
not understand. Lest they should turn and their
sins be forgiven. It seems as though God shows
speciality in revelation. It shows as though,
you know, God hides some things from some people.
And sometimes we do. Think as if there are some
people that have some special revelations that,
you know, it's only them that can have this special
revelation of scriptures. Or, you know, a divine
inspiration from God is just for some specific.
Does God hide information from people and reveal
it to some special people? Luke chapter 10 verse
20. Luke 10 verse 20. Nevertheless, do not rejoice
in this, that the Spirit are subject to you,
but rather rejoice that your name are written
in heaven. In that hour, Jesus rejoiced in the
Spirit and said, I thank you, Father, Lord of
heaven and earth, that you have hidden these
things from who? Who is he leading to? From the
wise and the prudent and reveal them to who?
To babes. Even so, father, for so it seems good
to your side. So, at reading of this text, we
see clearly that Okay, verse 22. All things have
been delivered to me by my father and no one
knows who the son is except the father. And who
the father is except the son and the one whom
the son wills to reveal him. The son wills to
reveal him. So it seems as though, you know,
God concealed the revelation. Okay? Some people
say, ah, there is only Peter that got the revelation.
But no, the Bible didn't tell us there is only
Peter. All right? Peter has always been the spokesperson
of all. Okay? So let's not accuse others. of
what the scripture did not say about them, right?
You know, Peter has always been a spokesperson
to all of them. But then it seems as though some
people have been apportioned to have special
revelation. As I said earlier on, to us is given
to understand the mysteries of the kingdom. Does
that mean that God has deliberately concealed
this mystery so that others will not know? And
when we read scriptures like this, It seems so
because rightly Jesus said that he has hidden
it to who? To the wise and the prudent and has
revealed it to who? He has revealed it to babes,
to children. The word babes there means to children.
Okay? Matthew 11, 25. Matthew 11, verse 25. Matthew
11, verse 25. At that time, Jesus answered and
said, I thank you, Father. Of heaven and the
earth. That you have hidden these things. From
the wise and who? And prudent. On the line wise
and prudent. Wise and prudent. And have revealed
them to babes. To children. Even so father. For
it seems good in your sight. So it seems good
to the father. That the revelation of the kingdom.
Be unto babes. And not to the wise and the prudent.
And I ask, does God hide revelation? Does God
conceal revelation? Why would Jesus say that
God has hidden it from the wise? Why would it
be that Jesus is making this statement that the
revelation has been hidden to the wise? Now,
remember the context of Matthew 11, 20? The context
is that Jesus... Was rebuking the unbelief of
the cities. Let's look at verse. Yes. Matthew
20. Let's look at 20 to 24. We see that the context
that Jesus was rebuking the unbelief. Of the
people. Yes. Then he began to rebuke the cities
in which most of his mighty works has been done.
Jesus has done mighty works in these cities because
they did not repent. They did not turn to believe
in Jesus Christ. Woe unto you, Chorazin. Woe
unto you, Bethsaida. For if the mighty works
which were done in you had been done in Tyre
and Sidon, They will have repented long ago in
sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it will
be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day
of judgment than for you. And you, who are exalted
to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. For
if the mighty works which were done in you had
been done in Sodom, it will have remained till...
this day. But I say to you that it shall be more
tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of
judgment than for you. At that time Jesus answered
and said, Oh, I thank Father, Lord of heaven
and earth, that you have hidden these things.
Which things has he hidden? Revelation. That
you have hidden these things from the wise and
prudent. And I've revealed them to the babes.
So these people refuse to believe. They choose
to live in unbelief. Alright? They choose to
live in unbelief. That is the context of Jesus'
statement here. So what category of people are
those in whom God said to hide things from? He
said to hide things from. Who are those categories?
The wise and prudent, right? The mysteries of
the kingdom are hidden to who? To the wise and
what? And prudent. The mysteries of the kingdom
is hidden to who? To the wise and the prudent.
And who are those in which receive revelation?
Babes, children. Okay? So, now. Babes or children
can have different meaning in scripture. Depending
on the context of his use, it can have different
meaning in scripture. Whenever you see a child
or a baby, it doesn't mean the same in every
part of scripture. So, as we always teach in
church, we say context is very important in interpreting
scriptures. Now, let's see some places in which
the word babes or children is used. 1 Corinthians
3, verse 1. 1 Corinthians 3, verse 1. And I,
brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual
people, but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
Okay? As to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk
and not with solid food, for until now you were
not able to receive it, and even you are still
not able. For you are still, are you still carnal?
This is no secret. It's not saying that they
are carnal, right? But their behavior is what?
It's like carnal people. For where there are
envy, strife, and division among you, are you
not carnal and behaving like where? Like ordinary
men, which means that they are not ordinary men,
but they are behaving like ordinary men. So,
go back to verse 1. Go back to verse 1. So, He
says, as to babes in Christ, meaning that they
are children when it comes to the things of Christ.
They are not matured in the things of Christ.
So here, the word babes or children is referring
to what? Level of maturity of the believer. The
Corinthian church in which perform many, many,
you know, activities of the spirit. prophetic
words, healing and all those things, he's calling
them children because of their behavior, their
character, right? He's showing that they are
not mature. Some of them are saying, oh, I'm
for Pastor Kostin. Oh, this one, I said, oh,
I belong to Pastor Victor's camp. And there's
division among the church. And we'll see he's
asking them, is Jesus Christ divided? Why are
you behaving like babies? Why are you behaving
like kids? So babes or children here is referring
to what? The spiritual development of the believer.
1 Corinthians 13 verse 11. 1 Corinthians chapter
13 verse 11. When I was a child, I spoke as a
child, I understood as a child, I taught as a
child, but when I became a man, I put away childish
things. For now, we see in a mirror dimly, but
then face to face now, I know in part. When I
shall know, thus I also am known. Chapter 14,
verse 20. 14, verse 20. 1 Corinthians 14, 20.
Brethren, do not be children in understanding.
However, in malice be babes, but in understanding
be what? Be matured. Let's go back again and
look at this. He says, brethren, do not be children
in understanding. So, is it okay to remain a
child when it comes to understanding? Nobody
wants Going to give birth to a child and the
child remains a baby. You know, he's 10, he's
still a baby. 20, still a baby. The will of God
for the believer is that we grow to maturity.
Alright? So the level we are right now, that
is not the end goal for us. God desires that
we grow beyond this level of knowledge. That
we mature in knowledge. That we begin to We begin
to take responsibilities. Responsibility is a
product of growth. And growth comes by knowledge.
So Ephesians 4 verse 14. That we will not be
children. Ephesians 4 verse 14. That we should
no longer be children. The previous scripture
we see, it says as to regards to malice, you
know, we should be babes when it comes to these
things. As to what is evil, we should be babes.
But when it comes to maturity, we should grow.
When it comes to godly things, we should grow.
That we should no longer be children tossed to
and fro and carried about with every wind of
doctrine. By trickery of men. In the cunning
craftiness. Of deceitful plotting. But speaking
the truth in love. May grow up in all things.
In him who is. The head Christ. From whom the
whole body. Join and knit together. Every joint
that supplies. According to the effective working.
By which every part does its share. Causes growth
of the body. For the divine of his self and love.
So God intend. That we grow. God's intention
for us is that we grow. 1 Thessalonians chapter
2 verse 7. 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 7.
It says, but we were gentle among you just as
nothing mother cherishes her own children. Just
as her nursing mother cherishes her children
so affectionately longing for you, we are pleased
to impart to you not only the gospel of God,
but also our own lives because you have become
dear to us. So when it comes to faith in the
gospel, we must be like babes, right? Our conduct
towards the gospel, our attitude towards the
gospel message is... To be like babes. What do
babies do? What is the attitude of babies? A
child believes everything the father told him,
right? He doesn't argue. He believes all. Innocence.
But in the gospel, we act as babes. We must be
like babes. When it comes to the gospel, believing
it completely and obeying. Believing the gospel
completely and obeying. That should be our disposition
as babes, as we got the gospel. But when it comes
to growing in the truth, we must not remain babes.
We must keep on growing and mature. Hallelujah.
So, the word babes, Must be defined within the
context of his usage in the text. So that we
will not mistake one for another. The Bible is
not saying that you should remain a child. No.
The Bible is saying you should grow. Amen. You
should grow. Be mature. Be an adult. Grow. Take
responsibility. And we grow by the word of God.
By the teaching of the word of God. And by practicing
it. So from Matthew 11, 25 -26, God's revelation
is unto those who believe. That is the babes'
belief, right? It's unto those who believe, just
as babes. The babes receive the gospel by faith,
while the wise and prudent are the unbelieving
ones, who by the wisdom and the knowledge of
this world reject the faith. The wise and prudent
are those who think that they know it all. They
are smart. They are well educated. But you know,
it's the opium of the masses. It's for control.
You know, with my PhD, my education, you people
are, you believe in God because you didn't go
to, because you are not learned, you didn't go
to school. You know, it's because you are poor.
That's why you trust in God. In their own wisdom
and their own prudence, they rejected what? They
rejected the faith. So the gospel is hidden to
the wise and the prudent of this world. So if
you believe that, if you see yourself as a wise
and intelligent and brilliant and the Bible says
the fool, right, says in his heart that there
is no God. So your wisdom is actually foolishness.
So the gospel is a mystery to the wise. It's
a mystery to the prudent of this world. He cannot
wrap his mind around worshiping a man called
Jesus. He cannot wrap his mind. He can't see
the intelligence in the idea that somebody died
and then all are forgiven. By believing. Come
on. The wise and the prudent of this world wouldn't
want to acknowledge that forgiveness is free
gift in Christ Jesus. So it becomes hidden to
him. It becomes a hidden mystery. Father, we
see Paul describes this wise and the prudent
of this world. Romans chapter 1 verse 18. Romans
chapter 1 verse 18. It says for the wrath of
God. The wrath of God. I believe we're going
to do a teaching about the wrath of God very
soon. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of
men. Who suppresses? Okay, let's see. The ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men. What do they do?
They suppress the truth in righteousness. Suppressing
simply means they reject the truth. Verse 19.
Because what may be known of God is manifest
in them. For God has shown it to them. So they
are not without knowledge. For since creation
of the world, his invisible attributes are clearly
seen, being understood by the things that are
made and his eternal power and Godhead. So that
they are without what? They are without excuse.
The Pharisees knew what Christ was saying. Alright?
They were not in ignorance. They know what he
was saying. Because although they knew God, they
did not glorify him as God. Nor were thankful,
but became futile in their thoughts. So the wise
is in their mind, in their thoughts, and their
foolishness, and their foolishness were what?
Were darkened. Professing to be what? To be wise.
We're intelligent. Come on. You have to intelligently
explain this to me. So in their intelligence
and their wisdom, they became fools. Right? And
changed. Look at what their foolishness has brought
them. They changed the glory of the incorruptible
God into what? Into idols. Into image. Today,
it's not fancy. carve a wood and kneel down and
worship. So, we have it in form of money. The
glory in, yeah, they changed the glory of the
incorruptible God into an image made with corruptible
man, made like corruptible man and birds and
four -footed animals and creeping things. Therefore,
God also, see, this verse says, God gave them
up. To uncleanness. So God hides. And God gives
up people. God gave them up. Really. God also
gave them up to uncleanness. In a loss of their
hearts. To dishonor their bodies among themselves.
This is the result of them rejecting the truth.
Who exchange the truth of God for the lie. And
worship and serve the creator. Rather than the
creator. Who is blessed forever. Let's see more.
For this reason, they say again, God gave them
up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged
natural use for 26. For what is against nature.
This is a product of rejecting God. For this
reason, God gave them up, right? Yes, verse 27.
Likewise also, men leaving the natural use of
the woman. burned in their lust for one another,
men with men committing what is shameful and
receiving in themselves the penalty of the error
which was due. And we see that the depravity
of mankind is a product of what? Of the rejection
of God. Thinking that they are wise, they rejected
the truth about God. And the Bible says that
God gave them up. Now we're going to look at
what does it mean God gave them up. But the product
of the depravity of man is from what? From his
rejection of God in unbelief. So these men that
claim to be wise are actually fools. To them,
it's not given to understand the mystery of the
kingdom of God. Because the mystery of the kingdom
of God is received by faith. Faith in who God
is as revealed in Christ Jesus in the scriptures.
By the wisdom of this world, which refers to
what? Human philosophy. You know? The education
system. The ideology of men. So by the wisdom
of this world, men cannot know God. By the wisdom
of this world, men cannot know God. 1 Corinthians
chapter 1 verse 17. 1 Corinthians 1. Is it the
right place? 1 verse 17. Yes, yes. For Christ
did not send me to baptize, but to preach the
gospel. Not with what? With wisdom of words.
Not with the wisdom of men. Not with the wisdom
of words. Lest the cross of Christ should be
made of no effect. So the wisdom of this world
conceals the truth about Christ. It hides the
truth about Christ. The wisdom of this world
limits men from seeing Who Christ is. For the
message of the cross, right? The cross refers
to all that Christ has achieved. All that Christ
has done. The cross is not just a tree. The message
of the cross, the cross refers to all that Christ
has achieved in his death, his suffering, his
death, his burial, and his resurrection. For
the message of the cross is what? The entire
message about Christ is what? Is foolishness.
To those who are world. Who are perishing. But
to us. Who are saved. Hallelujah. It is what?
It is the power of God. It is the power of God.
For it is written. I will destroy the wisdom
of the wise. And bring to nothing the understanding
of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is a
scribe? Where is a disputer of this age? Has
not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
For since in the wisdom of God, the world through
wisdom did not know God. The world through wisdom.
That means the world has its own wisdom. The
world has its own wisdom. But through the wisdom
of the world, God cannot be known. It pleased
God through the foolishness of the message. Preach
to save. It pleased God through the foolishness
of the message. Preach to save those who believed.
For Jews, what do Jews request? You always see
them, show us a sign, show us a sign. They request
for a sign. And Greeks, what? They are philosophers.
You read through history? Pluto? Oh, Plato. All
the philosophers, political thoughts, economic
thoughts, history. The Greeks are so... See,
Greeks are very, very important in knowledge.
You can't take it away from the Greeks. Somebody
will just go and do once more on the graduate
and say there's no God. No, I believe in science.
Science that you don't even, you are not, you
are not even a qualified scientist. You don't
even created one thing from the knowledge you
have of that science or the technology you have.
You know, this generation is AI, you know. So,
verse 23. But we preach Christ crucified. Hallelujah.
To the Jews is a stumbling block. And to the
Greeks, it is foolishness. But to those who are
called, both the Jews and the Greeks, Christ
is what? Is a power of God and the wisdom of
God. Because the foolishness of God. Now, we
are not saying that God is foolish. This is just
a contrast. This is a language used to describe,
you know, what the writer is describing here.
God is not foolish. Okay. Because the foolishness
of God, if it's actually foolishness, is wiser
than men. And the weakness of God, is God weak?
There's no weakness in God. He's stronger than
man. For you see, you're calling brethren, for
you see, you're calling brethren, that not many
wise, how did I read it? That not many wise according
to the flesh. Not many mighty. Not many noble
are called. You are called not because you are
wealthy. Not because you are intelligent. Not
because. But God has chosen the foolish things
of the world. To put. To shame the wise. It's
pride. It's pride in man. And God has chosen
the weak things of the world to put to shame
the things which are mighty. And the best things
of the world and the things which are despised.
The things which are despised, God has chosen.
And the things which are not to bring to nothing
the things that are. And no flesh, that no flesh
should glory in his presence. But of him you
are in Christ. Hallelujah. You are in Christ
Jesus who became for us wisdom from God. Hallelujah.
Jesus is our wisdom and righteousness and sanctification
and redemption. That as it is written, he who
glories, let him glory in what? Let him glory
in the Lord. Not in wisdom. Not in intellect.
Not in your resources. But that you glory in
the Lord. So by wisdom of this world, men cannot
come to know God. And also, by human wisdom,
we cannot preach God to the world, brethren.
We cannot use the wisdom of this world to preach
the gospel to the world. Hallelujah. I see many
times, you know, people want to preach, they
begin to bring in some certain things, trying
to use the things of the world, the definitions
of the world. You see? Let me tell you one thing
about, one example. Riches in the kingdom of
God, right, is not the same thing as riches in
the world. Okay? In the kingdom of God, riches.
is defined by what? Listen, I'm talking about
material wealth, not even spiritual. Listen,
material riches in the kingdom of God is not
in the accumulation of resources. Okay? It's
in how much you give. That is how we quantify
who is rich in the kingdom of God. The other
way around is the world's way of defining who
is rich. In how much you are able to accumulate
and keep in your bank. They say, how much is
your net worth? That's how the major riches in
the world. So, our vocabulary must be distinct
and aligned with what the scripture teaches.
By the wisdom of men, we cannot preach God to
them. 1 Corinthians 2, let's go to chapter 2.
From verse 1, we see Paul when he came, he says,
And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not
come with excellency of word, excellence of speech,
or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony
of God. He didn't come with sweet words. He didn't
come with human wisdom. He didn't come with,
you know, he didn't display his intellectual
capacity in preaching about Christ. For I determined
not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ
and him crucified. So when you're going for evangelism,
you're not going there to show your intellectual
ability. You're not going there to show that
you are intelligent or you are smart or you are
brilliant. You are there to show people the intelligence
of God, which is the cross. Hallelujah. The more
you try to modernize it, you go off point. Let's
look at how Paul said it. He said, for I determined
not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ
and him crucified. Why? I was with you in weakness,
in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech
and my preaching were not with persuasive words
of human wisdom. He didn't use persuasive words
of human wisdom on them, but in demonstration
of what? Of the spirit and of power. That your
faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but
in what? But in the power of God. In the power
of God. So, how do we explain the idea? Of God
hiding things from the wise and prudent. How
do we explain this? Isn't God now responsible
for their unbelief? Since he has hidden it from
them. Is God not responsible for their unbelief?
Since God has hidden it from them. Now let's
go back to that text in Luke. The word hide as
used in Luke. Luke chapter 20 verse 22. and Matthew
11 .25. Luke 20. Is it Luke 20? Luke 10 .20 rather.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the
spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice
because your name are written in heaven. Next.
In that hour, Jesus rejoiced in the spirit and
said, I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and
earth, that you have hidden these things from
the wise and prudent and revealed them to the
babes. Even so, Father, for it seems good in
your sight. Now, this hide in this text is a
figure of speech. In literature, you know, we
call it a figure of speech. We are writing, right?
It's called metonymy. There are different classes
of metonymy. If you go out, you can make research
about it. If you've got a speech called metonymy,
M -E -T -O -N -Y, M -Y. Especially the metonymy
of the effect of the cause. Now, let me explain
this in simple language. It's a situation in
which we have more than one character. In an
event, an event happens with having more than
one character, but one character is mentioned.
Often, the one that is not active in that event
is accorded as responsible for that action. Do
you understand what I just explained now? Okay,
let me explain it in... I and Pastor Victor and
Pastor Chidi, something happened, right? And
then... Of course, we went to Pastor Chidi's
house. And I did something. And because Pastor
Chidi is his house and they say it is Pastor
Chidi that did it. You understand? I'll give
you examples in scripture. For example now, in
Exodus chapter 9 verse 12. The example of Pharaoh.
Exodus chapter 9 verse 12. But the Lord had in
the heart of Pharaoh and he did not heed them.
Just as the Lord has spoken to Moses. So was
it God that had in the heart of Pharaoh or Pharaoh
refused to believe what Moses said? He what?
He refused to believe, right? So in this story
now, it is reported that God hardened his heart.
The Bible said God hardened the heart of Pharaoh,
but in reality, right, Pharaoh hardened his heart
against the word of God. Okay? Let me give you
another example. Which one would I give? Another
metonymy, but it's not a metonymy, of course,
an effect. Let's say the chief of staff to the
president of America, for example, now, says
something bad about Russia, for example, now.
If it's going to be written, who will say that
thing? The White House, right? What does the
White House mean? The president. Why? Because
the president is what? He's the president. He's
the one that appointed him. But in, of course,
in real sense, the president did not say, but
the White House, the White House refers to the
president, it refers to the seat of the president.
Isn't it? So if the news will write that, they
will refer to us, the White House. And when you
say the White House, first you know that it is
Donald Trump. Are we together? So in this, it's
a way of communication. And the people responsible
here, we see here, there is a Pharaoh disbelieved
the word and he did not act in obedience to what
Moses said. But it is recorded as God had in
his heart. Romans chapter 1 verse 24, we saw
earlier on. 1 24 says, therefore God also gave
them up to uncleanness. When we read earlier
on. Was it God that gave them up or they refused
to believe God? There is two options. If you
believe God, this is the outcome of believing
God. This is the outcome of disbelieving God.
When you disbelieve God, what will happen? A,
B, C, D will happen. When you believe God, what
will happen? A, B, C will happen. And you choose
to believe God, right? Or you choose to disbelieve
God. So we see the action, the result of your
action. It's what we see as a result of their
disobedience. So, verse 28 also mentioned that
24, 28 we see also, God gave them up to loss
of their heart to dishonor their bodies among
themselves. Verse 28. Verse 28. And even as they
did not like to retain God in their heart, in
their knowledge, God gave them over to the base
mind. To do those things which are not fitting.
As though God is responsible for the things they
did. But the action here. Is the action in not
retaining God. Okay. Then we see the result in
their lives. So the text said God gave them up.
But in reality. They chose not to believe in
God. And we see the consequence of their action.
In all that we see in the text. So in reality.
God does not hide the truth from people. Hallelujah.
God's desire is that all men should be saved.
God has not sat down and written a certain list
of some people that these are the only ones that
will be saved. Some people believe that there
are some numbers that God has decided that these
are the only ones that will make heaven. The
rest, God has destined them for judgment. How
come you are inside that number? What makes you
special than others that you say God has destined
them for destruction? So you mean God will sit
down and the thing that God will do is that he
will prepare men for destruction. Then there's
no love in that God. From the foundation of the
world, he knows. And he prepared them for what?
For destruction. That is what God sat down and
did. Then that is a misrepresentation of the
character of God. So, God does not hide the truth
from people. God is light. And in him there is
no what? There is no darkness. To say that God
hides, it means that there is darkness in God.
So God does not hide his truth. God's revelation
is a matter of faith in the word of God. We who
believe in the word of God have the revelation
of the mysteries of God. Alright? So we believe,
we act on faith on what God has said. We act
as children. Just as children believe and they
obey, we act and we believe and we obey. Just
like children. So to us, God's revelation is
a matter of faith in the word of God. We believe
in the word of God. We who believe in the word
of God have revelation of the mysteries of God.
1 Corinthians 2 .6. Let's continue. 1 Corinthians
2 .6. We see when Paul was talking about contrasting
the wise and the prudent and the babes. Say,
however we speak wisdom among those who are mature,
yet not wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers
of this age who are coming to nothing. But we
speak what? The wisdom of God in a mystery. The
hidden wisdom which God ordained when? Before
ages for our glory. Which none of the rulers
of this age knew. For had they known, they would
not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as
it is written, I have not seen nor heard. nor
have entered into the heart of man the things
which God has prepared for those who love him.
He's actually prepared for those whom God loves.
But God has what? God has revealed it to who?
Huh? To who? To us. How? Through his spirit.
So we have the revelation of God through his
spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes,
the deep things of God. Colossians 1, verse 24.
I now rejoice in my suffering for you and fill
up in my flesh what is lacking in the affliction
of Christ for the sake of his body, which is
a church. Of which I became a minister. According
to the stewardship. From which was given to me.
For you to fulfill. The word of God. The mystery.
This is the word of God. The mystery which has
been hidden from ages. And from generations.
But now. Has been revealed to his sense. To them.
God willed. To make known. What are the riches
of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles?
Which is what? Which is Christ in what? In you,
the hope of glory. Christ in you, the hope of
glory. Mystery revealed to the believer. Mystery
is what? Is revealed. Hallelujah. To us, it is
given. To you, It is given to know the mysteries
of the kingdom. So we are not in darkness. We
are not in darkness not to know what God has
done. Amen? We are not in darkness to know what
God has done in Christ because we believe just
as babes believe. That is why the gospel can
be understood by someone that went to school.
And can also be understood by someone that did
not go to school. Even if you cannot read and
write, you can understand the gospel and you
can believe the gospel. And you can also preach
the gospel. Hallelujah. Because it's for those
who have the minds of children who believe and
obey unto them is given the understanding of
the mystery of God. The mystery in the Greek
word is a word mysterion. Mysterion. M -Y -S
-T -E -R -I -O -N. Let me spell it again. M -Y
-S -T -E -R -I -O -N. Mysterion. It means something
hidden. A secret. And this hidden stuff is...
It's what should be taught, actually, in this
context. It's what should be taught, said, and
declared. It's something that should be taught,
said, and declared. Now, let's have a short study.
How the Bible explains this mystery. What the
Bible calls this mystery. The Bible explains
this mystery in several ways. It is called the
mystery of the kingdom of heaven. In scriptures
you will see it. Mystery of the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew chapter 13 verse 11. Matthew 13 verse
11. He answered and said to them. Because it
has been given to you to know what? The mysteries
of what? Of the kingdom of heaven. But to them
it has not been given. So here it is represented
as the mysteries of what? Of the kingdom of heaven.
It is also the mysteries of the kingdom of God.
Kingdom of heaven. Same thing. The mysteries
of the kingdom of God. Mark chapter 4 verse 11.
Mark 4 11. He answered and said to them. Mark
4 11. And he said to them. To you it has been
given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God.
But to those who are outside, all things come
in what? Parable. All things comes in parable.
Mystery of the kingdom of God. Look at verse
10. Mystery of the kingdom of God. We've seen
mystery of the kingdom of heaven. It's the same
thing as mystery of the kingdom of God. And he
said to you, it has been given to know the mysteries
of the kingdom of God. But to the rest it is
given in parables that seeing they may not see,
hearing they may not understand. And the reason
that they will see and not see, right, is because
of unbelief. It's because of unbelief. So we
see the mysteries of the kingdom of God, mysteries
of the kingdom of heaven. We also see in scriptures
the mysteries of God. All is the same thing.
1 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 1. 1 Corinthians
chapter 4 verse 1. Let a man consider us as servants
of Christ and stewards of what? The mysteries
of who? Of God. Alright. Still the same thing.
The mysteries of God. Colossians 2 verse 2. Colossians
2 verse 2. And their hearts may be encouraged.
Being knit together in love and attaining to
all riches of the full assurance of understanding
to the knowledge of the mystery of God. Mystery
of God. Both of the Father and of the Christ.
Mystery of God. Both of the Father and of the
Christ. In whom? Are hidden all the treasures
of the wisdom. Of wisdom and knowledge. Mysteries
of God. We will also see this same mystery. As
the mystery of Christ. The mystery of Christ.
The mystery of Christ. The same thing. Ephesians
chapter 3 verse 4. The mystery of Christ. By
which when you read, let's go back to verse,
let's go from verse 1. From verse 1. For this
reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus
for you, Gentiles, indeed you have heard of the
dispensation of the grace of God. This dispensation
is what? The stewardship, the administration
of the grace of God which was given to me for
you. Even did, yes, how that by revelation, by
what? By revelation, he made known to me the
mystery as I have briefly what? Written. Already.
By which when you read, when you read, you may
understand my knowledge, he called it in the
mystery of Christ. which in other ages was not
made known to the sons of men. Which ages? Of
course, going back to the times of the prophets,
right? Made known to the sons of men, and it
has now been revealed by the Spirit to his holy
apostles and prophets. Apostles and prophets,
yes. That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs
of the same body and partakers of his promise
in Christ through the gospel. So he called it
the mystery of Christ. The mystery of God is
a mystery of the kingdom of heaven, is a mystery
of the kingdom of God, is a mystery of God, is
the same thing as a mystery of Christ. Mystery
of Christ. Colossians 4, verse 3. Meanwhile,
pray also for us. That God will open us a door
for the world to speak what? To speak the mystery
of Christ for which I am also in chain. So is
this mystery also the gospel? Huh? Is it also
the gospel? We will see that it is also referred
to as a mystery of the gospel. Ephesians 6 verse
19. Same thing. Ephesians 6 verse 19. And for
me, that all trans may be given to me, that I
may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery
of what? Of the gospel. Hallelujah. The mystery
of the gospel. So what should be the response
to the gospel? Faith, right? Faith. The mystery
is also the mystery of the faith. The mystery
of faith. 1 Timothy 3, verse 19. 1 Timothy 3,
verse 9. Verse 9, not 19, verse 9. 1 Timothy
3, verse 9. It says, holding the mystery of what?
Of the faith with a pure conscience. The faith
entails all that pertains to Christ. The faith
entails all that pertains to the kingdom of God.
The faith means all that pertains to the kingdom
of heaven, the kingdom of God, the kingdom of
Christ. There's no difference between the kingdom
of God and the kingdom of heaven. It's the same
thing. Agreed? So this mystery is one. Alright?
It's also referred to as the mystery of godliness.
1 Timothy 3 verse 16. The mystery of what? Of
godliness. And without controversy, great is
the mystery of what? Godliness. And he explains
it. God was manifested in the flesh. Justified
in the spirit. Seen by angels. Preached among
the Gentiles. Believed in the world. And received
up in glory. Hallelujah. So all this refers to
the same. So when we are talking about mystery.
There are not many mysteries. Hallelujah. Even
when Paul was talking about marriage, he said
he's referring to the same thing. He's talking
about Christ and the church. Amen? To you and
I is given to know the mystery, the mystery of
God. To know the mysteries of the kingdom. Do
you know why? Because we have a responsibility.
We have a responsibility. So to us, it's given
because we have, of course, we are safe and we
are part of the mystery because Christ in us
is a mystery. Hallelujah. God, indwelling man,
the kind of man cannot understand that ideology.
The man that is not born again cannot understand.
How can you say God lives in you? It doesn't
make sense. But that is the wisdom of God. That
is the mystery of God revealed to us. For to
us, it's not a mystery, it's a revelation. Hallelujah.
Amen? And Paul made it very clear that this revelation
of the mystery are from the teachings of the
prophets. Okay? It is a message of God through
the mouth of the prophets. Right? Romans chapter
16 verse 25. I think we saw this text earlier
on. Romans 16, 25, 27. This mystery is not so
mysterious. This mystery did not appear mysteriously
from nowhere. Okay? It didn't appear mysteriously
from nowhere. That is why we saw what Peter said.
What Peter said is written by the prophets. It's
what the prophets have said. To him who is able
to establish you according to my gospel. And
the preaching of Jesus Christ. According to what?
According to the revelation of the mystery kept
secret. Since the world began. But now made manifest.
How? And by the prophetic scriptures. So Paul's
mystery is not that he got it somewhere. He believed
the word. He understand the word. He believe
therefore he got understanding by the spirit.
Hallelujah. He believe by the spirit he got understanding.
So he's able to write. Amen. But now made manifest
by the prophetic scriptures. Made known to all
nations according to the commandment of the everlasting
God for obedience to the faith. Verse 7. To God
alone. wise, the glory through Jesus Christ forever.
Amen. So clearly we see here that, as I said,
the mystery didn't just appear mysteriously.
It is in the writings of the prophets, started
with Moses, right from Genesis chapter 1 verse
1, that's when the mystery was revealed, was
stated, coming down to the writings of the prophets,
to the Psalms, and then we see, manifested in
the epistles, revealed in Christ in the epistles,
then we see after his resurrection, glorified
in us. Hallelujah. So Jesus is a centrality of
this mystery. Listen, when we say mystery, we're
not talking about portals. We're not talking
about something that is new. You're looking for
fresh revelation. What we're saying is that it's
a revelation of Christ. Don't go and then be
looking for some fresh revelation to give people.
There's no new revelation. Alright? It's to the
unsafe that it is a revelation. It's a mystery
to the unsafe, rather. But to us, it's a revelation.
There's no mystery. You cannot come and be talking
to believers and then you are telling them potters
and who do you want to impress? Believers have
common knowledge with the one you have. They
have show to them what Christ has done. That's
what is necessary. Amen? So we don't come here
and begin to tell you our experiences or anything
that we've achieved on our own. But we show you
what Christ has done. What Christ has revealed.
Hallelujah. So Jesus Christ is the center of
this mystery. He is the centrality of this mystery.
Colossians chapter 2 verse 1. You will see that
Jesus Christ is the center of this mystery. For
I want you to know what a great conflict I have
for you and those in Laodicea and for as many
as have seen my face in the flesh. that their
hearts may be encouraged, being knit together
in love and attending to all riches, of the full
assurance of understanding, to the knowledge
of the mystery of God, both of the Father and
of Christ. So you see, Jesus Christ is in the
center of this, right? Jump to chapter 4, verse
3. Chapter 4, verse 3. Colossians 4 verse 3.
Praying also for us that God will open us a door
for the word to speak the mystery is of Christ
for which I am also in chains. The mystery is
of Christ and is revealed to us and we know what
it is. Hallelujah. Ephesians 1 verse 3. Ephesians
1 verse 3. It says, blessed be the God and the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed
us with every spiritual blessings in the heavenly
places. Heavenly place. In Christ. In the heavenlies
in Christ. Just as he chose us in him before
the foundation of the world that we should be
holy and without blame before him in love. This
is the mystery explained. Having predestined
us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself
according to the good pleasure of his will. To
the praise of the glory of his grace by which
he made us accepted in the beloved. In him we
have redemption through his blood the forgiveness
of sins according to the riches of his grace.
Which he made to abound to us in all wisdom.
Now this wisdom and prudence is not of the world.
Alright? There's a wisdom and prudence of the
world. The wisdom and prudence of God is in Christ.
Having made known to us what? The mystery of
his will. The mystery of his will. According
to his good pleasure which he proposed in himself.
That in the dispensation of the fullness of time.
He may gather together in one all things in Christ.
Christ is the centrality of this mystery. He
gathered all things in Christ, both which are
heavenly, which are unseen, and which are on
earth. What is on earth? Us. On earth means us,
in him. Hallelujah. So Jesus Christ is the center
of this mystery. Jump to chapter 3, verse 3.
Chapter 3, verse 3 to 9. How that by revelation
he made known to me the mystery, as I have briefly
written already, by which when you read, when
you study, this read is not just read, when you
study, when you chew over it, when you expertise
in it, You may understand my knowledge in the
mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not
made known to the sons of men, as it has now
been revealed by who? By the Spirit to his holy
apostles and prophets. Are you a prophet? Are
you a prophet? Are you an apostle? You are not
the apostle, but you are an apostle. You are
a prophet. Hallelujah. Do you have the revelation
of Christ? Yes, you have the revelation of Christ.
Amen? You have the revelation of Christ. Hallelujah.
That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs of the
same body. They should be inclusive in this that
God has done. Of the same body and partakers
of his promise in Christ through the gospel of
which I became a minister. So Paul is a minister
of what? Of mystery. Of who? Of Christ. Does
it give you a hint? They are also a minister
of what? Of the mystery. To which I became a
minister according to the gift of the grace of
God given to me by effective working of his power.
To me who am less. Than the least. Is there anything
like less of the least? I don't know what Paul
was thinking. Who am the less. Than the least.
Of all the saints. His grace was given me. Was
given. That I should preach among the Gentiles.
The unsearchable riches of Christ. And to make
all see. What is the fellowship? So listen, as
you are reading what Paul, be reading yourself
in the writings of Paul. Alright? To make all
see what is the fellowship of what? Fellowship
here means what? Sharing, right? Fellowship here
means what? Distribution of the mystery which
from the beginning of ages has been hidden in
God who created all things through Jesus Christ.
To the intent now. That the manifold wisdom of
God. Hallelujah. Wisdom of God. Might be made
known. By who? By angels. Who is the church?
We are the church. Hallelujah. So what are we
to do? We are to make known. The manifold wisdom
of God. Seen in the mystery of Christ. Be made
known by the church to the principalities and
the powers in the heavenlies. Hallelujah. According
to the eternal purpose which he accomplished
in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is powerful. In
whom we have what? We have boldness and access
with confidence to faith in him. So we are now.
ministers of Christ, you and I. Why? Because
we know the mysteries of Christ. Amen? We know
the mystery of Christ. We are now ministers of
Christ. We are custodians of the mystery of Christ.
We are stewards of the mysteries of God. 1 Corinthians
4, verse 1 to 2, we saw. 1 Corinthians 1, verse
4. 1 Corinthians 4 verse 1 and 2. It says 4 verse
1. Let a man so consider us as servants of Christ.
And what? Who is a steward? Who is a steward?
Steward is a Greek word oikonomos. O -I -K -O
-N -O -M -O -S. O -I -K -O -N -O -M -O -S. Oikonomos,
which means the manager of household. You are
a manager of, what does a manager of a household
does? He manages a household, and he does what?
If there are people, you serve them their needs,
their food, in time and in season. A manager
of household. Or household affairs. So he says.
Let a man so consider us as. The servants of
Christ. And the ergonomist. A servant serve.
Of Christ. Which is what? Stewardship of what?
Of the mysteries. You are the servant of the
mysteries of God. You serve the mysteries of
God. To men. Moreover. What is required of that
servant? What is required of that economist?
What is required of that manager of the mysteries,
the steward of the mystery? It is required at
a steward, in stewards that one be found what
faithful. Faithfulness will mean that you are
doing what you have been entrusted to. Amen?
So you are a steward of the mysteries of God.
So God is equipping you now to do what? To be
an effective steward of the mysteries of God.
Hallelujah. It is no longer concealed to you.
It's a revelation. Amen? So you are to explain,
to teach. We are the ministers and the managers
of God's work. Therefore, We must be faithful
to God's work. Faithfulness is required of the
believer. 1 Timothy chapter 3 verse 9. Give me
from verse 8. Likewise, deacons. Who is a deacon?
A believer. That have grown, have matured, and
have come to the place of what? Responsibility
in a church. Alright? If you are a team leader,
you are a deacon. Amen? You are a pastor in training.
Alright? That's what a deacon is. Like what deacons,
if you are in training center, you are a deacon.
Oh, you don't know? You think we don't know what
we are doing there? Just the idea. You're already
implicated. Like was Dickens, must be what? Must
be reverent. Not double -tongued. Not given to
too much alcohol. In fact, if we catch you, don't
even drink. Talk more or say too much. Not greedy
for money. Holding the mystery of the faith with
what? With a pure conscience. Your disposition
towards the mystery is not for what you gain
from it. With a pure conscience. They say you
should do follow up. You are following up somebody
for a bad conscience. I don't want to call names.
But from what? A pure conscience. Holding on
the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.
Ephesians chapter 6 verse 19. Ephesians 6 verse
19. And for me, Look at Paul saying. Pray for
me. That's the context. That I may have utterances.
That utterances may be given to me. That I may
open my mouth boldly. To make known. What? The
mystery of the gospel. It takes boldness. Alright.
It takes boldness. Boldness by the spirit of
God. To declare the mystery of the gospel. Because
you will be rejected for it. Persecution will
come on the account of this mystery. It requires
boldness. It requires sacrifice. To do what?
To preach this gospel. If you go somewhere, you
will be denied opportunities on the account of
this gospel. But you must preach it. So, utterance
may be given that you have the ability to speak
it, the wisdom of God to communicate it. That
utterance may be given to me that I may open
my mouth boldly to make known the what? The mystery
of the gospel. Mystery of the gospel. So, this
mystery is relative. Amen? What do I mean by
his relative? To the unsafe is what? It's a mystery,
right? To us who believe is no longer what? It's
no longer a mystery. The gospel is a mystery
to the unsafe. How is it made known to the unsafe?
Through preaching and explanation. Are we together?
So the mystery is not received revelation, no.
It's by explanation. Hallelujah. It's by explanation.
Now, who has the responsibility to make this
explanation? You and I. That is why we are here.
That God will empower us to give what? To give
this explanation to the nations, the world around
us. That is why God is spending time on us so
that we will be equipped. We will have utterances.
Some of us, the utterance we need, first of all,
is to sit down and learn. Then you will have
what to say. Amen? When you sit down and you
learn, you will have what to say. You will know
how to say it. You will know when to say it.
Your degree of boldness is directly proportional
to the level of knowledge you know. But you become
a fool if you are bold in ignorance. Do you understand?
Because you will just go and make a mockery of
it. You know those sons of Siva that we saw?
They say in the name of Jesus Christ who Paul
preached, they want to cast out demons. It doesn't
work like that. So we have a stewardship. And
this stewardship is what? Is the gospel, the
mystery of the gospel. And it is known through
preaching and explanation. So for Peter, go back
to Matthew 16 verse 17. We're coming back to
where we started. Matthew 16 verse 17. For flesh
and blood has not revealed this to you, will
it mean what? What will it mean? Huh? Hello?
All this explanation for you to keep quiet? What
will what? It says for flesh and blood has not
revealed this to you. So what does reveal this
to you, what will reveal this to you mean? Hmm?
Revelation. I'm looking for, what does that revelation
mean? That he believed, alright? Simply, that
he believed in what was said about Jesus Christ
from the writings of the prophets. That is a
revelation. Faith in what has been written about
Jesus Christ. To reveal as seen in the case of
Peter is faith in the explanation of the Old
Testament scriptures. What we call the Old Testament
scriptures. Hallelujah. So, I just want us to
pray. We'll stop here for now because of time.
We'll be praying that prayer in Ephesians chapter
6 verse 19. That God will grant us utterance.
Let's rise on our feet. As we write about our
writings, let's rise on our feet. And for me,
that utterance may be given to me, that I may
open my mouth boldly. Now we know the mystery
of God. Hallelujah. We know the mystery of God.
That I may open my mouth boldly to explain, to
preach, to teach the mystery of the gospel. Let's
open our mouths and begin to pray. We're going
to take some time now and pray. Please, let's,
from all the things that we've learned, let's
ask God to help us. Thank you for listening to
today's sermon. Your journey matters to us. Let's
keep walking together. Visit our website for
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next time, be blessed.