Gene Cunningham presented “The Mystery of Godliness” May 11–13, 2018 in Winchester, Virginia.
The statement of Paul in 1 Timothy 3:16 declares that “without controversy great is the mystery of godliness.” The “mystery” began with the birth of Jesus Christ, the eternal Word, becoming flesh. The earthly life of Christ then became the template—the standard for the Christian life lived out through the indwelling and filling ministry of the Holy Spirit. The end result, again defined by the apostle, is the resulting dynamic that “Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). The objective of this study is to bridge the gap between the historical reality of the Incarnation and the spiritual potential for every Christian.
Gene Cunningham - June 10, 2003
Galatians 4
Promises to Abraham through his "Seed": (1) depends upon Jesus Christ; (2) In Christ is rich inheritence (Heb 1:1-4). By the scope of Jesus Christ's work in His earthly life, He inherited all things (Heb 1:3-4). We also have an inheritence (Heb 1:14). We have to become one of the "just" to then "live by faith". We don't become an heir until we become a believer. Obedience is the criteria for reward (aka Noah, Heb 11:1, Heb 11:6-16). In scripture, the word "saved" does not always refer to initial justification by faith, but deliverance in time. The purpose of the law is to convince us of our sinfulness and to drive us to Christ not righteousness (Mat 26:39, Gal 3:21-25). "We" refers to Jewish believers in Paul's time (Gal 3:23-25). "You [Gentiles] are sons of God by faith in Christ" and baptized into Christ's death, burial and resurrection (Gal 3:26-27). Union with Him makes our salvation complete (1Co 12:13): (1) Death — penalty of sin is broken, (2) Burial — power of sin is broken, (3) Resurrection — the practice of sin is broken. Roman ceremony of becoming adopted as a full-grown son (i.e., "toga virilus") was in Paul's mind in the "put on Christ" imagery (Gal 2:27). Christ is the Robe of Righteousness believers wear. God has no elite children (Gal 3:28-29). Will there be any stars in your crown? Will you even have a crown? Christ the seed (Gen 3:15, Gen 12-28, Gen 49:10, 2Sa 7:12, Isa 7:14, Mat 1:23). Chapter 4 "Elements of the World" (Gal 4:3): Creation, Conscience, and the Law (Rom 2:14-15). Righteous requirement of the law: apenalty, and a blessing. We are adopted sons (Gal 4:5-6, Rom 8:9-11), and because of that heirs (Gal 4:7). All believers have a base inheritence (Tit 3:7, 1Pe 1:4-5). Above the basic inheritence — "heirs of God", there is opportunity for more — "joint heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:14-17, 2Ti 4:3, 2Ti 2:10).
Scripture References: Galatians 3:23-25, Genesis 49:10, Hebrews 1:1-4, Romans 8:9-11, Galatians 3:21-25, Genesis 3:15-28, Galatians 4:5-6, Matthew 26:39, Genesis 3:15, Romans 2:14-15, Hebrews 11:6-16, Galatians 3:28-29, Galatians 4:3, Hebrews 11:1, Romans 8:14-17, Galatians 2:27, Matthew 1:23, Hebrews 1:14, Titus 3:7, Galatians 3:26-27, Isaiah 7:14, Hebrews 1:3-4, Galatians 4:7
From Series: "Galatians - The Truth and Power of the Gospel - Hot Spring AR - 2009"
This series was given at Grace Bible Church of Hot Springs Arkansas in November 2009.