A Sacred Secret

First Baptist Church Sherman, Texas (Sermon Audio)

'I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.'

Colossians 1:24-29

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1. The world urgently needs to hear the story of God’s redemptive opportunity provided in Christ

1. It is the privilege of the Church to deliver this wonderful story to the world

1. A story that is timely

* Previously unclear

* Presently known

2. A story that is transformational

* An infusion of divine presence

* An expectation of a glorious eternity

3. A story that is our sacred trust

* It requires informed proclamation

* It requires wholehearted participation

2. What was once a mystery is now meant to be known
   1. Understand the value of the trust we hold
   2. Become extremely familiar with the substance of the story
   3. Enlist your life for its duration to deliver this story to all who need to hear