The Uniqueness of the Message [Sermon]

Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia

September 2026

https://youtu.be/FXxtGYp2jpY

Colossians 1:24-2:5

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

2:1

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

1. The Universal Gospel

26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.

Gen. 3:15. - Promise for the Offspring of women

Gen. 12:3 - God’s call to Abraham which would bless all people

Exod. 19:5 - God’s calling a kingdom of priests to reach the world

1 Kgs. 8:43, 60 - Solomon’s temple had implications for the Gentiles to repent and believe and be a part.

Prophets, esp Isaiah

John 3:16"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life"

2. The Veiled Gospel

26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.

1 Pet. 1:12: It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

3. The Certain Gospel

27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

Romans 8:29-30 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Romans 10:9: … if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Surah 46:9: "Say, 'I am not something new among the messengers, and I do not know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow what is revealed to me, and I am not but a clear warner.

4. The Complete Gospel

2:2-3 the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

Acts 16:30-31:

Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.

5. The Costly Gospel

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,

29 - For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face