The Secret
Things
Deut. 29:29
The secret things belong unto the
LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our
children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Intro: There are no "know it
alls". They might think so, but
they aren't. Some things we will never
know. The wiser a man becomes, the more ignorant he knows himself to be. All of
us come to a certain point (usually when we are younger) when we feel that all
wisdom is ours, and there is just nothing more to learn. Then we turn the
corner and discover that our store of knowledge is just a little puddle
compared to the ocean of knowledge that still lies before us.
Someone has described
knowledge as "the process of passing from the unconscious state of
ignorance to the conscious state of ignorance." Ignorance does not know
that it does not know. True knowledge does not know and knows it.
I. The Presence of Secret Things
A. The Word of God
- 2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
B. The Ways of God
- Rom. 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
C. The Workings of God
- 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. (we know; not see!)
II. The Problem of Secret Things
A. It Causes Doubt
- II Pet. 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
B. It Causes Deception – people don't believe what they
can't understand
- Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
C. It Causes Disagreements – people argue about it
- SEE John 6
- 52 The Jews therefore strove
among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
- 60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
D. It Causes Denial
·
John 6:66 From
that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
II. The Purpose of Secret Things
A. It Produces Humility
- I Cor. 8:1, Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
B. It Produces Hope
- Rom. 8:25, 26 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
C. It Produces Hunger
- Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 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) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Conclusion:
1. We are thoroughly furnished
unto all good works.
- II Tim. 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2. We are accountable for what
we know.
- Luke 12:48 For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:
3. There was no way to tell us
everything. John 21:25
4. If there were no mysteries,
there'd be no need for faith. Heb. 11:1, 6
