OUTLINE FOR OPEN CELLS

(Week of 1 /31 – 2/6, 2010)

Icky World 5

"The Mystic and the Mystery"

Subject - Saint Paul was the first great Christian mystic. Christian mysticism as a system, however, is derived from Neoplatonism and the mysticism of early Christian theologian Saint Augustine. In the Middle Ages (5th century to 15th century), mysticism was often associated with monasticism. Monks such as Meister Eckhart, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint Francis of Assisi, and Saint John of the Cross were dominant figures in mysticism. A number of the most distinguished Christian mystics have been women, notably Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Teresa of Avila. By its pursuit of spiritual freedom, sometimes at the expense of theological formulas and ecclesiastical discipline, mysticism may have contributed to the origin of the 16th-century Protestant Reformation. Modern mysticism finds expression in the theology of many Protestant denominations and is a salient characteristic of such sects as the Anabaptists and the Quakers, but Paul forged the first trail.

I. What is the basic theology of Christian mysticism? God is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be experienced. (Jon Zuck - extended quotes . . )

A. Here is a very short mystical apologetic. (Jon Zuck)

1. While we honor the Scriptures, we want to know God directly, not just through Scripture.

2. While we respect our heritage of teachings about God, we want to know God directly, not through doctrines and teachings.

3. While we gather in communal worship, we want to know God directly, not just through the Church.

II. What is a mystic?

A. "I believe that everyone who wants to love unconditionally is a mystic." (Jon Zuck)

B. The Apostle Paul set the goal of experiencing and advancing the love of Christ clearly before us.

1. (Eph. 2:1-10) God's love (v. 5) reawakens our divine potential of sitting "in heavenly places" (v. 6) and yet walking out "good works" (v. 10) in the earth.

a. (Gen. 2:7, dust of the ground, breath of life)

2. (Eph. 3:1-22) Key phrases to define: dispensation (stewardship) of the grace of God (v. 2), by revelation (laying bare) He made known to me the mystery (the secret) (v. 3), understand my knowledge (v. 4, see Lk. 2:47), the Gentiles should be made fellow-heirs of the same body (v. 6), make ALL SEE what is the fellowship of the mystery (v. 9), the manifold (multicolored, many faceted) wisdom of God (v. 10), made known BY the church TO the principalities and powers in heavenly places (v. 10)

a. (v. 14-22) The prayer to prepare - WHAT DOES PAUL ASK FOR?

3. (Eph. 4:13-16) This unfolding experience of Christ's love is what builds up, grows up and expands the true church. The church's "growth" is for the very purpose of love's expansion.

4. (1 Cor. 13) Love as the "more excellent" way. Defined by what it is and what it is not.

III. Experiencing God - beginning, continuing or resuming the journey. (Henry Blackaby - quote . . )

A. "Few people seem to choose mysticism deliberately. It often takes a jolt of some kind from God to wake us up to the fact that there is something there, something full of love, wanting to be known."  . . . The starting point of mysticism is encountering the Goodness of God; not a conditional "goodness," but pure Goodness itself, with a capital G." (Jon Zuck)

1. Have you experienced the Goodness of God with a capital G? (or "lower case g" goodness)

2. Are you willing to face the fear of "fence jumping" over the status quo for the sake of love?