God's Eternal Plan: Salvation and Sovereignty Unveiled

 

Summary

The Apostle Paul, in his letters to the Corinthians and Ephesians, emphasizes the profound truth that God's plan of salvation was established before the foundation of the world. This divine purpose was not a reaction to human failure but a preordained plan, meticulously crafted by God Himself. The wisdom of God, as Paul describes, is not of this world but is a hidden wisdom, ordained for our glory. This plan, which includes our salvation and the coming of Christ, was set in motion before creation, highlighting the eternal nature of God's purpose.

The notion that God's plan was improvised or adjusted due to human actions, such as the rejection of Christ by the Jews, is a misunderstanding of the divine narrative. Such views, often associated with dispensationalism, undermine the consistency and sovereignty of God's eternal purpose. Instead, the scriptures affirm that God's plan is unchanging and was always intended to unfold as it has, with the church and the sacrifice of Christ being integral parts of this divine blueprint.

God's purpose is carried out by Himself, as seen in the repeated affirmations that it is God who foreknows, predestines, calls, justifies, and glorifies. This underscores the Trinitarian involvement in salvation, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each play distinct roles in the execution of this divine plan. The Father initiates, the Son accomplishes, and the Spirit applies the work of salvation, ensuring that the purpose of God is fulfilled.

The certainty of God's purpose is a source of comfort and assurance for believers. The Apostle Paul assures us that if we are part of God's purpose, everything will work together for our good. This certainty is rooted in the character of God, who is unchanging and whose purposes cannot be thwarted. The history of the Old Testament, the prophetic declarations, and the fulfillment of these prophecies in Christ all testify to the unwavering nature of God's plan.

Ultimately, the purpose of God is to bring all things under the headship of Christ, culminating in the glory of God being all in all. This grand narrative assures us that God's plan is not only for our salvation but for the ultimate display of His glory and wisdom throughout the ages.

Key Takeaways:

- God's plan of salvation was established before the foundation of the world, highlighting the eternal nature of His purpose. This plan was not a reaction to human failure but a preordained design for our glory. [15:35]

- The notion that God's plan was improvised due to human actions, such as the rejection of Christ by the Jews, undermines the consistency and sovereignty of God's eternal purpose. God's plan is unchanging and was always intended to unfold as it has. [21:23]

- The Trinitarian involvement in salvation is crucial, with the Father initiating, the Son accomplishing, and the Spirit applying the work of salvation. This ensures that the purpose of God is fulfilled, highlighting the distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. [27:20]

- The certainty of God's purpose is a source of comfort and assurance for believers. If we are part of God's purpose, everything will work together for our good, rooted in the unchanging character of God. [30:10]

- The ultimate purpose of God is to bring all things under the headship of Christ, culminating in the glory of God being all in all. This grand narrative assures us that God's plan is for the ultimate display of His glory and wisdom throughout the ages. [41:28]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:07] - Introduction to Divine Wisdom
[15:35] - God's Eternal Plan
[18:29] - Pre-Creation Purpose
[21:23] - Misunderstandings of God's Plan
[22:10] - Dispensationalism Critique
[23:14] - God's Sovereign Role
[24:26] - Trinitarian Involvement
[27:20] - The Father's Initiative
[29:58] - Certainty of God's Purpose
[33:23] - Old Testament Fulfillment
[36:12] - Prophetic Assurance
[39:00] - Glory of God's Grace
[41:28] - Ultimate Purpose in Christ
[43:33] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 2:7 - "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory."
2. Ephesians 1:4 - "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love."
3. 2 Timothy 1:9 - "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began."

Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Corinthians 2:7, what is the nature of the wisdom that Paul speaks about, and when was it ordained? [15:35]
2. In Ephesians 1:4, what does Paul say about when God chose us, and what is the intended outcome of this choice?
3. How does 2 Timothy 1:9 describe the basis of our calling and salvation, and when was this purpose and grace given?
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of the Trinity in the execution of God's plan of salvation? [27:20]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding that God's plan was established before the foundation of the world affect our perception of God's sovereignty and purpose? [15:35]
2. What implications does the unchanging nature of God's plan have for our understanding of historical and current events? [21:23]
3. How does the Trinitarian involvement in salvation enhance our understanding of the distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? [27:20]
4. In what ways does the certainty of God's purpose provide comfort and assurance to believers, according to the sermon? [30:10]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you doubted God's plan for your life. How does knowing that His plan was established before the foundation of the world change your perspective? [15:35]
2. How can you apply the understanding of God's unchanging plan to a current situation in your life where you feel uncertain or anxious? [21:23]
3. In what ways can you acknowledge and honor the distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in your daily spiritual practices? [27:20]
4. Think of a situation where you need comfort and assurance. How can the certainty of God's purpose help you find peace in that situation? [30:10]
5. How can you actively participate in bringing all things under the headship of Christ in your community or workplace? [41:28]
6. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to trust in God's sovereignty. What steps can you take this week to surrender that area to Him?
7. How can you use the knowledge of God's eternal plan to encourage someone who is struggling with their faith?

Devotional

Day 1: God's Eternal Plan of Salvation
God's plan of salvation was established before the foundation of the world, highlighting the eternal nature of His purpose. This plan was not a reaction to human failure but a preordained design for our glory. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, emphasizes that this divine purpose was meticulously crafted by God Himself, showcasing His wisdom that is not of this world but a hidden wisdom ordained for our glory. This eternal plan includes our salvation and the coming of Christ, set in motion before creation, underscoring the unchanging nature of God's purpose. [15:35]

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Reflection: Consider how the knowledge of God's eternal plan for your salvation impacts your daily life. How can you live today with the assurance that your life is part of a divine, preordained purpose?


Day 2: The Unchanging Nature of God's Plan
The notion that God's plan was improvised due to human actions, such as the rejection of Christ by the Jews, undermines the consistency and sovereignty of God's eternal purpose. God's plan is unchanging and was always intended to unfold as it has. This understanding challenges views like dispensationalism, which suggest that God's plan was adjusted in response to human actions. Instead, the scriptures affirm that God's purpose is consistent and sovereign, with the church and the sacrifice of Christ being integral parts of this divine blueprint. [21:23]

Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you doubted God's plan due to unexpected circumstances. How can you trust in the unchanging nature of God's purpose despite life's uncertainties?


Day 3: Trinitarian Involvement in Salvation
The Trinitarian involvement in salvation is crucial, with the Father initiating, the Son accomplishing, and the Spirit applying the work of salvation. This ensures that the purpose of God is fulfilled, highlighting the distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul underscores that it is God who foreknows, predestines, calls, justifies, and glorifies, demonstrating the collaborative work of the Trinity in executing this divine plan. [27:20]

2 Corinthians 13:14 (ESV): "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

Reflection: How can you recognize and appreciate the distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in your personal journey of faith today?


Day 4: Assurance in God's Unchanging Purpose
The certainty of God's purpose is a source of comfort and assurance for believers. If we are part of God's purpose, everything will work together for our good, rooted in the unchanging character of God. The Apostle Paul assures us that God's purposes cannot be thwarted, and the history of the Old Testament, along with the prophetic declarations and their fulfillment in Christ, testify to the unwavering nature of God's plan. [30:10]

Psalm 33:11 (ESV): "The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations."

Reflection: In what ways can you find comfort and assurance in God's unchanging purpose during challenging times? How can this assurance influence your actions and decisions today?


Day 5: The Ultimate Purpose in Christ
The ultimate purpose of God is to bring all things under the headship of Christ, culminating in the glory of God being all in all. This grand narrative assures us that God's plan is not only for our salvation but for the ultimate display of His glory and wisdom throughout the ages. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that the culmination of God's plan is the unification of all things in Christ, highlighting the eternal significance of Christ's headship and the glory of God. [41:28]

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's ultimate purpose of bringing all things under Christ's headship? What steps can you take today to align your life with this grand narrative?

Quotes


The Apostle you see is writing to these Corinthians and says in verse how be it we speak wisdom among them that are perfect yet not the wisdom of this world nor of the princes of this world that come to not but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our Glory now there it is as plain as anything can be God ordained it that's another way of saying that he purposed it he purposed it planned it decreed it orain it and he did so before the world before the world was even created God had purposed this and had ordained it and you notice it is to our Glory. [00:15:24]

The Plan of Salvation did not come into the Mind Of God after the fall of men it was before that it was before even the creation of the world you've got to realize this about this great purpose of God it was something that he did something he planned and purposed and ordained and decreed in its completion before man or the world were ever created so we must add this that it was not only thought of after the fall there are no readjustments in this there have been no readjustments as time has gone on. [00:18:26]

You will find that they teach this that uh God dealt as it were with the children of Israel in repeated new manners and ways that he was dealing in a kind of experimental manner with them according to their teaching in some sign of some kind of empirical manner trying this and when he found it didn't work trying something else they teach that about the giving of the law they say God gave the law to the children of Israel as a possible way of Salvation he said to them if you keep this law it'll save you so he was trying that way then when it didn't work well then he began to give promises in the prophets that he would send a deliverer. [00:19:12]

God's purpose is carried out by Himself, as seen in the repeated affirmations that it is God who foreknows, predestines, calls, justifies, and glorifies. This underscores the Trinitarian involvement in salvation, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each play distinct roles in the execution of this divine plan. The Father initiates, the Son accomplishes, and the Spirit applies the work of salvation, ensuring that the purpose of God is fulfilled. [00:23:04]

There are many good Christian people who start and end with the Lord Jesus Christ don't misunderstand me my dear friends great glory is to be given to the Lord I'm going to bring that out but you mustn't give all the glory to the son the glory is to be given to the three blessed persons in the Holy Trinity never forget this it is God who so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son it's a terrible thing to forget the father and there are many who do they always talk about the Lord they pray to him and the father and the Holy Spirit might very well be nonexistent. [00:24:29]

The Old Testament is but the outworking of this purpose of God preparing for the coming of his son here's the crucial event but he's preparing for it that's what you've got in your Old Testament this great plan being the ways being prepared ideas are given previews are given suggestions are given and so on then the Sun comes and the sun does the that essential work which he alone could do taking on him human nature identifying himself with us giving perfect obedience to the law daring the punishment of our sins conquering death and the grave being raised raised rising to Jus that's the special work of the son. [00:27:40]

Paul is giving comfort in that way he says look here this is your final comfort that if you're in the purpose of God it's all right everything must work together for good for you because of the fact that it's his purpose you're in his purpose there's no sense in this statement if it isn't absolutely sure and certain of being carried out to the last diota with nothing missing whatsoever now the word glorified at the end of verse 30 I should have thought would be enough in and of itself to establish this point one once and forever. [00:29:58]

The whole message of the Old Testament that what God Said God has done what God promised God has fulfilled that's the value of the history of the Old Testament you say I'm not interested in the Assyrians and in the caldan and son will you are to be my friend these are the people who rise up to try and stop God's purpose but they can't do it they're brushed aside God allows much to happen and people say ah God's purpose is defeated is it read the history and you'll find it isn't in spite of everything it goes on. [00:33:56]

If God's purpose isn't secure you would never have had such a thing as prophecy here are people prophesying eight centuries before the thing happens well how can it be right the only answer is it's a part of God's purpose so we are told by Peter in the first epistle again in the first chapter in verses 10 11 and 12 of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you searching what or what manner of time the spirit of Christ which was in them did signify when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow. [00:35:02]

The character of God demands that the thing is certain for this reason did you notice in Ephesians have you ever noticed when You' read that first chapter he keeps on repeating this phrase verse 6 to the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he has made us accepted in the Beloved then he's got it in verse 12 that we should be to the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ verse 14 which is the earnest of our inheritance until the Redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory. [00:38:10]

God's grace is involved if anything went wrong here it would be a reflection upon the grace of God and upon the kindness of God but it can't God's doing this in order that the ages to come might have some glimpse into the grace and the kindness of God and then we've got another wonderful statement of it in Ephesians 3:10 why has all this happened to make all men see what is the Fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world has been hidden God who created All Things by Jesus Christ to the intent here's the intent that now and the principalities and powers in Heavenly places might be known by or through the church Church the manifold wisdom of God. [00:39:47]

Paul has again put it in 1 Corinthians 15 in verse 28 here's the grand objective and when all things shall be subdued unto him this is the son then shall the son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him with what object that God might be all in all that's the argument which is given us in the scripture so let me summarize it like this before I finish all this I say the certainty of it all must be true of necessity these words according to because of in accordance with rarely establish it in and of themselves it is God's purpose it's God's plan it's God's resolve it is God's Will and my dear friends when God decides to do a thing God does it. [00:41:06]

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Transcript
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