God's Perfect Plan: Christ's Role in Redemption

Devotional

Day 1: The Incarnation as a Divine Necessity

The fall of humanity created a chasm between God and man that no human could bridge due to our inherent imperfection. In His infinite wisdom, God appointed His Son, Jesus Christ, to become incarnate and serve as the head of a new covenant. This was not merely a divine choice but an absolute necessity, as only Jesus, being both fully God and fully man, could fulfill the role of a perfect representative for humanity. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus established a new humanity, offering redemption and reconciliation with God. [23:26]

"For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering." (Hebrews 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you feel inadequate or imperfect. How can you invite Jesus into that space to transform it through His perfect love and sacrifice?

Day 2: The Unfolding of a Perfect Plan

God's plan of redemption was established before the foundation of the world and unfolds with precision throughout biblical history. From the promise given to Abraham to the coming of Christ, every event is part of a meticulously crafted divine narrative. This plan is perfect and unthwartable, providing believers with hope and confidence in God's sovereignty. Despite the chaos and uncertainty in the world, we can rest assured that God's purposes will prevail, and His plan will be fulfilled in His perfect timing. [28:16]

"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.'" (Isaiah 46:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a situation in your life that seems uncertain or chaotic. How can you trust in God's perfect plan and timing, even when you cannot see the outcome?

Day 3: Assurance of Ultimate Victory

Despite appearances, God's plan will culminate in the ultimate defeat of evil and the establishment of a new heaven and earth. This certainty is a source of immense encouragement, reminding believers that God's purposes will ultimately prevail. The Bible assures us that evil will not have the final word, and God's kingdom will be fully realized. This hope empowers us to live with confidence and courage, knowing that our struggles are temporary and that God's victory is assured. [33:11]

"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you live today with the assurance of God's ultimate victory over evil? How does this certainty influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?

Day 4: Redemption's Cosmic Scope

God's redemptive plan is not limited to humanity but encompasses all of creation. It includes the ultimate reconciliation of all things in Christ, highlighting the cosmic scope of redemption. This comprehensive nature of God's purpose reveals His desire to restore and renew the entire universe, bringing everything under the lordship of Christ. As believers, we are invited to participate in this grand narrative, living as agents of reconciliation and renewal in a broken world. [36:14]

"For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." (Colossians 1:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's cosmic plan of reconciliation and renewal in your community or environment? What practical steps can you take to reflect Christ's lordship in your surroundings?

Day 5: Christ at the Center of Redemption

Redemption is centered entirely in Christ, with no salvation possible apart from Him. The Old and New Testaments together reveal this singular focus on Christ, from prophecy to fulfillment. Jesus is the cornerstone of God's redemptive plan, and His life, death, and resurrection are the means by which humanity is reconciled to God. As believers, we are called to keep Christ at the center of our lives, recognizing that our salvation and purpose are found in Him alone. [39:02]

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to re-center your focus on Christ? How can you ensure that He remains the foundation of your faith and daily living?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of the divine plan of redemption, we delve into the profound truth that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, appointed His Son, Jesus Christ, as the head and representative of a new humanity. This was necessitated by the fall of man, as no human could fulfill this role due to our inherent imperfection. The Incarnation of Christ was thus an absolute necessity, as He alone could establish a new covenant with God. This divine plan is not only perfect but was meticulously crafted before the foundation of the world. It is a plan that unfolds with precision, as seen throughout biblical history, from the promise given to Abraham to the coming of Christ at the fullness of time.

The certainty of this plan's consummation is a source of immense encouragement. Despite appearances, nothing can thwart God's purpose. The Bible assures us of the ultimate defeat of evil and the establishment of a new heaven and earth. This plan encompasses not just humanity but all of creation, highlighting the cosmic scope of redemption. It is centered entirely in Christ, with no salvation possible apart from Him. The Old and New Testaments together reveal this singular focus on Christ, from prophecy to fulfillment.

Moreover, God has graciously revealed His redemptive purpose through covenants, demonstrating His commitment to humanity. These covenants, confirmed by oaths, provide us with a sure hope. As we reflect on this grand narrative, we are reminded of God's incredible love and mercy, which calls us to respond with gratitude and praise.

Key Takeaways

1. The Necessity of the Incarnation: The fall of man necessitated the Incarnation of Christ, as no human could serve as the head of a new covenant due to our imperfection. Jesus, as the Son of God, was uniquely qualified to fulfill this role, establishing a new humanity through His life and sacrifice. [23:26]
2. The Perfection of God's Plan: God's plan of redemption is perfect and was established before the foundation of the world. It unfolds with precision, as evidenced by biblical history, and nothing can thwart its fulfillment. This assurance provides us with hope and confidence in God's sovereignty. [28:16]
3. The Certainty of Consummation: Despite appearances, God's plan will be consummated with the ultimate defeat of evil and the establishment of a new heaven and earth. This certainty is a source of encouragement, reminding us that God's purposes will prevail. [33:11]
4. The Cosmic Scope of Redemption: God's redemptive plan encompasses all of creation, not just humanity. It includes the ultimate reconciliation of all things in Christ, highlighting the cosmic scope of redemption and the comprehensive nature of God's purpose. [36:14]
5. The Centrality of Christ: Redemption is centered entirely in Christ, with no salvation possible apart from Him. The Old and New Testaments together reveal this focus, from prophecy to fulfillment, emphasizing the singular role of Christ in God's redemptive plan. [39:02]
** [39:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[22:18] - The Role of Christ in Redemption
[23:26] - Necessity of the Incarnation
[24:27] - The Covenant Between Father and Son
[26:31] - The Work Given to the Son
[27:40] - The Father's Role in Redemption
[28:16] - The Perfection of God's Plan
[30:34] - Timing in God's Plan
[32:56] - Certainty of Consummation
[35:22] - Cosmic Scope of Redemption
[37:28] - Centrality of Christ
[41:06] - Revelation Through Covenants
[43:05] - Praise and Prayer

Sermon Clips

God has appointed a new head and a new representative and that is his own son he could not appoint a men obviously because all men had fallen in Ed and God cannot appoint as a representative Fallen men if men in a state of perfection had failed how much more so must men in a state of imperfection fair so now you see we begin to see why the Incarnation was an absolute necessity. [00:23:06]

This plan and scheme of redemption is a definite plan it is a perfect plan and it was all perfect I say again before the very foundation of the world itself there is nothing accidental about this plan there is nothing at all contingent about it but as God had worked it out and mapped it out in eternity so it has been put into operation in this world of time and amongst us men. [00:28:07]

Everything that has happened up this moment has happened according to God's plan and according to God's program there are some most astonishing instances of this in the scripture you remember for instance that God actually told Abraham of the 430 years which his descendants should spend in the Captivity of Egypt down to an hour to a second. [00:28:46]

The time when he chooses a man called Abram and founds a nation in him we'll be considering this again in detail I take it merely as an example of the various steps which God has taken and all of them happen at the very point when God decided and determined that they should happen and so as you go along with all the history of the judges and the Kings and the prophets it's all according to this perfect plan. [00:29:56]

When the fullness of the times was come God sent forth his son made of a woman made under the Lord people have often asked well if God gave that promise away back there in Eden why did he wait so long before he sent his son it's an idle question to ask but God has his great purpose in it all. [00:30:34]

The absolute certainty of the consummation of this Plan of Redemption this is one of the most glorious and encouraging things that we can ever consider together I thank God that that's made very plain and clear even in the third chapter of Genesis when God pronounced his curse there upon the serpent and announced this Warfare between the seed of the woman and the serpent. [00:33:11]

God's plan is absolutely certain whatever the appearances may be however they may suggest the contrary to us at different times and at different epochs it makes no difference at all there is nothing that can frustrate his plan there is nothing that can prevent it from being worked out to the smallest detail as God has purposed it. [00:34:58]

This purpose of God in Redemption not only applies to men but it applies to all things it applies to the world itself and as I've just been saying it includes what God has purposed even with regard to his enemies did you notice Paul puts it having made known unto us he says in the ninth verse of this first chapter of Ephesians having made known unto us the mystery of his will. [00:35:22]

He might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in heaven and which are on earth even in him now that's the plan so often I'm afraid many of us are tempted to think of of salvation and of redemption only in terms of ourselves or only in terms of a number of individuals but we must never do that this great purpose of God includes the heavens and the Earth all things. [00:36:14]

This great Plan of Redemption always centers in the Lord Jesus Christ here it is Paul tells us that his purpose is to do all things in Christ both which are in heaven and which are on earth and he repeats himself even in him I shall have occasion again to go on emphasizing that and repeating it. [00:37:28]

There is no salvation in the Bible anywhere except in and through the Lord Jesus Christ there is only one gospel there is only one way of salvation the Saints of the Old Testament are saved in Christ as much as you and I are and all will ever live must be saved in Christ or not at all. [00:39:02]

The Old Testament from beginning to end is pointing to him and what is the New Testament but the Glorious fulfillment of every type and Shadow it is the substance of all the Shadows he is the great antitype of all the types it is the Fulfillment of everything that God had indicated he was going to do there is your Bible Old Testament New Testament but it is all in Christ. [00:40:39]

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