THE ETERNAL PURPOSE OF GOD

© Rosemary Bardelsy 2006  

[Alternative title: God’s Big Secret]

INTRODUCTION

Talk about secrets.

Refer to Luke 10:24 and 1 Peter 1:12b where we learn that prophets, kings and angels all knew that God had a hidden purpose and wanted to know what God’s secret purpose was. 

BIBLE READING: Ephesians 1:1-14

SUMMARY OF MESSAGE:

THE WILL OF THE FATHER

[1] The impossibility of understanding God and his ways: Romans 11:33,34; 1 Corinthians 2:6-9.

[2] But God has revealed himself and his purpose: John 1:18; 1 Corinthians 2:10; Ephesians 1:9; 3:2-5.

[3] What is God’s eternal purpose? His big secret? To gather all things together in one in Jesus Christ, so that there is one people of God: Ephesians 1:9-10; 3:6,9-12.

THE WORK OF THE SON

[1] The human predicament: sinners, ungodly, powerless, God’s enemies: Romans 5:6,8,10; under a curse: Galatians 3:10; cut off from God: Isaiah 59:2; dead in trespasses and sin: Ephesians 2:1; Romans 6:23a.

[2] The substitutionary death of Christ: he died for us: Romans 5:6,8,10; he became a curse for us: Galatians 3:13; he bore the penalty of our sins: 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 9:28.

THE WEALTH OF THE CHILDREN

Those who believe in Jesus Christ are united to him by that faith. All of his perfect righteousness is credited to them; all of their judgement was taken by him in such a way that his death is counted theirs. Those who believe in him have been blessed with every spiritual blessing:

[1] Chosen before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in God’s sight: Christ is our righteousness: 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; in Christ God regards us as holy and blameless: Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 1:22; Hebrews 10:10.

[2] Adoption as God’s children: Romans 8:15; Ephesians 1:5.

[3] God’s immeasurable grace: Ephesians 1:6,7b-8; 2:7.

[4] Redemption – freedom: Ephesians 1:7: from condemnation: John 3:18a; 5:24; Romans 8:1; from the law of sin and death: Romans 8:2; from the curse: Galatians  3:13.

[5] Forgiveness of all sins: Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 2:13b-14.

[6] The indwelling Spirit of God: Ephesians 1:13; John 14:16-23.

[7] A guaranteed and indestructible inheritance: Ephesians 1:11,14; Colossians 1:12; 1 Peter 1:4.

CONCLUSION:

Embrace it: It was the will of God that Christ lived and died so that you could be reunited with God and blessed with every spiritual blessing that he has to offer you. His purpose is for you to live with peace and joy in his presence, not with fear of judgement. As Paul urged in 2 Corinthians 6:1, don’t receive this truth in vain. Rather let it impact every moment of your lives.