The Power Of Submission Series

INTRODUCTION

Previously we looked at the calling of Isaiah. His calling was sure and there was a need. When the Lord asked, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then Isaiah answered, “Here am I; send me.” His response was strengthened by the power of resolve. Isaiah resolved to do the bidding of the Lord without hesitation.

Today we will look at the response of Jesus to the Father’s question before the creation, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Jesus’ response to the question is seen and felt today. Jesus’ resolve and submission to the will of the Father is the power of salvation.

WHEN WAS THE PLAN OF SALVATION FORMULATED?

Matthew 25:31–34 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

INTRODUCTION

THE PLAN OF SALVATION

It is a glorious and appalling idea that the plan of salvation was “prepared…from the foundation of the world.” Glorious in the thought that the LORD made a way for His future creation to have an eternal fellowship with Him. Appalling that the plan of salvation would be needed for His future creation would willingly sin and break fellowship with Him.

The plan of salvation was devised before God spoke the creation into being. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit created an intentional plan for fallen man to have an eternal relationship with a Holy God. Jesus the Christ affirmed the plan in His High Priestly prayer when He said:

John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

As well as Jesus’ teaching in Matthew which is the focus passage:

Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist confirmed that Jesus was the vehicle that would take fallen man to an eternal relationship with the Father when he said:

“…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (Jn 1:29; 36)

THE LORD WAS NOT CAUGHT UNAWARE BY THE SIN OF MAN

When Adam and Eve fell under the influence of the serpent, it did not catch the Lord unaware. It was not a surprise for Him. The plan for fallen man was already in place when the Lord said:

Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

The eternality of the plan of salvation was spoken of by several Apostles:

Peter

1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

John

Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Paul

Romans 16:25 ¶ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Mark, the Gospel Writer

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

THE INCARNATION – HISTORICAL FACT

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Before time began, the Son of God was one with the Father. He chose to step out of heaven and take on the form of man, Emmanuel. He was all God and all man. He was born, grew and dwelt among men so the message of the Lord could be displayed to mankind.