THE DESTINY
OF
EVERY CHRISTIAN
Text: Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:11, 12
Intro: Destiny is often thought of as ones lot in life—that which is preordained and inevitable. The idea of destiny is found in both of the passages of scripture being considered today.
In Rom. 8:29, Paul used the word “predestinate,” while in Eph. 1:11, he used the past tense form of the same word. The Greek word translated “predestinate” in our Bible simply means, “to ordain beforehand, to predetermine.”1
Predestination basically has to do with God’s purposes for man. He has predetermined that certain things are a part of His will and purpose for man. However, the fact that God has predetermined that certain things should be a part of man’s life doesn’t mean that man will accept them. For instance, God is “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9b). But in addition to God’s predetermination that no one should perish, is His predetermination that man should be a free moral agent. Man has been given the right of choice. God’s predetermination does not mean that He forces anyone to go to Heaven or Hell. That is ultimately determined by the individual’s choice.
Just as God has made certain predeterminations concerning salvation and judgment, He also has predetermined purposes for His children. Paul told us of one of those purposes in Rom. 8:29, where he said that the child of God is to “…be conformed to the image of his Son,” the Lord Jesus Christ. But the degree to which that will happen is dependent upon the degree to which the Christian submits himself to do so.
I want to talk to you today about a few things that God has purposed for His children. We certainly will not exhaust the topic today. However, I believe the things that I will deal with are important to us nonetheless.
Theme: It is the Christian’s destiny:
I. TO BE FREE
A. We Have Been Set Free From The Bondage Of Satan.
NOTE: Satan is a terrible taskmaster as the following bears out:
Satan promises the best, but pays with the worst; he promises honor and pays with disgrace; he promises pleasure and pays with pain; he promises profit and pays with loss; he promises life and pays with death.2
1. Christ set us free from Satan’s control.
Col. 1:12 “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (“fitting”) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power (“authority or control”) of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption (“to release from the payment of ransom”) through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
2. Jesus wrought this deliverance for us on the Cross.
Col. 2:14 “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
3. Satan is still defeated by the blood of Christ.
Rev. 12:11a “And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony…”
John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
NOTE: It is the blood of Christ that sets us free from Satan’s bondage:
When evangelist John Wesley (1703-1791) was returning home from a service one night, he was robbed. The thief, however, found his victim to have only a little money and some Christian literature. As the bandit was leaving, Wesley called out, “Stop! I have something more to give you.” The surprised robber paused. “My friend,” said Wesley, “you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here’s something to remember: ‘The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!’” The thief hurried away, and Wesley prayed that his words might bear fruit.
Years later, Wesley was greeting people after a Sunday service when he was approached by a stranger. What a surprise to learn that this visitor, now a believer in Christ as a successful businessman, was the one who had robbed him years before! “I owe it all to you,” said the transformed man. “Oh no, my friend,” Wesley exclaimed, “not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin!”3
B. We Have Been Set Free From The Bondage Of Sin.
NOTE: Though the Christian can still sin against God, he or she does not have to live in bondage to it, or have it rule their life.
Radio personality Paul Harvey tells the story of how an Eskimo kills a wolf. The account is grisly, yet it offers fresh insight into the consuming, self-destructive nature of sin.
“First, the Eskimo coats his knife blade with animal blood and allows it to freeze. Then he adds another layer of blood, and another, until the blade is completely concealed by frozen blood.
“Next, the hunter fixes his knife in the ground with the blade up. When a wolf follows his sensitive nose to the source of the scent and discovers the bait, he licks it, tasting the fresh frozen blood. He begins to lick faster, more and more vigorously, lapping the blade until the keen edge is bare. Feverishly now, harder and harder the wolf licks the blade in the arctic night.
“So great becomes his craving for blood that the wolf does not notice the razor-sharp sting of the naked blade on his own tongue, nor does he recognize the instant at which his insatiable thirst is being satisfied by his OWN warm blood. His carnivorous appetite just craves more—until the dawn finds him dead in the snow!”
It is a fearful thing that people can be “consumed by their own lusts.” Only God’s grace keeps us from the wolf’s fate.4
1. Our identification with Christ’s death assures our freedom.
Rom. 6:6 “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed (“deprived of power”), that henceforth we should not serve sin.”
2. A Christian sins by choice, not by compulsion.
Rom. 6:11 “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14a For sin shall not have dominion over you…”
NOTE: Man has always tried to excuse his sin and sinfulness. That’s why he tends to give his sins harmless sounding names.
What Is Sin?
Man calls it an accident; God calls it abomination.
Man calls it a defect; God calls it a disease.
Man calls it an error; God calls it an enmity.
Man calls it a liberty; God calls it lawlessness.
Man calls it a trifle; God calls it a tragedy.
Man calls it a mistake; God calls it a madness.
Man calls it a weakness; God calls it willfulness.5
C. We Have Been Set Free From The Bondage Of The Law’s Severity.
2 Cor. 3:5b “…but our sufficiency is of God;
6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter (Old Testament Law), but of the spirit (the new covenant in Christ): for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”
Gal. 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
NOTE: The Law pronounced death upon every sinner. But Jesus satisfied the demand of the Law by His death on the Cross. Just as the Law could not save us, neither could it sanctify us. Only faith in Christ can do that. Note the following:
According to a 3rd century rabbi, Moses gave 365 prohibitions and 248 positive commands. David reduced them to 11 in Psalm 15. Isaiah made them 6 (Isaiah 33:14, 15). Micah 6:8 binds them into 3 commands. Habakkuk reduces them all to one great statement: The just shall live by faith.6
II. TO BE FIGHTERS
A. The Nature Of Our Effort.
1. It is a spiritual battle.
Zech. 4:6b “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”
2. It is a sustained battle.
1 Tim. 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
3. It is a serious battle.
2 Tim. 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
Eph. 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
4. It will be a successful battle.
Rom. 8:37 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
2 Cor. 15:57 “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
B. The Necessities Of Our Engagement.
1. We must rely upon our Commander.
John 15:5c “…without me ye can do nothing.”
2 Cor. 10:4 “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”
2. We must be properly equipped for combat.
Eph. 6:13 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
a. The Girdle of Truth (Eph. 6:14a).
b. The Breastplate of Righteousness (Eph. 6:14b).
c. The Preparation of the Gospel of Peace (Eph. 6:15).
d. The Shield of Faith (Eph. 6:16).
e. The Helmet of Salvation (Eph. 6:17a).
f. The Sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17b).
g. Prayer in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18).
NOTE: If we are to survive the battle, folks, we must have the heavenly Father’s protection.
The early American Indians had a unique practice of training young braves. On the night of a boy’s thirteenth birthday, after learning hunting, scouting, and fishing skills, he was put to one final test. He was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then, he had never been away from the security of the family and the tribe. But on this night, he was blindfolded and taken several miles away. When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of a thick woods and he was terrified! Every time a twig snapped, he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce. After what seemed like an eternity, dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was his father. He had been there all night long.7
C. The Nature Of Our Enemy.
1. He is devious and destructive.
1 Pet. 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9a Whom resist stedfast in the faith…”
NOTE: As we battle our spiritual enemy on a daily basis, we must rely completely upon our Lord. Satan isn’t intimidated by our religion, or even by how many biblical stories we know. Nigel Wright says:
The thoroughly evil nature of the devil consists in the fact that here we have spontaneous, self-generating sin expressed in pure defiance and pure arrogance.8
2. He has already been defeated.
Col. 2:14 “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
NOTE: We often give too much credit to the devil. The fact is our champion, Jesus, has already defeated him.
A friend and associate of boxers, American writer Wilson Mizner was himself a talented fighter. One night Mizner and boxer “Mysterious” Billy Smith visited a San Francisco bar, where Mizner started a fight with some longshoremen. At the end only one longshoreman was left standing. Although Mizner rained punches at him, he stayed obstinately upright.
Suddenly, Smith noticed what was happening. “Leave him alone, Wilson!” he shouted. “I knocked him out five minutes ago.”
On investigation it turned out that a punch from Smith had indeed knocked the longshoreman out cold, but had also wedged him vertically between two pieces of furniture.
Here’s an accurate picture of our already defeated but still standing enemy, Satan!9
3. His fate has already been determined.
Rev. 20:10 “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
III. TO BE FLIERS
Ps. 90:10 “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”
A. We Will Fly Away To Our Great Redeemer.
1 Thess. 4:16 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
NOTE: Heaven will truly be a wonderful place.
Appreciation of Heaven
Appreciation of heaven is frequently highest among those nearing death. Suffering both increases our desire for heaven and prepares us for it. John Bradford (1510-1555), less than five months before his fiery departure from life for preaching the gospel in violent times, wrote to a friend of the glories of heaven he anticipated:
“I am assured that though I want here, I have riches there; though I hunger here, I shall have fullness there; though I faint here, I shall be refreshed there; and though I be accounted here as a dead man, I shall there live in perpetual glory.”
That is the city promised to the captives whom Christ shall make free; that is the kingdom assured to them whom Christ shall crown; there is the light that shall never go out; there is the health that shall never be impaired; there is the glory that shall never be defaced; there is the life that shall taste no death; and there is the portion that passes all the world’s preferment. There is the world that shall never wax worse; there is every want supplied freely without money; there is not danger, but happiness, and honour, and singing, and praise and thanksgiving unto the heavenly Jehovah, “to him that sits on the throne,” “to the lamb” that here was led to the slaughter, that now “reigns” with whom I “shall reign” after I have run this comfortless race through this miserable earthly vale.10
B. We Will Fly Away To Our Great Reward.
1. We will receive a white robe.
Rev. 19:7 “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”
2. We will receive a mansion in which to reside.
John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
3. We will receive crowns royal.
a. The Crown of Life—the martyr’s crown (Rev. 2:10).
b. The Crown of Glory—the pastor’s crown (1 Pet. 5:2-4).
c. The Crown of Rejoicing—the soul winner’s crown (Phil. 4:1).
d. The Crown of Righteousness—the lovers of His appearing crown (2 Tim. 4:8).
e. The Crown of Incorruptibility—the holiness of life crown (1 Cor. 9:25).
Theme: It is the Christian’s destiny:
I. TO BE FREE
II. TO BE FIGHTERS
III. TO BE FLIERS
End Notes:
1. Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Rich: published by Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; pg. 19.
2. Thomas Brooks.
3. Our Daily Bread, October 1, 1994.
4. Chris T. Zwingelberg.
5. Moody Monthly.
6. Source unknown.
7. Our Daily Bread.
8. Nigel Wright, The Satan Syndrome, Zondervan, 1990, p. 58.
9. Today in the Word, April 3, 1993.
10. John Gilmore, Probing Heaven, Key Questions on the Hereafter, (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989, pp. 26-27.
