Serendipity is a 2001 movie starring John Cusack. Cusack’s character meets a young lady named Sara at Bloomingdale’s at Christmas time. They randomly meet as they both attempt to purchase a pair of black cashmere gloves. Both are mutually attracted to one another even though they are in relationships with other people. They decide to exchange phone numbers in the most unusual way. He places their name and number on a $5 bill while she places their name and number inside the jacket of a book that is sold the next day. The only way they can connect is if they randomly find the $5 bill and the book. Years go by and both are engaged to other people. Yet, as their respective wedding dates approach, they are both having “cold feet.” Sara goes back to the place they meet after all these years where she randomly sees the $5 bill with Cusack’s name and number. Right about this time, Cusack’s fiancé gives him the very book where Sara had written her number years before. Eventually, the two meet up at Central Park and live happily ever after.
Most of us don’t meet “the One” by writing our numbers on a $5 bill and seeing if it will randomly return to us years later. Instead, the Bible calls on you to trust your life to a God who is guiding and shaping all of life’s events for His purposes. Perhaps you have the kind of week, day, or month where the uncertainty of life and your future makes you cringe a bit when some well-meaning Christian says, “God has a plan.” I’m not here today to convince you that everything is happy and cheery because God has a plan. I am here to bring you back from the steps of cynicism by telling you God has a plan and He can be trusted.
We continue our study of the book of Ephesians (page 1159 in your pew Bibles).
Two Kinds of People
In the middle of Mel Gibson’s movie Signs, there’s a little monologue by the main character, and he basically says there are 2 kinds of people in the world. There are people who think everything happens through chance and luck, and there are other people who believe there are no coincidences. Which are you?
Degrees of Faith
Now, faith in Christ works like an on/off switch but there are also degrees of faith in Christ. I want to encourage you to grow in your faith – to move saturation of your faith higher this morning by seeing the plan God has for eternity.
I want to look at four questions with you about God’s plan in the moments to come…
How Can I Be Sure of God’s Plan?
What is God’s Plan?
Can I Really Believe in God’s Plan Despite the Crazy World?
Does God’s Plan Include Me?
1. How Can I Be Sure God Really Has a Plan?
“as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth” (Ephesians 1:10).
1.1 God’s Plan
The word “plan” in verse 10 is our word for administration. The word literally means “house management” and we get our word economy from this very Greek word. We have a new President in our nation, President Joe Biden. His new administration is moving things around to fit his pattern. It’s a new administration in Washington, DC and we will observe how things are different. Likewise, the Bible says that God has His own administration.
God has a plan. It may surprise you to find out that God has a plan.
1.2 Evolution and Bertrand Russell
In many biology classrooms, we are told that mindless evolutionary changes move our lives forward. While it’s often thought of as science, it’s really more of a philosophy that says everything in our world is done by chance. One textbook talks about our world being run by blind, purposeless chance: “Across a universe encompassing billions of light-years, through scales of magnitude extending from subnuclear particles to immense galaxies colliding like a clash of cymbals, there is no hint of plan or purpose.” Here everything is random with no guiding hand to push things forward with purpose and design. Chance runs our universe rather than an intelligent being like God.
Perhaps you’re wondering if there’s a God and if He has a plan. How do I decide to believe?
1.3 Bayes’ Theorem
What you are looking at is what is known as Bayes’ Theorem. Let’s have a little fun with math for a moment as you see the theory on the screens. Bayes’ Theorem finds the probability of an event occurring given the probability of another event that has already occurred. The formula was invented by Thomas Bayes, a Presbyterian pastor and it is being used even today to answer, “What are the odds of that?” This 18th-century formula is being used from everything to cancer research to even assisting Google’s self-driving cars that drive the streets of northern California in recent days. Using the same theory you see before you, Dr. Stephen Unwin has calculated there’s a 67% chance that God exists. Yes, you heard me correctly. Using the same mathematical equation used in Google’s robotic cars, a scientist has calculated that there’s a 67% probability that God exists.
Again, how do you decide to believe in God and His plan is the question.
1.4 The Mystery Explained
On the other hand, lots of people don’t turn to a mathematical equation to prove God and His plan. You are saying, “I took algebra and calculus and it didn’t prove anything!” Many people are convinced because they see Jesus Christ, His miraculous life, His death, and His resurrection.
If you ask the Bible, “How do you know God has a plan,” the Bible tells us: “making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ” (Ephesians 1:9). We know God because God pulls back the curtain to show us more about Him. I know God because of Jesus Christ.
Now, the word “mystery” in verse 9 isn’t a “who done it” kind of a mystery. This isn’t about Scooby Do and the Mystery Van from the cartoons. No, a “mystery” is something that has formerly been kept secret in the purpose of God but has now been disclosed (Colossians 1:26).
The mystery was hidden for quite some time: “and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things…” (Ephesians 3:9). So the word “mystery” was hidden and is now broadcast by Jesus’ coming. The Bible says that God kept His big purpose for the world hidden for generations.
1.5 Manifestation
A new practice is catching on for people to identify a plan for their lives – it’s called manifestation. Oprah Magazine explains that you need to know exactly what you want – a new partner, a healthy relationship, or a better job. You then develop a specific picture in your mind of something you want like a “soulmate.” Once you’ve pinpointed exactly what your hopes, dreams, and goals are, you need to ask the universe for what you want. “…write down what you want in the following order: 3 times in the morning, 6 times in the afternoon, and 9 times at night for 33 or 45 days—but it can also be as simple as a letter to the universe.”
In contrast to this, the Bible calls you on to look at Jesus Christ, where the mystery of God’s hidden will is now revealed. The “mystery” is no longer hidden but it is broadcast in Jesus Christ: “making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ” (Ephesians 1:9). Again, God’s plan is broadcast in Jesus Christ. God puts Jesus Christ in front of us so that we know God’s plan for everything. I only know God’s plan when I see Jesus Christ. I know God’s plan because of Jesus Christ. I only know God’s plan when God broadcasts His plan when He makes it known. I believe in the infinite mind of God who has a plan for our universe and I’m convinced of this by Jesus Himself.
1. How Do I Know God Has a Plan?
2. What is God’s Plan?
What exactly is God’s plan?
I don’t pretend to know all of God’s plan but the Bible gives us some highlights. Let me show you three Pieces to God’s Plan all found in the book of Ephesians.
2.1 All Things Are United in Jesus
The architecture of God’s plan has Jesus at the center of it. Note a detail about God’s forever plan – everything is to be united in Jesus Christ: “as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth” (Ephesians 1:10).
2.2.1 He Unites All Things
Again, Jesus Christ is central to the plan of God.
There are at least three components to God’s plan concerning Jesus. The very same word for “unite all things” is used elsewhere to describe how every command of God is summed up in one sentence: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Romans 13:9).
In Christ, God is going to reunite things that have split apart. He’s going to heal the decay and the disintegration. He’s going to heal the disharmony of things by uniting everything under Jesus Christ. I’ll return to the word “unite” in a moment. But every detail of life, every detail of heaven and earth will be gathered in just one person – Jesus Christ. Again, God has this one plan, a blueprint and Jesus is the center of His plan – everything unites in Jesus.
2.2.2 The Cross
Let me show you a second feature of God’s plan.
God’s plan even included the cross: “for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place” (Acts 4:27-28).
Maybe some chill bumps come on you right now to consider that God planned the cross. God planned even Herod and Pontius Pilate! Pilate if you remember was the one who washed his hands of Jesus at Jesus’ trial. And Herod didn’t lift a hand to prevent the crucifixion of Jesus. Now both of these men had the authority to prevent the Son of God from capital punishment. You get it, right? God planned and saw ahead in time that your mistakes and your rebellion against Him. God’s plan includes even the terrible actions of Herod and Pilate in His grand plan. The cross of Jesus was in God’s plan from the very beginning. This gives me chill bumps to even consider this – it’s staggering!
2.2.3 His Exaltation
Again, Jesus is central to the forever plan of God. First, God’s plan is to unite everything in Jesus. Second, God’s plan included the cross of Jesus. Here’s the third piece of God’s plan for Jesus.
God also has a plan that Jesus would be exalted above everyone else: “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).
This is where history is going according to the Bible. God is going to make sure that every winding tributary of world history will exalt His Son, Jesus Christ. Everyone will bend the knee to Jesus Christ one day and recognize His rightful authority. Some will bow the knee willing by faith while others will cast aside but even they will bow the knee. The first thing we know about God’s plan is Jesus central to the architecture to God’s forever plan.
Here are the second detail Ephesians mentions that are included in God’s plan…
2.3 All Races Are United in Jesus
The Bible tells us that part of God’s plan is to bring the races together: “This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6). God witnessed human arrogance and divided us but there’s a day coming when we will be back together under the banner of Jesus Christ (see Genesis 11:1-9). God’s forever plan is to unite the races (see Revelation 7:9). We will unpack this more in the weeks to come but God’s forever plan includes bringing peoples of every race together.
Here are the third detail Ephesians mentions that are included in God’s plan…
2.4 Your Good Works
God has a plan even for your good works: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
The Bible says God has planned out your good works in advance. That’s powerful and fascinating that God has already planned your good works ahead of time.
Do you remember what Marty McFly and Professor Brown said to one another at the end of the great Back to the Future trilogy? Professor Brown says, “Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one …” That’s so American!
I don’t pretend to understand all this.
King David was convinced that God had a plan for even his life: “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:16). God’s plan even includes for the Bible says God’s plan for you (believer) is for you to grow in Christlike character.
He’s shaping the future and your future for this very purpose. So God has a plan for the universe, and now He is revealing it. It was a mystery, it was hidden, but now it’s been revealed. God is making you stand back and look at the big picture.
1. How Do I Know God Has a Plan?
2. What is God’s Plan?
3. Can I Really Believe in God’s Plan Despite the Crazy World?
2020 doesn’t seem in anyone’s plan, much less God’s. We have all looked around over the past several months and said, “We need a plan.” How could there be a plan when so much chaos reigns! Now people have come up with all kinds of ideas on this kind of thing.
3 “False Starts” to God’s Plan
3.1.1 Choice #1: God Makes It Up as He Goes Along
Maybe you think God is revising His plans, sort of making it up as He goes along.
Right in front of you is evidence of when His plan was created: “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will…” (Ephesians 1:4-5).
It’s evident from verse 4 that the plan was determined before the foundation of the world was established. So the plan is in place before any humans do anything. And notice the plan in verse 5 was set in place to adopt us through Jesus Christ. Something has happened that we are alienated from our Father and we need adoption back in the family. After all, there’s no need for God to adopt us if He’s already our Father. God’s plan anticipated the Fall of humanity. God had a plan in place before we even had a mess in place. The chaos of human sin was in His plan before any human sin was enacted. So it’s obvious that He’s not making up a plan as He goes along.
3.1.2 Choice #2: God’s Power is Limited
Some think the chaos of our world is due to God’s power being limited. We see the good dying young. We think nice guys finish last.
Look at the language of verse 11 with me: “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will …” (Ephesians 1:11).
That language doesn’t sound like God has limited power. Instead, the Bible says He is working ALL things. When asked what allowed her to endure the concentration camp where her beloved sister died, Corrie ten Boom responded, “Not what, but Who.” She then added, “The devil is strong, but his power is limited; Jesus’ power is unlimited.” Jesus said at the end of His life, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me…” (Matthew 28:18a). It was Jesus who sustained Corrie while she was in a concentration camp in Ravens Bruck.
Let’s be clear about the Bible even if you disagree with it: there is one God and only God in the universe. The Bible says He governs everything in life – He’s omnipotent from the micro-world of an ant to the macro world of international diplomacy. His plan is not His planS – plural. It’s singular – His plan. God doesn’t have a plan A and then a plan B. You and I often react. Perhaps you are on plan ZZ for your life right now!
3.1.3 Choice #3: God’s Knowledge is Limited
Some people cannot believe in God’s plan because they feel the chaos of the world is a result of God’s limited knowledge. God took a risk in the beginning of time but had He known about all the horrible things that would have occurred, He would have never made the world. Consider this: Greg was asked by his father why God would allow Adolf Hitler to be born if God could see that this man would massacre millions of Jews. Greg responded to his father by writing that God could not see ahead in time with certainty when He created Hitler.
But look of the language of verse 11 with me: “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will …” (Ephesians 1:11).
He is working all things according to His counsel, His mind. He’s not working on just some things. Nor is He working “in all” things but He’s working all things, each and every, to His counsel of His will. This is an incredibly sweeping statement. We see confirmation of this in one of your favorite verses: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
When David asked God questions about the future, God gave him detailed answers about what Saul would do, revealing that the men of Keilah would surrender to him (1 Samuel 23:11–13). Saul and these men would make specific choices, and God knew them in advance.
Jesus tells the people in two cities of His day that had God done the mighty works they had seen in the wicked city of Sodom, they would have never been judged by God (Matthew 11:21-23). God doesn’t only know what choices his creatures will make, but what would have happened if his creatures made different choices (what philosophers call middle knowledge). The Bible affirms this one God all-knowing – He’s omniscience. He knows what you have done, will do, and what you could do if you didn’t do what already did.
So there are 3 “False Starts” - God isn’t making it up as He goes along, His power isn’t limited and His knowledge isn’t incomplete.
3.2 Chaos for a Limited Time
We see a clue to God’s plan in verse 9: “as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth” (Ephesians 1:10).
The word “unite” in verse 10 actually has a prefix attached to it. The word there is “reunite,” or unite again. “Reunite” means that originally the universe was united and has disintegrated. Only in Christ will it be reunited. The details of God’s plan are staggering when you consider the evil and chaos He permits.
Back in Genesis 3, God set up our world perfectly. Everything was in perfect harmony. There was no death, no war, no poverty and there was no disease. In Christ, God is going to reunite things that have split apart. He’s going to heal the decay and the disintegration. He’s going to heal the disharmony of things by uniting everything under Jesus Christ. Don’t give in to cynicism, believers. Don’t look at the craziness of a pandemic or the volatility of this politically explosive time.
1) How Do I Know God Has a Plan?
2. What is God’s Plan?
3. Can I Really Believe in God’s Plan Despite the Crazy World?
4) Does God’s Plan Include Me?
“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will …” (Ephesians 1:11).
And then, lastly, Paul tells us how you fit into God’s forever plan. In all His planning, He doesn’t lose sight of you. God adopts us as a son like a man adopts another young boy who was not born into his family. The young boy is given the rights and privileges of a son when before he did not have them. The Bible says we are co-heirs with Jesus Christ. Meaning everything the real Son earned, we inherit.
It’s mind-boggling. The Bible says we’re going to inherit the world. We’re going to inherit the new heavens and new earth because it’s our Father’s. “so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:12). What you believe about the future gives you hope. All of this gives us hope. Fresh fuel to carry on in the drudgery of life’s up and downs.
Conclusion
I wonder this morning, while heads are bowed and all eyes are closed how many in this building can say, “Scott, I have received Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord.” “I have also confessed Jesus Christ openly and publicly before others – my family and friends.” “And, I have followed my Lord Jesus in the obedience of believer’s baptism by immersion after I’ve been saved.” And, I am now living for the Lord Jesus in the fellowship of a New Testament, Bible-believing, Bible-preaching church.” If you can give me that kind of a testimony, would you just lift your hand right now? Hold it up. Let this be your testimony right now. Just keep it for a minute, and say, “Thank you, Lord. I could say, ‘yes.’ Hallelujah! Thank you for that, Jesus.” Now, take your hands down.
Prayer
