The Eternal Purpose of God
Romans 8:28-31
Ephesians 1:3-10
Intro: Do you believe that God has a perfect plan? I sure do, I see it written in the pages of history, recorded as fact in the Word of God, and confirmed in the life of many believers. Yet there are many skeptics to the position of God’s foreknowledge and they are unwilling to listen to the truth of the gospel but rather have a man-centered purpose than a God centered purpose that gives power over all things, even salvation to the God of creation.
I. The Great Purpose of God
1. That Christ will be the first born of many brethren
Note: it must be stated from the beginning that Christ is at the very heart of Gods purpose:
A. That Christ be put to death
B. That Christ be resurrected from the dead
C. That Christ be exalted above all else
2. That believers be conformed to His image
Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
3. That each believer will be together in one place for eternity
Ephesians 1:10
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
II. The Golden chain of Redemption
1. Absolute Foreknowledge
Romans 8:29
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Ephesians 1:4
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
What is Foreknowledge?
· Foreknowledge is not something that takes place simply because God knows that it will
· Foreknowledge is God bringing to pass that, which, is his will.
Note: God is not a God of chance but a God of certainty; nothing has taken Him off guard. Therefore, the salvation of anyone is by appointment; a day set from the future by God, in which he will keep and he will save so as to complete His divine purpose.
2. Predestinated by the “Will of God”
Note: Many Christians take offence to this subject of God’s sovereignty; “For God to save without choice is rape in a divine Order!” They might say this, yet they are ignorant to the truths of scripture and want God to be on the same level as the creature; thereby a cooperative effort is made between the two: God calling and man choosing, but is this biblically plausible?
Romans 8:29
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Ephesians 1:5
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
A. Predestined to be adopted like children
B. For the purpose of fulfilling His will
C. Christ death, burial, and resurrection lies at the very heart of the gospel
“That he “Christ” might be the first born among many brethren”
Point of Argument
1 Timothy 1:15
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
· Did Christ “Atone” for the sins of the world, which is universalism
· Did Christ “Atone” to make sinners savable
· Did Christ “Atone” for the sins of those who are and will be saved as an accomplished act?
If point number 2 is correct, then Christ has failed in His mission because countless millions die in their sins and are delivered over to hell each day.
But if point 3 is correct then Christ’s atoning work was accomplished, Christ has fulfilled the will of the Father, namely the salvation of the children of God.
Ephesians 1:7
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
If we are to take point 1 we must look at God’s Word in a new light:
· Christ’s death accomplished redemption
· Christ’s death brought forgiveness of sin
The conclusion then would be that everyone is forgiven and all have been bought, by the blood of Christ, which, is universalism; we know for a fundamental fact that not all are going to heaven because God’s word openly declares that truth.
What did Christ’s death accomplish
· Christ redeemed a particular people
· Forgive a particular people
3. Called according to the “Will of God”
Romans 8:30
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
· Personal calling
Scripture does not speak of a universal call to salvation as some suppose; if there was a universal call then it would be “according to the Will of God” which, takes into account the death of Christ and starts the argument over, for whom did Christ die?
4. Justified according to the “Will of God”
Paul’s intent is for the reader to understand that “You have been made righteous according to the will of God” and Not the will of man.
5. Glorified according to the “Will of God”
doxazo {dox-ad’-zo} to make glorious, adorn with luster, clothe with splendor
Again it is Paul’s intent that the reader understands his/her position in Christ in the ages to come: (1 Christ will give us a glorified body at the resurrection, (2 We shall shine as the stars in the firmament of heaven, (3 We shall be clothed so that we shall not be found naked.
III. The assurance of God’s purpose
1. All that are to be saved will be saved
John 6:37
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
2. All that are saved will stay saved
John 6:39
39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
3. All that are saved will be forever with Christ
John 6:40
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
