God’s Mysterious Will
Ephesians 1:9-11 NLT
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
Examine the scriptures:
God’s Mysterious Will
Ephesians 1:9-11 NLT
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—
- His (God’s) mysterious will revealed to us. A previously hidden divine truth, now revealed by God.
Ephesians 3:9 NLT
9 I (Paul) was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.
which is to fulfill his own good plan.
God’s mysterious will (God’s plan) is multifaceted. It has many different parts.
- God has a good plan, from the beginning of time, which He will fulfill.
Psalm 33:11 NLT
11 But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever;
his intentions can never be shaken.
Proverbs 19:21 NLT
21 You can make many plans,
but the Lord’s purpose (plans) will prevail.
Ephesians 3:9 NLT
9 I (Paul) was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.
One part of God’s plan:
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
A major part of God’s mysterious will:
10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.
Since we have the New Testament, much of it written by Paul, we know as much of God’s mysterious will that we need to know.
- Christ is the center of God’s plans.
1 Corinthians 15:27 NLT
27 For the Scriptures say, “God has put all things under his(Christ’s) authority.”
(Of course, when it says “all things are under his authority,” that does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority.)
Philippians 2:10-11 NLT
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
1 Timothy 3:16 NLT
16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith:
Christ was revealed in a human body
and vindicated by the Spirit.
He was seen by angels
and announced to the nations.
He was believed in throughout the world
and taken to heaven in glory.
Christ, as described in Scripture:
Colossians 1:16-20 NLT
16 for through him (Christ) God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything.
19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
1 Timothy 6:15 NLT
15 For,
At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
Revelation 19:16 NLT
The Rider on the White Horse
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. 12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. 15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. 16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
- Jesus Christ is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
Repeat: God’s mysterious will (God’s plan) is multifaceted. It has many different parts.
Other aspects of God’s mysterious will:
Ephesians 3:3-6 NLT
3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. 4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.
6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 6:19 NLT
19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News (the Gospel) is for Jews and Gentiles alike.
Colossians 1:26-27 NLT
26 This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. 27 For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.
Colossians 2:2 NLT
2 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.
19…For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.
Mark 4:11 NLT
11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders,
- Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.
11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ,
we have received an inheritance from God,
- Those who are united with Christ, those adopted into God’s family, have received an inheritance from God.
Romans 8:17 NLT
17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.
Galatians 3:29 NLT
29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.
Salvation.
Eternal life in heaven and all that goes with this.
for he chose us in advance,
Review Ephesians 1:5
5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
Romans 8:29-30 NLT
29 For God knew his people in advance …
Colossians 3:12 NLT
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves …
1 Thessalonians 1:4 NLT
4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people.
- God chose us in advance.
and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
A brief summary of God’s plan for his people.
Romans 8:28-30 NLT
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
- God is firmly in control of history.
Quick review:
God chose us.
Jesus redeemed us.
The Holy Spirit protects us.
