God’s Mysterious Will
Ephesians 1:9-14 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.
12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
Examine the scriptures:
God’s Mysterious Will
Ephesians 1:9-14 NLT
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—
- His (God’s) mysterious will has been 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.
Scripture tells us everything we need to know to have a right relationship with God.
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.
The Gospel is all about Jesus.
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.
12 God’s purpose was that we Jews (this was written by Paul) who were the first to trust in Christ
Romans 1:16 NLT
16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.
Chronologically many Jews became believers before Gentiles became believers.
would bring praise and glory to God.
This verse: God’s purpose was that Jews who put their trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God.
Verse 13-14: God’s purpose was that Gentiles purchased by God would bring praise and glory to God.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
-
-
- 1. What is the chief end of man? A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
-
- God’s glory is the supreme purpose of redemption.
13 And now you Gentiles
- God’s plan includes salvation for Gentiles.
Acts 9:15 NLT
15 But the Lord said (speaking to Ananias), “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.
Acts 28:28 NLT
28 So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”
1 Corinthians 12:13 NLT
13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you.
Heard the truth.
Romans 10:14-15 NLT
14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
Romans 10:17 NLT
17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
- Faith comes from hearing the Good News about Christ.
The ministry at Redeemer Day School is to tell the students about Jesus.
And when you believed in Christ,
And believed in Christ.
John 1:12 NLT
12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
John 3:16 NLT
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 10:9-15 NLT
9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
- If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
How God’s sovereignty and human responsibility work together is a mystery no one fully understands.
he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.
Acts 2:38 NLT
38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 1:22 NLT
22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.
These are promises from God.
God’s promises vs. our feelings.
We may not feel like we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us, but we do because God said we do.
Ephesians 4:30 NLT
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (NIV)
- The Holy Spirit in our life (in a believer’s life) identifies us as one of God’s own children.
14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised
and that he has purchased us to be his own people.
2 Corinthians 1:22 NLT
22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.
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.
Galatians 4:7 NLT
7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
Colossians 1:12 NLT
12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.
Titus 3:7 NLT
7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.
- The Holy Spirit living in us is God’s guarantee that He will give us the inheritance He promised.
He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
Ephesians 1:6 NLT
6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.
Colossians 1:12 NLT
12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.
David does this well.
Psalm 108 NLT
A song. A psalm of David.
1 My heart is confident in you, O God;
no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!
2 Wake up, lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn with my song.
3 I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.
4 For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.
This is something done well at Redeemer Day School where the students memorize Psalm 100 each year at Thanksgiving.
Psalm 100 NLT
1 Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
- Scripture instructs us to praise and glorify God.
Remember:
God chose us.
Jesus redeemed us.
The Holy Spirit protects (seals) us.
We should praise God for choosing us. (Ephesians 1:3-6)
We should praise Jesus for redeeming us. (Ephesians 1:5-13)
We should praise the Holy Spirit for protecting (sealing) us. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
