The Whole Counsel of God
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Text - Acts 20.26-27
Text - Acts 20.26-27
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
Background
Background
Paul was led by the Spirit to address the elders of Ephesus
he called for them - Acts 20.17-21
he recalled his work among them
he recalled how long he stayed with them - Acts 20.31 “31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”
he recalled how he proclaimed the gospel to them
20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,
27 “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.
Paul’s view of the whole counsel of God
counsel - Grk. BOULE, plan, purpose, will,
purpose - Acts 20.27
27 “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.
will - Acts 20.27
27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.
note - will and plan/counsel
the Grk word for “will” is THELEMA, inclination, attitude
BOULE denotes action plan, or course of action according to one’s will or volition
everything begins in the “will”
the will produces an action plan - the “purpose”
the purpose is followed by “actions/works”
Paul refers to God’s purpose in creation, and how God has planned everything to be accomplished in Christ and for His glory.
this he laid out in his epistle to the same group of believers - Ephesians 1.4-14
God’s actions
He chose us - Eph 1.4
He predestined us - Eph 1.5
He made known to us HIs mystery - Eph 1.9
He will gather together in one all things - Eph 1.10
God’s purpose
that we should be holy and without blame - v. 4
our adoption as sons through Jesus Christ - v. 5
the praise of the glory of His grace - v. 6
God’s purpose directed His actions
9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
God’s will directed his actions
5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
God works all things according to the purpose (plan) of His will!
Main Subject
Main Subject
The primary goal of gospel preaching is to make God’s plan known to man. Our part is simply to recognize, and submit our lives to, God’s plan.
Key Questions
How can we know God’s plan?
How do we see God’s plan in history?
How should man respond to God’s plan?
Sermon Points
Sermon Points
God’s plan was no secret - the Scripture declares it!
God’s plan was no secret - the Scripture declares it!
Paul’s statement indicates -
the counsel of God was not a secret thing
he was only proclaiming it without hesitation
The Jews knew it was in the Scripture
39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
What they cannot accept - and refused to recognize - was that the Scripture pointed them to Christ!
40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.
Note - since the plan of God was rejected among the Jews, it needed clarification. Like -
why Jesus?
why must we believe in Jesus?
God’s plan was in the Scripture - weaved into the story of His people.
God’s plan was in the Scripture - weaved into the story of His people.
As human history progressed, God placed his plan key events, revealing a portion of His plan in it.
As soon as man fell into sin and disobedience, God began to weave his plan in the story of His people
In the Fall - God promised a seed
15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”
In calling Abraham - God promised blessing through his Seed
18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
In delivering Israel from bondage, God introduced the Passover lamb
13 Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
In the wilderness God promised them a Prophet
18 I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.
in the prophets God announced the coming of His Son
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”
God also used events and things to “foreshadow” His plan
the sacrificial animals
the tabernale and later temple as God’s dwelling place
certain men - Moses, Joshua, Joseph,
God also embedded His plan in the Psalms of David
the Son who is heir to the throne
the Son who will conquer the nations
the sufferings of the messiah
The ANGELS knew God was up to SOMETHING when He sent angels to deliver His word to His prophets!
10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,
11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
God’s plan culminates in Jesus Christ - He is the Master Plan unveiled!
God’s plan culminates in Jesus Christ - He is the Master Plan unveiled!
The Law - the covenant with Israel - pointed to Christ
46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.
47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
God’s purpose was in Christ
10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.
God’s plan must be recognized and received by faith!
God’s plan must be recognized and received by faith!
BECAUSE God’s plan will not fail!
16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.
17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,
BECAUSE God does everything for His own glory
11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
BECAUSE God’s plan also includes our welfare.
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
BECAUSE God’s plan is everything -
it it the only thing that matters in life
it is the only thing that will continue when everything else is over!
21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’
Conclusion
Conclusion
God’s plan is not only finished and established from the beginning - IT ALSO WILL NOT FAIL!
38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;
39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
Nothing and no one can derail God’s plan!
LET US RECOGNIZE GOD’S PLAN -
BY NOT MAKING ANOTHER PLAN OF OUR OWN
when you make your own plans -
you are moved by your own will, not God’s will
you refuse to recognize God’s established plan
BY SUBMITTING TO HIS PLAN COMPLETELY
“Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven...”
SONG -
Thou Art Worthy O Lord”
It is No Secret what God can Do
How great thou art