God Has A Plan

Dustin Bell

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I. INTRO

A. Where We’ve Been

a. Last couple o weeks, our focus has really been

1. That God has a plan & …

i. God’s mystery grace is making 1 people frm 2

2. We have a part to play

i. our calling (stewarding God’s grace)

B. Where We’re Going

a. continue the discussion

b. Illust.

C. Main Text

Ephesians 3:11–13 ESV

11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

D. Pray

II. BODY

A. God has a plan

Ephesians 3:11 ESV

11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

a. Context

1. This: God’s plan to make 1 people from 2. (recap: c )

2. Purpose: “a setting forth”; “an intended result”…

a setting forth

b. God’s plan to build 1 people from 2 is eternal

1. Paul describes God’s plan as eternal in that it is un-changing & lasts forever!

c. God’s plan to build 1 people from 2 is long-standing

Ephesians 3:9 ESV

9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,

Eph 3:9

1.“hidden for ages” & “created all things”

i. ties these 2 showing that God knew what he was going to do & how he was going to carry out the plan b4 God made anything

: blessing to all nations

- there4 the plan is Long-standing in that its been planned & in process from the beginning

Genesis 12:1–3 ESV

1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

- “created all things” also reminds us that his sovereignty to make a plan is founded in HIS creation o all things to begin w/

*God made it so he owns it…there4 he gets to decide what to do w/ it

-No 1 knew what that meant until God started working through the Church 2 c “all nations” were included as God’s people

Ephesians 3:9 ESV

9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,

-No 1 knew what that meant until God started working through the Church 2 c “all nations” were included as God’s people

d. God’s plan is realized through Jesus’ death & resurrection

ESV11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Ephesians 3:11 ESV

11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

1. Realized: to do, make

2. “…in Christ Jesus our Lord” is a ref. to his saving work on the cross & resurrection

2. Paul describes God’s grace mystery as eternal in that it is un-changing & lasts forever!

God’s plan to build 1 people from 2 is long-standing

i. God put his plan in2 effect through Jesus’ death & resurrection

1. Long-standing in that its been planned & in process from the beginning

Ephesians 3:9 ESV

9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,

Ephesians 3:8 ESV

8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

ii. Describe:

i. describes God’s plan as being “the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things"

Ephesians 2:14–16 ESV

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

God knew what he was going to do & how he was going to carry out the plan b4 God made anything.

2. Paul describes God’s grace mystery as eternal in that it is un-changing & lasts forever!

B. Let’s get practical (Why this matters to u)

ESV12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

Ephesians 3:12 ESV

12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

a. God’s plan gives us boldness to accomplish the call

1. Boldness: unreserved, clear, confident speech - How is rec boldness practical?

i. one purpose o Baptism in the H.S. is to rec. pwr when the H.S. comes upon u to be bold witnesses

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 4:29–31 ESV

29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:

Acts 4:27–31 ESV

27 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. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:

-Notice, they didn’t ask for safety/protection/even deliverance from suffering

*They recognized God’s sovereignty “whatever ur hand & ur plan had predestined to take place”

*They asked 4 boldness to proclaim the truth

~knowing God’s plan & our part in that plan, God helps us understand we have access to boldness 2 complete that plan!

*They anticipated God would stretch out his hand to confirm his plan as they step in2 their part

*God responded!

b. God’s plan gives us confident access to Jesus to accomplish the call

1. We’re not doing this alone!

ESV13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

i. U have full access to Jesus!

-The vail torn

-God, Jesus, & H.S. r operating in concert

*& finally...

Ephesians 3:13 ESV

13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

* “don’t lose heart” over suffering!

c. God’s plan gives us hope to accomplish the call

1. So often when we meet opposition (i.e. suffering) we get discouraged

i. I believe this has to do w/our understanding of suffering

ii. we c suffering as God’s absence from our life - somehow he has forsaken us

ESV29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

2. Paul knew suffering for Jesus produced hope

i. That’s why Paul said: don’t lose heart

-further more, in

Romans 5:3–5 ESV

3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

ii. Paul recognized That God was bringing his plan to completion, even via suffering

-This means that our suffering is not in vain or 2 destroy us, but for our good

-God can even use our suffering to make us in2 who He’s created us to be

3. Paul saw suffering for Jesus is a grace gift:

Philippians 1:29–30 ESV

29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

i. granted: literally to be graced-“you have been grace gifted to not only believe, but to suffer for Jesus”

ii. Who here wants 2 c God revive Bennington?

-2 c God perform miracles, signs, wonders?

-To c 5-5-2?…who here wants to c God’s spirit flow down main st?

*Then we’re going 2 have 2 b willing 2 stand in the flames of opposition, enduring the grace gift o pain & heartache & danger… not losing heart, but rejoicing as God uses suffering to carrie out HIS plan & produce Jesus’ image in us!

III. CONCLUSION

Ro 5:3-5

Romans 5:3–5 ESV

i. Paul recognized That God was bringing his plan to completion, even via our suffering

A. Alter Call

III. CONCLUSION

-This means that our suffering is not in vain or 2 destroy us, but for our good

a. who here is ready 4 an eternal personal rel. w/God that starts 2day?

-God can even use our suffering to make us in2 who He’s created us to be

1. Only through Jesus’ death & resurrection

i. forgiven frm our sins (all the bad things we’ve done)

III. CONCLUSION

ii. new life

B. Baptism is

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

a. initiation

Ro 6:1-

Romans 6:1–4 ESV

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.