Sermon 031697

Isa. 46:9-10                          I Will Accomplish All My Good Pleasure                            3/16/97

                                                                                                                             ABCC

I.    God’s Character                                                                                                              563

·        Goodness, mercy, compassion, long-suffering, love, righteousness…….justice, anger, wrath, faithfulness, immutability, omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence

·        God declares Himself supremely unique from ALL creation (Isa. 46:9)

·        God declares that He is accountable to no one but Himself & that He alone is the supreme ruler of all creation - the Only One who can declare the end from the beginning…..

·        God declares that He will accomplish all His GOOD PLEASURE!

II.  God’s Good Pleasure

     A. Regarding Christ

         1. The fullness of deity dwells in Him (Col. 1:19) - glory

¨       The deity & glory of Christ is not shared with angels or any other creation

¨       Christ is uniquely & distinctively God (Col. 2:3, 9)

¨       Christ is the ALL-SUFFICIENT Savior & God (Jn. 1:16)

         2. Christ was crushed for our sins (Is. 53:10) - humility

             “crush” = break in pieces, destroy, be contrite;  Christ suffered real agony & pain (Heb. 5:7-9)

¨       predetermined plan & foreknowledge of God (Ac. 2:23)

¨       the plan was revealed well in advance (Ac. 3:18)

¨       creation/creatures were used to carry out God’s plan (Ac. 4:28)

I Will Accomplish All My Good Pleasure, pg. 2

     B. Regarding Christians

         “eudokia” = good pleasure, good will, desire, kind intention

         1. Predestination & redemption (Eph. 1:4b-10) “the kind intention of His will”

¨       pre-horizon or pre-encircle = motivated by love, He delights

         2.Give saints the kingdom & its benefits (Lk. 12:31-32)

         3. Ability to obey Christ in sanctification (Phi. 2:12-13) - to conform us to the image of Christ!

         4. Persevere in persecution & affliction (2Th. 1:3-11)

The Father’s good pleasure for Christ involved glory & humility.  Likewise His good pleasure for the Christian involves glory & humility.  Every minute detail of the Lord’s good pleasure regarding us is well contemplated and is designed for our good & His glory (Rom 8:28).  Our Father’s good pleasure toward us causes us to love Christ more & trust Him unconditionally.  Our Lord does not always give answers for His action, but undeniably & unquestionably can be trusted!