God’s Divine Plan

(The original idea for this lesson and its main headings were suggested by Keith Sharp in What Must I Do To Be Saved?)

Attention

1. Many people read the Bible, but how many truly understand the larger picture it presents to us?

a. The Bible is not merely a collection of stories, characters, and history.

b. What is the central idea? What is the big picture? What is the Bible really all about?

2. From the very beginning, God had a plan, a plan that not even the angels understood. 1Pe. 1:10-12

a. Glimpses of that plan were revealed over time, glimpses we find recorded in the Bible.

b. But the plan remained a mystery for centuries; the mystery the Bible contains is not a mystery any more.

I.       The Plan in Purpose

A.            Before the Beginning

1.    The plan of God actually predates the creation of the world. Eph. 3:8-12

a)         This mystery was hidden by God from eternity to be fulfilled in Christ.

b)        Knowing the inevitability of man’s sin, even Christ’s role was predetermined. 1Pe. 1:20-21

2.    Jesus accomplished the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose. But what is that purpose?

B.            In the Beginning

1.    When God created mankind, both male and female, He created them in His image. Ge. 1:26-27

a)         Some have suggested this image refers to man’s freewill, immortal soul, and rationality.

b)        While these are traits of humanity, no passage that I know connects them with God’s image.

2.    In fact, the Bible tells us the meaning of creation in the image of God thru an array of details.

a)         God’s glory involves the manifestation of His character. Ex. 33:18-19; 34:5-7

b)        God created man to be holy, to share His character. 1Pe. 1:15-16

3.    God created man holy and moral, but man corrupts that image by his sin. Ecc. 7:29

a)         Our transgressions are not merely violations of law but of the glory of God. Ro. 3:23

b)        God’s law is an extension of His character; sin violates God’s holiness. 1Jn. 1:5-6

4.    God created man for himself; He intends to bring many sons to glory. Is. 43:7; He. 2:10

a)         But to be with God we must be like God; we must be holy, as He is holy. He. 12:14

b)        We cannot share God’s fellowship unless we share His image. 1Jn. 1:6-7

5.    In Christ, we are re-born, re-created, and our former life is put to death. 2Co. 5:17; Ga. 2:20

a)         The new man in Christ is renewed according to the image of its Creator. Co. 3:9-11

b)        In Christ we can once again bear the image of God. 2Co. 3:18; Ro. 8:29; 2Pe. 1:4

6.    To summarize: God created man for holiness and eternal fellowship.

a)         But God knew that man would corrupt himself by sin and be unfit for divine fellowship.

b)        So God planned from the foundation of the world to save and recreate man in Jesus Christ.

II.    The Plan in Promise

A.            The Promise at the Fall

1.    When Adam and Eve sinned they lost their fellowship with God and access to the tree of life.

a)         The former was a fulfillment of God’s warning: the day you eat you will die. (Eph. 2:1-3)

b)        The latter was a matter of grace; God did not create man to live forever in sin. (Ge. 3:22-23)

2.    In the interview prior to their banishment from the garden, God pronounced curses upon them.

a)         In addressing the serpent, the Lord spoke of the conflict between evil and men. Ge. 3:15

b)        This promise anticipated Christ’s victory in defeating Satan and destroying his work.

B.            The Promises to the Fathers

1.    The Bible is not a complete history of mankind; it is the history of redemption and God’s plan.

a)         As time went on, God made other promises that looked to the fulfillment of His purpose.

b)        Three promises given to Abram form the basic outline for the rest of redemptive history.

2.    The three promises to Abram are usually summarized as: Nation, Land, and Blessing. Ge. 12:1-7

a)         Over time God repeated and developed these promises. Ge. 15:4, 13-16; 17:19; 22:16-18

b)        Gradually the promises were fulfilled climaxing in the final Blessing. Ex. 1:7; Jos. 21:43-45

III. The Plan in Prophecy

A.            A Seer

1.    Moses foretold the coming of a Prophet like him to lead the people of God. De. 18:15-19

2.    The Holy Spirit would later confirm that this prophecy was fulfilled by Christ. (Ac. 3:19-23)

3.    Jesus is a leader, lawgiver, savior, and prophet, like Moses but greater than him. Mt. 17:3-5

B.            A Sovereign

1.    A prophet told King David One of his descendants would reign forever. 1Chr. 17:10b-14

2.    Again the Holy Spirit confirms that Jesus fulfills this prophecy as well. (Lk. 1:31-33)

3.    Jesus is a king like David, but He is greater than David; He is David’s Lord. Ac. 2:29-36

C.            A Savior

1.    Isaiah the prophet, among others, foretold the coming of a Savior to bear our sins. Isa. 53

2.    Once again we find this prophecy fulfilled in Jesus, who became an offering for sin. (2Co. 5:21)

3.    The importance of God’s plan cannot be overstated. Every prophet spoke of it. Ac. 3:18, 21, 24

IV.  The Plan in Preparation

A.            The Fullness of the Times

1.    It took a long time for the right time to arrive for God’s plan to be completed. Ga. 4:4-5

a)         The Greeks united the world’s language making international communication possible.

b)        The Romans united the world’s government bringing law, peace, and road to permit travel.

c)         The Jews were scattered establishing synagogues and preserving knowledge of the OT.

2.    Each of these factors, and many others like them, played a part in preparing the way for Christ.

B.            The Forerunner

1.    Among the prophecies of Christ were promises of one to prepare the way. Is. 40:3-5; Ma. 4:5-6

2.    John the Baptist preached in the wilderness telling men to repent. Mt. 3:1-3

3.    John’s preaching prepared men to receive Christ and His kingdom. Jn. 1:19-28

C.            The Fulfillment

1.    John’s final work was to identify the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. Jn. 1:29-34

2.    Jesus preached for three years, healing all kinds of sickness, turning men back to God. Mt. 4:23

3.    Finally, Jesus surrendered to the authorities and allowed Himself to be crucified. Jn. 10:17-18

V.     The Plan in Perfection

A.            Resurrection

1.    It must have seemed like all hope was lost, that God’s plan had failed when Jesus died.

a)         We can look back in hindsight and see the signposts along the way. 2Co. 3:14-16

b)        But at the time no one truly understood; the disciples scattered; even Satan was fooled.

2.    They don’t call this a mystery for nothing. God kept the greatest secret ever, until the third day.

a)         On the third day Jesus came out of the tomb, alive and victorious. Lk. 24:1-8

b)        It wasn’t enough to die; Jesus had to rise; now He reigns at God’s right hand.

B.            Redemption

1.    Thru Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, man can be restored to God once again. 2Co. 5:19

2.    We are cleansed of sin by His blood; we have the eternal life God purposed. Eph. 1:7; 1Jn. 5:20

3.    In Christ we can finally reclaim the image of God we were given but corrupted. (see above)

C.            Return

1.    Christ now reigns over His kingdom; He has been given all authority. Mt. 28:18

2.    He will reign until the resurrection; the dead will be raised at His return. 1Co. 15:20-26, 50-52

3.    Christ will return to reward His saints and to punish those who reject Him. 2Th. 1:6-10

Action

1. God’s great plan is not a mystery anymore. God has completed and perfected it in Christ.

2. The Lord is returning, and this world will be destroyed. Are you ready for that day to arrive? 2Pe. 3:10-14

3. Will you hear and heed the Savior’s word, believe on Him, obey Him, and be saved? Mk. 16:15-16