Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:6-10
The Eternal Gospel
Intro.
1. God's plan of redemption occupies eternity. While it began to be activated when sin entered the world, it was in the mind of God from eternity past (Rom. 5:12; Gen. 3:15).
2. The gospel reveals "the deep things of God" to us, 1 Cor. 2:10.
I. THE GOSPEL IN ETERNITY PAST.
A. Before the Foundation of the World, Eph. 1:4-7. (Heb. 1:10)
B. God's Purpose Concerning Mankind from before Creation.
1. Chose us in Christ, 1:4; cf. 3:10-11. ("God chose the plan, not the man." God's sovereignty and man's freewill intact.)
a. God selected to save sinners "in Christ" (2 Cor. 5:17).
b. Election based on God's foreknowledge, 1 Pet. 1:2 (Rom. 8:29).
c. A chosen generation (an "elect" race), 1 Pet. 2:9.
2. Chose us to be holy and blameless (cf. Lk. 1:75), Eph. 5:27.
3. Predestined us in love unto adoption (family inheritance), 1:5, 11; 1 Jno. 3:1.
-To be conformed to the image of His Son, Rom. 8:29.
4. Accepted in the Beloved (by God's grace; He bestowed favor upon).
a. Called by the gospel, Rom. 8:30 (1 Cor. 1:9).
b. Justified by grace, through faith, Rom. 8:30 (3:24-25); Eph. 1:7.
c. Glorified, cf. Heb. 2:10.
II. THE GOSPEL IN PROMISE, Gal. 3:8.
A. Seed of Woman, Gen. 3:15. Satan crushed. Fulfilled: Matt. 1:21-23 (Gal. 4:4).
B. Seed of Abraham, Gen. 12:1-3, 7. Three promises:
1. Nation, 12:2. Fulfilled: Exo. 19:6; Deut. 10:22.
2. Land, 12:1, 7. Fulfilled: Josh. 21:43.
3. Seed, 12:3; 22:18; Fulfilled in Jesus: Gal. 3:16, 19; Acts 3:24-26 (forgiveness of sins is the promised blessing, 3:26); Gal. 3:13-14.
C. Seed of David, 2 Sam. 7:12-14; Psa. 89:3-4; 132:11. Fulfilled in Jesus: Acts 2:30-31.
III. THE GOSPEL IN PROPHECY.
A. The King and His Kingdom.
1. The King: Holy, righteous and just, Psa. 45:6-7; Jer. 23:5-6. Fulfilled: Jesus, Heb. 1:8-9 (Acts 2:36; Eph. 1:21-22).
2. His kingdom: Mighty, enduring, eternal (not of this world), Isa. 2:2-4; Dan. 2:34-35, 44. Fulfilled: The church, Matt. 16:18-19. Col. 1:13.
B. The High Priest and God's Temple.
1. Build the temple of God and priest on His throne, Zech. 6:12-13.
2. After the likeness of Melchizedek, Psa. 110:1-4. Fulfilled: Jesus, Heb. 5:5-6; 7:1ff.
3. Jesus is High Priest over the house of God, the church, Heb. 8:1-2; 10:21.
C. The New Covenant, Jer. 31:31-34.
-Fulfilled: The gospel of Christ, Heb. 8:7-13.
IV. THE GOSPEL IN THIS PRESENT AGE: GOD'S PLAN REVEALED, Eph. 3:1-12.
A. Salvation Preached by Jesus, Mk. 1:14-15; Heb. 2:3.
B. Salvation Preached by His Apostles, Heb. 2:3-4; Acts 10:42-43.
1. Gospel that saves the lost from sin, Rom. 1:16-17.
2. To equip the saved for every good work, Eph. 2:10 (2 Tim. 3:16).
V. FUTURE ETERNITY.
A. The Day of the Lord, 2 Pet. 3:10-13.
1. The glory of resurrection: Victory over death (1 Cor. 15:54-55).
2. The glory of Christ: Victory over sin (Col. 3:4).
3. The expanse of God's judgment, Rev. 20:11-12.
4. The glory of the heavenly reward, 2 Tim. 4:7-8.
5. The dread of God's wrath against sin, Rom. 2:8-9.
Conclusion
1. We stand in awe of God's eternal plan, assured that it is not the product of man, 1 Cor. 2:7-10.
2. God has revealed His plan for our glory (v. 7).
3. We must in faith obey His will to be taken to eternal glory by and by.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: August 12, 2015