Home Updated November 16, 2007 David
Mays
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God’s
Unchanging Purpose: A Biblical Thread God’s Purpose Revealed to the Prophets -
Amos 3:7 Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing
his plan to his servants the prophets. God’s
Purpose Unchanging - Psalm 33:6-12 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the
purposes of his heart through all generations. (v. 11) God’s
Purpose Overview: Christ Over All - Eph 1:9-10 And he made known to us the
mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in
Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their
fulfillment – to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one
head, even Christ. God’s
Purpose Related to the Promise - Heb 6:13-17 When God made his promise
to Abraham….” [The “promise” in
Scripture refers to God’s promise to Abraham.] Because God wanted to make the unchanging
nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he
confirmed it with an oath.” (6:13). The
Promise - Gen 12:1-3 “The Lord had said to Abram,
‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the
land I will show you. I will make you
into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and
you will be a blessing. I will bless
those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on
earth will be blessed through you.’” The
Gospel for the Nations in the Promise - Gal 3:6-9 “Consider Abraham: ‘He
believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Understand, then, that those who believe
are children of Abraham. The Scripture
foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles* by faith, and announced the
gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ So those who have faith are blessed along
with Abraham, the man of faith.” (*Gentiles
= “nations”) The
Promise by Faith - Rom 4:16-17 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be
by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those
who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: ‘I have made you a father
of many nations.’ (17) God’s
Reputation Demonstrated through the Church - Eph 3:6, 10-11 “This mystery is that through
the gospel the Gentiles* are heirs together with Israel…in the promise in
Christ Jesus.” “His intent was that
now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made
known…according to his eternal purpose….”
(*Gentiles = nations) Conclusions: ·
God has made his unchanging purpose known
to man.
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