The Plan of Redemption, the Gospel and Missions

Ephesians 1:3-6

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love

5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,

6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. NASB

 

The Plan of Redemption, the Gospel and Missions

Consider then how God, in His infinite Wisdom, has planned the outworking of History to achieve this great end of displaying the Glory of His Name! As we look at Scripture we see that even from the earliest sections of Scripture, God is speaking of His plan to “save and redeem”.

Genesis 3:15 – 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel. " NASB

We see over and over how God is working out His plan for the ages. Consider how the Scripture plainly teaches that it was always God’s plan for mankind to Fall, for Jesus to die upon the Cross, and for God to redeem for Himself a company of people whom He has “destined for Glory.” Many of the events were said to have been “predestined according to God’s purpose” and done by the “predetermined plan” of God. The Bible is replete with such texts!

Ephesians 1:11-12 – 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. NASB

Acts 2:23 – 23 this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. NASB

Acts 4:27-28 – 27 "For truly in this city there were gathered together against Thy holy servant Jesus, whom Thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Thy hand and Thy purpose predestined to occur. NASB

Ephesians 1:3-6 –  4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. NASB

Ephesians 3:11-13 – 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ

Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. NASB

Titus 1:1-2 – 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen

of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life, which

God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, NASB

2 Timothy 1:9-10 – 9 who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity NASB

If these things be true, and they are, consider how God’s plan must have a means by which it is carried out. Now this could not be more clear in Scripture. The Bible plainly declares that the Gospel message is the means by which God’s purpose to redeem is carried out in this late age. This is why the church is charged with the great task of evangelizing the nations(missions), for the sake of God’s great name, and for the Lamb to receive the reward of His suffering. Since God has created both mankind and angels as morally capable, He has also made them subject to His standards of morality. Therefore both mankind and angels will stand in judgment before God, and are accountable to God’s Sovereign Authority.

2 Peter 2:4 – 4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; NASB

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 – 13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. NASB

God expects His creatures which He has made for His own purposes, to live according to God’s own moral character, perfect, pure and Holy. Because mankind has fallen short of the glory of God(His perfect moral character), this has brought about the great need of redemption, which God has planned for long ages past. This we call the “Plan of Redemption.” In this late age, the Plan of Redemption is now coming to pass by the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, (who is the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind and God’s required redemption price), as the purpose of God in redemption is accomplished by His calling out of His people from every tribe and nation.

Romans 3:23 – 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, NASB

Romans 16:25-27 – 25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, 26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.  NASB

Through this gospel(the message of the person and work of Christ), the judgment of God for the sins of mankind has been cancelled, for all who believe. By this faith they enter into a state of redemption having the debt of sins paid, as God’s wrath and judgment were satisfied at the cross, Christ Jesus Himself having fulfilled the law of God(God’s perfect moral character) and paid the just penalty for the wages of sin. This we call “Justification by Faith.”

Romans 3:21-27 – 21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. NASB

Because of this great work, God has exalted Christ Jesus the incarnate Son of God and the man, to be the Sovereign King and Judge of the living and the dead. Therefore all people in every age and generation, all nations and peoples will be subject to the Sovereign Authority of Christ and will bow the knee before Him in judgment at the consummation of God’s plan for the ages.

Ephesians 1:20-23 – 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,

2 Timothy 4:1-2 – 4:1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: NASB

Philippians 2:9-11 – 9 Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. NASB

This message of the Gospel then is the means by which God is bringing to pass His eternal purpose in Christ to redeem. This is why missions is a key element of God’s glory in the church. We must bring the Gospel to the far corners of the earth to fulfill the command of God in missions. Consider how the following Scriptures relate to this matter.

Mark 16:15 – 15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. NASB

Ephesians 3:8-11 -8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the

unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery

which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; 10 in order that the manifold wisdom of

God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.

11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our LordNASB

Matthew 24:14 – 14 "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come. NASB

Romans 10:14-15 – 14 How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!" NASB

So then God fully intends to save all those whom He has planned or purposed to save. This He will accomplish by His great missionary people, the Gentile Church. But consider the certainty of the salvation of God’s people. If God has planned to save all of the people whom He will save, what do you suppose will be the result? Consider that He will save all of the people whom He has intended to save, and will not lose one, but every last one WILL be saved.

John 6:37-39 – 37 "All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38 "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. NASB

Revelation 5:9-10 – And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10 "And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth." NASB

Christ did indeed SECURE the salvation of His church.

John 19:30 – 30 When Jesus therefore had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished !" And He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit. NASB

In all of this great plan to redeem, God’s people magnify the glory of His grace in salvation. All of God’s redemptive works throughout history are working to the end OR the ultimate purpose of the praise of the glory of God’s Excellency and nature as God our Savior.

2 Corinthians 4:15 – 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. NASB

Ephesians 1:4-6, 11-14,18 – 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation —  having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. NASB

Even the very state of being to which God’s people are destined is said to be “glory!”

Ephesians 1:18 – 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Romans 9:23-25 – 23 And He did so in order that He might make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles. NASB

 

 

 

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