“This was His plan from all eternity…” (Eph 3:11, NLT)
Before he laid the foundation of the world, God had a PLAN.
- This plan revolved around the sending of a PERSON.
- God’s person came with a PROCLAMATION of “good news.”
- The PEOPLE who responded to the proclamation of God’s person came to be known as the church of Jesus Christ.
He (God’s PERSON) came and preached peace (God’s PROCLAMATION) to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. From through him (God’s PERSON) we (God’s PEOPLE) both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you (God’s PEOPLE) are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus (God’s PERSON) himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. (Eph 2:17-21)
Listed below are three sermons devoted to this eternal purpose of God. They are a careful examination of that which was realized in God’s people as they responded to God’s proclamation about God’s person, all in accordance with God’s eternal plan.
1. God’s Person, Proclamation and People
2. The Sequel to the Greatest Story Ever Told
3. What Did the First Church Look Like?
To God be the glory.
For more sermon outlines and recordings, be sure to visit the Sermons archive.
Here’s a question. Not a big one, but something to consider.
How can the “we” and the “you” be the same group of people? Paul says “…we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens…”
That suggests to me that the “we” and the “you” are not the exact same group. What do you think?
Great question, Edwin. I hacked right into the middle of Paul’s context above. The “you” of the context certainly appears to be Gentile Christians (2.11). Paul focuses in on the historical barriers between Jew and Gentile:
– circumcised vs. uncircumcised
– a part of vs. alienation from the commonwealth of Israel
– recipients vs. strangers to the covenants of promise
– hope and God vs. no hope and without God
“But now in Christ Jesus you (Gentiles) who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our (God’s PEOPLE) peace, who has made us both (Jew and Gentile) one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility…” (Eph 2.13-14)
Specifically to your question: “For through him (God’s PERSON) we (God’s PEOPLE) both (Jew and Gentile) have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you (God’s PEOPLE: specifically Gentiles) are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…” (Eph 2.18-19)
Jew and Gentile—obviously not the exact same group according to the flesh, but granted access to the same group (God’s PEOPLE) in Christ Jesus.
Thanks again for the question. Now it’s your turn. What do you think?
Great and insightful post. I really enjoyed reading it.
Thanks, Dan. I really appreciate that.