"According to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord" -Eph. 3:11
I. God's Promise To Abraham Was:
a. Through the "seed" (Gen. 22:18.
b. The seed was Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:16)
c. God's entire plan was centered:
1. Around Christ (Eph. 3:3-11.
d. John said: John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
....JOHN 1:14 ¶ And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
e. Jesus left Heaven to:
1. Bring man salvation.
II. Eternal Salvation Is In Jesus:
a. JOHN 3:16 ¶ "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
b. ACT 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved."
c. Salvation is basted on obedience...HEB 5:9 He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,
d. Salvation is for all men...EPH 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both {groups into} one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
EPH 2:15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, {which is} the Law of commandments {contained} in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, {thus} establishing peace,
EPH 2:16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. GAL 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
III. Christ Established The New Covenant:
a. Old Covenant temporary...JER 31:31 "Behold, days are coming," declares the \Lord\, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,
JER 31:32 not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them, "declares the \Lord\.
JER 31:33 "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the \Lord\, "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
JER 31:34 "And they shall not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the \Lord\,' for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the \Lord\, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."
b. New Covenant....HEB 10:9 then He said, "\Behold, I have come to do Thy will\." He takes away the first in order to establish the second.
c. To go back to the Old Law would:
1. Make Christ's work ineffective..GAL 5:4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
d. New Covenant came into effect:
1. After His death...HEB 9:15 And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were {committed} under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
HEB 9:16 For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.
HEB 9:17 For a covenant is valid {only} when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.
e. Justification is in Christ...ACT 13:38 "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,
ACT 13:39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.
IV. Importance Of Blood In God's Plan:
a. Old Covenant
1. Animal blood
b. New covenant
1. Sinless Blood..(Heb. 9:12-26)
c. Christ's blood:
1. Redeems (Eph. 1:7)
2. Justifies (Rom. 5:9)
3. Cleanses (1 Jn. 1:7)
4. Washes away sins (Rev. 1:5)
5. Puts us into the church (Ac.20:28)
d. We reach the blood of Christ by been baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:3-4; Rev. 1:5; Ac. 22:16)
V. Jesus is Worthy Of Our Praise Because:
a. He is our creator (Col. 1:16-17).
b. He upholds all things by the word of His power (Heb. 1-3)
c. He is the visible image of the invisible heavenly Father (Col. 1:15)
d. He reflects the Father's glory (Jn. 1:14)
e. He purged our sins (Heb. 9:14)
f. He has all authority (Matt. 28:18)
The Church:
a. Was not an: afterthought of God. (Eph. 3)
b. Is made up of many different colors and races. (Eph. 2:13-19)
c. Is the fulfillment of O.T. prophecy. (Isa. 2:2-3; 1 Tim. 3:15)
II. In the Church :
a. "All....benefits that God has made for man (through Christ) is in the church.
b. Redemption, forgiveness of sins, an inheritance, hope, and understanding. (Eph. 1:3-23)
c. You will find a "body of believers", who enjoy every spiritual blessing God has for man.
III. In the church there are those that were:
a. Dead in trespasses and sin, but now made alive. (Eph. 2:1; Eph. 1:5-6)
b. Made possible by the grace and mercy of God.
c. Man must have faith, repentance and be baptized (Rom. 6:4)
d. We then become workman for God. (Eph. 2:20)
IV. The Church is made up of the redeemed.
a. Because of sin man fell from God's grace and needed to be restored. (Eph. 2:11-12)
b. Made up of those that been restored or reconciled to God. (Eph. 2:13-16)
c. Reconciled by the blood of Christ. (Col. 1:20; if we obey the message of reconciliation. (2 Cor. 5:18-19)
d. Those reconciled are in one body (the church) (Eph. 2:16-18)
e. Those outside the church are not reconciled.
The Church is identified by many different names:
a. The Kingdom (Eph. 2:19; Col. 1:13)
b. The Household of God (Eph. 2:19; 1 Tim. 3:15)
c. The Holy Temple (Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Cor. 3:16)
d. The Bride of Christ (Eph. 5:22-23; Rev. 22:1,7)
e. The Body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18)
I. The Holy Spirit:
a. The third person in the God-family (Acts 5:4; 1 Jn. 5:7)
b. Primary purpose was to reveal God's word (1 Cor. 2:9-13)
c. O.T. a product of His work (2 Pet. 1:21)
II. The Promise Of the Holy Spirit
a. Jesus promised the apostles He would send them the Holy Spirit ( Jn. 14-16)
b. The Spirit's work was:
1. To teach them and bring to their remembrance Jesus's teaching ( Jn. 14:26)
c. He also bore witness of the Deity of Jesus ( Jn. 15:26)
d. He would convict the world of sin ( Jn. 16:7-11)
e. Summary of His work ( Jn. 16:13)
III. The Holy Spirit Revealed God's Word To The Apostles ( Eph. 3:3-5)
a. The Bible is that word (1 Cor. 2:9-13). A revelation of God's mind
b. It will prepare man for every good work ( 2 Tim. 3:16-17)
c. Once delivered for all times and for all people ( Jude 3)
IV. Salvation Can Only Be Learned And Obeyed Through The Written Word
a. We are called by the gospel ( 2 Thess. 2:13-14); Rom. 1:16; 6:17-18)
b. We are converted through hearing, believing and obeying the Word ( Acts 18:8) like the Corinthians
V. Latter-Day Revelations
a. God only has ONE BOOK the bible.
B. All other gospels are
condemned (Gal. 1:6-9)
c. We have everything that pertains
to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3)
I. God's Plan For Becoming A Christian.
a. Hear the gospel (Rom. 10:17)
b. Believe it (Heb. 11:6; Jn. 8:24; 12:48-50)
c. Repent (Lk. 13:3; Ac. 17:30)
d. Confess Christ (Matt. 10:32-33; Rom. 10:9-10)
e. Be baptized (Mk. 16:16; Ac. 2:38)
2. When one obeys:
a. God adds him to the church the the body of the saved (Ac. 2:47)
II. The Christian's Responsibilities In The Church
a. Assembling for: Worship; eating the Lord's supper; singing; praying; studying God's word (Heb. 10:25; 1 Cor. 11:17-34; Eph. 5:19; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Ac. 20:7)
b. Building up the body of Christ Eph. 4:13-16)
c. To submit to those who rule over them (Heb. 13:17)
d. To respect the function of each member (1 Cor. 12:12-31)
III. The Christian and The World
a. Not to be of the world or like the world (Jn. 17:4-16)
b. Not let it squeeze us into its mold (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:17-24)
c. We are to put off the old man and walk in love, light and wisdom (Eph. 4:24-5:21)
IV. The Christian's Conduct In The Home
a. Marriage is a lifetime commitment. One man for one woman (Matt. 19:1-12)
b. God's plan for the home:
1. Husband as head
2. Wife in subjection
3. Children obeying their parents (Eph. 5:22-6:4)
4. Love and respect are to be shown (Col. 3:19; Eph.5:33; Titus 2:4)
5. Children are to obey their parents (Eph. 6:1-2)
V. The Christian's Attitude Toward Others
a. The sermon on the mount shows what the qualities and attitudes that a Christian should have (Matt. 5-7)
b. One is blessed and happy if he has these (Matt. 5:1-12)
c. The Golden Rule (Matt. 7:12)
I. God intended For Man To Follow His Plan
a. Jesus prayed for unity (Jn. 17:17-23)
b. Paul pleaded for unity (Eph. 4:4-6)
c. Early churches taught the same plan of God.
d. Division and deviation from God's plan has always been condemned in the bible (1 Cor. 1:10, 12:25; Gal. 1:6-9)
II. Some Will Depart From The Truth
a. The holy Spirit warned in (1 Tim. 4:1)
b. Paul told the Ephesian elders that it would come from within the eldership (2 Tim. 20:29-30)
c. Perilous times were prophesied to occur (2 Tim. 3:1-7)
d. Old Testament filled with those who departed from God's plan
III. First Departure Was In Church Government
a. Changes in the eldership, in violation of (1 Peter 5:2)
b. First human creed written, in 325 A.D., know as the "Nicene Creed"
c. Over the next 300 years, man moved farther and farther away from God's plan
IV. The Result Of This Departure
a. The Catholic church came into existence
b. Boniface III took the title of Universal Bishop (Pope)
c. A split occurred resulting in two groups
1. The Catholic church and the Greek Orthodox church
d. Some uninspired doctrines introduced by the Catholic church are:
1. Sprinkling, instrumental music, holy water, and a separate priesthood
e. On July 18, 1870 the Vatican council decreed the doctrine of "Papal infallibility" on Pope Pious IX.
V. The Protestant Reformation
a. Martin Luther revolted against the Catholic church, resulting in the Lutheran church (1517)
b. King Henry VIII defied the Pope, resulting in the church of England (1533)
c. John Calvin's and John Knox's work resulted in forming the Presbyterian church (1550-1560)
d. The Baptist church (1739), The Episcopal church (1789), Methodist church (1739)
e. All of these church originated with man, not God
f. The New Testament teaches: {There is} one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (Eph. 4:4-6)
1. The "one faith" is not my faith, your faith, or the teaching of Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Smyth, Eddy, Booth, Smith or Russell. It is the teaching of Christ, the Son of the living God. Why can't we all just go back to that faith?
I. The Second Coming Of Christ
a. At Christ's second coming, God's eternal plan will be completed (Heb. 9:27-29)
b. It is not matter of if He is coming, but when
c. When He comes:
1. He will appear in person (1 Thess. 4:16)
2. In the clouds (Acts 1:9-11)
3. With His Holy angels (2 Thess. 1:7-9)
4. Everyone will see and hear Him (Rev. 1:7; Jn. 5:28)
5. When He is coming, no man knows (Matt. 24:36)
II. A Day Of Judgement
a. Of all men, both the righteous and the wicked (2 Cor. 5:10; Jn. 5:28-29)
b. God's word will be the standard (Jn. 12:48)
c. Man will be judged by the law they lived under.
1. Patriarchal Law
2. Law of Moses
3. Law of Christ
d. Everything hidden will be brought to light (Rom. 2:16)
III. The Wicked Will Be Punished In Hell
a. The Bible teaches that hell is a real place:
1. Of fire (Matt. 13:42; 25:42)
2. Of darkness (2 Pet. 2:4)
3. Of pain (Lk. 16:24)
4. Of awareness (Lk. 16:25)
b. Hell is the eternal abode of the wicked (Matt. 25:46)
c. Hell is God's eternal plan to punish the ungodly
IV. The Righteous Will Go To Heaven
a. Jesus promised to prepare a place for His disciples (Jn. 14:1-3) and heaven is that place
b. Heaven is described as a beautiful and happy place (Rev. 21) All of the redeemed will be there
c. In heaven there will be no:
1. Sadness, or sorrow; no pain or problems; no grief and suffering, no death
b. God's eternal purpose will be complete when all of His redeemed people come home
c. They will sing His praise and enjoy His love for ever and ever
V. With God's Plan Complete
a. This earth and it order will come to an end (1 Cor. 15:24-25)
b. Jesus will deliver up the kingdom to the Father (1 Cor. 15:28)
c. This present earth will burned up (2 Pet. 3:10-12) Man will not live on earth for a 1000 years as some teach
d. Therefore, let us labor that heaven might be our home (Rev. 22: 20)
(2 PE 1:12)
Lesson 1 -- God Planned Man's Salvation Before The World Was
1. What do we mean by God's plan for man's salvation, commonly called the "scheme of redemption"?
2. What value has there been in studying this topic?
3. Why did God want a people for His own possession?
4. How did the physical nation of Israel fit into God's overall plan?
5. What was God's plan relating to Christ?
6. What attribute of God is seen in the church as it relates to His eternal purpose?
Lesson 2 -- The Development Of God's Plan Through The Patriarchal Period Of Time
1. What was man's relationship with God when He created Him? How did that relationship change because of sin?
2. What verse first indicated God's plan for man?
3. What were the three parts of the promise made to Abraham? What was the sign of that covenant?
4. Who was the next person after Abraham to receive the promise? Who was the next after him?
5. What nation came through Abraham and the bondwoman?
6. What was the nation of promise through Abraham's seed?
Lesson 3 -- God's Plan Continued Through The Mosaical Age
I . What were the conditions of the physical covenant with Israel? Did they receive the land? How do you know
2. How did Israel break the covenant with God)
3. What place did Old Testament prophecy have in God's plan?
4. List some examples of prophecy and fulfillment regarding Christ and the church.
5. Explain the meaning of "types" and "antitypes".
6. Give two examples of Old Testament "types" and their "antitypes" in the New Testament.
Lesson 4 -- God's Plan Brought Into Action
1. How do we know the "seed" promise was fulfilled in Christ?
2. What role does the blood of Christ have in the plan? Explain the importance of the church in God's plan.
4. Give the five steps for becoming a Christian with scriptural references for each.
5. What are some things the Christian is to do and not to do in God's plan?
6. How and why have men departed from God's plan? What did Paul have to say about departures?
Lesson 5 -- The Completion Of God's Plan
1. How do you know that Christ has not already come again ? How do you know that He will not set up a throne on earth?
2. On what basis are we going to be judged?
3. Describe what hell will be like.
4. In your mind what most accurately describes the beauty of heaven?
5. When God's plan is completed, what will happen to the earth?
6. Draw a time line with the major events of God's plan for man's salvation.