25-0921sc Transcript

Teacher: Steve Cain

(0:04) It’s time to get started, isn’t it? (0:08) The reason why I brought up Restoration Movement (0:10) is because in the material that I found on the internet, (0:16) it had Milligan as being the author. (0:22) And they also gave him credit for having written it in 1977. (0:26) And he was a restorationist.

(0:29) And so the material that I was reading (0:33) came out of the Restoration Movement. (0:36) So obviously, this has come out of the Restoration Movement, (0:40) too, trying to restore the original way of coming to God (0:46) and the way the first century Christians understood (0:54) redemption and being baptized for the remission (0:57) of their sins and what it meant and their lifestyle (1:03) and the life that they were to lead afterwards. (1:07) And that’s very impressive.

(1:10) Let’s go to our Heavenly Father in prayer (1:13) and get with the material. (1:17) Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you at this time (1:20) thanking you for the opportunity to study your Word. (1:24) We are very appreciative of the fact (1:25) that for us to know anything about you (1:28) and to be able to know our relationship with you (1:34) and what we are to do to be pleasing to you, (1:39) you have made it available to us through the Bible.

(1:42) And you gave it to the Holy Spirit, (1:46) who inspired the writers to make it and to compile the book. (1:52) So in order for us to know anything (1:55) about our relationship with you and how (1:57) to be restored to you, it comes out (2:00) of our study of the Scriptures, out (2:02) of the studies of the prophets who wrote ahead of time. (2:06) We ask your blessings upon our study (2:08) and that we will be able to comprehend the material (2:13) that they are trying to make available to us.

(2:17) And we pray that the Holy Spirit will enable us to understand it (2:22) because it is his job, his job to convict us of sin (2:26) and to bring us to you. (2:28) We pray these things in Jesus Christ’s name. (2:31) Amen.

(2:33) Redemption purposed and promised. (2:35) This is the second chapter of our book. (2:40) Redemption is, as we reflect upon the title of the book (2:46) itself, it says redemption is planned, it is needed, (2:54) and it is provided.

(2:57) And so we’re going to be looking at the fact (2:59) that this is planned. (3:03) And last week, we talked about the necessity (3:07) and the importance of recognizing Genesis as being of God (3:15) and that it is for us to gather and to glean the fact (3:22) that God has divinely intervened within us, (3:25) he created the world, and he proceeds to sustain it. (3:32) And he’s also in the process of providing us (3:37) with the opportunity to be reconciled to him.

(3:41) And the thing is, do we need to be reconciled? (3:46) What does reconciled mean? (3:48) Being reconciled means a relationship (3:52) terminated, interrupted, whatever (3:55) how you want to look at a relationship being interrupted. (4:03) How do you be reconciled? (4:07) And does it just simply mean, I’m sorry, please forgive me? (4:12) In many cases, that is true because if I (4:17) interrupt our relationship, all I do (4:20) is ask you for forgiveness. (4:22) And out of your graciousness, you forgive me.

(4:25) But it takes more than just being asking. (4:28) The person can say, no, I will not forgive you. (4:32) And so on what basis will you forgive me? (4:36) And so God is giving us the opportunity to be reconciled, (4:42) and he’s giving us the opportunity (4:43) to know how to be reconciled to him.

(4:46) So redemption is purposed and promised. (4:53) Let’s take a look at Ephesians, the first chapter, (4:58) because this is, in my mind, the jumping off position (5:03) for the fact that when God created us, (5:08) that he fully intended for us to come to him (5:15) through Jesus. (5:17) And so if we turn to Ephesians, the first chapter, (5:23) we see Paul revealing the mystery (5:29) that God was providing him, and he’s through the Holy Spirit.

(5:39) And so he’s giving us the opportunity (5:41) to know that God knew we were going to sin, (5:46) and that’s part of this lesson today. (5:48) God knew that we were going to sin. (5:52) So as we look at Ephesians, the first chapter, (5:55) let’s pick up at verse 3. (5:57) I’ll be reading from the New American Standard Version.

(6:01) I change versions every month. (6:05) That’s my way of studying the scripture, (6:09) because I believe that all of the versions (6:11) are inspired by God and through the Holy Spirit. (6:14) But anyway, I change versions every month.

(6:18) My favorite one is New International, (6:20) and when I preach, I usually preach (6:23) from the New International. (6:24) But the American Standard Version, I think, (6:26) is very clear and very plain. (6:30) Picking up at verse 3. (6:32) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (6:36) who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing (6:40) in the heavenly places in Christ.

(6:44) Blessed be the God, notice that. (6:47) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (6:51) He has, this is God, blessed us with every spiritual blessing (6:56) in the heavenly places in Christ.

(7:00) So this is what he has done already. (7:04) It’s been done, and Paul’s recognizing (7:07) that you and I are receiving the benefits of this salvation. (7:14) And so, he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing (7:18) in the heavenly places in Christ, (7:20) just as he chose us, that’s God, (7:24) God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world (7:29) that we would be holy and blameless before him.

(7:34) So what is he telling us? (7:36) Before the creation of the world, (7:40) he knew that he was gonna create man, (7:44) and he was going, he knew that this man (7:49) is gonna violate the relationship, (7:51) so somewhere along the way, he’s foreordained, (7:55) or pre-planned how we were going to be saved. (8:00) And he did this before the creation of the world. (8:05) So, just as he chose us in him (8:07) before the foundation of the world, (8:09) that we would be holy and blameless before him.

(8:14) So how’s that gonna be? (8:16) In love, he predestined us to adoption (8:21) as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ, (8:25) through himself, according to the good pleasure (8:28) of his will, through the praise of the glory of his grace, (8:32) with which he favored us in the beloved. (8:37) So reread that and look at that. (8:40) He is adopting us, and he wants to adopt us as his children.

(8:46) And how is he gonna do that? (8:48) He’s doing it through Jesus. (8:51) And so, we will have redemption (8:54) through Jesus' blood and forgiveness. (8:57) So, let’s reread that.

(9:00) Verse five, God predestined us to be adopted (9:05) as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ, (9:09) to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. (9:14) Now, this is his plan in him, (9:16) but when is this plan conceived? (9:20) The plan is conceived before the creation of the world. (9:23) So, before he created us, (9:26) he already had in place our salvation, (9:31) what he wanted us to do, to become his children.

(9:36) And that is to come to him through Jesus (9:38) and to be received through Jesus Christ. (9:41) He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters (9:45) through Jesus Christ, to himself, (9:48) according to the good pleasure of his will, (9:51) to the praise of the glory of his grace, (9:55) with which he favored us in the beloved. (10:00) And so, sooner or later, I wanna touch on the word grace, (10:04) because we need to have a good comprehension (10:09) of what God’s grace is, what grace is, period.

(10:14) Whether it’s God’s grace, Jesus' grace, (10:17) have a good concept of grace, (10:19) because you can exercise grace yourselves. (10:24) So, to the praise and glory of his grace, (10:29) God’s grace, okay, the Father’s grace, all right, (10:34) to the praise and the glory of his grace, (10:36) with which he favored us in the beloved. (10:40) In other words, God is favoring us in the beloved, (10:44) who is Jesus.

(10:46) In him, in Jesus, we have redemption through his blood, (10:52) the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, (10:54) according to the riches of his grace, (10:57) which he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight. (11:02) And so, he’s reflecting upon graces. (11:05) Whose grace is he reflecting on here? (11:07) Not God’s grace, but Jesus' grace.

(11:10) Of course, we know Jesus is God. (11:12) He is of the Godhead. (11:14) He is the same deity as the Father is.

(11:17) So, in him, we have redemption through his blood, (11:21) the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, (11:22) according to the riches of his grace, (11:25) which is Jesus' grace, which he lavished on us (11:28) in all wisdom and insight. (11:30) He made known to us the mystery of his will, (11:34) according to his good pleasure, which he set forth in him. (11:39) In other words, this is the mystery (11:41) that God had, and it’s being revealed to us now.

(11:46) So, he set forth in Christ regarding his plan (11:51) of the fullness of times to bring all things together (11:55) in Christ, things in the heavens, things on the earth. (12:00) In him, we also have obtained inheritance, (12:07) having been predestined. (12:14) I lost my place there.

(12:30) Oh, having been predestined, according to the purpose (12:33) of him, I’m in verse 11 now, to the purpose of him (12:37) who works all things in accordance with the plan (12:40) of his will, to the end that he, we, who were the first (12:45) to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of his glory. (12:50) In him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, (12:55) the gospel of your salvation, having also believed (12:59) you were sealed in him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, (13:04) who is a first installment of our inheritance (13:07) in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, (13:11) to the praise of his glory. (13:14) So, we’ll stop reading there at that point.

(13:18) So, what he’s pointing out to us, (13:22) this is going to happen, there’s no question about it. (13:27) What’s the nature of God, what’s the makeup of God? (13:32) He cannot lie, and he’s better than Superman, isn’t he? (13:38) Because Superman has all kinds of power, (13:41) he can fight bullets and all these good things, (13:45) but he does have a weakness, and the weakness (13:48) is kryptonite, but God has, if God is God, (13:54) he has no weakness. (13:56) If God is God, his plan cannot be thwarted.

(14:02) If God is God, it’s gonna happen. (14:06) Isaiah, I believe in 55th chapter, points out the fact (14:10) that God, when he speaks, his word will not come back (14:15) to him void. (14:18) So, God has this plan, and it’s gonna be worked out (14:24) once he sets us into motion.

(14:28) We have some visitors back there. (14:37) So, as we reflect upon the fact (14:42) that he’s put this into motion, (14:45) and I don’t know if we have a book for them, (14:51) because I haven’t really got started in this yet. (15:02) So, we were just looking at the fact that redemption (15:07) is purposed and promised, and so we’re in chapter two (15:12) of the book, Redemption Is, and by Edward Wharton, (15:16) who is a minister, or a teacher, (15:19) at Sunset School of Preaching.

(15:22) So, he points out the fact that Jesus is coming (15:28) with a purpose, and we know that that purpose is there, (15:34) because when you look at Philippians, the second chapter, (15:37) what are we encouraged to do? (15:40) Take a look at Philippians, the second chapter, (15:43) and again, I’m reading from the New American Standard (15:47) version, starting with the very first verse (15:57) of chapter two, Philippians. (15:59) Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, (16:02) if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, (16:06) if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete (16:09) by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, (16:16) united in spirit, intent on one purpose. (16:21) Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, (16:24) but with humility consider one another (16:27) as more important than yourselves.

(16:30) Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, (16:34) but also for the interests of others. (16:37) Have this attitude in yourselves, this is verse five, (16:42) and this is very important. (16:44) He’s suggesting to us, and he’s giving us insights (16:49) as to what brought Christ to this world, (16:52) and to die on the cross for us.

(16:56) Do have this attitude in yourselves, (16:59) which was also in Christ Jesus, who, (17:03) as he already existed in the form of God, (17:08) did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, (17:13) but emptied himself by taking the form of a bond servant (17:18) and being born in the likeness of men, (17:21) and being found in appearance as a man, (17:26) he humbled himself by becoming obedient (17:29) to the point of death, death on a cross. (17:32) For this reason also, God highly exalted him (17:37) and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, (17:41) so that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow. (17:46) Of those who are in heaven and on earth (17:49) and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess (17:53) that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

(17:58) So what does the mind of Jesus have? (18:03) He was willingly taking on the job (18:09) that God wanted him to have. (18:11) So in Ephesians, what do we see God doing? (18:15) We see God planning our salvation (18:18) before the creation of the world, (18:20) and he was going to have Jesus be the tool (18:24) with which he was going to bless us. (18:27) Well, Jesus is already existing (18:29) before the creation of the world, (18:31) and we know that Jesus had a hand (18:33) in creating the world, don’t we? (18:35) There’s a scripture to point out (18:36) that Jesus created everything that there is.

(18:40) And in the Gospel of John, in the first chapter, (18:42) it talks about it, also in…​ (18:48) I’ve got a mind blank. (18:51) But anyway, Paul is asking us to have this mind in us, (18:56) but he’s telling us a fact. (19:00) And what is the fact? (19:02) That Jesus willingly took on the form of man to save us.

(19:09) He humbled himself, (19:10) and even though he was God, (19:13) he willingly reduced himself to man (19:17) and took on the form of a man. (19:19) And the Hebrew writer points out (19:22) that the reason why he did is because (19:24) in order to be a high priest for us, (19:27) he had to be a man. (19:30) He had to be a human.

(19:32) And so he took on the form of human (19:34) in order to be able to take on the job (19:38) of being our high priest. (19:40) So God is planning these things. (19:44) So redemption and purpose, (19:46) redemption purposed and promised.

(19:49) So let’s take a look at the material that you have. (19:54) He wants us to know. (19:57) I gotta make sure that I’m not running out of time here.

(20:01) Christ’s purpose for coming into the world (20:03) was to save ruined humanity from sin. (20:12) He wants us to know that. (20:15) And we see that before Jesus is coming in, (20:19) or scriptures that point this out to us, (20:22) for the angel that came to Joseph and Mary, (20:25) he tells them that the child that is coming into the world, (20:28) thou shalt call his name Jesus, (20:31) for it is he that shall save his people from their sins, (20:34) Matthew 1, 21.

(20:38) And so Luke points in chapter 19, (20:41) for the Son of Man came to seek and save that (20:45) which was lost. (20:47) And then again, echoed in 1 Timothy, the first chapter, (20:51) faithful is the saying and worthy of all acceptation (20:55) that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. (21:02) So that’s the prime, (21:03) that is the utmost important thing for us to grasp.

(21:07) And so he’s gonna go on and he’s gonna make a sub point. (21:10) And the sub point is that he did not come in (21:13) to do any of the others, (21:15) even though they are benefits from being a Christian, (21:21) benefits from being God-fearing (21:26) and living a life as a Christian. (21:28) So he points out then, (21:30) Christ’s purpose was not to save the world from war, (21:35) or poverty, or famine.

(21:39) Even though those are his fringe benefits, (21:43) the church must not lose the sight of her central purpose (21:46) under the Great Commission. (21:49) The fringe benefits of world evangelism (21:52) will naturally result in less war, less poverty, (21:58) less famine, less heartache and heartbreak (22:01) as the hearts of men are changed by the gospel. (22:07) And I just wanna interject this (22:09) because I know that it is something (22:13) that is in the news today.

(22:15) And that is what Charlie Kirk was all about. (22:19) He was wanting to change the world. (22:23) He had a need for certain types of people in his employment (22:29) and for his entrepreneurism.

(22:37) Entrepreneurism, he had to have Christians. (22:41) And he saw how sin interrupted his business. (22:45) He saw how sin interrupted the world.

(22:49) And so he wanted to introduce to them Christianity (22:52) because he knew that being a Christian (22:55) would bring about a better lifestyle. (23:00) It would bring about (23:06) less poverty, less famine, less heartache and heartbreak (23:11) as the hearts of men are changed by the gospel. (23:16) But the fringe benefits must not be confused (23:19) with the central thrust of Christianity, which is redemptive.

(23:24) The gospels graphically present Jesus as our Redeemer (23:32) and redemption as the great purpose (23:35) for which he came into the earth. (23:37) So he’s our Redeemer and he’s redeeming us (23:44) and reconciling us to God. (23:47) The very name Jesus, meaning Savior, says Matthew, (23:51) is significant of his redemptive mission.

(23:55) Call his name Jesus, for it is he that shall save his people (24:00) from their sins, Matthew 1, 21. (24:11) Jesus himself stated that his purpose for coming (24:15) was to seek and save the lost in Luke 19, verse 10. (24:21) In Luke’s gospel, the attention that Martha gave (24:24) to much serving, while Jesus was her house guest, (24:28) was contrasted to the interest that consumed Mary (24:32) to the point of neglecting to assist Martha.

(24:37) Jesus pointed out to Martha (24:40) that Mary’s interest in his teaching was the better choice. (24:46) On other occasions, Jesus said to a palsied man (24:50) who was brought by friends for healing, (24:54) son, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven. (24:59) And if you remember that account found (25:01) in Matthew the ninth chapter, (25:03) you’ll remember that those who were there questioned, (25:07) how can he forgive sins? (25:10) Only God can forgive sins.

(25:14) So God forgives sins, doesn’t he? (25:20) In addition to proving that Jesus could forgive sins (25:23) by miraculously healing the man, (25:26) it was also demonstrated that redemption from sin (25:30) is much more to be preferred than being healed (25:34) even from a debilitating disease. (25:38) Each of the gospel accounts closes out the story of Christ (25:43) with the record of his commission (25:45) to preach the gospel of salvation. (25:49) And of course we know that Jesus goes to his disciples (25:53) after his resurrection, before his ascension, (25:55) and he tells his disciples to go into all the world, (25:58) making disciples of him, (26:00) and of course I’m paraphrasing right now, (26:02) but to make disciples of them, of him.

(26:06) Baptizing them in the name of the Father, (26:09) the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and they shall be saved. (26:12) And so that’s what he’s asking them to do, (26:16) and that’s what he’s asking us to do, (26:17) make disciples of Jesus. (26:20) Why? (26:21) Because Jesus can reconcile us to God.

(26:24) He can forgive us our sins. (26:27) According to Luke’s closing statement, (26:30) Jesus interpreted the law, the prophets, and the Psalms (26:35) as foreseeing that repentance and remission of sins (26:40) was to be preached in his name to all nations. (26:44) Redemption is needed, our Lord’s magnificent obsession.

(26:49) Redemption is indeed our Lord’s magnificent obsession. (26:54) It is the aim of this chapter to establish that Christ, (26:58) the church, and remission of sins (27:00) is the theme of the entire Bible narrative (27:04) and is the complete fulfillment (27:05) of both God’s eternal purpose and the promise to Abraham. (27:12) And so he’s going to go on and reiterate what, (27:16) or I reiterated what he’s trying to point out here, too, (27:19) about redemption being purposed before the world began.

(27:26) And of course, we’ll be looking at Ephesians, (27:28) the first chapter, and Paul’s writing (27:32) through the pen of the Holy Spirit, (27:35) what God wants us to understand (27:36) and what God wants us to know (27:38) about the creation of the world (27:39) and his plan before the creation of the world (27:42) and how he was going to redeem us. (27:45) The New Testament does not teach (27:47) that God planned for man to sin. (27:50) This is important, and this is very important (27:53) for us to grasp.

(27:55) He did not, he did not plan for man to sin. (28:05) Notice that. (28:09) This goes contrary to many, many theologians in theology.

(28:15) He did not plan for man to sin so that he could save him. (28:20) Rather, Paul clearly tells us that God knew man would sin (28:28) and purposed a redemptive plan, (28:31) which included Christ as the one to carry it out. (28:35) Consider that redemption was to be summed up in Christ.

(28:42) Paul writes that God, through Christ, (28:46) and here he is going to be re-quoting Ephesians, (28:49) the first chapter, verse nine through 11, (28:54) making known unto us the mystery of his will, (28:57) according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him, (29:00) unto a dispensation of the fullness of time (29:03) to sum up all things in Christ. (29:07) The things in the heavens and the things upon the earth, (29:10) in him, I say, in whom also we were made a heritage, (29:16) having been ordained according to the purpose of him (29:19) who worketh all things after the counsel of his will. (29:24) So what did he foreordain? (29:33) He foreordained the plan of a redemption.

(29:37) He knew man was gonna sin. (29:39) He didn’t create man to sin, (29:42) but he knew man was gonna sin, so what did he foreordain? (29:46) He foreordained, before the creation of the world, (29:50) a plan to redeem man. (29:55) And how was he gonna redeem man? (29:57) He was gonna redeem man by sending his son (30:01) to die on the cross as a propitiation (30:04) of sacrifice for our sins.

(30:08) And so this is where faith, unto faith, (30:12) as far as Romans is concerned, (30:16) first of all, we need to believe there is a God. (30:20) We need to believe that God wants to redeem us. (30:27) That’s 2 Peter, 2 Peter, 3rd chapter points out to us (30:32) that one of the reasons why the end of the world (30:34) hasn’t come yet is because he does not desire (30:37) that any should perish, (30:39) but that all should come to repentance.

(30:41) In other words, come to him through Christ. (30:45) Be saved for the forgiveness of your sins. (30:50) Christ did not fail, rereading now, (30:54) Christ did not fail to provide redemption.

(30:57) He accomplished it. (31:00) He accomplished God’s pre-planned purpose for him. (31:05) As plainly stated in another epistle, (31:08) this is found in 2 Timothy chapter one, verse nine, (31:15) plainly stated in another epistle, (31:17) who saved us and called us with a holy calling, (31:22) not according to our works, (31:24) but according to his own purpose and grace, (31:27) which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal.

(31:33) So he’s repeating the fact that these things took place (31:37) and were ordained by God before the creation of the world. (31:44) Any questions or comments? (31:50) God’s intent for the church (31:52) was according to the eternal purpose, (31:54) which he purposed in Christ Jesus, our Lord. (31:57) Ephesians, the third chapter, verse 11.

(32:01) His reference to the plan of salvation, (32:03) as we generally speak of it, (32:06) is to God’s eternal purpose. (32:09) God’s plan to save us was purposed in his great mind (32:14) in eternity before time began, (32:18) and spanning the poles of time extends into eternity (32:23) after the consummation of the ages. (32:26) Paul reveals this to us in the following.

(32:29) God’s purpose. (32:31) We speak God’s wisdom. (32:33) This is 1 Corinthians, second chapter.

(32:36) We speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, (32:38) even the wisdom that hath been hidden, (32:42) which God foreordained before the world unto our glory. (32:48) What he wants to point out to us (32:50) is the fact that God was in eternity, (32:56) has always been in eternity, (32:57) always has been, and always will be. (33:01) And in eternity, he planned our salvation, (33:04) and he created the world, (33:07) and he created man, with what purpose? (33:12) So that we might spend eternity with him, (33:17) from eternity to eternity.

(33:21) In the meantime, we’re here, (33:23) and he wants us to be with him eternally. (33:28) He wants us to join him eternally. (33:30) So his plan went from eternity to eternity.

(33:35) I don’t know if I’m clear or not, (33:37) but that’s the point that he’s trying to make here. (33:42) Picking up with the lesson. (33:44) Paul was preaching the gospel of Christ, (33:46) but he says that he was speaking God’s wisdom.

(33:53) The gospel, then, is God’s wisdom to save man. (33:58) He goes on to say that what he was speaking (34:02) was once a mystery, because it was hidden from man, (34:06) and that it was the very thing (34:09) which God foreordained before the world unto our glory. (34:14) The view of this from eternity to eternity (34:17) is presented in the diagram there in your lesson.

(34:23) He goes on and he says, (34:24) Peter shakes hands in agreement with Paul (34:27) that before the world began, (34:29) Christ was ordained unto our redemption. (34:34) And he quotes 1 Peter chapter one. (34:39) Knowing that ye were redeemed with precious blood (34:44) as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, (34:48) even the blood of Christ, (34:49) who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world.

(34:57) Going on, God’s foreknowledge (35:01) that man would fall through sin (35:04) is not to be equated with God foreordaining man to sin. (35:09) He’s making that point once again. (35:11) He did not create man to sin.

(35:14) He knew man was going to sin. (35:17) So, repeating again that paragraph. (35:19) God’s foreknowledge that God would fall through sin (35:23) is not to be equated with God foreordaining man to sin.

(35:27) We were not created with that blemish. (35:33) God foreknew that man would sin (35:35) and so foreordained or predetermined a plan to save him. (35:41) This was the glory of God (35:43) and the glorification of the saved.

(35:46) Ephesians one verses three through 14. (35:49) Ephesians one through 14 details this purpose in Christ (35:53) which God himself is working to consummate through his son. (35:59) God’s purpose to be consummated (36:01) in the eternal glorification of his saints.

(36:07) Reading Romans eight, verse 28 through 30. (36:13) And we know that to them that love God, (36:17) all things work together for good, (36:21) even to them that are called according to his purpose. (36:25) For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained.

(36:29) And whom he foreordained, them he also called. (36:33) And whom he called, them he also glorified. (36:38) And whom he justified, them he also glorified.

(36:46) The scope of God’s great eternal purpose (36:49) to redeem us from sin extends from eternity (36:53) before the world’s began to the eternity (36:55) after the consummation of the ages. (36:59) When the saints will be glorified according to that purpose. (37:03) So we’re looking forward to being with him eternally (37:07) at the resurrection and judgment day.

(37:13) God’s revelation of, Paul’s revelation of God’s intent (37:16) to save the ruined race of mankind sets the stage (37:21) for a correct view of the studying of the Bible. (37:25) The Bible is the record of the fulfillment of that purpose (37:29) as it is consummated in Christ. (37:31) It reveals how God interfered in the course of history (37:36) from the very beginning (37:38) in order to fulfill his redemptive plan.

(37:41) Also, this sets the stage for a correct view (37:45) of the course of history itself. (37:48) The events of history have not been left (37:50) entirely to man’s effort. (37:53) God himself has been responsible for much of the history (37:57) and he is as involved in the affairs of men today (38:02) as in ancient days and for the same redemptive purpose.

(38:07) So he’s setting and helping us to appreciate (38:11) maybe not found in these exact words, (38:15) but the concept is there, (38:17) divine intervention, providence, and preservation. (38:23) So once he created the world, (38:25) he did not leave the world unattended. (38:29) He did not pull himself away (38:32) from being involved in the world.

(38:34) In fact, he continues to be involved in the world (38:37) and that’s the reason why he points out here (38:40) about it’s not intended for man’s involvement per se, (38:45) but he wants us to recognize the fact (38:48) that God has been working to work out (38:52) our plan of salvation. (38:54) So he starts out in Genesis, remember? (38:58) How that in Genesis, the third chapter, verse 15, (39:02) he points out the first prophecy (39:05) of Jesus coming into the world and his redemption. (39:09) And who is he talking to? (39:10) He’s talking to Adam and Eve and Satan.

(39:14) And in Genesis 3.15, he points out the fact (39:17) that because Satan has beguiled Eve (39:21) and she succumbed to his temptations (39:25) and she ate of the tree of knowledge of good (39:27) and he won as well as did Adam, (39:32) that from her seed, from her, (39:36) a man will come and avenge him, so to speak. (39:42) Because he’s giving us the battle of, (39:45) or a scene of battle there, isn’t it? (39:48) He’s giving us a scene of a battle (39:50) that Jesus or her descendant, a man descendant, (39:55) is going to avenge her and put him in place. (40:00) And so we keep track of the seed.

(40:02) We know it’s McCain because he kills Adam. (40:06) Or not Adam, Abel. (40:08) We know it’s not Abel because Abel was killed early in life.

(40:12) So who’s the next one? (40:14) It’s Seth. (40:15) And we see that God is involved in Seth’s life (40:18) and he gives us the lineage of Seth all the way up to Noah. (40:22) And then from there, he gives us the lineage of Shem.

(40:30) And Shem, the Bible gives us the lineage (40:32) from Shem to Abraham. (40:35) And then we see that God is divinely intervening (40:39) and he comes to Abraham and he tells to Abraham, (40:44) if you will follow me and go where I ask you to go, (40:47) I promise you I will look after you (40:49) and that your seed, from you, (40:53) your seed shall be multiplied and great (40:56) and through your seed the world will be blessed. (40:59) And so that particular function or focus (41:04) is where the Jewish people are at this time (41:09) is on the fact that through Abraham, (41:13) his seed will bless the world, all nations.

(41:19) But then we see that he gives us lineage (41:22) following the lineage of Abraham to David, (41:27) from David he gives the promise (41:29) that through his seed the promised one will come. (41:35) And so God then comes into a play, (41:39) he’s in play the whole time. (41:41) He’s saving the seed, he’s making sure (41:44) that the seed survives all of this.

(41:51) And so Jesus is the fulfillment of that. (41:54) So God is continuing to intercede in his, (41:59) and making sure his plan comes to pass. (42:02) As I pointed out, and I’m out of time now, (42:04) but as I pointed out, that prophecy, (42:10) in my mind anyway, can only be fulfilled by God.

(42:21) Prophecy can only be fulfilled by God. (42:25) And we see that Jesus is fulfilled by God. (42:32) And the prophecy that he made to Abraham (42:34) and to Mary, or not Mary, but Eve and Adam (42:41) is coming to pass.

(42:44) And it took God’s divine intervention (42:46) to make it come to pass. (42:49) Wherever you see prophecy, it will not be fulfilled by man (42:54) and will not be fulfilled by man on purpose. (42:58) If it is fulfilled by man, it’s because God directed it (43:03) by divine intervention, providence, and preservation.

(43:08) So as we look at, I think it’s, what is today’s date? (43:18) 22nd or 21st? (43:20) 21st. (43:21) Okay, in Psalms 105, it points out (43:30) the involvement that God had in the history of Israel (43:36) and how God brought them out of, (43:41) got the people into Egypt. (43:44) Jacob would not, (43:48) Jacob would not have gone out of the promised land (43:52) if it hadn’t been for God’s divine intervention.

(43:56) And what was God’s divine intervention? (43:58) Famine. (44:00) And he would not have gone into Egypt (44:02) if it had not been for the fact that Joseph, his son, (44:05) was there begging him to come. (44:08) How did Joseph get there? (44:11) God divinely intervened.

(44:14) So how does God get his message to his people in Egypt? (44:20) By coming to Moses and telling Moses, (44:23) go tell my people, fervent to let my people go. (44:26) And we see the plagues, where did the plagues come from? (44:36) So we see God’s divine intervention, providence, (44:39) and preservation is completely involved (44:42) in yours and my salvation, and his plan is there. (44:47) And so the fact that we have the opportunity (44:51) to present that message to all mankind.

(44:56) So as Paul would point out in 2 Corinthians, (44:59) and I believe it’s the fifth chapter, (45:01) we have a message of reconciliation. (45:07) We do. (45:10) And so we’re gonna stop here, (45:13) and I’m gonna pick up about the redemption promise (45:17) and the promise to Abraham, made to Abraham next week, (45:21) because it’s gonna take, (45:23) or I’m gonna be here next week, (45:25) but the following week, we’ll take up this lesson (45:30) and see what is happening at that time.

(45:34) Thank you so much for your attention and for your time.