Understand GOD'S Eternal Plan

Sunday School Lesson – Understand GOD’S Eternal Plan
October 2, 2005
We begin a new series entitled “Being Holy in an Unholy World”.
The study will be in Ephesians.
October 2 – Understand GOD’S Eternal Plan – Ephesians 1:1-14
October 9 – Experiencing GOD”S Life-Changing Power – Ephesians 1:18-2:10
October 16 – Live in GOD’S Peace – Ephesians 2:11-22
October 23 – Honor GOD in HIS Church – Ephesians 3: 14-16, 20-21
October 30 - Follow GOD’S Example – Ephesians 4:22-32 and 5:1-2; 8-10
The author of Ephesians is Paul, written about 60 AD from Rome while he was imprisoned. Some Bible scholars think of Ephesians as the ultimate Christian document because Paul is not addressing a specific problem in the church at Ephesus or the surrounding churches. Therefore, Paul is free to write about the Holiness of GOD. In addition Ephesians is a handbook on the Christian faith, written to strengthen believers and explain the nature and purpose of the church and the body of CHRIST.
The early manuscripts do not include the word Ephesus. Therefore, it has been concluded that originally Ephesians was not sent specifically to the church in Ephesus but it was sent to the churches in that general area which included Ephesus. Ephesus was likely the largest city in the area as well as the largest church in the region.


Let’s begin by reading Ephesians 1:1-6.
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will: To the saints and believers in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.[1] Other mss omit at Ephesus 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
God’s Rich Blessings
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,[2] Eph 1:20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12 in Christ; 4 for He chose[3] Rm 11:5–7; 1 Co 1:26–31; 1 Th 1:4; 2 Th 2:13; 1 Pt 1:1–2 us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.[4] Vv. 3–14 are 1 sentence in Gk. In love[5] Or In His sight in love 5 He predestined[6] Ac 4:28; Rm 8:29–30; 1 Co 2:7; Eph 1:11 us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, 6 to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved.

Paul identifies himself as an apostle as a result of GOD’S will. This gives us a clue as to what is on Paul’s mind, GOD’S will, plan, sovereignty and Holiness. It also brings in a fundamental doctrine, in order for a person to be saved GOD has to call them.

Why does GOD have to call a person to salvation? GOD in HIS wisdom and foreknowledge knows the exact time and circumstances each person is most likely to accept salvation. Therefore HE issues the invitation. HE calls the person to HIMSELF but each of us chooses.

This lesson will likely be one of the more discussed lessons because we will examine “chosen” or “election” and “predestination”. The good news is if you are already a Christian, you know you have been chosen or elected and were predestined by GOD to receive CHRIST. So let’s press on.

Paul is writing to the saints and believers in CHRIST JESUS. Remember in the original manuscripts Ephesus was not included. So it was written to the saints and believers every where, this includes us.
My first reaction when studying this, is Paul writing to two different sets of Christians, saints and believers?

No. But it helped me when I switch it to read “believers and saints” or “believers who are saints”.

Once we accept CHRIST as our SAVIOR, it is GOD’S purpose for all Christians to be saints. Saints are set aside and dedicated for service to GOD. So as a Christian you are a saint through the process of sanctification. Just plain living, as a Christian, in an unholy world provides GOD the opportunity for us to be perfected or shaped into the vessel HE wants us to be to serve HIM. The process is called sanctification. Unfortunately it is not a life of leisure but one of perfecting.

Verse 3 - It is GOD from WHOM all blessings flow, therefore the flow is from heaven to us who are in CHRIST on earth. As a Christian we are fully equipped with all spiritual blessings to serve GOD. So what is missing?

GOD never overrides our will and right to choose. We must decide to be obedient to HIM by allowing HIM to control our life as HE chooses. Submit our will to GOD. Paul said it best; it is no longer I that lives but that CHRIST lives in me.

Verse 4 – To me this is an exciting verse. GOD chose us before the foundations of the world. We are no accident of birth. GOD chose us before the foundations of the world to be holy and blameless in HIS sight. We are chosen but we have the right to accept.

Verse 5 – HE predestined us. So what does “predestine” mean? It means “to mark in advance” or “to determine beforehand”.




Chosen or election relates to “who” are elected, “people”, where as predestination relates to “what”, “purpose”, we are predestined. We are predestined to be holy, blameless and to be adopted. All according to HIS will. HE chose us. GOD pursues those who are to receive salvation.

Now this causes many to question, if GOD has chosen those who will be saved before the foundations of the world and they are predestined to receive CHRIST why do we need to present the gospel? Good question.

This is my reasoning for the necessity for presenting the gospel to all people of the earth. JESUS gave the great commission before HE ascended into heaven, gave us the parable of the Sower and gave us THE HOLY SPIRIT to manifest HIMSELF through the gifts of the spirit such as the gift of teachers, pastors, evangelists to present THE WORD to others. Confirmed by the following scripture:

Matthew 28:16-20 - The Great Commission

16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped,[5] Other mss add Him but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of[6] Lit and instruct, or and disciple (as a verb) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember,[7] Lit look I am with you always,[8] Lit all the days to the end of the age.”

Mark 4:1-9; 13-20 - The Parable of the Sower

1 Again He began to teach by the sea, and a very large crowd gathered around Him. So He got into a boat on the sea and sat down, while the whole crowd was on the shore facing the sea. 2 He taught them many things in parables, and in His teaching He said to them: 3 “Listen! Consider the sower who went out to sow. 4 As he sowed, this occurred: Some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn’t have much soil, and it sprang up right away, since it didn’t have deep soil. 6 When the sun came up, it was scorched, and since it didn’t have a root, it withered. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it didn’t produce a crop. 8 Still others fell on good ground and produced a crop that increased 30, 60, and 100 times [what was sown]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. .” 9 Then He said, “Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!”
The Parable of the Sower Explained
13 Then He said to them: “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand any of the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 These[4] Some people are the ones along the path where the word is sown: when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word sown in them.[5] Other mss read in their hearts 16 And these are[6] Other mss read are like the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, immediately they receive it with joy. 17 But they have no root in themselves; they are short-lived. When affliction or persecution comes because of the word, they immediately stumble. 18 Others are sown among thorns; these are the ones who hear the word, 19 but the worries of this age, the seduction[7] Or pleasure, or deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But the ones sown on good ground are those who hear the word, welcome it, and produce a crop: 30, 60, and 100 times [what was sown]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. .”

Ephesians 4:2-13 (Gifts of THE SPIRIT to be pastors, teachers, etc.)
7 Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the • Messiah’s gift. 8 For it says: When He ascended on high, He took prisoners into captivity;[3] Or He led the captives He gave gifts to people.[4] Ps 68:18 9 But what does “He ascended” mean except that He[5] Other mss add first descended to the lower parts of the earth?[6] Or the lower parts, namely, the earth 10 The One who descended is the same as the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill[7] Or fulfill; see Eph 1:23 all things. 11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, [growing]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.

CHRIST tells us to go into all the world. I take this as our instructions, as Christians, to present the gospel. JESUS tells us that the gospel will fall upon various soils. GOD tries to prepare the soil of a life but again HE never overrides our will to choose. We see in Ephesians 4:11 Paul is saying that GOD gave the apostles, etc. to train the saints, which is also the work of those gifted by GOD through THE HOLY SPIRIT.

But notice in 1 Corinthians 1:18 and 21 (Next page) Paul uses the language “the message”, which in other translations is translated as “preaching”. The message of the gospel is given through preaching, which is foolishness to those perishing but salvation to those who recognize they need to be saved from their sins and death.



1 Corinthians 1:18-21

18 For to those who are perishing the message of the cross is foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is God’s power. 19 For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the understanding of the experts.[3] Isaiah 29:14 20 Where is the philosopher?[4] Or wise Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? 21 For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the message preached.

Let’s discuss “chosen” or “election” and “predestination”. I will give you my thoughts on the subject. You may think differently, which is fine.

Here are my thoughts. CHRIST gave HIS life for all humans.

John 3:16-18 tells us:

16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His • One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.[10] 1 Jn 4:9–10 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the • One and Only Son of God.

CHRIST gave HIS life for every human being who will ever exist. An existence begins, in my opinion, when a sperm and egg unite.

What happens to children or the mentally challenged that die without us being aware they have asked CHRIST into their life or been alive long enough to ask CHRIST into their life?

I believe when they die they are immediately with GOD in heaven. Because there needs to be an ability to understand, comprehend and make a decision to accept or reject GOD’S provision for salvation before a person is condemned to Hell.



All humans have been “chosen” or “elected” for salvation by GOD. CHRIST gave HIS life for all humans. Even though all people are chosen or elected, not all people will choose to accept CHRIST as their SAVIOR.

Some people have been predestined for salvation. GOD in HIS sovereignty, before the foundation of the world, looked through the ages and saw those who would accept CHRIST as SAVIOR. Now GOD’S foreknowledge does not force a human to accept CHRIST as their SAVIOR. This foreknowledge let’s GOD know who will accept CHRIST.

The Bible tells us that we have guardian angles or ministering spirits to watch out for those who are to receive salvation.

Hebrews 1:13-14
13 Now to which of the angels has He ever said: Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool?[18] Or enemies a footstool for Your feet [19] Ps 110:1 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?

Now why do we need guardian angels or ministering spirits?

It is a miracle we exist as a human. The bloodline for the sperm and egg which produced us had to survive over generations for us to exist. So through the miracle of physical birth, we exist. GOD knew we would exist before the foundation of the world. Our entire blood line had to be protected from the beginning of time in order for us to exist. So GOD protected our blood line so we would exist and would accept CHRIST as our SAVIOR.

Satan would try to prevent us from being born, if he could. Satan is not sovereign but he, as even we, through our human knowledge based upon history and genetics, can see the propensity for a family line to serve GOD. Thus if Satan had the opportunity, he would cut off that blood line; so GOD protects it. Of course, Satan will not cut off the bloodline of those who will not accept CHRIST because they will belong to him.
Therefore, there is a battle going on between good and evil here on earth. Remember Ephesians Chapter 6 about spiritual warfare from last week’s lesson.

So if GOD is a loving GOD, why would HE allow those who will not accept CHRIST to be born and end up in hell?

If GOD chose only those who would choose HIM to be born, then GOD’S foreknowledge would override a person’s right to choose. GOD has chosen not to override a person’s will. Therefore, we as humans exist in the world as those predestined, through the foreknowledge of GOD to receive CHRIST, along with those who will not receive CHRIST.

Only GOD knows how each human will choose but GOD does HIS part in putting stumbling blocks in the path of those who will not choose HIM to get their attention.

GOD will not have to apologize to any human when HE judges them and they are sentenced to Hell.

Since we do not know who will accept CHRIST and those who will not accept CHRIST, we are called to present the gospel. GOD calls all to accept HIM but not all will accept HIM.













Let’s read Ephesians 1: 7-12

7 In Him[7] Eph 1:11,13 we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 He made known to us the • mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure that He planned in Him 10 for the administration[8] Or dispensation; lit house law (Gk oikonomia) of the days of fulfillment[9] Lit the fulfillment of times —to bring everything together in the • Messiah, both things in heaven and things on earth in Him. 11 In Him we were also made His inheritance,[10] Or we also were chosen as an inheritance, or we also received an inheritance predestined[11] Ac 4:28; Rm 8:29–30; 1 Co 2:7; Eph 1:5 according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope in the • Messiah might bring praise to His glory.

In CHRIST we have been redeemed. As you may recall from past studies “redemption” is a term used in the days of slave trade. A price had to be paid to redeem a slave from its owner. We are redeemed from sin and death by the blood of JESUS.

Redemption is only possible because of the grace of GOD. GOD did not have to redeem mankind but HE chose to do so because of grace. Grace is unmerited favor. We as humans do not deserve to be redeemed. We cannot earn our redemption. Grace is a free gift from GOD to us through HIS only SON, JESUS.

As with any gift we have to reach out to accept it, therefore we have to ask CHRIST to forgive our sins and save us from sin and death.







Paul uses the word “mystery”. The use of the word “mystery” in spiritual terms refers to knowledge hidden in the mind of GOD and is incapable of human discovery until GOD reveals it. GOD kept the role or “mystery” of THE CROSS, the crucifixion of CHRIST hidden from the rulers during the time CHRIST lived as a human upon earth. Notice in 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 GOD predestined the event but HE had to keep it hidden because if it had been known, CHRIST would not have been crucified. GOD has a plan. HE has a plan that includes you. When GOD reveals HIS work or plan that is your invitation to join HIM. HIS work is revealed at the right moment to the right person to respond.

1 Corinthians 2:6-8
6 However, among the mature we do speak a wisdom, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a • mystery, which God predestined before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age knew it, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.[3

Verse 10 - we see that GOD’S plan is to unite all things in creation in CHRIST.

Verse 11 - we are made HIS inheritance through CHRIST. GOD is working out all things according to HIS will.

Verse 12 - tells us we are made HIS inheritance to bring praise to HIS glory. We as believers can praise GOD for the redemption HE has provided through HIS SON JESUS.

Let’s read Ephesians 1:13-14

13 In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation—in Him when you believed—were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14 He is the down payment[12] Gn 38:17–18,20; 2 Co 1:25; 5:5 of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession,[13] the possession could be either man’s or God’s to the praise of His glory.

This scripture is so precious.
When we accepted CHRIST as our SAVIOR, THE HOLY SPIRIT came into our life. We were born into GOD’S family. We will not come under judgment but have passed from death to life. How do we know this?

THE HOLY SPIRIT is our seal, our guarantee, our security deposit, our down-payment for us to know and be assured that what we have experienced by accepting CHRIST as our SAVIOR is true and we can count on it. We can count on it now and throughout eternity. We are GOD’S children. The guarantee or warranty is from GOD and backed by GOD.

Romans 8:16

16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—seeing that[13] Or provided that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

The terms used in our scripture verses 13 and 14 are business terms.

Seal refers to proof of ownership, to render secure and to establish authenticity.

In Paul’s day seals were used to seal an official document. A seal was engraved on a cylinder and the cylinder rolled over clay or wax to leave the mark behind. A seal could be a ring with a symbol pressed into hot wax or clay. If the document had the Kings seal, no one would dare tamper with it. As stated earlier the seal denoted ownership, authenticity and security.

So GOD has placed a seal upon us as Christians and marked us as HIS and no one is to mess with us.

“Down Payment” is a business term and means a deposit paid to guarantee that the full purchase price will by paid to fully redeem or possess the item. THE HOLY SPIRIT is the guarantee that we will receive our full inheritance from GOD.

The last part of verse 14 tells us that GOD’S blessings in our lives results in HIS glory.

We can trust GOD with ever detail of our life, praise HIM for HIS plan and live holy lives in an unholy world through the power, teaching, enlightenment and direction of THE HOLY SPIRIT.

WOW!!! What a journey!!!