Dr Andrew Corbett's Christian Thinking Resources

THE PLAN OF GOD

EPHESIANS 1:9-12
9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

The Church is God’s plan- (Matthew 16:16-18)
Through its preservation, it is the greatest display of God’s miraculous power
The Church is not a “Plan ‘B’ ”, it is God’s original intention- Eph. 1:4-5 ~

4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--

The history of God’s people can be shown as God planting a small tree which gradually grew into a enormous tree, was then cut down, and then re-established.
A study of this history bears witness to the truth, that for every generation of God’s people, God has had a part of His plan to carry out.
The essential elements of any plan include: BEGINNING - MIDDLE - END
God has always required His people to finish what He had them start.
A sad observation of God’s people thru history shows that they rarely finished what God had asked them to do. EG- Adam- take dominion over the earth, Israel- totally possess the land of Canaan, King Saul- totally destroy all their sheep, livestock and people (1Sam. 15)
Today we now stand as a generation poised closer than ever to the finish line of God’s assignment here for us- The Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-19)
What we have begun we must finish-
Heb. 12:3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Jesus knew the blessing of finishing God’s plan for His life- Jn. 4:34
Paul knew the blessing of finishing God’s plan for his life- Acts 20:24
God doesn’t expect us to finish the task He has given us in our own strength, we must lean on Him for strength by waiting on Him ~

Isa. 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint..

God has calculated the cost of finishing the task and determined that we can do it. Jesus told a parable to illustrate this principle in Luke 14:28-33. It means sacrifice for the LORD!

HOW ARE WE GOING TO FINISH WHAT GOD HAS ASKED US TO DO?

1. Be clear about what God has called us to do
2. Don’t expect someone else to do it
3. Be determined to finish the task God has given us- don’t quit!