The Body Formed in Eternity Past, Part 2

Not about you, but I when I think of all the God is done for me and making me holy and imputing to be the righteousness of Christ as Romans three says it causes me to want to live as you lease to be grateful.

Why did he do this very simple in love having predestinated. You see there's only one reason I did it wasn't God so loved looking at a lovely beach.

In other words, they may settle for measly jewel is not realizing there is something much, much better question is are you doing what Lewis described are you putting too much focus on earning money developing your career building relationships. Things that aren't necessarily wrong, but they don't even compare to the riches Christ offers, how you take hold of the untold wealth that's yours if you're Christian. John MacArthur helps answer that life-changing question in his current series on grace to you titled richer than you think. Will John Thanksgiving is just a few days away and it's been a difficult year, but we do have a lot to be thankful of, so talk specifically about what or more accurately, whom we here at grace do you have to be thankful of for this year and I'm thinking of the people who help us every day reach so many people with God's truth. This has been a very bizarre year for everyone and for us as well and and people asked me all the way through this this year. Are you discouraged is this a difficult year in my responses been the system. Amazing how the Lord has worked.

It's been incredible. Even all the chaos going on with not being able to have church all across this nation and Grace Church going ahead and meeting and all the Lord is done and while there been some tough challenges to navigate for the Masters University students in the master seminary students and everybody has had no really bizarre kind of intrusions into their life and families with kids not be able to go to school and through all of this thing we at we have sustained the ministry of grace to you day after day after day on on the radio.

We've done our television ministry of the website has been.

I think it more times this year than any previous year. That's right. And people are downloading sermons at a rate that's beyond what they've done in the past because as a desperation for reaching out for the truth so it's been an incredible year and that leads me to thank all of you who have partnered with us. Thank you, thank you for your letters, your your calls, your prayers, your your gifts. We we have seen the hand of the Lord in marvelous ways.

I've been enabled to preach the gospel in places and to people that I never would've thought it would've been possible doors been open to us that have never been opened in all the years of my life and and people are listening to Grace to you and downloading our resources at an epic level and where thankful for that. But it all depends on your faithful, loving prayers and support you are the ones who in the power of the spirit carry this ministry.

So from all of us.

We thank God for you.

We thank you for your faithfulness yes friend. We are thankful for you for your love of God's word and for your support of this ministry. The fact is lessons like today's are possible because of people like you. So thanks for all you do for grace to you.

And with that hears John with today's lesson were looking at verses four through six a of Ephesians 1. I'll read them just to give you a setting for your thoughts, according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love, having predestinated us unto the adoption of sons by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace.

The emphasis of Ephesians is that we are a body now in the theology of the body, which is basically what Paul deals with in the first three chapters of Ephesians, Paul begins by taking us into eternity past to see how God designed it. This is like looking at the blueprint into eternity. We go we find God the father, God the son God the spirit. All three mentioned in the first great payout of praise that runs through verse 14, all having their part in the master planning of the body of Christ. Now there are three elements to the master plan first element is what you call election. There are three kinds of election in the Bible. Number one is what's called theocratic collection. Like all theocratic election. God chose a nation that is theocratic election.

God didn't say I now I don't want to look around.

Find the best nation. He says I didn't choose because you were the biggest nation.

I just designed to set my love upon you. I designed to love you. That was my own free choice.

I chose you as a nation. I watch this point that in no way had any effect on their personal salvation. Okay, so there was theocratic election. The second kind of election I want to mention that's what I call vocational election vocational there sometimes when God just on his own sovereign choice chooses a certain person or persons to do a specific task that also is unrelated to salvation. Jesus said in John 1516 you have not chosen me about what I have chosen you and he wasn't talking about salvation.

There he was talking about the task of being a disciple or apostle. This has nothing to do a salvation not come to the third one that salvation old election and this is the kind that you find in Ephesians 1. He has chosen us not in a theocratic way, not in a vocational way, but in a personal way to come to know him, you have a statement. For example, Romans 1613 salute Rufus, chosen in the Lord that salvation that God has ordained that we should be his people, individually.

He is chosen us, and there are many scriptures on this first Peter starts out where Peter says that the rights to those in Cappadocian party in Bithynia and Asia who are predestined who are chosen, he chooses individuals to salvation fact in John 644 it says no man comes on to me except what the father brought him know what to say that unless they are drawn and it's used in ancient pagan writings that word to speak of an irresistible force.

For example, some pagan writers use the word to speak of a hungry man being drawn to food as as if by a magnet is used to speak another pagan writings of demonic forces drawn to animals when they're not able to possess men. It is used of the power of love that draws two people irresistibly together is a force that is a firm and a compelling and an irresistible force. Is this term a good way to illustrate a lot of never seen a scrap metal plant when they bring the boxcars in the boxcars and jam for the scrap metal stuff, and in this great train comes over and hanging from the train is a huge electromagnet with all his big copper coils and it generates a just incredible.

Feel the force down into that thing is if rising from the dead, the metal that has any kind of iron and it just comes leaping out of that thing in any of the nonferrous matter like 10 aluminum and brass, and those kinds of things just falls to the bottom and in such a manner. Jesus says in John 644. The force field of God's free, sovereign, elective power has drawn to himself, those that are predetermined to be love for eternity. An irresistible force but on the other hand, it is not without faith that we respond right, it is not without faith that we respond. Jesus said all that the father gives will come to me and then he turned right around and said in him that comes to me what in no wise cast down at the other side.

Romans nine it says that the children were chosen before they were born so that nobody would think that salvation had anything to do with them. It was all of God's of the glory is all God, but in the next chapter it says whosoever shall call upon the name of the law actually say yes. I'm really that's God's side, yet human choice.

That's man side and from our side.

The benefit of the doubt is is here folks as we can come just because we want to come to the Bible teaches.

So, George Chadwick said at the end of the 18th century.

I sought the Lord and afterwards I knew my soul to seek him seeking me. It was not I that found those Savior true.

No lie was found by the right summit was a sale but you missed the whole point. She election is based on foreknowledge and foreknowledge is why God chooses because he looks at it says so that's what they're going to do.

I guess it with her is like a diamond on the streets. He and some drunk comes driving by any weaving all over the place. You know, and you say to your wife. He gives dry like that is you have an accident 5 miles down the road and sure enough, he smashed and will post and so I had precisely that, Scott. He's looking at the way things were going in a life as he sees it in the future. It is the way they're going to not gonna make it, and so on that basis. He chooses the ones who will already according to his foreknowledge make it is with about. That's a nice story is true is not. You can't tear that up with the Bible.

It's amazing how you can teach out of illustrations in our biblical foreknowledge is an interesting word broken Osco. It does not mean to know something before it happened in Scripture. The word no implies an intimate love relationship. For example, it says in the Old Testament. Cain knew his wife and she bore a son doesn't mean you knew who she was, means they had an intimate physical relationship and a child was conceived when I was talking to Mary and Joseph.

It says that Mary had never known a man, it means you never had a sexual relationship with a man that word no carries with it in very, very close. Jesus said of the sheep. I know my sheep and they know me and he wasn't saying we know who we are missing we have an intimacy together. Matthew 723 they said Lord Larson. I never knew you. I never had that intimate relationship with you and Amos 32. He looks at Israel and says you only have I known of all the nations of the world. They weren't the only people he knew about. They were just the only people he had a unique intimate love relationship with and for knowing is simply pre-determining that love relationship God decided to love you before the world began, he decided to set his affection on you.

That's foreknowledge a preliminary love relationship established in the mind of God before time began in Romans 11 he talks about Israel, whom he foreknew that the only people he ever knew anything about no, no, it means Israel will be predetermined set his love on read Romans 11 verses two and five see if there doesn't mean there's no human responsibility. I say that again but I don't want to get confused. There is human responsibility. But there is divine sovereignty. God is running thing how it harmonizes with my choice, but I know this I believe all my heart that I can walk up to any man on the street any day that week I could say that man hears the gospel of Jesus Christ. And if you will in your heart to know the Lord Jesus Christ. You can be saved.

I can say that to him. I don't know how that harmonizes with God sovereignty. But that's his problem and he can handle, so the method sovereign selection not real faster than it was in the next six points, oh ye of little faith. Point number two point number two the object is become obvious now to flow right out of what we said what is the object of this marvelous election. The method we know sovereign selection. The object elect us. Verse four. He has chosen us in him. He's chosen us to be in Christ, the eyes are the faithful, the so the ones you believe the also the ones you respond. You see below that this is the human side of it. Nobody ever will go to heaven ever, ever, in all of history who does not willfully consciously submit himself to obedience to God. There must be a response. Jesus said, you will not come to me that you might have life, you will remember, Luke 2222 says that Jesus was delivered in effect delivered to be crucified as it was determined got it all point in the says but woe unto that man by whom he was betrayed both sides God's absolute sovereignty and yet Judas was responsible for every deed he did. That doesn't take you off the hook. Just let God be God and man man. We are the object. Yes, you may think about that people are just really is amazing. I look at myself and see you me to tell me that God chose John MacArthur in him before the foundation of the world in order that he might make me like Jesus Christ, nor that he might give me a room in the father's house and fellowship with me forever know that this to you but to pretty exciting stuff folks and being a Christian is pretty fabulous thing about it in those terms. We are the chosen.

We are the elect. We were his before the world began, we were the inheritors of his kingdom before the world began with the choice to be in the father's house forever before the world began, the time you get three chapters for this and you come to chapter 4 Paul is going to suggest that maybe want to live like your essays probably right. If you not seen it already got a walk worthy of such a vocation, he says, and for what such a high calling. This is cause for praise.

No wonder he said, Blessed be God knowing it's all of you that he is chosen us so the object the elect. The method sovereign selection.

Thirdly, the time we only know this, according as he chosen us in him when before the foundation of the world before the foundation of the world for anything ever was in theology we call it predestination election before the fall before creation before time before anything God laid it all out in a says you reformed the body before the world began in Matthew 2534.

He said it's a joy the father to give you the kingdom which he prepared for you from before the foundation of the world. The king was hours then in first Peter chapter 1 verse 19 it says this but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world. Listen, the body was formed before the world began.

The kingdom was formed and we were given a place before the world began. Christ was crucified, as it were, before the world began the whole master plan is being worked out and were part of things don't happen by chance wonder into 10 he says, for you are God's masterpiece, you are God's masterpiece created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that you should walk in them. See your style of life was preordained before the world began, so the method sovereign selection the object us the time eternity forth the purpose why did he do this that we should be holy and mama us without blemish before him, all you say John, I think this is where the plan broke down. I can't make it on the Christian and I love Jesus Christ, but I am not without blame. I am not without blemish. I am not spotless I am not totally wish you see because Paul is talking about your position in Christ, not your practice or if you don't understand positional truth will never understand. Ephesians positionally before God, you are holy. Why go back to verse four. He's chosen us in here we are in Christ, the end of verse three because we are in Christ, his holiness is ours. His righteousness is imputed to us is spotless. This is our spotless mizzen thus does Paul say in 527. He has taken the church to present the church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Listen before God, your holy and without blemish. Why is your one with Christ and his blood covers your sin.

It's hidden from God's righteousness imputed to you. It's as if you have a cape of righteousness covering you. And when God sees you sees only the righteousness of Christ. You could stack up once in a row because they're all covered in the sacrifice of Christ because you're covered in the righteousness of Christ. That's your position now your practice on a max that you see the Christian life is simply making your practice equivalent to your position in the Senate is living like who you are is becoming what you are.

When God looks at John MacArthur positionally says John MacArthur, holy, spotless, without blemish. When he looks around the corner and sees me practically. He says got a long way to go but she sees talking about your position. 11. Listen to this.

He's made a holy church positionally where all is holy is Jesus, you mentioned forgot you sick. God is very kind x-ray. That's what he's been saying to this whole book here. He is very gracious.

It would be nice if he is allowed to get halfway if you've got a text tell you all the rest of the way takes us all away and so does it say in Colossians 210 and you are complete in him and he is the fullness of God and you are complete in him, he is the play realm of God and then Paul gives is that you are play Roma in here all that God is using the common Christ just as holy, just as blame justice position. That's why I don't believe you can ever lose your salvation because it secured you in the righteousness of Christ. The only way we can ever be lost would be of Christ was lost and that can happen because we're in him where his security is perfect if you read the book of Hebrews will find salvation.

There is even called perfection. It's called perfection. So we are made holy in Christ and not about you, but I when I think of all the God is done for me and making me holy and imputing to be the righteousness of Christ is Romans three says it causes me to want to live. It is me, at least, to be grateful and showing my life. So the method the object the time. The purpose, the motive is number five. Why did he do this. Whatever possessed God to do this very simple. The last part of verse four should be the first part of verse five in love, having predestinated us. You see there's only one reason he did it was luck for God. So what love door is always love. It's always love and what is love.

It is a disposition in the heart of God by which he determines to sacrifice himself to meet the needs of others. Love is not an emotion biblically. Love is an act of selfless sacrifice. Greater love hath no man than this, than that a man what lay down his life.

That's love. Love is the act of self-sacrifice, which seeks the betterment of someone else.

God determined that he would sacrifice himself for us and in love. He set his affection upon us before the world began, and said, for those people I will die for those people. I will go to La Crosse for those people I will bill the kingdom that will never end.

For those people I will pour out all spiritual blessings in the heavenly why why God why you care so much because God is what love and we love him because what he first loved us. It was love chapter 2 verse four but God, who is rich in mercy, for his great lover which he loved us. That's why he has made us alive together with Christ. That's why Macy Mees God would set his love on us all, never got over.

He never could understand.

Never I don't think any Christian can be thinks of. So we see that God has planned this from eternity past, we see the method sovereign selection the object us the time eternity. The purpose holiness.

The motive love sixth. The result result is so beautiful result of son ship and love having predestinated us unto the adoption of sons by Jesus Christ to himself through Jesus Christ. God adopts us to himself. What a fabulous thought God and solicit new folks on what I'm allow you to be subjects in my kingdom.

You can be my servants. I might even let you be my friends.

I would be nice but God says you're not only not servants not only not friends you to be my what I sent you. See if God loved us, then he would draw us as close to himself as was possible in the closest you can be is to be in the same son ship when you become a Christian, you become a child of God. And Paul says you can cry, Abba father, which means poplar daddy a term of closeness and endearment term of affection because you have access to him.

Daddy God is on your side God is one with you with the same common life you realize that to be saved means to have the life of God and the soul of man is life pulses in me like an adopted child. I could love that child is much as a child was born to my wife and II could love that child more even. I could pour my love upon that child.

I could make a home for that child.

It's as many of you have for this one thing I can never do the one thing I can never do would be to give my spirit in my nature that child I can do that.

And that's precisely where adoption of the family of God is different when you were adopted into the family of God.

The moment you believe in Jesus Christ as it was predetermined before the world began, Peter said you became a partaker of the divine nature, you have the very nature of God within you. Not only that he granted to you, his spirit so when we got we were given God's nature and God's spirit. He draws us close to himself as he could. Jesus said I might go away and make a room for you in the father's house and his sons you have access to all that God has for you. So God formed the body. Lastly, why was the end it had in my why did he want all of us to be his sons. Why do you want to do this. The reason is glory.

Verse five at the end. According to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, see the reason he did it was because he wanted to do it to get glory. The reason love of the reason for everything. The reason for everything that exists in the universe is that God may be glorified.

The Old Testament says the beast of the field as you give me glory.

The psalmist said the heavens declare the glory of God. The only rebels in the whole universe are fallen angels and fallen men. Everything else glorifies God and believe me, the fallen angels have been removed permanently from God's presence and so will the fallen men who don't come to Jesus Christ, God will remove from his universe which does not give him glory, leaving only that which glorifies him.

That's the ultimate reason for everything that exists is why it says to the Christian in first Corinthians.

Whatever you do, as mundane as eating and drinking, do it all the glory of God's a purpose for everything reason the Lord chose the body before the foundation of the world. The reason he preordained it. The reason he laid out the reason he did it all himself with no human will and no help and nothing is that the glory might all be here if salvation was half God and half man, then God will get half glory and man. The other half of salvation was 95% God, and 5% man and God would get 95% glory and we would get 5%, but salvation is 100% God so he gets all the glory and just to make sure nobody ever got confused. He laid it all out before any human being was ever born was no question.

So for his own good pleasure. He said it's the father's good pleasure said Jesus to give you the King for his own good pleasure to seek his own glory where what a fun fit into his body before the world began to be to the praise of his. Hope you are in practice what you are in position. This is grace to you with John MacArthur. Thanks for being with us. John's current study is looking at the inexhaustible spiritual treasure all Christians can enjoy right now. It's titled richer than you think. Also keep in mind, if you've missed any message in this study you can download it for free from our website. Same thing with all of John's sermons. If you're Christian you have a tremendous amount of spiritual wealth and privilege, so make sure you know how to tap into that download the richer than you think messages today are web address Jide TY.org and again the series to look for richer than you think free to download an audio or transcript format from our website.

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