Lesson 33 - SHALOM INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH

Lesson 33

ST. PAUL SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ”

(I Corinthians 11:1)

(With Frank Eiklor and Walter Contreras)

GOD'S PLAN OF THE AGES

Lesson 33

INTRODUCTION

What a wondrous Creator we have. He is God of eternity and Creator of time. To Isaiah, God thunders, “Thus saith the Lord, the King of Israel, and his redeemer, the Lord of hosts; I am the first and I am the last: and beside Me there is no God (Isaiah 44:6). Then in Genesis 1:1 we know that “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Here is the creation of time and space itself. And we know that it was God the Son to Whom the Father entrusted the act of creation when we read in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” We go on to learn that it was Christ as the living Word, who created all things and who became flesh in order to live among us (John 1:1-14).

But what is it that the eternal God had in mind in creating the universe, our galaxy, planet earth, and the human race? The scriptures are clear. He would create a family of sons and brothers with free will and the power to choose (John 1:12; Hebrews 2:10,11). Through this new birth, our awesome God would make each of us a part of His plan of the ages. What would that plan include? Take a look:

1. THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL. John 3:16

2. THE GREATEST SUFFERING OF ALL. ISAIAH 52:13-53:12

3. THE GREATEST LIE OF ALL. (Satan tries to tell the world that “death ends all”, when this life is really only the dressing room getting ready for the main stage called “Eternity”). 1 Cor 15:35-49

4. THE GREATEST FACT OF ALL. (The actual life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ). 1 Cor 15:3-8

5. THE GREATEST OFFER OF ALL. (The forgiveness and cleansing of the greatest cancer of all – sin). 1John 1:5-10

6. THE GREATEST INVITATION OF ALL.(The very God of eternity inviting you to be an eternal member of His Kingdom). Isaiah 1:18; Revelation 3:20

7. THE GREATEST HOPE OF ALL. 1 Peter 1:3-5

8. THE GREATEST GUARANTEE OF ALL. (God will obliterate our four terrible enemies – death, sorrow, crying and pain). Revelation 21:4

9. THE GREATEST FUTURE OF ALL. (John 14:1-6)

10. THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL. (To share forever the wonder and glory of Christ’s own presence). John 17:24

CONCLUSION:

You are as much a part of God’s Plan of the Ages as any man or woman who has ever lived. Meditate deeply over the above ten points and then offer Jesus your heart, soul, mind and body in a fresh dedication. Ask Him to show you if there are any places in your life where you are proud, pretentious, playing games with God, or phony. Then tell Him, “I want only Your plan for my life, Lord. Thank You for making me part of Your Plan of the Ages!”

TEST YOURSELF

1. Which verse reveals the unconditional love of God to all who believe in Jesus?

2. What verses reveal the life, death and sufferings of Jesus for our sakes?

3. What scriptures best describe and demonstrate the power of God to create all things?

4. Which point highlights the precious nature of our faith in Christ – and how by faith we are preserved with a place in heaven reserved for us?

5. Find the point that helps us to understand the gift which God prepared for us before the foundation of the earth?

6. Identify the scripture in Revelation that speaks to the promise God has given to all who trust in Christ?

7. What verse describes Jesus as the only way to God the Father?

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