FROM HEAVEN WITH LOVE

Photo From B. Smith's Kitchen Window

523-1 From Heaven With Love
December 23, 1979
Henry F. Kulp

This morning we want to use one verse here, vs. 14 and we want to show you what is the message of Christmas? It is very clearly brought out. Many people celebrate Christmas but have no conception of what it really means.

John 1: 11-14 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.  14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father.) full of grace and truth.

1/  There are three declarations in verse 14. Three distinct messages about Christ in human form. First of all, we have THE FACT OF THE INCARNATION. And the Word became  flesh. Secondly, THE PURPOSE OF THE INCARNATION. And dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father. Third, THE CHARACTER OF HIS PERSON. Full of grace and truth. We want to study these three declarations and see what they have to reveal to us.

2/  What blessings are ours as we study the great basic facts of Jesus Christ taking on human flesh. Far too many people reject Jesus Christ before they become acquainted with Him. It is not fair to Him, and it is a disaster to them. 

An infidel who had just finished lecturing to a great audience invited any who had questions to come to the platform. After a short interval, a man who had been a well-known town drunkard, a hopeless drunkard, but who had been saved, stepped forward. He came to the platform and taking an orange from his pocket, cooly began to peel it. Then the lecturer asked him to put forth his question. But without saying a word, or replying to him, the man finished peeling his orange and then ate it. When he finished his orange, he turned to the atheist, the infidel and said, "Was that a sweet orange?" Very angrily the man said, "Why you idiot, how can I know whether it is sweet or sour? I have never tasted it. To which the saved drunkard replied, "How can you know anything about Christ if you have never tried Him?"

3/  Let us look at the first declaration. THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH. There have never been any greater, or more mysterious words written than this simple clause, which begins the 14th verse. Notice, this is not meant to connect verse 13 and 14, but rather verse 1 with verse 14, and so we could read it—in the beginning was the Word, and now skip down, and the Word became flesh. Between verse 2 and 13 we have a big parenthesis.

4/  The English word, word, is LOGOS in the Greek, and the word, LOGOS, means SPEECH, THAT WHICH IS UTTERED BY THE MOUTH. It is a form of communication between two people. So, we know that the Logos is speaking of Jesus Christ, and He is God’s speech, or discourse to man. Remember, He said, in Revelations 22: 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and Omega is the last. So, Jesus Christ is the speech of God.

5/  And God reveals Himself to us in Jesus Christ.

6/  He is the final Word of God to man. Not merely another Word. There can be no other.

7/  To understand John 1: 1 In the beginning was the Word, we find that the verb, was, is in the perfect tense. As a matter of fact, it is a durative imperfect. What does it mean? It is unfortunate we do not have a true imperfect tense in the English, therefore, it is difficult to translate the Greek imperfect, and the Greek word that is translated, was, holds the key to the understanding of John’s statement. And literally it speaks of a time before the beginning of things. In other words, this Logos, this Word, was in existence before God created. It can literally be translated in a beginning which was not a beginning. In eternity past was the Word. That speaks of eternity of Jesus Christ that He is the eternal One. 

8/  Now we must go down to verse 14 where we read, And the Word was made flesh. Flesh is finite, and here we have the infinite becoming finite, and this certainly will stun our minds. We can’t understand how this is possible, but we believe it because God says it. I wonder if you realize in this physical world of ours, in which we live, there are far more things we do not understand than those that we do.

9/  Let’s look at the word, made. We have a difficult time with this. It is again hard to translate into the English. The word, made, is not in the passive voice, but in the middle voice. If it were in the passive voice, it would mean that someone without exercised force upon the individual to make the action of the verb come true. It is a coercive force. But in the middle voice it means the Word was benefited by becoming flesh, and the Word became flesh of His own volition and power, without the exercise of any outside power, or coercive force. So it means, TO BECOME, OR TO BEGIN TO BE, and it means to become flesh. The immaterial Logos, takes on matter, takes on flesh. He Who was previously invisible to our physical eyes can now be seen.

10/ The verb that is translated, became, must not be taken to mean that the Logos took on Him human flesh just as we put on a suit of clothing, or a dress. There is creativity involved here. It is not simply a process of putting on something He did not have before, but it was created for Himself that which He was not before. This, of course, has the Virgin Birth implied. So, we see, He Who is the Creator that created everything created for Himself a body like ours without sin, and we, of course, cannot even create a living cell.

11/ Why does John use the term, flesh? Not some other term? For instance, the word, body? Of course, He came to die, and to die, He was to shed His blood, and the life of the flesh is blood.

Leviticus 17: 11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. He came to die, but please remember, even though He became flesh, He made a body of flesh for Himself, He did not cease to be God. He was God and flesh. 

I John 5: 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Here where John, speaking of the Son, the Logos, said, This is the true God and eternal life.

12/ Now, let us look at the second declaration. And dwelt among us. this is the purpose of the incarnation. The miracle of it all is the fact that He did this, even though His creatures hated Him. We want you to see, He came to dwell among His enemies, and certainly this shows His deity, for no human being seeks his enemies for his company, but Jesus did just that.

13/ Now, let us look at the word, dwelt. It is a very interesting word in the Greek. The verb comes from the Greek word, SKAY’ -NOS and it means, He pitched His tent. It means a temporary sojourn, not a permanent one. Let us look at this word elsewhere in the Bible. 

II Corinthians 5: 1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. And here the word, tabernacle, means a tent or a hut. A temporary residence, and you will know that our human body is just that. It certainly is unsatisfactory throughout life. 

14/ This Greek word, tent, or hut, is used for a temporary dwelling for either nomads, or soldiers. It was not the purpose of Jesus Christ to come down here and live as long as He could, or to live forever. He could have lived much longer than the short span of His 33 years, but He didn’t. He was only here a very short time, and this word, dwelt, in the Greek shows us this was the intention of Christ all along.

15/ When Jesus Christ rose from the tomb, He took on Himself a new resurrection body, which was unique and it was immortal. That is important to see. The body He took upon Himself when He was born of the Virgin was not immortal. He could die in that body and die, He did. There are two verses that are very interesting. 

II Timothy 1: 8, 10  Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 

And here it says that Jesus Christ Who has abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to life through the Gospel. Jesus Christ is the only one Who has an immortal body. That body that came forth from the tomb can never die. It is an immortal, glorified body.

16/ When He was upon this earth, His body was not glorified. He did not walk around with a halo around His head as many of the religious artists portray Him.

17/ Never again will He come back in that body that He had then—In the body of His humiliation, but rather He is going to come back in the body of His resurrection, the body of His glorification.

18/ The verb, tented, or dwelt, here, is in the AORIST tense and it means this dwellings not to be repeated in the same manner of form or for the same purpose. He will not come back to this earth as the meek and lowly One, the One in great humility. He will come back as the King of kings and Lord of lords, the only Potentate.

19/ Now, look at the word, us. Whom did John mean by the personal pronoun, us? First of all, it must have included himself as a personal witness of the incarnate Christ. But John was not the only witness of the appearing of the incarnate God on this earth in flesh. Remember, the principle at the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established, II Corinthians 13: 1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witness shall every word be established. And so there were many witnesses who saw Jesus Christ come in the flesh. Notice, John does not say, I beheld—we beheld.

20/ Now, let us look at the word, behold, and it is quite intriguing. It means THE ACTUAL VIEWING OF THE PHYSICAL EYES OF SOMETHING TANGIBLE OUTSIDE THE VIEWER. I believe God used that word to show the reality of the body of Jesus Christ. In the early church there was a heresy that arose called, DOCETISM, which taught that Christ had no material body and human nature, and they taught that His eating, drinking, birth, death were so many illusions. This word immediately shows this heresy is wrong. The body of Jesus Christ was real and could be seen by men during His earthly life.

21/ Furthermore, the words, to behold, means, TO LOOK AT, TO GAZE AT, MOSTLY WITH A SENSE OF WONDERING AND AMAZEMENT. One cannot but be amazed when He looks at Jesus Christ.

22/ And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father. We need to notice some words in His high-priestly prayer, John 17: 5 Now as He faces the cross He says, And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. What happened when He became man? He laid aside this glory, but this verse in John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John teaches us, still He had some glory. He was different than other men, He stood out from other men. He had an earthly glory, which was not His heavenly glory.

23/ Now, we come to the third declaration, grace and truth. This is the character of His person. First of all, He is grace, and He is truth. This is in His humanity upon earth. These two attributes stood out in His earthly life. Then notice the word, full. As flesh, He was full of grace and truth.

24/ Nowhere else in the New Testament are grace and truth spoken of together in this manner, or this order as it is here. Notice, verse 17, For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

25/ Grace is seen in the fact that He came to earth. He came to give Himself a ransom for our sins. Notice, in this very Book of John, John 3: 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 

He came not into the world, to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. And as we have told you so often, grace means receiving something that you do not deserve—everything for nothing, and the very earthly life of Jesus Christ shows forth the grace of God. Time and time again grace was shown in His attitude toward sinful rebellious man.

26/ But He is also truth. Jesus Christ came to show us that God is full of grace and truth, and, of course, Jesus Christ is the Truth.

27/ Romans 5: 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 

Here we have—where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. Grace abounds to us because of the person of Jesus Christ, and because He died to pay the price of our sin. 

AMEN

Ref: 12/23/1979 / 523-1 FROM HEAVEN WITH LOVE / 10/2019

GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE

Photo from B. Smith's Kitchen Window

293 - GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE 

Pastor Henry F. Kulp

May 9, 1965

Romans 8: 26 - 28 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Now, because the Holy Spirit indwells us and because we have a great sickness, a great weakness, and the Holy Spirit helps us in this weakness, we can claim the promise that all things work together for good. This is a wonderful promise--it doesn’t say many things, it doesn’t say most things, it says all things. But now, of course, this promise of all things is addressed to those who love God. Of course, the important question is--do you love the Lord? Are you counted among those who love the Lord Jesus Christ? This verse is for those who love God. 

We would like to have you turn to Romans 5: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

You see, it is the Holy Spirit’s work. When you are saved, the Holy Spirit sheds the love of God, abroad in your heart. This is an experience I’ve heard some people pray for. Oh, that the love of God might be shed abroad in my heart. It was when God saved you. This is an experience that is the work of the Holy Spirit when you are saved. He comes into your heart and sheds the love of God there. Without this you wouldn’t be saved. Then notice another wonderful verse about the love of God, it is in Romans 8: 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? “...who shall separate us from the love of Christ? God’s love is not fickle. 

There are two realms that attempt to separate us from the Love of Christ--the first is the natural forces in vs.35. Then secondly, supernatural forces in vs. 38, 39. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. But we will study more about this later on.

1/ Accidents do not happen to the believer. The believer is not living a haphazard experience. All things, do work, together, for good, even go back to the children of Israel--God was working out a plan in their lives. Isaiah 54: 17. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. It is true God used the weapons of the Gentiles to chastise the children of Israel, but none of these weapons, these folks who used these weapons ever prospered. Then you learn in the Book of Job that the devil could not touch Job or Job’s family, or Job’s property, until he received permission from God. God was working out a plan in the life of Job. The devil said to God, You have a hedge about him, take down that hedge. He wasn’t permitted to touch him until God let him do it.

2/ When you study the Gospels, you will realize that the devil was so subject to the Word of Christ, that his demons could not even touch a herd of swine until they secured permission from the Savior. Matthew 8: 28-32. And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. ²⁹ And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? ³⁰ And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. ³¹ So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. ³² And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

Remember, this is the Maniac of Gadara. Vs. 32 He said unto them--Go, Go, into the herd of swine, and they could not do it until He permitted them to.

3/ You remember, Job went through what the world would call great catastrophes in his life, and did they work together for good? His farms were destroyed by fire, bandits came along and took his cattle, his children were killed in a storm and a fire. Fire also burned away the dross in the soul of Job. He went through terrible physical agony, but what was the final end of it all?

Job 42: 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. He saw himself for what he truly was.

Then notice, Job 42: 8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

Here we have the three so-called friends of Job, and God tells them, take seven bullocks; seven rams, and go to My servant Job. Here intercession of Job has reached the point where he can pray now for his friends. Notice vs. 10. And the Lord turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends, also, the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Truly, all things, did, work together for good for Job.

4/ Notice the 28th vs of the 8th Chapter of Romans.  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Again--all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Notice, the last part--called according to His purpose. All things do work together for good, because God does have a purpose. But how the world and much of the spiritual world, the church world, is ignorant of God’s purpose. Things, as we said before, are not happening in a haphazard fashion, but God has a purpose. Let us notice something about this purpose of God. Ephesians 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

Here Paul tells the church at Ephesus, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Here it is called an eternal purpose. God has a great plan, a purpose. Notice, it concerns Jesus Christ, our Lord. So, Christ stands at the center of the eternal purpose. Let’s go on the notice some more Scriptures about God’s purpose Ephesians 1: 9-10. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: ¹⁰ That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: He says in the 9th vs. …which He hath purposed in Himself, and then 10th vs. …the dispensation of the fullness of time, He might gather together in one all things in Christ--there it is again. It has to do with Christ--it all centers in Christ Jesus. 

So, we can see that God’s great plan for the future, then, is to unify all things in Heaven and on earth in Christ--to center all in Him. How much now in Heaven and earth is out of center. Alienated from God and His Christ. This includes not only the majority of mankind under their rulers, but the great host of heavenly angels under the leadership and ruler-ship of Satan their Prince. 

Ephesians 6: 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. …where he says, the believers wrestle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in the heavenlies. But remember, with God’s eternal purpose in Christ Jesus, this is only a temporary situation. However, someday the Heavens and the earth will be occupied only by those who love and adore Jesus Christ. This is brought out very clearly in another portion of Scripture. Colossians 1: 20 And having made peace through the blood of His Christ, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself, by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in Heaven. 

Go back to the verse before this, Colossians 1: 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him (in Christ) should all fullness dwell; But in thinking about this, we should be careful to realize that a reconciled Heaven and earth does not spell universal reconciliation.

5/ Let’s compare what we have here with what is found in Philippians 2: 9, 10 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;Here we have the subjugation group. God hath exalted His Son, that at the Name of Jesus, every knee should bow. Notice, this subjugation includes all in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth. But when it comes to His eternal purpose, the reconciled throng, they will be found only in Heaven and on earth.

6/ How was it conceived? The eternal purpose was conceived in the heart and mind of the Godhead alone in eternity past. Notice, concerning our part in this eternal purpose. II Timothy 1: 8, 9 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; ⁹ Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, For it says Who hath saved us and called us with a holy calling. Notice, we were saved and then called. And then it goes on to say, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace. This eternal purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. God decided all of this in ages past. Long before there was a world. It was in eternity past, and we have no part in it, other than permitting God to make us part of it by receiving Christ as our Saviour.

7/ You will notice that this eternal purpose was hidden in God. Notice, Ephesians 1: 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: So, this mystery of His will and hath purposed in Himself. 

So, this mystery of His will and His purpose are the same thing. It was a mystery. It was a secret. It was hidden in God, but now it has been revealed. It should no longer be a secret--no longer a mystery. God has made known His will, His purpose. Notice, one church, and its relationship to this mystery, this will, this purpose. I Corinthians 2: 7, 8 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: ⁸ Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Here we read, but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, in a secret--even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained for the world. Notice, this wisdom of God, this hidden mystery, was concealed according to the 8th vs from the rulers of this world, from the wisdom of this world, for Paul says, they would never have crucified the Lord of Glory if it had been revealed to them, if they had known it. They didn’t know that all things are to be centered in Jesus Christ, that He is all in all, and so they crucified Him--they did away with Him.

8/ But now in the church at Corinth, this was about all that Paul could tell them. Why couldn’t he tell them more, rather than just about this very meagre part of this mystery, this will, this purpose of God? The answer is given to us in the very next chapter--I Corinthians 3: 1, 2 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. ² I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

All they could get, were just the milk of the Word--they were just babies, they were satisfied with baby truth, and with milk. But, oh, how the church is like that today. These people were interested in sectarianism--they wanted to follow men, they didn’t want to follow God’s program.

9/ You will notice that God has an eternal purpose--part of this eternal purpose is known as a secret, as a mystery. The secret part, the mystery part was hid in God--it was not revealed until the Apostle Paul. 

Let us turn to a Scripture that gives us the clearest picture of this in the entire Bible, Ephesians 3: 1-9 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles ² If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward ³ How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, ⁴ Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) ⁵ Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; ⁶ That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: ⁷ Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. ⁸ Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; ⁹ And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

First of all, Paul says he is a prisoner of Jesus Christ--notice, for the Gentiles. If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you-ward, how by revelation, was made known unto me the mystery. In other words, Paul said, I am preaching this mystery--the mystery of God’s will--this part of God’s eternal purpose, and I want you to know how I received it--I received it by revelation--God Himself made it known directly to me.

10/ Ephesians 3: 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; In other ages it was not known. Then in the 6th vs that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ by the Gospel--in other words, they were co-heirs, co-members, co-sharers of a promise of being part of the body of Christ, and then in the 8th vs. He says, that I should preach among the Gentiles, the unsearchable riches of Christ. The word, unsearchable means, untraceable. In other words, not to be traced. The fact that Jew and Gentile would be on the same plain is unheard of up to the time of the Pauline Epistles. Just go back, and you will get a clear explanation of this in Ephesians 2: 11, 12. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; ¹² That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

The Gentiles were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in this world. Notice, the Gentiles were nothing--they were uncircumcised, but now they are fellow-heirs, they are of the same body--they are co-members, co-sharers. This is unheard of --Ephesians 2: 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; The middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile has been broken down. 

Not one of Israel’s prophets knew one thing about the dispensation of the mystery, about the dispensation of the joint body, and then you go to the Gospels and see if it is not the same story. Matthew 10: 5, 6 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: ⁶ But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

When Jesus Christ sent out the twelve, He said, go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, go not to the Gentiles, and then Matthew 15: 21-24 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. ²² And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. ²³ But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. ²⁴ But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And here, Jesus Christ told the Syrophoenician woman, I am not sent, but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. There was a difference here. 

So, the mystery of God’s will, of His eternal purpose was not made known at this time. But, praise God, it is at this very hour. 

11/ Notice, our commission, Ephesians 3: 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. This is so clear and so beautiful. We hope that you appreciate it--you have been called according to this purpose, and because of this you can say all things work together for good.

AMEN

REF: 05/09/1965 / 293 - GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE - 10/1/2019

GOD HAS GREAT PLANS FOR YOU

Photo From B. Smith's Kitchen Window

294 - GOD HAS GREAT PLANS FOR YOU

May 16, 1965

Pastor Henry F. Kulp

Romans 8: 28, 29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

We have been talking to you about all things, working together for good--not most things, not many, but all things. Notice, it doesn’t say all things are good, but all things work together for good. Of course, there is something to see here that is very important--you remember, that in the case of Job, God had a hedge about Job--He had to take that hedge down for the devil to get a hold on him, to be able to test him. In other words, for God to say all things work together for good to them, who love God, He has to have control of what happens to us, and He is the One Who takes each experience in life and works them together for good, and as we studied last week, He did this in the case of Job.

1/ Ephesians 6: 10 - 12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

Here we are to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might--we are to put on the whole armor of God that we can stand against the wiles of the devil, for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers--against the rulers of the darkness of this world--against spiritual wickedness in high places. In other words, the devil fights us with demons, and we are constantly wrestling with demons. Then I want to show you something about demons that thrilled my heart when I recognized it. 

Matthew 8: 29-32. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? and there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go, And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down into the sea, and perished in the waters. 

This is a wonderful chapter--it starts out by telling us Christ healed a leper, and then He healed the Centurion’s servant, and finally He heals Peter’s wife’s mother and then just prior to the Scripture we want to study for a few moments, He stilled the waves and calmed the winds, and here we come face to face with those who are demon possessed. We read that they met Him, two possessed with demons, coming out of the tombs--they were so fierce as they were under the control of these demons that no man may pass by that way. They were afraid to go by--these men struck terror into the hearts of all who lived in that area--and then we read that the demons spoke to Jesus Christ, called Him, Jesus, Thou Son of God. These demons knew what was going to happen to them as far as being cast out of these two men, so they asked to be cast into a herd of swine that was feeding nearby, and they asked to go into the swine. You might say, why go into the swine, and as a little boy I used to wonder this--why make the swine suffer, why the people who owned the swine. But you remember, these are unclean beasts, they were not fit for food in accordance with the Mosaic Law. 

Leviticus. 11: 7. And the swine, though he divided the hoof, and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.

These were degraded Jews who sought gain by selling them to the Gentiles. Under the law they had no right to own and raise and sell swine--it was illegal in the land of Israel, and God destroyed this--He put His stamp of judgment upon it. But that is not the thing I really want you to see---I want you to see that the demons besought Him, saying, If Thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. They couldn’t go there without permission from the Lord, and in the 32nd vs. He said unto them, Go. They could not go until He permitted them to. He has control--final control--over the devil and over demons. That is why we can say all things work together for good.

2/ Let us get an example of actually what we are talking about. Luke 22: 31 - 34. Here we read about. Luke 22: 31 - 34 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. 

Here we read about a man by the name of Simon Peter. This is a very thought-provoking portion of Scripture. Here we have the Lord Jesus Christ telling Peter that Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat--in other words he wanted to put him in his sieve. But notice here what Jesus Christ said. He gave him blessed assurance. He said, I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not. The saint that is in Satan’s sieve is assured the Lord Jesus Christ is praying for him, and that his faith will not fail. Even in the midst of being in the sieve, we can say, all things work together for good. 

You remember, at this very moment, Romans 8: 34 Who is he that condemned? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. He is interceding for us, He is in Heaven praying for us even now--what Christ did for Peter He is doing for us daily--night and day. Actually, we had better look at the word, desired. It is really a stronger word than our English word, desired, it is better rendered, demanded. When we get into the devil’s sieve, he can shake us up badly, but what does he have left when it’s all through. All he has is chaff--the wheat falls through and Satan has only the chaff, so do not be afraid of the devil’s sieve. The Lord has prayed for us, and He has prayed that our faith would fail not. Remember, Peter failed sadly, yet his faith was preserved.

3/ There was a purpose in this sifting. Never forget, Simon Peter needed this sifting. He has been so boastful--Mark 14: 29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. He had been so self-confident. But when he was finished, the Lord said, strengthen thy brethren. He wasn’t any strength to his brethren at this time--he was too cocky, too know-it-all, but after he went through Satan’s sieve, he was able to be the protose, the leader of the (12) twelve--on the day of Pentecost, he was the one who was able to stand up and direct things. Peter was the leader of the (12) twelve. So, therefore, he needed this sifting, this experience to get rid of the chaff in his life.

4/ If you are unsaved this morning, I think I’d better pass a warning along to you. God,  Himself will execute the final sifting of the unrighteous from the righteous. Psalms 1: 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. It is a wise man who will acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour, thereby escaping the final sifting when the unsaved will be cast into hell forever.

5/ But now God has a purpose that is greater than all the other purposes. In Job’s life, he went through Satan’s sieve so that when he was finished, he would not be self-righteous, but he would accept the righteousness of God, and then for Peter because Peter was so stuck on himself, he had to learn humility, so that he could be a leader and strengthen the other eleven. We have purposes like this in our life, and we can say all things work together for good, so that we may not be proud, we may not be self-confident; we might be able to strengthen, and might be able to encourage others. Yet there is a greater purpose than all this--God has an overwhelming purpose in everything that He is doing, and it is called, “according to His purpose” that counts.

6/ We told you last week that this purpose is an eternal purpose. God has always purposed to do one thing, therefore it is called an eternal purpose, and this eternal purpose is centered in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1: 9, 10. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, with which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: So God has a great plan for the future, that He is to unify all things in Heaven, and on earth to center all in Him.

7/ The purpose in this age is not to have a special nation, but to have neither Jew and Gentile, but all who believe in Jesus Christ become part of this eternal purpose. This is called a mystery. The purpose of this age is a mystery. It is no longer a mystery, it is no longer a secret because it has been revealed.

8/ But to many, who claim to love the Bible, who claim to be Christians, God’s eternal purpose, God’s will, God’s mystery is still a mystery--it is still a secret. Let me show you a church that evidently did not absorb this truth. 

 

I Corinthians 2: 7, 8 Here we read, But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, (in a secret) even the hidden which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Notice, this wisdom of God, this hidden mystery was concealed, according to vs. 8 from the rulers of this world. Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 

They did not know that He was to be all-in-all, so they crucified Him, they did away with Him. The Church in Corinth, this is about as far as Paul could go with them--he couldn’t tell them more. He was only able to tell them a very meager part of the mystery, this will, this purpose of God, and in I Corinthians 3: 1, 2 And I, brethren could not speak to you as spiritual, but as carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. All they could get was the milk of the Word. How like the church today. These people were interested in sectarianism. They wanted to follow men, they didn’t want to follow God’s program. 

 9/ Romans 8: 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

I want you to listen to what the Bible has to say about predestination. This is a touchy subject with many folks. Many just ignore it because they say it is too hard to understand, and many people run wild with it--but I want you to notice that predestination has to do with God’s eternal purpose in Jesus Christ. You will notice the mystery, because the mystery is part of  28th vs. ends by saying, to them, who are the called according to His purpose, for whom He did foreknow, He also did predestine to be confirmed to the image of His Son, and as you study the Bible, you will find that predestination and God’s eternal purpose are linked together, and we might add, it is also linked to the mystery, because the mystery is part of God’s eternal purpose. 

Notice, Ephesians 1: 11 In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestination according to the purpose of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will. 

You will notice that predestination is according to the purpose, according to God’s mystery. You can’t separate it in this day God’s eternal purpose and God’s mystery--it just cannot be done. Some people are afraid of predestination. I hope you are not afraid of it--I hope you will get over your fright, for it is in the Bible--the Word, predestination is in the Bible, and we have to face, and we should understand it. Many folks do not get the blessing because they stop right there when they come to the word, predestination. They stop and worry. 

10/ We have to recognize that predestination is built on God’s eternal purpose. It is part of God’s eternal purpose.

11/ I want to ask you, is predestination good or bad, before we really get in and study it in conjunction with God’s eternal purpose. The mystery--is it good or bad? Notice here in Romans 8: 29 For whom He did foreknow, He did predestine to do what? To be conformed to the image of His Son. Is that good or bad? Of course, that is good for us. He isn’t doing something bad for us. Predestination is something to be happy about. He has predestined us to be like His Son. How could God do any more for you? Can you think of anything that would be more glorious for God to do for you than to make you like Christ? How often I’ve heard people pray in prayer meeting--Lord, make me more like Christ--that should be the very longing of our hearts. If God waited for you to make yourself like Christ, you couldn’t do it, but God can, and this is part of His eternal purpose. Remember, His eternal purpose is centered in Jesus Christ and our part in this program is that we would be made like Christ Who is the center of the program. 

  

12/ I want you to notice that predestination does not have to do with Heaven, or with hell--you are not predestined to go to Heaven, you are not predestined to go to Hell. You are predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. Let me show you that Paul is not speaking about Heaven for He explains in I Timothy 2: 3, 4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

There, the will of God is that all men be saved. So, in the light of these verses, how can one say God has predestined some people to Heaven and some people to hell.

13/ The word, predestination, comes from two words. The first part is “pre”, which means before, or beforehand. The last part of the word, “destination” which means the climax--end, or the extent. The little word “pre” has to do with something beforehand, and the word, destination has to do with something at the farthest extent. So, God in predestination tells us that when we are saved, it has been decided that when the farthest extent of God’s eternal purpose comes true, we are going to be like the Lord Jesus Christ.

14/ Now, notice, Ephesians 1: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

Here we are told that the climax, the end of all things is adoption, and adoption is revealed to us in Romans 8: 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 

So, the adoption has to do with the body--the redemption of the body. We are redeemed now, but our bodies are not redeemed, so when we are made like the Lord Jesus Christ, our bodies will be made like the Lord’s body. We will be conformed to His image.

15/ What a wonderful truth this will be when we will be like the Lord Jesus Christ. Predestination is not an awful thing, Let’s not make more of it than the Bible does.

16/ So, predestination has to do with the church. It is predestined for the church that it is going to be made like the Lord Jesus Christ, and this is glorious, not evil.

AMEN

 

REF: 05/16/1965 / 294 - GOD HAS GREAT PLANS FOR YOU / 9/30/2019