God's Purposes in the Gospel

(Click here for an audio version.  The intro and conclusion are from 'Godpleaser' by Petra.)

As we begin to dive into Biblical Eldership, we are really exploring God’s heart for His people as our Great Shepherd.

This begins with exploring God’s eternal purposes in the Gospel – and so we pick up where we left off last time…

‘He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him  [10]  with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him  [11]  also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,’

(Ephesians 1:9-11)  

Overview of the Covenants

As students of God’s word, we know context is critical.  As God’s people, how critical it is for us to view ourselves in present reality in light of God’s eternal purposes, namely, God’s purposes in the Gospel from eternity past.

Like a tsunami slowly working its way towards the shore, God has revealed covenants in history that culminate in Christ. 

Figure: Unfolding the Covenants, modified and adapted from Christ of the Covenants, O. Palmer Robertson

Jesus Our Great Shepherd

During His ministry on earth, Jesus said, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of mine.’ (John 8:31). The Apostles consistently instruct us as believers to follow the example of Jesus (e.g. in Philippians 2), and refer to Him as our Great Shepherd (e.g. Hebrews 13:20).

It is only by following our Great Shepherd that His people faithfully live and His leaders faithfully lead.  Resources by Laniak and Witmer unpack the responsibilities of a shepherd toward the sheep:

·      Know

·      Lead

·      Feed

·      Protect

Let’s look more closely at our Lord’s promises as a foundation for life and leadership.  We see from Scripture that:

·      Jesus Promises to Speak to His People

·      Jesus Promises to Build His Church

·      Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

·      Jesus Commands the Great Commission

Jesus Promises to Speak to His People

From the times of the Old Testament, God has spoken to His people that they would heed and hear His voice (e.g. Deuteronomy 6:5, Psalm 95:7).  In the Gospels, particularly in John 10:1-21, Jesus describes His role as the door to God and Shepherd of the sheep, His people.  Notice:

"When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.  [5] "A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers." (John 10:4-5)  

True believers know and follow the voice of the Lord, and true undershepherds are stewards of His voice through His word (see Jeremiah 23:28-29, Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 4:10-11, 5:1-4).

Jesus Promises to Build His Church

‘…I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.’ – from Matthew 16:18

The Church is the only visible institution that our Lord Himself has promised to bless!

What is the Church?  While so much can be said here, it is all those whom God has redeemed, birthed, and adopted as His children through faith in Jesus Christ (e.g. see Galatians 3, 1 Peter 1, Romans 8:15-17).  God intends for the Church to display His truth both in the heavenly realms (see Ephesians 3:8-10) and on earth (see 1 Timothy 3:15, Ephesians 3:21).  It transcends time, space and culture.  While it is often expressed in visible local churches, there are many in local churches who are not children of God, and also many who are not visible in local churches who are (e.g. see Matthew 13:36-43, 47-50, 1 John 2:18-27).

By what means will Jesus build His church?  By the very design and means given to us in His word.

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.’ – John 16:7

"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;  [17]  that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.’ – John 14:16-17

“…but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." – Acts 1:8

This would later be seen in how the Apostle Paul explained the Spirit’s work in the Church:

‘Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  [5]  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  [6]  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.’ - 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 11

Jesus Commands the Great Commission

‘And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  [19]  "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  [20]  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus’ commands for His followers to go and make disciples, teaching them how to obey (not just know) His commands have profound implications for His church.

Next, we plan to take a deep dive into God’s design for His church in Ephesians 4.  Buckle up!

In His Grip,

Mark

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