God’s Plan from the Beginning | Francis Chan

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message is about God's grand plan, which has been in motion since before the foundation of the world. He chose us in Christ before we even existed, and his plan is to unite all things in heaven and on earth in the fullness of time. This plan is not just a mystery, but a blessing that God wants to share with us, lavishing us with his grace and forgiveness.

Key Scripture References

• Ephesians 1:9-10 - "He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things under him, things in heaven and things on earth." This passage reveals that God's plan is to bring everything together in harmony with Christ. It's not just a human concept, but a divine plan that has been unfolding since eternity.
• Amos 3:7 - "The Lord does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets." This verse highlights God's desire to communicate his plans and purposes to those who are chosen. He doesn't keep secrets from his people, but rather shares them with those who are faithful.
• Genesis 18:17-33 - When God was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, he told Abraham about it first. This passage shows that God values relationship and communication with his people. He wants us to know what's going on in the spiritual realm.
• Ephesians 1:4-5 - "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." This passage emphasizes that God's plan was initiated before we existed, and it's all about our relationship with Christ. We were chosen for a purpose greater than ourselves.
• Revelation 4-5 - The worship of the angels in heaven is a foreshadowing of what will happen when all things are united under Christ. God's plan is to bring heaven and earth together in harmony, and we're invited to join in this worship.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:13 - "But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth." This passage reminds us that our salvation is not just a human decision, but a divine choice. We were chosen before the foundation of the world.

Key Takeaways

• God's plan was initiated before the foundation of the world and has been unfolding ever since. It's not about us, but about God's desire to unite all things in heaven and on earth through Christ.
• We were chosen by God before we existed for a purpose greater than ourselves. Our salvation is not just a human decision, but a divine choice.
• God values relationship and communication with his people. He wants us to know what's going on in the spiritual realm and invites us to join in the worship of heaven.
• The fullness of time refers to the day when all things will be united under Christ. We're living in a period of anticipation, waiting for that glorious day.

This Week's Challenge

Take time this week to reflect on God's plan and your place in it. Ask yourself: "How has God chosen me for his purposes?" "What is my role in the grand scheme of things?" Remember, you were chosen before the foundation of the world, and God wants to lavish you with his grace and forgiveness.

Reflection Questions

• What does it mean to be chosen by God, and how has this affected your understanding of yourself and your place in the world?
• How can you cultivate a deeper sense of worship and connection with heaven, even in the midst of everyday life?
• What are some ways you can live out your role as a "firstfruit" in God's plan, being a witness to others about his love and redemption?