30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 16 19-31 Released from self cetredness 33 Fulfilling God’s purpose
📖 Luke 16:19-31
05Jun2020 - *Fulfilling God’s purpose* - _Luke 16:19-31_ - Bible reading: _I Peter 2:9-10_
We have seen how God has intervened into the state of our bad news and has brought to us the good news of dealing specifically with each of the issues that have caused the evil in a world that God had created, good.
In doing this great work for us, God is reinstating and reinstalling us back to the original position that man had at the beginning of creation. The original position is that we are crowned or given the regal place of being co-rulers with God, over all of His creation, both in the present age as well as in the age to come.
_II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new._
We are therefore chosen by God for a grand purpose, which is being part of the good news. The good news cannot be good news if the delivery system for the good news into the state of bad news, has not been made ready. We, the church, are the delivery system for God’s good news.
_I Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; (10) who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy._
Jesus has been raised by God to be far above all rule and authority and the church is the fullness of Christ. _Ephesians 1:18-23 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (19) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power (20) which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, (21) far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. (22) And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, (23) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all._
Do we see our awesome position to which we have been raised, in Christ?
What is the plan of God in providing the good news? Was it just to take care of the reasons that caused evil in our world? No. God’s plan was much larger. _Ephesians 1:9-10 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, (10) that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him._
*God is gathering all things, both which are in heaven and that which are on earth, together in one, in Christ and the church is the fullness of Christ*.
This is the grand purpose of God. We the church are to be aligned to His purpose. We cannot be at cross-purposes against the plan of God.
_Colossians 1:19-20 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, (20) and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross._
This grand plan of God has been entrusted to the church. We are ambassadors of Christ, reconciling the whole of creation back to God and exercising the kingdom rule of God, beginning at our sphere of influence. _II Corinthians 5:18-20 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, (19) that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (20) Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God._
We are also looking forward to being a part of the rule of God in the next age too. _Titus 2:11-13 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, (12) teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, (13) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,_
Since we are looking forward to rule with God in the age to come, we use our time here to take care of those who are needy at our gates. This is what the rich man chose not to accept, while he was here on earth and now he was in torment.
_I Timothy 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. (18) Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, (19) storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life._
*Thought to ponder*
```Are you seeing a glimpse of the grand design of God and are you a part of the working out of His grand design?```