1 00:00:01,480 --> 00:00:05,480 Lord, how we praise and thank Thee, because 2 00:00:05,480 --> 00:00:09,620 it is Thy desire and Thy delight to 3 00:00:09,620 --> 00:00:11,740 dwell among men. 4 00:00:12,380 --> 00:00:14,900 Oh, how we praise and thank Thee, because 5 00:00:14,900 --> 00:00:18,060 Thou art looking for Thy rest, and Thy 6 00:00:18,060 --> 00:00:20,620 rest is in the man that Thou hast 7 00:00:20,620 --> 00:00:21,160 created. 8 00:00:21,820 --> 00:00:25,120 O Lord, it is also our deep desire 9 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:27,780 that we may be Thy rest. 10 00:00:27,780 --> 00:00:30,040 O Lord, we ask Thee that Thou would 11 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:33,140 come into Thy rest in the midst of 12 00:00:33,140 --> 00:00:34,000 Thy people. 13 00:00:34,340 --> 00:00:36,700 How we praise and thank Thee for all 14 00:00:36,700 --> 00:00:37,580 Thy provisions. 15 00:00:38,080 --> 00:00:40,300 How we thank and praise Thee, Thou hast 16 00:00:40,300 --> 00:00:44,240 indeed clothed us with gladness, Thou hast indeed 17 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:45,840 filled us with Thy joy. 18 00:00:46,240 --> 00:00:48,600 Oh, we do come together to bless Thy 19 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:52,040 name, to praise and to worship Thee, and 20 00:00:52,040 --> 00:00:55,180 to offer ourselves afresh to Thee for the 21 00:00:55,180 --> 00:00:58,420 fulfillment of Thy purpose among us. 22 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:01,060 We do commit this morning into Thy hands. 23 00:01:01,500 --> 00:01:03,980 We trust that Thou art with us, and 24 00:01:03,980 --> 00:01:06,220 Lord, we ask Thee that Thou would speak 25 00:01:06,220 --> 00:01:06,720 to us. 26 00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:10,740 Speak, Lord, Thy servant heareth, in the name 27 00:01:10,740 --> 00:01:11,760 of our Lord Jesus. 28 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:32,210 After the meeting yesterday morning, I was chided 29 00:01:32,210 --> 00:01:34,150 by my brothers. 30 00:01:37,780 --> 00:01:41,640 They thought that I should continue and forget 31 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:42,180 the time. 32 00:01:43,020 --> 00:01:46,520 Since I was speaking on eternity, I shouldn't 33 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:48,140 be so conscious of time. 34 00:01:53,450 --> 00:02:00,740 So this morning, as a punishment, I have 35 00:02:00,740 --> 00:02:05,340 to continue on what I hadn't finished yesterday 36 00:02:05,340 --> 00:02:05,740 morning. 37 00:02:07,199 --> 00:02:09,979 I do hope that brothers and sisters will 38 00:02:09,979 --> 00:02:10,660 bear with me. 39 00:02:17,030 --> 00:02:22,250 We are considering together on a very important 40 00:02:22,250 --> 00:02:26,290 subject which concerns every one of us. 41 00:02:27,170 --> 00:02:29,530 It is not only in the heart of 42 00:02:29,530 --> 00:02:32,970 God, but it ought to occupy a very 43 00:02:32,970 --> 00:02:36,450 large place in the heart of all those 44 00:02:36,450 --> 00:02:38,170 who love the Lord. 45 00:02:39,770 --> 00:02:43,970 And our subject is, of course, the Church. 46 00:02:47,270 --> 00:02:50,980 We desire to see the Church not from 47 00:02:50,980 --> 00:02:56,280 the historical viewpoint, nor from the contemporary viewpoint, 48 00:02:56,760 --> 00:02:59,560 but we believe that if we want to 49 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:03,280 know what the Church really is, we have 50 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:05,920 to see it from God's viewpoint. 51 00:03:06,980 --> 00:03:09,220 In other words, we need to have an 52 00:03:09,220 --> 00:03:10,760 eternal perspective. 53 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:15,480 And then we will see what the Church 54 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:20,380 is in the heart, in the mind, in 55 00:03:20,380 --> 00:03:22,320 the eye of God. 56 00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:29,020 We mentioned yesterday morning that the Church is 57 00:03:29,020 --> 00:03:32,600 the mystery of the Christ, as we find 58 00:03:32,600 --> 00:03:34,260 in Ephesians chapter 3. 59 00:03:35,070 --> 00:03:39,640 It is a mystery because before the world's 60 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:44,420 foundation, it is conceived by God. 61 00:03:45,420 --> 00:03:50,940 And this is hidden throughout the ages, waiting 62 00:03:50,940 --> 00:03:55,120 for the time when that mystery is to 63 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:58,500 be opened up to be revealed to us. 64 00:03:58,500 --> 00:04:01,540 And we do thank the Lord that this 65 00:04:01,540 --> 00:04:04,320 is an open mystery now. 66 00:04:04,940 --> 00:04:07,440 We know that this is the purpose of 67 00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:13,240 God, which he purposed in Christ Jesus throughout 68 00:04:13,240 --> 00:04:14,520 the ages. 69 00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:20,019 I mentioned yesterday morning that there are four 70 00:04:20,019 --> 00:04:25,840 key phrases which may help us to understand 71 00:04:25,840 --> 00:04:30,660 the Church as the eternal purpose of God 72 00:04:30,660 --> 00:04:32,120 in Christ Jesus. 73 00:04:33,420 --> 00:04:36,700 And these four phrases can be found in 74 00:04:36,700 --> 00:04:39,780 the first three chapters of Ephesians. 75 00:04:40,380 --> 00:04:43,340 Now the first one is in chapter 1, 76 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:44,400 verse 5. 77 00:04:51,810 --> 00:04:56,480 According to the good pleasure of his will. 78 00:04:57,380 --> 00:05:01,960 The good pleasure of God's will. 79 00:05:06,960 --> 00:05:10,280 God has a will. 80 00:05:11,780 --> 00:05:15,020 God is the supreme will. 81 00:05:17,530 --> 00:05:20,610 He can do anything that pleases him. 82 00:05:23,220 --> 00:05:26,380 He does not need to answer to anyone. 83 00:05:26,380 --> 00:05:28,720 He is God. 84 00:05:29,580 --> 00:05:30,740 He is sovereign. 85 00:05:33,500 --> 00:05:34,960 He has his pleasure. 86 00:05:36,100 --> 00:05:37,940 He has his delight. 87 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:46,920 And it is the pleasure of God to 88 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:48,840 have the Church. 89 00:05:50,560 --> 00:05:59,620 The Church is not something conceived by man. 90 00:05:59,620 --> 00:06:03,660 It is not something according to the pleasure 91 00:06:03,660 --> 00:06:04,820 of man. 92 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:08,480 But we must see that the Church of 93 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:13,880 God is according to the good pleasure of 94 00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:15,220 God's will. 95 00:06:16,560 --> 00:06:21,160 I think it will be very helpful if 96 00:06:21,160 --> 00:06:25,640 you try to see through the Bible what 97 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:30,440 is it that God is pleased with. 98 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:35,020 What is the pleasure of God? 99 00:06:35,840 --> 00:06:38,280 Now, of course, the pleasure of God, in 100 00:06:38,280 --> 00:06:40,100 another sense, is God's will. 101 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:45,720 Because his pleasure is whatever he will, whatever 102 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:46,580 he wants. 103 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:49,340 Because God is good. 104 00:06:50,180 --> 00:06:54,300 Therefore he is pleased only with that which 105 00:06:54,300 --> 00:06:54,780 is good. 106 00:06:55,400 --> 00:06:58,860 The pleasure of God is the good pleasure. 107 00:06:59,560 --> 00:07:01,060 It is the good will. 108 00:07:02,820 --> 00:07:05,740 Now, in Ephesians chapter 1 you will find 109 00:07:05,740 --> 00:07:06,720 these words. 110 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:12,120 He has chosen us in him before the 111 00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:15,740 world's foundation that we should be holy and 112 00:07:15,740 --> 00:07:18,420 blameless before him in love. 113 00:07:19,420 --> 00:07:23,440 What is the good pleasure of God's will? 114 00:07:24,780 --> 00:07:27,500 The good pleasure of God's will is that 115 00:07:27,500 --> 00:07:31,620 he has chosen us in Christ before the 116 00:07:31,620 --> 00:07:35,160 foundation of the world that we might be 117 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:39,000 holy and blameless before him in love. 118 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:44,620 This is the good pleasure of God. 119 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:53,890 We are chosen not because we are worthy. 120 00:07:55,110 --> 00:07:57,590 We are chosen not because we have done 121 00:07:57,590 --> 00:07:58,070 anything. 122 00:07:59,150 --> 00:08:01,530 We are chosen not because we will it 123 00:08:01,530 --> 00:08:01,970 to be. 124 00:08:03,030 --> 00:08:07,030 We are chosen according to the good pleasure 125 00:08:07,030 --> 00:08:08,630 of God's will. 126 00:08:09,650 --> 00:08:12,970 Oh dear brothers and sisters, we need to 127 00:08:12,970 --> 00:08:15,470 see that today we are chosen. 128 00:08:16,490 --> 00:08:18,350 We are chosen in Christ. 129 00:08:19,270 --> 00:08:22,070 We are chosen before the foundation of the 130 00:08:22,070 --> 00:08:22,330 world. 131 00:08:23,010 --> 00:08:26,390 We are chosen before we exist physically. 132 00:08:27,510 --> 00:08:30,310 We are chosen before we know anything. 133 00:08:30,870 --> 00:08:33,630 We are chosen before we can will anything. 134 00:08:33,909 --> 00:08:35,429 We can desire anything. 135 00:08:35,890 --> 00:08:37,450 It is not our desire. 136 00:08:37,890 --> 00:08:39,190 It is not our doing. 137 00:08:39,630 --> 00:08:42,950 It is the good pleasure of God that 138 00:08:42,950 --> 00:08:45,870 he has chosen us in Christ Jesus. 139 00:08:47,670 --> 00:08:50,650 Very often we think that we are chosen. 140 00:08:50,950 --> 00:08:52,450 It means that we are saved. 141 00:08:53,790 --> 00:08:59,090 Now, of course, whom he has chosen, he 142 00:08:59,090 --> 00:09:02,090 will call and whom he has called, he 143 00:09:02,090 --> 00:09:02,870 will justify. 144 00:09:03,270 --> 00:09:04,390 No doubt about that. 145 00:09:04,930 --> 00:09:08,710 But here you'll find God has chosen us 146 00:09:08,710 --> 00:09:17,190 in Christ Jesus that we may be holy 147 00:09:17,190 --> 00:09:22,230 and blameless in love before him. 148 00:09:24,660 --> 00:09:27,960 We are chosen that we may be holy. 149 00:09:28,900 --> 00:09:31,240 And of course, you know the word holy 150 00:09:31,240 --> 00:09:32,740 means separated. 151 00:09:33,660 --> 00:09:38,020 We are chosen to be separated from the 152 00:09:38,020 --> 00:09:38,340 world. 153 00:09:39,060 --> 00:09:42,760 We are chosen to be separated from ourselves. 154 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:47,140 We are chosen to be separated from everything 155 00:09:47,140 --> 00:09:49,300 but unto God. 156 00:09:50,260 --> 00:09:54,280 We are chosen for his son. 157 00:09:54,660 --> 00:09:57,480 We are chosen that we may be given 158 00:09:57,480 --> 00:10:03,440 to his son as God's exclusive gift to 159 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:04,220 his beloved. 160 00:10:05,540 --> 00:10:08,140 Dear brothers and sisters, do you know that 161 00:10:08,140 --> 00:10:09,480 we are very exclusive? 162 00:10:11,240 --> 00:10:15,020 Non-exclusive in the sense that we restrict 163 00:10:15,020 --> 00:10:18,280 our fellowship just to those who agree with 164 00:10:18,280 --> 00:10:18,500 us. 165 00:10:18,780 --> 00:10:19,500 Not at all. 166 00:10:21,020 --> 00:10:24,220 In this respect, we must be very open. 167 00:10:25,700 --> 00:10:28,080 As open as our Lord. 168 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:32,040 We must receive whomever the Lord receives. 169 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:37,000 But dear brothers and sisters, so far as 170 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:41,060 we are God's gift to his son is 171 00:10:41,060 --> 00:10:44,340 concerned, we are most exclusive. 172 00:10:45,620 --> 00:10:48,620 And because of that, you'll find God is 173 00:10:48,620 --> 00:10:49,380 very jealous. 174 00:10:53,310 --> 00:10:54,690 He is very jealous. 175 00:10:55,210 --> 00:10:55,590 Why? 176 00:10:55,590 --> 00:11:00,890 Because he has chosen us to be gift 177 00:11:00,890 --> 00:11:02,650 to his only begotten. 178 00:11:03,390 --> 00:11:07,550 And anything that may interfere with that, anything 179 00:11:07,550 --> 00:11:11,130 that may distract that, he is very jealous 180 00:11:11,130 --> 00:11:12,990 over all these things. 181 00:11:13,390 --> 00:11:17,170 We are to be holy before him. 182 00:11:18,030 --> 00:11:20,730 And not only holy, but blameless. 183 00:11:22,940 --> 00:11:25,620 Or maybe in some version you'll find without 184 00:11:25,620 --> 00:11:26,220 blemish. 185 00:11:27,220 --> 00:11:30,460 How can we, who are full of spots 186 00:11:30,460 --> 00:11:34,900 and blemishes, that we may be without blemish? 187 00:11:35,560 --> 00:11:39,780 We may be without blame before God. 188 00:11:41,780 --> 00:11:45,920 This is only possible through his great love 189 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:47,140 towards us. 190 00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:52,140 It is God's love that has taken away 191 00:11:52,140 --> 00:11:56,080 all our spots and all our blemishes. 192 00:11:56,960 --> 00:12:00,400 It is love that has covered a multitude 193 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:01,240 of things. 194 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:05,060 It is love that has accepted us in 195 00:12:05,060 --> 00:12:06,400 his well-beloved. 196 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:09,780 Now, dear brothers and sisters, this is what 197 00:12:09,780 --> 00:12:10,640 the church is. 198 00:12:12,220 --> 00:12:17,340 The church is a glorious church without spots 199 00:12:17,340 --> 00:12:20,840 or wrinkles or any of such things. 200 00:12:21,180 --> 00:12:26,040 To be presented to his son as the 201 00:12:26,040 --> 00:12:26,560 bride. 202 00:12:27,680 --> 00:12:30,140 And this is all according to the good 203 00:12:30,140 --> 00:12:32,880 pleasure of his will. 204 00:12:35,550 --> 00:12:39,270 Again, you'll find in verse 5, having mocked 205 00:12:39,270 --> 00:12:43,370 us out beforehand for adoption through Jesus Christ 206 00:12:43,370 --> 00:12:44,750 to himself. 207 00:12:45,310 --> 00:12:49,130 Again, according to the good pleasure of his 208 00:12:49,130 --> 00:12:49,470 will. 209 00:12:50,550 --> 00:12:53,530 We are mocked out. 210 00:12:56,330 --> 00:13:00,800 God has mocked us out beforehand. 211 00:13:03,540 --> 00:13:07,260 That is, before the foundation of the world. 212 00:13:08,440 --> 00:13:14,690 For adoption through Christ Jesus to himself. 213 00:13:15,690 --> 00:13:17,910 Now, of course, we know the word adoption 214 00:13:17,910 --> 00:13:19,290 here means friendship. 215 00:13:20,550 --> 00:13:23,970 It is just another way of putting it. 216 00:13:23,970 --> 00:13:28,750 I often say that God does not adopt 217 00:13:28,750 --> 00:13:31,250 children like we adopt today. 218 00:13:32,730 --> 00:13:36,970 The way that God adopts is he begets 219 00:13:36,970 --> 00:13:38,310 us to adopt us. 220 00:13:39,910 --> 00:13:46,550 You'll find that he has begotten us and 221 00:13:46,550 --> 00:13:48,250 he has adopted us. 222 00:13:50,410 --> 00:13:53,330 He has taken us to himself. 223 00:13:54,450 --> 00:14:00,270 Not only as children, but as grown-up 224 00:14:00,270 --> 00:14:00,950 sons. 225 00:14:03,410 --> 00:14:07,870 And this is the good pleasure of God's 226 00:14:07,870 --> 00:14:08,070 will. 227 00:14:09,970 --> 00:14:11,810 That is the reason why you'll find in 228 00:14:11,810 --> 00:14:14,910 Hebrews, it is said, the church is called 229 00:14:14,910 --> 00:14:16,790 the church of the firstborn. 230 00:14:19,860 --> 00:14:23,020 Our Lord Jesus is the only begotten son. 231 00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:28,160 Our Lord Jesus has become the firstborn of 232 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:28,780 all creation. 233 00:14:29,780 --> 00:14:32,820 And now you'll find he has so taken 234 00:14:32,820 --> 00:14:34,380 us unto himself. 235 00:14:34,940 --> 00:14:38,360 He has so united us with himself that 236 00:14:38,360 --> 00:14:41,040 the church is called the church of the 237 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:41,410 firstborn. 238 00:14:43,020 --> 00:14:50,250 We are all sons in Christ Jesus, and 239 00:14:50,250 --> 00:14:52,850 this is his good pleasure. 240 00:15:00,340 --> 00:15:05,520 You remember Paul said, it pleases God to 241 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:08,480 reveal his son in me. 242 00:15:10,260 --> 00:15:14,300 It is the good pleasure of God. 243 00:15:19,890 --> 00:15:22,570 See, this is true. 244 00:15:23,870 --> 00:15:28,350 Dear brothers and sisters, we have a very 245 00:15:28,350 --> 00:15:29,650 great responsibility. 246 00:15:31,610 --> 00:15:37,390 Since we are chosen, we are called, we 247 00:15:37,390 --> 00:15:43,050 are marked out according to the good pleasure 248 00:15:43,050 --> 00:15:44,330 of God's will. 249 00:15:44,330 --> 00:15:47,810 So this is where we begin. 250 00:15:48,650 --> 00:15:51,890 We begin in the good pleasure of God's 251 00:15:51,890 --> 00:15:52,130 will. 252 00:15:53,930 --> 00:15:57,190 Then we have a very great responsibility. 253 00:15:58,510 --> 00:16:02,610 And our responsibility is that we may please 254 00:16:02,610 --> 00:16:05,030 him in all things. 255 00:16:11,010 --> 00:16:16,510 Dear brothers and sisters, is it our desire 256 00:16:16,510 --> 00:16:19,950 that we may please Christ? 257 00:16:20,610 --> 00:16:24,750 That we may please God in all things? 258 00:16:27,620 --> 00:16:29,380 Do you remember the life of our Lord 259 00:16:29,380 --> 00:16:29,660 Jesus? 260 00:16:31,360 --> 00:16:34,900 When he was on earth, he said, the 261 00:16:34,900 --> 00:16:36,460 Father always hears him. 262 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:36,800 Why? 263 00:16:36,960 --> 00:16:41,880 Because he does everything that pleases the Father. 264 00:16:43,060 --> 00:16:46,340 Our Lord Jesus has never done anything that 265 00:16:46,340 --> 00:16:47,540 displeased the Father. 266 00:16:49,100 --> 00:16:51,440 He does not live for his own pleasure. 267 00:16:52,660 --> 00:16:56,700 He lives for the pleasure of his Heavenly 268 00:16:56,700 --> 00:16:57,180 Father. 269 00:16:58,380 --> 00:17:02,200 Now, dear brothers and sisters, you find that 270 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:05,859 as Christ lives for the pleasure of the 271 00:17:05,859 --> 00:17:10,700 Father, we ought to live for the pleasure 272 00:17:10,700 --> 00:17:12,380 of our Lord Jesus. 273 00:17:14,220 --> 00:17:17,460 We are chosen according to his pleasure. 274 00:17:18,440 --> 00:17:21,520 Therefore, we must live to please him. 275 00:17:23,180 --> 00:17:25,780 We cannot live on this earth just seeking 276 00:17:25,780 --> 00:17:29,460 our own will, doing our own pleasure. 277 00:17:30,300 --> 00:17:32,420 This is not what we are called for. 278 00:17:33,140 --> 00:17:35,180 This is not what we are chosen for. 279 00:17:35,810 --> 00:17:39,080 We are here to please him. 280 00:17:39,840 --> 00:17:43,780 We are here to be his pleasure and 281 00:17:43,780 --> 00:17:44,560 his delight. 282 00:17:46,910 --> 00:17:51,490 So this is the first phrase that we 283 00:17:51,490 --> 00:17:55,850 find in connection with the Church as the 284 00:17:55,850 --> 00:17:59,270 eternal purpose of God in Christ Jesus. 285 00:17:59,270 --> 00:18:04,890 Then you'll find the second phrase in verse 286 00:18:04,890 --> 00:18:11,550 9, which he purposed in himself. 287 00:18:12,890 --> 00:18:17,390 First, there is the pleasure of God's will. 288 00:18:18,570 --> 00:18:23,090 Then, secondly, you'll find the purpose, which he 289 00:18:23,090 --> 00:18:24,930 purposed in himself. 290 00:18:25,760 --> 00:18:28,530 And then, in the third chapter, you'll find 291 00:18:28,530 --> 00:18:32,490 he purposed that purpose in Christ Jesus. 292 00:18:33,870 --> 00:18:40,310 We mentioned yesterday morning the pleasure is an 293 00:18:40,310 --> 00:18:40,970 idea. 294 00:18:42,010 --> 00:18:47,010 The pleasure is something that is within his 295 00:18:47,010 --> 00:18:47,450 mind. 296 00:18:48,230 --> 00:18:52,870 Now, when that good pleasure is precipitated, it 297 00:18:52,870 --> 00:18:54,290 becomes a purpose. 298 00:18:55,910 --> 00:19:00,470 Sometimes you may have some idea, but you 299 00:19:00,470 --> 00:19:04,370 do not come to the point of making 300 00:19:04,370 --> 00:19:06,830 a determination or a decision. 301 00:19:08,030 --> 00:19:12,710 Sometimes beautiful ideas float through your mind, they 302 00:19:12,710 --> 00:19:15,750 come and they go, and they just fade, 303 00:19:16,410 --> 00:19:17,070 fade away. 304 00:19:17,850 --> 00:19:19,270 Nothing is accomplished. 305 00:19:20,310 --> 00:19:23,230 It is almost like a dream that passes. 306 00:19:24,090 --> 00:19:25,690 But not so with God. 307 00:19:26,770 --> 00:19:32,390 When God has an idea, when God has 308 00:19:32,390 --> 00:19:36,470 a thought, when God has a good pleasure, 309 00:19:36,870 --> 00:19:41,810 when God delights in something, you'll find that 310 00:19:41,810 --> 00:19:44,570 he comes down to a purpose. 311 00:19:47,260 --> 00:19:51,260 Purpose is the essence of good pleasure. 312 00:19:52,220 --> 00:19:57,780 There, the good pleasure is being precipitated into 313 00:19:57,780 --> 00:19:58,740 a purpose. 314 00:20:00,240 --> 00:20:03,460 God is a God of purpose. 315 00:20:05,120 --> 00:20:07,900 God never does anything by chance. 316 00:20:09,060 --> 00:20:11,880 God is never forced into anything. 317 00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:15,300 You know, that's how we live. 318 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:18,880 We often do things by chance. 319 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:24,160 And very often we are just forced into 320 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:25,200 doing something. 321 00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:29,200 But you can never force God to do 322 00:20:29,200 --> 00:20:29,620 anything. 323 00:20:30,880 --> 00:20:35,180 He is never directed by external forces. 324 00:20:36,100 --> 00:20:38,920 He is the God of purpose. 325 00:20:39,880 --> 00:20:44,700 Before he undertakes anything, he has a desire. 326 00:20:45,140 --> 00:20:47,020 He has a decision. 327 00:20:47,020 --> 00:20:49,240 He has a determination. 328 00:20:51,940 --> 00:20:56,800 He purposes in himself. 329 00:21:02,590 --> 00:21:06,990 You know, if the Church of God is 330 00:21:06,990 --> 00:21:14,660 left to our purpose, then you'll find it 331 00:21:14,660 --> 00:21:16,960 is very dangerous. 332 00:21:18,280 --> 00:21:18,860 Why? 333 00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:23,360 Because to us, the Church of God doesn't 334 00:21:23,360 --> 00:21:25,780 seem to be very appealing at times. 335 00:21:26,940 --> 00:21:30,960 Sometimes, if you really know the Church, it 336 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:33,340 is just a little bit too much for 337 00:21:33,340 --> 00:21:33,840 the flesh. 338 00:21:37,730 --> 00:21:41,050 But we do praise and thank God that 339 00:21:41,050 --> 00:21:44,710 the Church is the purpose of God. 340 00:21:45,770 --> 00:21:47,990 God has purposed it. 341 00:21:49,410 --> 00:21:50,910 God has decided. 342 00:21:52,690 --> 00:21:55,810 And God is determined to have it. 343 00:22:00,760 --> 00:22:05,700 And this purpose, he purposed in Christ Jesus. 344 00:22:07,950 --> 00:22:12,550 It means that this purpose concerns Christ Jesus. 345 00:22:14,390 --> 00:22:18,110 This purpose is made for Christ Jesus. 346 00:22:21,150 --> 00:22:24,830 Do not think that we are the purpose 347 00:22:24,830 --> 00:22:25,410 of God. 348 00:22:28,550 --> 00:22:29,390 Of course. 349 00:22:30,370 --> 00:22:32,070 You remember Romans chapter 8? 350 00:22:33,310 --> 00:22:36,090 There's a verse that we often use, especially 351 00:22:36,090 --> 00:22:39,110 when any brother and sister is sick, or 352 00:22:39,110 --> 00:22:41,810 any brother and sister is afflicted with something 353 00:22:41,810 --> 00:22:45,690 that you do not know how to explain 354 00:22:45,690 --> 00:22:46,790 and how to comfort. 355 00:22:48,010 --> 00:22:50,630 We always say, well, all things work together 356 00:22:50,630 --> 00:22:53,650 for good to those who love the Lord. 357 00:22:54,510 --> 00:22:56,550 Now, so long as you love the Lord, 358 00:22:57,010 --> 00:22:58,330 everything will be all right. 359 00:22:58,610 --> 00:23:00,470 Everything will turn out all right. 360 00:23:00,470 --> 00:23:03,490 Because the word of God says, all things 361 00:23:03,490 --> 00:23:05,990 work together for good to those who love 362 00:23:05,990 --> 00:23:06,410 the Lord. 363 00:23:10,020 --> 00:23:14,440 Sometimes I feel these words when they are 364 00:23:14,440 --> 00:23:15,000 spoken. 365 00:23:17,440 --> 00:23:21,020 Just like Job told his friends, these are 366 00:23:21,020 --> 00:23:22,420 proverbs of ashes. 367 00:23:29,800 --> 00:23:33,900 All things work together for good to those 368 00:23:33,900 --> 00:23:35,480 who love the Lord. 369 00:23:36,520 --> 00:23:38,260 Now, that's the verse we often quote. 370 00:23:39,220 --> 00:23:42,280 But we often misquote. 371 00:23:43,460 --> 00:23:45,920 Because the word of God does not stop 372 00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:46,200 there. 373 00:23:46,800 --> 00:23:48,920 You'll find the word of God continues and 374 00:23:48,920 --> 00:23:51,920 says, all things work together for good to 375 00:23:51,920 --> 00:23:54,880 those who love the Lord, who are called 376 00:23:54,880 --> 00:23:57,600 according to His purpose. 377 00:24:00,320 --> 00:24:03,920 Dear brothers and sisters, we are called according 378 00:24:03,920 --> 00:24:05,400 to God's purpose. 379 00:24:05,780 --> 00:24:07,320 Now, what is that purpose? 380 00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:13,240 Of course, that purpose includes you and me. 381 00:24:14,660 --> 00:24:17,040 We are included in that purpose. 382 00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:19,620 But what is that purpose? 383 00:24:20,700 --> 00:24:24,660 That purpose is that we may be conformed 384 00:24:24,660 --> 00:24:28,200 to the image of His Son. 385 00:24:29,200 --> 00:24:32,860 In other words, His Son is the center 386 00:24:32,860 --> 00:24:35,120 of that purpose. 387 00:24:35,840 --> 00:24:38,760 And we are to be conformed to the 388 00:24:38,760 --> 00:24:41,480 image of God's Son. 389 00:24:45,290 --> 00:24:48,590 The purpose is concerning His Son. 390 00:24:49,670 --> 00:24:53,870 And this purpose is to be realized in, 391 00:24:54,110 --> 00:24:57,010 by and through His Son. 392 00:25:02,460 --> 00:25:04,480 This purpose of God is not to be 393 00:25:04,480 --> 00:25:05,560 realized by us. 394 00:25:07,080 --> 00:25:09,180 This purpose of God is not to be 395 00:25:09,180 --> 00:25:11,160 accomplished by our efforts. 396 00:25:13,110 --> 00:25:16,410 You'll find that this purpose is purpose in 397 00:25:16,410 --> 00:25:17,350 Christ Jesus. 398 00:25:17,890 --> 00:25:21,550 And that is, it shall be realized through 399 00:25:21,550 --> 00:25:22,090 Christ. 400 00:25:25,940 --> 00:25:29,620 And because of that, it is most sure 401 00:25:29,620 --> 00:25:32,160 He cannot fail. 402 00:25:34,700 --> 00:25:40,560 Once God has made His purpose, He will 403 00:25:40,560 --> 00:25:45,440 see it through, through Christ Jesus, His Son. 404 00:25:46,280 --> 00:25:49,160 And that is the reason why that our 405 00:25:49,160 --> 00:25:51,120 Lord Jesus came to this world. 406 00:25:52,040 --> 00:25:54,640 That is the reason why He went to 407 00:25:54,640 --> 00:25:55,140 the cross. 408 00:25:56,220 --> 00:25:58,420 And there you'll find at the cross He 409 00:25:58,420 --> 00:26:00,240 cried out, It is finished! 410 00:26:01,660 --> 00:26:04,020 The purpose is being realized. 411 00:26:05,260 --> 00:26:08,840 Out of His death and resurrection, the Church 412 00:26:08,840 --> 00:26:09,540 is born. 413 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:14,980 The purpose of God, that He has purpose 414 00:26:14,980 --> 00:26:17,420 in His Son and for His Son, is 415 00:26:17,420 --> 00:26:18,680 being realized. 416 00:26:19,980 --> 00:26:21,880 It is all His doing. 417 00:26:24,500 --> 00:26:26,820 Marvelous is His way. 418 00:26:28,320 --> 00:26:32,580 And then thirdly, you'll find the third phrase, 419 00:26:32,800 --> 00:26:38,340 it says, verse 11, according to the counsel 420 00:26:38,340 --> 00:26:41,840 of His own will, that we shall be 421 00:26:41,840 --> 00:26:44,400 to the praise of His glory. 422 00:26:45,360 --> 00:26:50,820 First the pleasure, then the purpose, and then 423 00:26:50,820 --> 00:26:52,500 you'll come the counsel. 424 00:26:54,160 --> 00:26:58,760 After God has made a purpose, and then 425 00:26:58,760 --> 00:27:00,800 He begins to plan. 426 00:27:01,420 --> 00:27:04,660 He begins to lay down a plan. 427 00:27:09,760 --> 00:27:12,420 Probably you remember in Proverbs it is said, 428 00:27:13,300 --> 00:27:20,480 Without counsel, purpose cannot be fulfilled. 429 00:27:21,900 --> 00:27:26,380 You need counsel in order to have your 430 00:27:26,380 --> 00:27:27,920 purpose realized. 431 00:27:28,440 --> 00:27:32,580 Oh, many people have very good determination, but 432 00:27:32,580 --> 00:27:34,580 they never have counsel. 433 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:38,900 That is to say, they want this, they 434 00:27:38,900 --> 00:27:40,920 want that, but they have never laid down 435 00:27:40,920 --> 00:27:44,140 a plan as to how to arrive at 436 00:27:44,140 --> 00:27:45,000 that point. 437 00:27:46,440 --> 00:27:50,060 God has made a purpose, and now He 438 00:27:50,060 --> 00:27:51,740 lays the plan. 439 00:27:55,970 --> 00:28:03,860 In saying this, I remember especially these verses 440 00:28:03,860 --> 00:28:07,500 in Romans chapter 11. 441 00:28:08,620 --> 00:28:11,940 It says, O depth of riches, both of 442 00:28:11,940 --> 00:28:16,320 the wisdom and knowledge of God, how unsearchable 443 00:28:16,320 --> 00:28:20,460 His judgment, and untraceable His way, for who 444 00:28:20,460 --> 00:28:22,740 has known the mind of the Lord, or 445 00:28:22,740 --> 00:28:26,180 who has been His counselor, or who has 446 00:28:26,180 --> 00:28:28,020 first given to Him, and it shall be 447 00:28:28,020 --> 00:28:28,880 rendered to Him. 448 00:28:29,340 --> 00:28:32,080 For of Him, and through Him, and for 449 00:28:32,080 --> 00:28:33,140 Him are all things. 450 00:28:33,580 --> 00:28:35,440 To Him be glory forever. 451 00:28:36,240 --> 00:28:36,500 Amen. 452 00:28:37,620 --> 00:28:40,560 You'll find that the counsel of God is 453 00:28:40,560 --> 00:28:41,400 marvelous. 454 00:28:44,520 --> 00:28:50,840 How in the counsel of God He has 455 00:28:50,840 --> 00:28:56,160 decided beforehand to send His Son to this 456 00:28:56,160 --> 00:29:02,620 world, and how according to the full knowledge 457 00:29:02,620 --> 00:29:06,460 of God and the counsel of God that 458 00:29:06,460 --> 00:29:10,260 Christ shall be crucified by the hand of 459 00:29:10,260 --> 00:29:16,930 the lawless, and how He prepared Abraham as 460 00:29:16,930 --> 00:29:20,850 the father of the Jewish nation, preparing a 461 00:29:20,850 --> 00:29:24,470 pure race out of which Christ shall be 462 00:29:24,470 --> 00:29:28,210 born, and how salvation shall be first to 463 00:29:28,210 --> 00:29:31,730 the Jews and then to the Gentiles, and 464 00:29:31,730 --> 00:29:35,370 then neither Jews nor Gentiles, and here you'll 465 00:29:35,370 --> 00:29:38,130 find we become all one in Christ Jesus. 466 00:29:38,430 --> 00:29:40,670 This is the counsel of His will. 467 00:29:43,450 --> 00:29:47,470 If we know anything of His counsel, you'll 468 00:29:47,470 --> 00:29:54,640 find that truly no one has been His 469 00:29:54,640 --> 00:29:55,020 counselor. 470 00:29:56,340 --> 00:30:00,180 He has laid out His plan all by 471 00:30:00,180 --> 00:30:05,620 Himself, and wonderful and marvelous are His ways. 472 00:30:06,960 --> 00:30:09,520 The counsel of His will. 473 00:30:10,270 --> 00:30:13,480 And then lastly, the fourth one, which you 474 00:30:13,480 --> 00:30:16,760 will find also in verse 11, according to 475 00:30:16,760 --> 00:30:19,740 the purpose of Him who works all things 476 00:30:19,740 --> 00:30:22,980 according to the counsel of His own will, 477 00:30:23,080 --> 00:30:26,600 and then verse 19, according to the working 478 00:30:26,600 --> 00:30:29,480 of the might of His strength. 479 00:30:32,840 --> 00:30:39,260 The pleasure, the purpose, the counsel, and then 480 00:30:39,260 --> 00:30:40,440 the working. 481 00:30:42,650 --> 00:30:48,150 The working, according to working, the working of 482 00:30:48,150 --> 00:30:51,850 the might of His strength. 483 00:30:54,500 --> 00:30:58,860 God is the one who conceives the idea 484 00:30:58,860 --> 00:31:00,220 of the church. 485 00:31:02,900 --> 00:31:07,040 Nobody else has the right to conceive any 486 00:31:07,040 --> 00:31:08,840 idea about the church. 487 00:31:11,910 --> 00:31:18,650 Nobody has the right to manufacture anything according 488 00:31:18,650 --> 00:31:22,150 to His pleasure, because the church is according 489 00:31:22,150 --> 00:31:24,350 to the pleasure of God's will. 490 00:31:27,010 --> 00:31:29,910 It is according to the purpose of God, 491 00:31:32,050 --> 00:31:33,610 purpose in Christ Jesus. 492 00:31:34,570 --> 00:31:37,450 It is according to the counsel of His 493 00:31:37,450 --> 00:31:37,830 will. 494 00:31:39,150 --> 00:31:42,250 It will be according to the blueprint that 495 00:31:42,250 --> 00:31:43,530 He has laid down. 496 00:31:44,090 --> 00:31:47,330 And finally, it is according to the working 497 00:31:47,330 --> 00:31:50,250 of the might of His strength. 498 00:31:50,490 --> 00:31:53,690 In other words, it is not by our 499 00:31:53,690 --> 00:31:54,190 working. 500 00:31:55,610 --> 00:31:58,890 It is not being the energy of the 501 00:31:58,890 --> 00:31:59,270 flesh. 502 00:32:02,160 --> 00:32:06,720 It is the working of the might of 503 00:32:06,720 --> 00:32:07,340 His strength. 504 00:32:09,140 --> 00:32:11,900 God said, I will do it. 505 00:32:13,700 --> 00:32:16,220 You remember the Lord Jesus said, I will 506 00:32:16,220 --> 00:32:17,360 build my church. 507 00:32:17,360 --> 00:32:20,180 And the gate of Hades shall not prevail 508 00:32:20,180 --> 00:32:20,980 against me. 509 00:32:22,870 --> 00:32:25,010 What is this working of God? 510 00:32:25,930 --> 00:32:28,730 You read Ephesians chapter 1 and chapter 2 511 00:32:28,730 --> 00:32:29,830 and you'll find it. 512 00:32:30,630 --> 00:32:33,870 You'll find at first that working of the 513 00:32:33,870 --> 00:32:36,750 might of His strength works in Christ Jesus, 514 00:32:39,260 --> 00:32:41,860 in raising Christ from among the dead. 515 00:32:44,720 --> 00:32:47,520 First you'll find Christ came to this world. 516 00:32:48,100 --> 00:32:49,600 He went to the cross. 517 00:32:49,600 --> 00:32:53,080 He was buried in the tomb and people 518 00:32:53,080 --> 00:32:55,680 thought now that's the end. 519 00:32:56,500 --> 00:32:59,260 But here you'll find the working of the 520 00:32:59,260 --> 00:33:04,020 strength of His might in raising up Christ 521 00:33:04,020 --> 00:33:05,600 from among the dead. 522 00:33:08,640 --> 00:33:11,540 And He set Him down at His right 523 00:33:11,540 --> 00:33:13,820 hand in the heavenlies. 524 00:33:18,280 --> 00:33:22,420 The might of His strength raising Him from 525 00:33:22,420 --> 00:33:22,840 the dead. 526 00:33:23,800 --> 00:33:27,580 Not only from the dead but out of 527 00:33:27,580 --> 00:33:28,180 the earth. 528 00:33:28,940 --> 00:33:31,680 Set Him high up at His right hand 529 00:33:31,680 --> 00:33:38,080 above every principality and authority, power and dominion 530 00:33:38,080 --> 00:33:41,360 and every name, not only in this age 531 00:33:41,360 --> 00:33:43,820 but also in that to come and has 532 00:33:43,820 --> 00:33:46,640 put all things under His feet. 533 00:33:46,880 --> 00:33:50,140 This is the might of His strength. 534 00:33:54,500 --> 00:33:55,560 He has already done it. 535 00:33:56,840 --> 00:34:00,360 We have seen Christ being raised from the 536 00:34:00,360 --> 00:34:00,720 dead. 537 00:34:01,640 --> 00:34:03,360 Death cannot hold Him. 538 00:34:04,180 --> 00:34:07,199 We have seen Christ being taken up to 539 00:34:07,199 --> 00:34:07,560 heaven. 540 00:34:08,139 --> 00:34:10,199 The earth cannot hold Him. 541 00:34:11,179 --> 00:34:13,420 We have seen Him seated at the right 542 00:34:13,420 --> 00:34:16,020 hand of God because the Holy Spirit is 543 00:34:16,020 --> 00:34:22,270 poured out and we know that He is 544 00:34:22,270 --> 00:34:23,770 above all things. 545 00:34:24,570 --> 00:34:27,710 God has put all things under His feet 546 00:34:28,130 --> 00:34:31,670 that He may be the head over all 547 00:34:31,670 --> 00:34:36,650 things to the church which is His body, 548 00:34:37,110 --> 00:34:40,870 the fullness of Him who fills all and 549 00:34:40,870 --> 00:34:42,090 in all. 550 00:34:43,409 --> 00:34:47,190 This is the working of the strength of 551 00:34:47,190 --> 00:34:47,730 His might. 552 00:34:49,909 --> 00:34:56,690 Now this same working works in us because 553 00:34:56,690 --> 00:34:59,730 you read Ephesians chapter 2 and you'll find 554 00:34:59,730 --> 00:35:00,790 the same thing. 555 00:35:01,890 --> 00:35:05,870 What has been demonstrated in Christ Jesus the 556 00:35:05,870 --> 00:35:09,450 head is now being worked out in the 557 00:35:09,450 --> 00:35:13,650 body which is the complement of the head. 558 00:35:14,810 --> 00:35:17,610 There you'll find we who are dead in 559 00:35:17,610 --> 00:35:21,510 sins and transgressions, we who are hopeless and 560 00:35:21,510 --> 00:35:24,810 helpless, and you'll find how He has quickened 561 00:35:24,810 --> 00:35:30,200 us with Christ Jesus, how He has raised 562 00:35:30,200 --> 00:35:32,980 us up together, how He has made us 563 00:35:32,980 --> 00:35:36,340 sit down together in the heavenly in Christ 564 00:35:36,340 --> 00:35:40,000 Jesus that He might display in the coming 565 00:35:40,000 --> 00:35:42,880 ages the surpassing riches of His grace and 566 00:35:42,880 --> 00:35:46,080 kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. 567 00:35:46,080 --> 00:35:50,740 Here you'll find the same working that has 568 00:35:50,740 --> 00:35:54,420 been demonstrated in Christ is now working in 569 00:35:54,420 --> 00:35:56,380 us that is in the church. 570 00:35:57,460 --> 00:36:02,080 And this is how the counsel of God 571 00:36:02,080 --> 00:36:02,920 is carried out. 572 00:36:03,640 --> 00:36:06,760 This is how the purpose of God is 573 00:36:06,760 --> 00:36:07,160 realized. 574 00:36:07,840 --> 00:36:11,540 This is how the good pleasure of God 575 00:36:11,540 --> 00:36:13,140 is being fulfilled. 576 00:36:15,460 --> 00:36:19,500 Dear brothers and sisters, do we need to 577 00:36:19,500 --> 00:36:20,500 have any doubt? 578 00:36:21,640 --> 00:36:23,480 Need we be in fear? 579 00:36:24,440 --> 00:36:28,680 Lest God cannot get what He desires? 580 00:36:32,720 --> 00:36:33,980 We worry too much. 581 00:36:36,310 --> 00:36:37,490 We worry for God. 582 00:36:41,720 --> 00:36:42,660 We don't need to. 583 00:36:44,590 --> 00:36:48,710 You'll find that it is all His doing. 584 00:36:50,380 --> 00:36:51,120 He will do it. 585 00:36:52,500 --> 00:36:54,180 God cannot fail. 586 00:36:55,480 --> 00:36:58,200 He will get what He wants. 587 00:36:59,460 --> 00:37:05,400 He will give the church, a glorious church, 588 00:37:06,560 --> 00:37:10,080 without fault and wrinkle or any of such 589 00:37:10,080 --> 00:37:15,260 things as His gift to His beloved son, 590 00:37:17,040 --> 00:37:23,520 that His son may find satisfaction and pleasure 591 00:37:23,520 --> 00:37:25,160 in that. 592 00:37:26,120 --> 00:37:30,800 Dear brothers and sisters, this is the church 593 00:37:30,800 --> 00:37:33,860 from the eternal perspective. 594 00:37:35,500 --> 00:37:40,280 And because of that, we know it is 595 00:37:40,280 --> 00:37:45,360 from eternity, passing through time, back to eternity. 596 00:37:47,510 --> 00:37:51,710 And it is all unto the praise of 597 00:37:51,710 --> 00:37:52,270 His glory. 598 00:37:55,370 --> 00:37:59,350 I'll stop here and give my brother a 599 00:37:59,350 --> 00:38:00,070 few more minutes.