TEXT:(Mat 13:35 KJV) That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Intro: This verse tells us that there are some things that have been kept secret from the foundations of the world. There are some things that were “hidden, a mystery” from before the world was ever formed. This “mystery” is spoken of in other passages as well, (Rom 16:25 KJV) Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
1 Cor. 2:7-10; Col. 1:25-27. All these verses, plus others, reveal to us the fact that there are some things that have been hidden from eternity. These hidden mysteries have been revealed to the saints of God. God says that we can know these mysteries and be blessed by them. I would like to share with you 4 great mysteries that were put in place before the world was made and that are a great mystery to the lost, but a great blessing to the saved. Let’s consider together this thought, “Before there was a world.”I. BEFORE THE WAS A SINNER, THERE WAS A SAVIOR….(1 Pet 1:18 KJV) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (1 Pet 1:19 KJV) But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Pet 1:20 KJV) Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
A. A Lamb Spoken Of - Gen. 3:15 (Immediately after sin entered the world, God began to reveal His plan for the redemption of sinners!)
B. A Lamb Sent - John 1:29 - (Ill. When Jesus was born into this world, a little more of God’s eternal plan became visible.)
C. A Lamb Slain - Rev. 13:8 - (Ill. When Calvary was accomplished, the plan of God was in full view of the human race.) (Ill. Some still won’t see it!)
II. BEFORE THERE WAS GUILT, THERE WAS GRACE…(2 Tim 1:9 KJV) 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, (Ill. Grace is the unmerited love and favor of God for sinners.)
A. Before Man Ever Strayed - Isa. 53:6.all we like sheep have gone astray… There was grace to bring him home.
B. Before Man Ever Sinned - Rom. 3:23.all have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD. There was grace to make him clean.
C. Before Man Ever Became Separated - Isa. 59:2.but your iniquities have seperated between you and your GOD. There was grace to reconcile him to God! (Ill. It is grace (EPH 2:8-9) (3)
III. BEFORE THERE WAS THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH, THERE WAS THE PROMISE OF LIFE - (Titus 1:2 KJV) In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
A. To Those Who Would Come To Christ - (John 6:37 KJV) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (Rev 22:17 KJV) And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
B. To Those Who Would Confess Christ - (Rom 10:9 KJV) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Rom 10:10 KJV) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Ill. Matt. 10:32-33) (Ill. Phil. 2:11)
C. To Those Who Would Claim Christ - (Rom 10:11 KJV) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Mark 8:38 KJV) Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (Ill. Rom. 10:13) Ill. Before that first sinner ever bowed, God had already made a way to receive him! When that sinner bows tonight, Jesus will receive them also!
IV BEFORE THERE WAS A HELL, THERE WAS A HEAVEN… (Eph 1:4 KJV) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ill. Heaven the dwelling of God! (Psa 11:4 KJV) The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. Ill. Purpose of Hell -(Mat 25:41 KJV) Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Hell is real, but so is Heaven!
A. For Redeemed People (Saved) - (Ill. John 14:1-3) (1Peter 1:3-5)
B. For Righteous People (Perfected) - (Ill. Not our righteousness - (Phil 3:9 KJV) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
C. For Reconciled People (Forgiven) - (Eph 1:7 KJV) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Psa 103:12 KJV) As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Conc: Ill. There is more - (1 Cor 2:9 KJV) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. . And it is all ours - (Rom 8:17 KJV) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
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