Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Second Lesson just read, from Acts 2. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- In this sermon of the apostle Peter, we see the “definite” plan of God in creating mankind and the whole world. It seems strange to us that God “foreknew” all that would happen and take place in His creation.
- We must be clear about this. “Foreknowledge” does not mean or imply any and all causation. Certainly God’s foreknowledge of Adam and Eve’s sin, and all of the sin that has come into the world because of their disobedience and our infection with sin, was not “caused” by God.
- It is somewhat of a mystery as to why God allowed all of this to happen, It has to do with love – God’s love for us, and His provision of freedom to us so that we might also love God. Adam and Eve ruined this, but God had already determined to show us His love in the gift of Jesus.
- So the Scripture asserts: “God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will.” [Eph. 1:4,5]
- So also the Scripture assures us that: “God saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” [1 Tim. 1:9]
- So Peter clearly identifies the wickedness of those who crucified Jesus, but also that all of this was “foreknown” and also “foreordained” as His good and gracious will to restore us to a loving relationship with Him. Peter makes clear that:
I. God’s Redemption Of Us, And the Salvation Of Mankind, Has Been God’s Plan All Along
Text: “Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves know – this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”
Statement: Again, this seems a mystery to us as to why God would order things in such a way. And while this may be inscrutable, what is clear and plain is that God loves us. He loves us so much that He was willing to endure the cross.
Application: You are here today because of this eternal plan of God for you. In the book of Revelation it is asserted of the children of God, of believers, that our names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life “before the foundation of the world.” [Rev.17:8] This is something to celebrate and ponder, that God has loved us and written our names in the Book of Life, that our redemption and salvation was planned and determined by God even before the creation of the world! All of this is the gift of God in Christ Jesus, for:
II. Our Salvation Was Accomplished By The Sacrifice Of Christ, His Suffering And Death On The Cross
Text: “This Jesus . . . you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”
Eph. 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
Statement: Even in heaven we read that Jesus appeared as “a Lamb having been slain.” His wounds were ghastly and lethal. Isaiah predicted what actually happened to Jesus: “His appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and His form beyond that of the children of mankind.” [Is. 52:14]
Application: But this was the plan of God from before the foundation of the world. And we understand that the wounds of Jesus, the scars still remaining, are the great badge and sign of God’s love for us, of what He wills for us! And of course, death did not have the final say, but Christ also conquered death for us.
III. Our Salvation Comes To Us Also By Christ’s Resurrection
Text: “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.”
A. So God Has Exalted Him
Text: “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God.”
B. He Now Bestows The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit Upon Us
Text: “Having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this that yourselves are seeing and hearing.”
C. Jesus Is The Eternal God, Lord And Christ – All People Are Invited To Repent And Believe In Him
Text: “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus Whom you crucified.”
Statement: All of this is according to “the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.” From before the foundation of the world God had chosen us in Christ! This salvation has been provided for all people, for as God’s Word states: “God wills all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” [1 Tim. 2:4]
Application: So let us rejoice also to continue repenting and confessing our sins to God, knowing His love, His mercy, His forgiveness. Let us rejoice to receive gifts of the Holy Spirit, and to utilize them for the common good, for the good of the whole church! This too is God’s definite plan for us, for as Scripture describes us: “We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God has foreordained that we should be walking in them.” [Eph. 2:10]
Conclusion: Usually we think of God’s gift of salvation in Christ Jesus as being within the bounds of creation and the Last Day. Actually, the overarching plan of God is our redemption and our reconciliation to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. This came prior to creation, and our redemption is eternal, exceeding the limits of this current age and world!
Peter rejoiced to preach these realities. Many people came to faith through His Word. We are blessed to believe as well, and to know the Father’s great love, and His plan for us. Thanks and praise be to God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.