Chapter One
God's Eternal Purposes
and the Insider "I am my beloved's, and his desire is for me."
-Song of Songs 7:10, NASB
***
All of us need to live for something bigger than
the routines of life. No matter what we achieve,
we will live with a sense of futility unless what
we do transcends the here and now. What's this life about?
What's happening? There is only one place to go for the
answer-to God himself! What is he doing in this world? A
futile life is one lived by an agenda that has no connection
with God's purposes.
It doesn't matter how fast we might be going, how high
we think we are flying, or where we think we are headed, if
we are not living according to God's purposes, ultimately our
lives are futile.
What Is God About in This World?
EPHESIANS 1:3-10 CONTAINS vital information as to what God is doing in the
world right now. The apostle Paul wrote it to a group of new believers in a corrupt
society. He wanted them to understand
that despite all they saw going on, God
was at work and they were a vital part
of God's eternal purposes.
1. Read Ephesians 1:3-10. How does
Paul describe God's purpose?
2. Jesus is central to the working out
of God's eternal purposes. On
many occasions Jesus stated why
he came into the world. In the following
passages, underline his
stated purposes.
"For even the Son of Man did
not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom
for many." (Mark 10:45)
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was
lost." (Luke 19:10)
"God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son
merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how
bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right
again." (John 3:17, MSG)
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I
have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am
the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the
sheep." (John 10:10-11)
What is significant to you about Jesus' stated purpose(s)?
3. John recorded this prayer Jesus prayed in the last days before his death and
resurrection. The prayer reveals the part Jesus saw his followers playing in
the outworking of God's eternal purpose. Underline the part we are to play.
"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you
protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I
am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you
sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I
sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who
will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be
one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also
be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I
have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one
as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to
complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have
loved them even as you have loved me." (John 17:15-23)
How would you summarize our role, as Jesus describes it?
God is at work today in this world. He is bringing together a
people who for all eternity will live to worship and reflect his
glory. His people are in the world today for the sake of those who
are not yet worshipers of God and followers of Christ.
God wants every aspect of our daily lives to be a reflection of his eternal purposes.
As insiders we can participate with what God is doing in the world today,
right where we are. Insiders are vital to making visible the invisible purposes of
God.
Our Job Description
4. Based on what you have learned from the passages in this session, write a job
description for the followers of Jesus in the world.
Purpose:
Qualifications (Who do I need to be in the process of
becoming? That is, what attributes do I need to further
develop?:)
Functions (What am I supposed to do?):)
Vital relationships (Who do I need to help me be and
do these things?:)
5. What goes through your mind when you think about God inviting you to
take this on as your job description? What immediate appeal or objections
do you sense inside you?
6. Review the past month. List the names of people with whom you have had
social time: eating out or in, seeing a movie, and so on. Now put an asterisk
next to the unbelievers. What does your list say about your priorities?
7. As you go through the next seven days, look for opportunities to say "hello"
to unbelievers. Notice whether you smile. Notice whether you feel interested
in them or really want to be left alone. Notice what they do. Record your
observations and report them to your group the next time you meet.
(Continues.)
