The church is at the very center of God’s eternal purpose in Jesus Christ! This truth is crystal-clear from what we’ve been seeing in Eph. 3:10-11,
“…so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord…”
What vision this truth provides in revealing that the church is not just helpful and beneficial, but absolutely essential in God’s design! Moreover, this truth magnifies the important privilege and responsibility every believer has as members of God’s church…the importance of why we are to “walk worthy” of this calling God has given us in Christ (Eph. 4:1-3).
Pastor John Piper highlights this well:
“We don’t usually hit targets that we are not aiming at. And the target for the church is to demonstrate to the evil powers of the cosmos that God has been wise in sending his Son to die that we might have hope and be unified in one body, the church. Therefore, when we fail to live in hope and to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, we send this signal through the galaxies: God’s purpose is failing; he was not wise, he was foolish.” (Sermon: The Cosmic Church)
Beloved, embracing and living in light of this is why we need to love, pray for, and encourage each other day by day! What a glorious vision God has given us of His eternal purpose in Christ. And what a great joy to share in His purpose with you at RCG!
Because Christ lives, and is returning,
Greg