According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 3:11).

Even though history would seem to us to be a random series of events, we can have the confidence that throughout it all God has maintained an eternal purpose for mankind through Christ Jesus. Let us discover this purpose through studying His Word, the Bible.

Creation

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).

The Bible shows that God is the Author of all creation, and that He established mankind to have dominion and stewardship over the earth (Genesis 1:27). He made Adam and Eve and they shared in unbroken communion with God. They disobeyed His command, however, and because of them sin and death entered the world (Genesis 2-3). God predicted, nevertheless, that Jesus would come to triumph over sin and death (Genesis 3:15; cf. Romans 5:15-19).

The Patriarchs and Israel

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because thou hast obeyed my voice (Genesis 22:18).

Even though sin was present in the world, the world was not yet ready for its Savior. In the midst of all the sinful and idolatrous people of the world, God chose a man named Abraham who followed Him dutifully. God made many promises to Abraham, some of which were fulfilled in Isaac and Jacob (Israel) his descendants, but all of them fully in his seed Jesus (Genesis 12-50).

God delivered His people Israel from the hand of the Egyptians and brought them into the land of Canaan and became their God, yet they were overall disobedient (Exodus-Malachi). Israel was an earthly copy of the heavenly reality that would be revealed in Christ. Israelites like Moses, Elijah, and Jeremiah showed in many ways what Jesus would be like. Many of the prophets predicted the events surrounding Jesus and His coming.

Jesus

Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is the center of history. All time before it looked toward His coming; all time since has looked back to His example (1 Peter 1:10-12, Hebrews 12:2; cf. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).

Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses, setting aside the covenant with Israel, and is Himself the mediator of a new covenant since He shed His blood for the forgiveness of sin (Matthew 5:17-18, Hebrews 9:15).

All men can now find release from sin and death through His sacrifice and obedience to Him (1 Timothy 2:4, Romans 6:16-23). He is the Alpha and the Omega-- the First and the Last, the one to whom we all should look for guidance and salvation (Revelation 1:8).

The Church

For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as Christ also the church; because we are members of his body (Ephesians 5:29-30).

God's purpose is eternal; it has no beginning, nor does it have an end. Since Jesus died and was resurrected, God has desired that all men come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved (1 Timothy 2:4).

In His wisdom, God has established the church as the group of people striving to follow His Son and who seek to encourage one another (Hebrews 10:25). Anyone can become a part of the Church of Christ as long as they believe in Jesus, confess Him before men, repent of their sins, are immersed in water for the remission of their sins, and are obedient to Him (Acts 16:31, Acts 2:38, Matthew 10:22).

You, too, can share an important part in God's eternal purpose. Become a servant of Christ and be a part of His church today!

This E-Tract Compliments of the church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio

We, the church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio, are happy to present you
with this e-tract to promote the truth of God throughout the world.

386 North Edgewood Drive
(Right off US 250 North)
Norwalk, Ohio 44857

(419) 541-6254
norwalkchurch.org

Assemblies:

Sunday morning Bible Study: 9:30am
Sunday morning Assembly: 10:30am
Sunday evening Assembly: 6:00pm
Wednesday evening Bible Study: 7:00pm

Want more information? Please contact us here!

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