Matt. 13:35 BEFORE THERE WAS A 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; 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. 1:18-20)
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) (Ill. Grace is the unmerited love and favor of
God for
sinners.)
A. Before Man Ever Strayed – Isa. 53:6. There was grace
to bring him
home.
B. Before Man Ever Sinned – Rom. 3:23. There was grace
to make him clean.
C. Before Man Ever Became Separated – Isa. 59:2. There
was grace to
reconcile him to God! (Ill. It is grace that saves –
Eph. 2:8-9! Grace is
sufficient for all men – Rom. 5:20.)
III. BEFORE THERE WAS THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH,
THERE
WAS THE PROMISE OF LIFE – Titus 1:2
A. To Those Who Would Come To Christ – John 6:37; Rev.
22:17
B. To Those Who Would Confess Christ – Rom. 10:9-10
(Ill. Matt. 10:32-33)
(Ill. Phil. 2:11)
C. To Those Who Would Claim Christ – Rom. 10:11; Mark
8:38 (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; Matt. 25:34) (Ill. Heaven the dwelling of God!
Psa. 11:4. Ill. Purpose of Hell – Matt. 25:41) Hell is
real, but so is Heaven!
A. For Redeemed People (Saved) – (Ill. John 14:1-3) (1
Peter 1:3-5)
B. For Righteous People (Perfected) – (Ill. Not our
righteousness – Phil. 3:9)
C. For Reconciled People (Forgiven) – Eph. 1:7; Psa.
103:12
Conc: Ill. There is more – 1 Cor. 2:9. And it is all
ours – Rom. 8:17.
