Our topic for today is: “God is up to something good.”  The idea is that we do not have to convince God to be good.  In human thinking our tendency is to judge people for their actions as in so and so is a good person, because they treat people well and do good things.  The perception of goodness flows from the actions we observe.  Then we try to apply the same logic to God.  If he is good, he will do good actions that we can observe.  However, that logic does not exactly work with God.  God is not good as a result of what he does. God is good and as a result goodness flows from him.  He is good and is up to good things, we just have to being paying attention to see them.

Let’s look at Ephesians 1:3-14 and see what it has to say about God’s goodness
 
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us[b] for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known[c] to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee[d] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,[e] to the praise of his glory. (Eph 1:3-14)

First, let’s look at the big picture of what God is up to.  Apart from time people were chosen to be in relationship with God, before the earth as we know it existed.  People are created in the image of God and were chosen in Christ before their physical bodies existed.  Through Jesus all people are invited into this relationship.  This is something good!

People who are in Christ are one with him.  To be in Christ is to be part of every blessing of Christ. God’s goodness invites us into relationship with him.  Followers of Christ dwell in the relationship of the Trinity right now.  “Christ dwells for ever in the infinite love of God, and as we are in Christ, the love of God for Christ is in a wonderful manner ours.’”[1]  God’s goodness is expressed in love for people.  Through the act of creation and inviting people into relationship, God is up to something good!

Even before the fall of people in the garden of Eden and sin, people were predestined to be adopted into God’s family.  Adoption into God’s family is made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection.  Because of Jesus sins can be forgiven through him.  This plan and process of redemption and salvation is part of the mystery of God.  But we may ask, what exactly is this mystery?  “For Paul, the essential mystery was the way in which God through Christ brings men and women back into fellowship with himself. More than that, it is the way in which he brings into a restored unity the whole universe that has been disordered by human rebellion and sin.”[2] 

On a large-scale Jesus is bringing restoration and unity to the whole of creation.  As people understand God’s purpose, they are not blind and aimless followers, but become participants in his good work of redemption and restoration right now. 

• God’s goodness is present in the neighbour shoveling a driveway for a disabled senior.
• God’s goodness is seen in the generosity of a business owner
• God’s goodness is revealed when an immigrant family is loved and adopted into their new country
• God’s goodness is seen when a life is transformed through the Holy Spirit

God’s good plan is for now and for eternity.  As adopted children followers of Jesus receive an inheritance in the kingdom of God.  This inheritance is marked by the giving of the Holy Spirit; a seal and guarantee of the inheritance of followers of Jesus.  “The Holy Spirit is the Christian’s seal. The experience of the Holy Spirit in their lives is the final proof to them, and indeed a demonstration to others, of the genuineness of what they have believed, and provides the inward assurance that they belong to God as children[3]”  The Holy Spirit is evidence that God’s goodness is at work in the lives of believers.

We’ve looked at the big picture and hopefully we’ve seen a little bit of the mystery and wonder of God’s Good plan.  Basing our concept of God only on observable circumstances will lead to an artificially small concept of God.  We must base our concept of God on both observable circumstances and spiritual realities.  Knowing the blessings and promises that God offers to all people and that followers of Jesus possess, as we have read in this passage, illuminates our view of God’s goodness.  If God is good, the Christian life should be one of joy.  “Joy is not pleasure, a mere sensation, but a pervasive and constant sense of well-being. Hope in the goodness of God is joy's indispensable support.”[4]  With God, what is promised, will be. 

In God people are chosen before the creation of the world, they have redemption, salvation, knowledge of the meaning and propose of life, abundant life now and the guarantee of inheritance in the kingdom of heaven.  His plans and purposes according to these promises are being worked out every day in people’s lives.  Hope in God, look for his goodness, and you may just see that God is up to something good.


[1] Foulkes, F. (1989). Ephesians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 10, p. 57). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[2] Foulkes, F. (1989). Ephesians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 10, p. 60). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[3] Foulkes, F. (1989). Ephesians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 10, p. 64). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[4] Dallas Willard http://www.dwillard.org/articles/individual/personal-soul-care
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For over 20 years now, it has been the tradition of our congregation to set aside the first week in January as our “Week of Prayer”.  None of the regular ministries relaunch until we have had time as a Body to seek the heart of God together; to seek His will for our church and its ministries , our community, our families and individuals who make up this terrific family of God.
Last week, we enjoyed this gathering and seeking God together, reflecting the words of Matthew 6:33 “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”(NLT)
If you grew up in the church, seeking God is a normal activity for a believer, but have you ever asked yourself WHY we have to seek God?
 
After all, doesn’t the bible tell us that:

• God is with us everywhere – therefore He is always near everything and everyone.
  • God has made a covenant promise to His people to always                                                        stand by us, working for us and turning everything for our good?

 
Both are true, yet there is a sense in which God’s presence is not always with us; when His manifest, conscious, trusted presence is NOT our constant experience.
 
There are seasons in our lives when we become neglectful of God; giving Him little or no thought.  There are seasons when we struggle to trust Him.  When the storms and trials of this life overwhelm us, it’s in those times when God remains unseen… or at least “unperceived” by us as the great and loving, all powerful God that He is.
 
We must SEEK God in order to clear the clutter away and renew our spiritual perspective, so that the “eyes of our hearts may be enlightened” (Eph. 1:18) to see God in every season, everyday.
 
During my devotion time, about 20 years ago, God showed me a picture that I believe illustrates the concept of why we seek God so well. In this vision:
 
He showed me a picture of people DANCING in the RAIN. There was no music to be heard,
but they danced with delight as the rain gently fell on them.
 
Off to the side, there were others watching quietly, but they were holding white
knuckled to large, multicolored umbrellas to avoid getting wet.
 
The dancers implored these umbrella holders to join them, to “DROP their umbrellas
and come DANCE with them in the RAIN”, but they refused.
                 
 
I prayed about this picture and felt that these people holding umbrellas representing the many faceted circumstances and issues that can prevent us from experiencing the full joy of our salvation.  Things that, at times, we hold onto so tightly… and yet God’s word tells us that “where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.”  (2 Corinthians 3:17).  From the moment we received the deposit of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us at salvation, God has been calling His people to DROP their cares (unbrellas) at His feet and trust His love, His word.  It releases in us the Spirit of God already deposited in our hearts, so that we may mature strong in our faith and full of the JOY of our salvation.
 
As Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:17, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that you may know Him better.”
 
To KNOW GOD… this is REAL LIFE… this is why we SEEK HIM!
 
                          3 THINGS WE NEED TO RELEASE THE SPIRIT OF GOD

We need a revelation of how BIG/ MIGHTY God is

• See 1 Samuel 17:37
• See Galatians 1:11-12

 
We need a revelation of how LOVING God is

• See Ephesians 2:4-5
• See Psalm 27:10
• See John 3:16

 
​We need a revelation of how to WALK in GOD’s LOVE

• See Ephesians 1:22-23
• See Ephesians 5:1-2

 
Are you daily enjoying the refreshing of the rain of God’s presence in your life?
Are you holding onto hurt, disappointment, discouragement or unforgiveness, etc.?
What color is your umbrella?
 
Could God be asking you to DROP YOUR UMBRELLA...
and COME DANCE with Him in the rain of His abiding presence today?
 
Lord, God, help us to lay aside what hinders us in knowing You.  As we SEEK You, give us today a fresh revelation of your Greatness, Your Unfailing Love and teach us by Your Holy Spirit to Walk in Your Love, always.  May the JOY of our salvation be renewed in the revelation of WHO YOU ARE in every situation, every season of our lives.  Amen!

This morning we are kicking off our annual week of prayer emphasis.  Our theme for this week is ‘Seeking the heart of God.’  This also is going to be the theme for the first sermon series of the new year.  This morning and each evening of the week of prayer we will be focusing on a topic related to this theme and then in the coming Sundays each topic will be the focus of the Sunday morning sermon. 

• Sunday morning – Invited into relationship
• Sunday night – God is up to something good
• Monday night – Spiritual friendship – loving our brothers and sisters in Christ
• Tuesday night – Sharing God’s life
• Wednesday night – Speak Lord for your servant is listening – hearing God
• Thursday night – Where is the Spirit leading?

This morning I want to look at a couple snapshots of how we are invited into relationship with Jesus.
We start in the garden of Eden.  God created Adam and Eve in his image (Gen 1:26-27).  As beings created in God’s image, Adam and Eve were created for relationship with God.  We know from Genesis that Adam and Eve walked together personally with God in the garden.  However, with the fall into sin in the garden, the relationship was damaged.  Ever since then people have been looking for love in all the wrong places.  We were not capable of finding our way back into right relationship on our own, but God had a plan to restore the relationship between himself and people.  This plan consisted of Jesus coming to earth in human flesh.  We just finished the Christmas season and were reminded that the name for Jesus, Immanuel, means God with Us.  What does it mean to be invited into relationship with Jesus?

Last fall we went through the 7 I Am statements of Jesus found in the gospel of John.  Let’s return to the gospel of John 10:14-15.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

The picture of Jesus as the good shepherd is all about relationship.  We are all looking for relationship because we have been created for relationship.  The church father Augustine said: “You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”[1]  All our restlessness and cravings can only be satisfied through a relationship with Jesus.  We are invited into relationship. The good shepherd is calling.  Do you hear his voice?

Continuing to look at the gospel of John let’s look at John 15:1-5 and 9-11. 

Jesus says: ““I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:1-5)

And jumping down to verse 9: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:9-11)

This is one of the 7 I AM statements of Jesus and in it Jesus teaches that he is the true vine and his followers are branches in the vine. In verse 10 we learn that as branches in the vine, we are invited into the fellowship of God the Father and Jesus the son.  We are invited to be part of the vine, interconnected with Jesus into the Trinity.  It is an amazing privilege to be part of Jesus, the true vine, in fellowship with God the Father.[2]  We are invited into relationship, to have the lifeblood of the vine flowing through us.

Finally, let’s spend a few minutes looking at Ephesians 3:14-19.

 “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family[c] in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:14-19)

In the first three passages we see that we are invited into relationship with God the father through Jesus.  Here we see explained that it is the Holy Spirit indwelling followers of Jesus that allows believers to experience relationship in the Trinity as they respond to the invitation of relationship.  “It is the constant assumption, or specific emphasis, of the teaching of the New Testament, that strength for the Christian life comes by the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit.”[3]  The purpose of this relationship is that we know the love of Christ, which leads to the fullness of God.   “As Orthodoxy says, though we are created in the image of God, we have still to attain the likeness of God.  We are always on the move and never wholly satisfied.  The finite world cannot satisfy us completely, because we are spirit and directed towards a goal that lies beyond the world.’  As God’s kindred spirits, we find our hearts restless until they rest in him.  Our goal is to participate in the filial relationship between Father and Son.”[4]

Going right back to Genesis and bringing it full circle we see that we are created by God for relationship with him and we cannot find satisfaction apart from him.  We are invited into relationship.  As we enter this week of prayer, our theme is ‘seeking the heart of God.’  Let’s begin the year with minds and hearts open to what Jesus is inviting us to.


[1] Augustine, Confessions, 1.1.1.
[2] Kruse, C. G. (2003). John: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 4, p. 315). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[3] Foulkes, F. (1989). Ephesians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 10, p. 109). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[4] Clark Pinnock, Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit, pg 75