Lesson 41 April 7, 2002

4. The Purpose of our being conformed to the image of His Son is that it glorifies Christ! It exalts Him "that He, [Christ,] might be the first-born among many brethren."

- prwto,tokoj prwtoj + tiktw lit. first brought forth;

- When used of Christ it is used metaphorically of first in rank; one having pre-imminence; idea then is of having highest rank/position.

The Plan and Provision; The Big Picture!

1. God Himself is the author, the designer, and the one who executes each step of the Plan.

2. All who begin this plan of God will also finish it! No drop outs!

3. When contemplating the present with all its suffering, living in a sin cursed world, its truly comforting to know that the present is only a small segment of time between justification and glorification.

4. We need to come away from this context with a strong sense that God is our Father, and His provision for us is greater than our need, and that He through His plan has the ability to thwart any and all challenges that might impact His purposes for us in our life.

* Everything that God is doing in and through us in time is related to the elevation or exaltation of His Son! Whose the agent??

Ø 8:30 God's plan/ the destiny of the believer [in a nutshell]

Between the start and finish of God's plan are the 3 steps in view.

#1. these he also called kalew to call, invite; How are we called?

#2. "whom He called these He also justified" dikaiow

#3. "and whom He justified, these He also glorified." doxazw

Ø The Believer's Protection/Security 8:31-39

8:31 What then shall we say to these things?

- When you consider all that He has done for you in Salvation based on the cross; what's your response to that?

* Since God is for us it does not make one particle of difference who is against us! No one is able to stop God's purpose for you!

* How can Paul say this? Why can't we have an effective enemy?

- B.L. = There is no one or no system of thought that can stand against God's purpose for you! God is greater than any opposition you will ever face!