That in the Ages to Come He Might Show the Exceeding Riches of His Grace
Christ's great purpose for His people is to train them to know the hope of their calling and the riches of their inheritance, and to prove the fullness of His power and grace.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes that Christ's purpose for His followers is to understand the hope of their calling and the richness of their inheritance, urging believers to experience the fullness of His power and grace in their daily lives. He encourages the faithful to view their current struggles as part of their education in faith, preparing them for eternal glory. Simpson reminds us that the lessons learned now will have profound significance in the ages to come when we share in Christ's authority and glory. He calls for perseverance in faith, assuring that those who endure will be rewarded with a place beside Christ in His kingdom.
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Christ's great purpose for His people is to train them to know the hope of [their] calling, and . . . the riches of the glory of their inheritance, . . . and what . . . the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe (Ephesians 1:18-19). Let us prove, in all our varied walks of life and scenes of conflict, the fullness of His power and grace, and thus shall we know in the ages to come . . . the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Are we thus following our Teacher in the school of faith, and finishing the education which is to fit us for a far more exceeding and eternal weight, of glory? (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Little can we now dream what these lessons will mean for us some day when we sit with Him on His throne and share with Him the power of God and the government of the universe. Let us be faithful students now, and soon with Him we, too, will have endured the cross, despising the shame, and shall sit down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).
Sermon Outline
- Christ's Great Purpose for His People points: null
- To Train Them to Know the Hope of Their Calling points: null
- The Riches of the Glory of Their Inheritance points: null
- The Exceeding Greatness of God's Power points: null
- Following Our Teacher in the School of Faith points: null
- Finishing the Education for Eternal Glory points: null
Key Quotes
“Let us prove, in all our varied walks of life and scenes of conflict, the fullness of His power and grace, and thus shall we know in the ages to come . . . the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” — A.B. Simpson
“Little can we now dream what these lessons will mean for us some day when we sit with Him on His throne and share with Him the power of God and the government of the universe.” — A.B. Simpson
“Let us be faithful students now, and soon with Him we, too, will have endured the cross, despising the shame, and shall sit down at the right hand of the throne of God” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We should strive to be faithful students of God's teachings to prepare ourselves for eternal glory.
- We should seek to prove the fullness of God's power and grace in our daily lives.
- Enduring the cross and despising shame is a necessary step in our journey to eternal glory.