GATHERING ALL THINGS TOGETHER IN CHRIST
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: Ephesians 1:10
Key Verse:
“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.” — Ephesians 1:10 KJV
Supporting Texts:
Colossians 1:16-20; Philippians 2:9-11; Romans 8:19-23; John 12:32; Matthew 28:18; Revelation 5:9-13; Revelation 11:15; Colossians 2:9-10.
Description:
This message reveals God's eternal purpose to bring all things under the authority of Jesus Christ and calls believers to live in complete alignment with Him.
INTRODUCTION
God is a God of order, purpose and divine completion. Nothing in His eternal plan is accidental, and history is moving towards a predetermined climax in which all things will ultimately be brought under the authority of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:10 declares that, in the fullness of times, God will “gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth”. This is one of the greatest revelations of God's eternal purpose.
The world may appear fragmented by sin, rebellion, conflict, confusion and disorder, but God's ultimate plan has not been interrupted. Sin brought separation between God and humanity, and rebellion introduced disorder into creation. However, through Christ, God has initiated His redemptive programme to reconcile and unite all things under the lordship of Jesus. Christ is therefore not merely part of God's plan; He is the centre of God's plan.
This truth should change the way believers live. If God's eternal purpose is to gather all things together in Christ, then our lives must be centred on Christ now. Our families, marriages, ministries, businesses, relationships, ambitions and spiritual lives must come under His lordship. When Christ becomes the centre, what is scattered can be brought together, what is broken can be restored, what is confused can receive direction, and what is disconnected from God's purpose can be brought into divine alignment.
1. CHRIST IS THE CENTRE OF GOD'S ETERNAL PLAN
Ephesians 1:10 reveals that God's purpose is to gather all things “in Christ”. This means that Jesus is the centre around which God's entire redemptive plan revolves. Creation points to Him, salvation comes through Him, the Church belongs to Him, and history will ultimately bow before Him.
A life that is truly aligned with God must therefore be centred on Christ. We cannot understand our purpose correctly while attempting to live independently of the One in whom all things consist.
a) ALL THINGS WERE CREATED BY CHRIST [Colossians 1:16]
Paul declares that all things were created by Him and for Him. Your existence is not meaningless. You were created by God and ultimately for His glory.
b) ALL THINGS CONSIST IN CHRIST [Colossians 1:17]
Christ is before all things, and by Him all things consist. He is the One who holds everything together. When Christ is removed from the centre, life loses its proper foundation.
c) CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH [Colossians 1:18]
The Church does not belong to an individual, denomination or human leader. Christ is the Head of the Church. Every ministry must therefore remain submitted to His authority.
d) CHRIST MUST HAVE THE PRE-EMINENCE [Colossians 1:18]
God's desire is that Christ should have first place in everything. He must be first in our worship, decisions, relationships, priorities and service.
Biblical Example:
The apostle Paul experienced a complete transformation when Christ became the centre of his life. What had once been his religious ambition became secondary to knowing and serving Jesus (Philippians 3:7-10).
2. GOD IS BRINGING UNITY WHERE SIN BROUGHT SEPARATION
Sin brought separation between humanity and God, between people and people, and ultimately disorder into creation. But God's redemptive plan in Christ is moving towards restoration and reconciliation.
The Church must therefore become an expression of Christ's reconciling work. Believers should not promote unnecessary division when Christ has called us into one body.
a) CHRIST RECONCILES US TO GOD [2 Corinthians 5:18-19]
God has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation. The gospel is God's message of restoration.
b) CHRIST BREAKS DOWN WALLS OF DIVISION [Ephesians 2:14]
Christ is our peace. He has broken down the middle wall of partition and created a new relationship between those who were formerly separated.
c) CHRIST MAKES US ONE BODY [1 Corinthians 12:12-13]
Though believers have different backgrounds, gifts and responsibilities, we are members of one body through the Spirit. Diversity does not have to produce division.
d) CHRIST CALLS US TO MAINTAIN UNITY [Ephesians 4:3-6]
Paul urges believers to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Unity requires humility, patience, forgiveness and love.
Biblical Example:
The early Church brought together Jews and Gentiles who had previously been separated by deep cultural and religious barriers. Through Christ, they became one people and one body (Acts 10:34-35; Ephesians 2:19-22).
3. CHRIST CAN BRING TOGETHER WHAT IS BROKEN AND SCATTERED
The phrase “gather together” carries the picture of bringing scattered things into proper order. God is a restorer. What sin, disobedience, ignorance or difficult circumstances have scattered can be brought under His divine order.
This does not mean that every situation will look exactly as it did before, but it means that God can take broken pieces and bring them into His greater purpose.
a) GOD RESTORES BROKEN LIVES [Joel 2:25]
God promised Israel restoration after years of devastation. The same God who restores wasted years can restore purpose, dignity and fruitfulness.
b) GOD RESTORES BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS [Colossians 3:13-14]
Forgiveness and love can bring healing where bitterness and offence have created separation. Christ's love should govern our relationships.
c) GOD RESTORES LOST PURPOSE [Acts 9:15]
Saul's life appeared to be moving in the wrong direction, yet God transformed him into Paul, a chosen instrument for the gospel. Divine encounter can redirect a life completely.
d) GOD CAN TURN DISORDER INTO ORDER [1 Corinthians 14:33]
God is not the author of confusion but of peace. When we surrender our lives to Him, He brings divine order into areas that have been chaotic.
Biblical Example:
Joseph's life seemed scattered through betrayal, slavery and imprisonment, but God eventually brought every part of his journey together. What his brothers intended for evil, God used for a greater purpose (Genesis 50:20).
4. CHRIST WILL ULTIMATELY BRING ALL THINGS UNDER HIS AUTHORITY
Ephesians 1:10 points beyond the present age to the ultimate triumph of Christ. There is coming a time when every power, authority and system will acknowledge the lordship of Jesus.
Christ is already Lord, but the day is coming when His lordship will be universally recognised.
a) EVERY KNEE WILL BOW TO CHRIST [Philippians 2:9-11]
God has highly exalted Jesus and given Him a name above every name. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
b) EVERY POWER WILL BE SUBJECT TO CHRIST [1 Corinthians 15:24-25]
Christ must reign until every enemy is put under His feet. No power of darkness can ultimately defeat God's eternal purpose.
c) CHRIST WILL RULE OVER ALL CREATION [Revelation 11:15]
The kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ. Human governments are temporary, but Christ's kingdom is everlasting.
d) CHRIST'S VICTORY IS CERTAIN [Revelation 19:6]
The triumph of Christ is not uncertain. Heaven declares that the Lord God omnipotent reigns. The final outcome belongs to Jesus.
Biblical Example:
King Nebuchadnezzar was humbled until he acknowledged the sovereignty of the Most High God. His experience demonstrates that earthly power is limited and that God ultimately rules over the affairs of humanity (Daniel 4:34-37).
5. THE CHURCH MUST LIVE IN ALIGNMENT WITH CHRIST'S PURPOSE
If God is gathering all things together in Christ, the Church must cooperate with that purpose. The Church must proclaim Christ, make disciples, promote reconciliation and demonstrate the character of the Kingdom.
Our mission is not merely to gather people into buildings; it is to bring people into relationship with Christ.
a) THE CHURCH MUST PREACH CHRIST [1 Corinthians 1:23]
Paul's central message was Christ crucified. The Church must never replace the message of Christ with human philosophies or personalities.
b) THE CHURCH MUST MAKE DISCIPLES [Matthew 28:19-20]
Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples of all nations. The Church must help people move from conversion to spiritual maturity.
c) THE CHURCH MUST DEMONSTRATE CHRIST'S LOVE [John 13:35]
Jesus said people would know His disciples by their love. Love is one of the strongest demonstrations of Christ's presence among His people.
d) THE CHURCH MUST PROMOTE RECONCILIATION [2 Corinthians 5:20]
Believers are ambassadors for Christ. We carry heaven's message and should call people to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.
Biblical Example:
The believers in Antioch became a powerful expression of the gospel, teaching people about Christ and becoming the place where disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:19-26).
6. YOUR PERSONAL LIFE MUST BE GATHERED TOGETHER IN CHRIST
God's purpose is not merely universal; it has personal implications. There may be areas of your life that are scattered: your thoughts, emotions, priorities, relationships, finances, family life or spiritual discipline. Christ wants to bring every area under His lordship.
A successful Christian life is not one where Christ controls only the Sunday portion. It is one where every part of life is submitted to Him.
a) GIVE CHRIST CONTROL OF YOUR MIND [Romans 12:2]
The renewed mind is essential for a transformed life. God's Word brings our thinking into alignment with His will.
b) GIVE CHRIST CONTROL OF YOUR PRIORITIES [Matthew 6:33]
Jesus instructed us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. When the kingdom becomes first, other things receive their proper place.
c) GIVE CHRIST CONTROL OF YOUR RELATIONSHIPS [Colossians 3:12-14]
Our relationships should reflect Christ's character through compassion, kindness, humility, forgiveness and love.
d) GIVE CHRIST CONTROL OF YOUR FUTURE [Proverbs 3:5-6]
Trusting God means acknowledging Him in all our ways. When we surrender our future to Him, He directs our paths.
Biblical Example:
Abraham surrendered his future to God's direction and left his homeland without knowing where he was going. His obedience positioned him within God's covenant purpose (Hebrews 11:8-10).
CONCLUSION
God's eternal purpose is to gather together all things in Christ. What sin scattered, Christ is reconciling; what rebellion disrupted, Christ will ultimately restore; and what appears chaotic to humanity remains under the sovereign plan of God. Jesus Christ is the centre of history, the Head of the Church and the One before whom every power will ultimately bow.
Therefore, make Christ the centre of your life today. Bring your family, ministry, ambitions, relationships, decisions and future under His authority. Do not allow anything to compete with His place in your life. As you align yourself with Christ, trust Him to bring order to what is scattered, healing to what is broken and purpose to what appears confused. Your life is safest, strongest and most fruitful when it is gathered together in Christ.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, let every area of my life come under the complete lordship of Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.
2. Lord, gather together every scattered blessing, opportunity and divine purpose concerning my life, in Jesus name.
3. Father, bring divine order into every area of my life that has experienced confusion and disorder, in Jesus name.
4. Lord, restore everything that has been broken, wasted or scattered in my life according to Your perfect will, in Jesus name.
5. Father, let the power of Christ bring reconciliation and peace into my family and relationships, in Jesus name.
6. Lord, deliver me from everything that is competing with Christ for first place in my life, in Jesus name.
7. Father, align my thoughts, desires, decisions and ambitions with Your eternal purpose, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, use me as an instrument of reconciliation, unity and restoration wherever You have placed me, in Jesus name.
9. Father, let every power resisting Your purpose for my life bow to the authority of Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.
10. Lord, let my life, family and ministry contribute to the advancement of Your kingdom and the exaltation of Christ, in Jesus name.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. Every scattered area of your life shall come into divine order by the authority of Jesus Christ.
2. God shall gather together the pieces of your life and cause them to work according to His purpose.
3. Every broken relationship, lost opportunity and delayed purpose that is within God's will for you shall experience divine restoration.
4. Confusion shall not dominate your life; the peace and order of Christ shall govern your decisions and relationships.
5. Every power fighting God's purpose for your life shall bow to the authority of Jesus Christ.
6. Your family shall experience greater unity, peace, reconciliation and divine alignment.
7. Your ministry shall remain centred on Christ, and your labour shall produce lasting kingdom fruit.
8. You shall not miss your place in God's eternal purpose; divine direction shall order your steps.
9. Everything that God has ordained concerning you shall ultimately come together for His glory and your good.
10. You shall live to see Christ exalted in your life, family, ministry and generation, and you shall fulfil your divine purpose to the glory of God.
