Bible Readings:
Ephesians 1:1 – 14
1 Peter 3:8 – 22
Sermon Outline:
Romans 8:28–30 (NKJV)
28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
29For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
I Some preliminary observations
II Foreknowledge
Psalm 33:11 (NKJV)
11The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.
Westminster Larger Catechism
Q. 12. What are the decrees of God?
A. God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of his will, whereby, from all eternity, he hath, for his own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men.
Acts 15:18 (NKJV)
18“Known to God from eternity are all His works.
Romans 11:2 (NKJV)
2God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying,
Galatians 4:9 (NKJV)
9But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?
Amos 3:2 (NKJV)
2“You only have I known of all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”
Acts 13:48 (NKJV)
48Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
Philippians 1:29 (NKJV)
29For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
2 Timothy 1:9 (NKJV)
9who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV)
3The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
III Predestination
Ephesians 1:4–5 (NKJV)
4just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
5having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
You begin at the wrong end if you first dispute about your election. Prove your convesion, and then never doubt your election.
Joseph Alleine
Grace and election are the essence and mystery of history
Augustine
Election is… the parent of faith.
John Calvin
When God elects us, it is not because we are handsome.
John Calvin