Those He Foreknew He Predestined - April 25, 2021

by Pastor Chuck Ryan

 

“Those He Foreknew He Predestined”

 

Text: Ephesians 1:3-14

Thesis: Our relationship with God is a dynamic, encompassing both God reaching down to mankind through Jesus Christ (See John 3:16), and the need for each individual to accept Jesus as their personal savior. (Revelations 3:20)

 

1. Every Spiritual blessing comes from “God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (vs 3)
2. The writer to the Book of James affirms the words of the Apostle when he says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)
3. Luke states the Holy Spirit is the greatest gift.

 -“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13)

1. The Apostle not only begins this passage proclaiming God’s Spiritual blessings but concludes by saying, “Holy Spirit is promised Seal, guaranteeing our salvation.” (Read verse 11)
2. Jesus asked God the Father to send the Holy Spirit.

-“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17)

1. The Apostle Paul acknowledges both God’s Sovereignty and man’s Freewill. (vs 4-14)
2. “He chose us in him before the creation of the world.” (vs 4a)
3. God is “all-knowing”, and his foreknowledge is aware of us before we were born.

-"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5)

2. The Apostle Paul explains that God’s “foreknowledge precedes his predestination of believers in Romans 8: 28-29. Paul also speaks of “Foreknowledge and Predestination as two separate activities of God’s Divine nature.

-“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

3. Foreknowledge does not equal control but awareness.
4. God is totally aware of those who will accept his Son and Predestines them “to conform to the image of his Son.”

-“in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ” (s vs12a)

-“And you also were included in Christ Jesus when the word of truth, the gospel of salvation. Having believed… (vs13b)

1. Our relationship with God is a dynamic, encompassing both God reaching down to mankind through Jesus Christ (See John 3:16), and the need for each individual to personally accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior. (Revelations 3:20)
2. God does not force anyone to serve him but respects every person’s right to choose him or reject him.

 

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)