#41 HCBC 11-11-07 AM
God’s Purpose in Election Still Stands
Romans 9:6-13
Romans 9:6 “It is not as though God’s word had failed.
God had promised to bless Israel!
What happened?
Did God’s promise fail because Israel was disobedient?
Did God’s promise fail because Israel rejected their Messiah?
Read Romans 9:6-13
God’s promise has NOT failed because not everyone who is
descended from Israel is Israel!
Paul gives two illustrations of his point from the O. T.
#1 – Illustration: the sons of Abraham vs 6 – 9
Being a descendant of Abraham doesn’t make one a child of
Abraham.
No, God said to Abraham:
“…it is through Isaac that your offspring will be
reckoned.” (named) Gen 21:12
It was through Isaac, not Ishmael that the promise would be
fulfilled.
God had said to Abraham: At the appointed time I will
return, and Sarah will have a son.” Gen 18:10,14
#2 – Illustration: the sons of Isaac vs 10 – 13
Paul quotes Scripture again to make his point: Jacob not Esau
“The older will serve the younger.” Gen 25:23
“Jacob I loved but Esau I hated.” Mal 1:2-3
“In order that God’s purpose in election might stand”
God’s Decree: (Plan)
God’s decree is His plan by means of which He has
determined all things that relate to the universe,
including His own actions toward it
and all that comes to pass in it and of it.
“counsel” “purpose” “will”
It is one/singular:
Isa 46:10 I make known the end from the beginning, from
ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose
will stand, and I will do all that I please.
Eph 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been
predestined according to the plan of him who works
out everything in conformity with the purpose of his
will,
It is eternal
Eph 3:11 according to his eternal purpose which he
accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All the parts of God’s plan come to pass at their divinely
appointed time.
But the plan itself is eternal --
it has always existed in the mind of God!
It is immutable
Heb 6:17 Because God wanted to make the
unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to
the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it
with an oath.
Being the product of the unchanging God,
this plan is never changed or altered!
Ps 33:11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm
forever, the purposes of his heart through all
generations.
His plan is never affected by mistake, ignorance, or
inability on His part.
Or anything outside Himself like the forces of evil or
the activities of angels or men.
It is universal
God’s decree comprises everything that exists or
comes to pass in the universe.
God controls all the circumstances and events
everywhere in the universe.
He appoints the place where we live –
The direction and duration of every life!
God’s decree includes all actions relating to the universe.
He created it!
He sustains it!
He governs it!
He uses it to accomplish His objectives!
It is certain
Pro 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is
the Lord's purpose that prevails.
All that God has decreed will certainly come to pass without fail.
Nothing can thwart His purpose!
Pro 21:30 = There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
that can succeed against the LORD.
It is absolute
Acts 4:27-28 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met
together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in
this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,
whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power
and will had decided beforehand should happen.
God has determined not only all that shall be but how it shall
come to pass.
He has determined every detail of every event that comes to
pass in and during the existence of the universe.
It is free
Eph 1:5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons
through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his
pleasure and will--
Eph 1:9 And he made known to us the mystery of his
will according to his good pleasure, which he
purposed in Christ,
Eph 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been
predestined according to the plan of him who
works out everything in conformity with the
purpose of his will,
God freely determined what His plan should be and what
details it should include.
He was not influenced by anyone or anything outside
Himself.
God’s decree as it applies to man: Election
1. God elected those whom He would save!
“…He chose us in him before the creation of the world…”
Eph 1:4
“…from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” 2 Thess 2:13
Election is the sovereign act of God whereby He freely chose certain human beings for salvation.
This election was sovereign:
God chose some for salvation freely for His purposes.
“according to His good pleasure”
“in conformity with the purpose of His will”
God was not prompted or influenced by people’s
works, merit, or worth,
none of which existed at the time of Hid choice.
Before the twins were born or had done anything good
or bad…
This election was gracious:
It was an act of undeserved favor
toward people who would be sinners.
“So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen
by grace.” Rom 11:5
This election was eternal:
It was part of His eternal plan.
“He chose us in him before the creation of the world.”
This election was in Christ:
All of God’s purpose for the elect is in Jesus Christ.
We are made alive in Christ!
We have received every spiritual blessing in Christ!
We sanctified in Christ!
2. God predestinated those whom He would save!
Predestination is the sovereign act of God
whereby he determined beforehand what he would do
with those whom he elected to salvation!
He predestinated the elect to adoption:
“In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons.”
We are the children of!
We are heirs with Christ!
We are part of the family of God!
He predestinated the elect to conformity to Christ:
This determined what kind of family members we
would be.
God decided that saved people should be like his Son.
In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God,
for whom and through whom everything exists,
should make the author of their salvation perfect
through suffering.
Both the one who makes men holy
and those who are made holy are of the same family.
So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
Heb 2:10-11
He who began this good work, will carry it on to
completion until the day of Jesus Christ!
He predestinated the elect to the praise of his glory:
This determined what the ultimate purpose of saved
people would be.
Our purpose for existence is to glorify God!
We glorify God when we:
Believe his Word
Receive His Son
Live for Him
Function in the body of Christ
Love one another
Love others in His Name
Tell others about Him