Will God Surprise in Missions: The Map of Salvation
Will God Surprise in Missions • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
Last time I preached, we looked at “this present Suffering.”
We saw help in this present suffering.
We looked the good in this present suffering.
We saw the purpose of this present suffering.
It was all to conform us to the image of Christ.
God uses suffering to make us look and be more like Christ.
Today we will begin to look at the map or outline of salvation.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Whom he did foreknow (29)
Whom he did foreknow (29)
Divine foreknowledge is not the same as human foreknowledge.
Divine foreknowledge is not the same as human foreknowledge.
Human foreknowledge is when we plan our tomorrow based upon what we know.
Human foreknowledge is when we plan our tomorrow based upon what we know.
We are reasonably sure the sun will rise at a certain time tomorrow so we set out to plan our day accordingly.
We set an alarm, we make appointment, and keep schedules based upon the daylight hours.
Divine foreknowledge is God bringing to pass all that he has determined and decreed.
Divine foreknowledge is God bringing to pass all that he has determined and decreed.
Dr. Barnhouse helps us to understand that Divine foreknowledge is not human foreknowledge pushed to perfection.
God has a plan from before the foundation of the world that will come to pass with no regard to the evil heart of men.
Barnhouse defines God’s foreknowledge as “His advanced determination to carry through a plan which He has eternally purposed in the counsels of His own will, and which is to carried through without variation because the Lord brings to pass all that He has determined and decreed.”
God is the author and finisher of salvation
God is the author and finisher of salvation
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Salvation is God’s plan from start to finish.
It includes our conversion, life, and service.
He is God, in, over, and through all.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 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:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Why did God predestine?
Why did God predestine?
He predestined to conform to the image of His Son (29)
He predestined to conform to the image of His Son (29)
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
How did He predestine?
How did He predestine?
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
The redeemed are lead bu the Spirit.
How does the Spirit lead us?
How does the Spirit lead us?
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
The Spirit dwells in us.
We have received the Spirit of adoption.
We have received the Spirit of adoption.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
How do you know this is true?
How do you know this is true?
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
This is Paul saying all of this, is there someone else that says the same thing in the Bible?
This is Paul saying all of this, is there someone else that says the same thing in the Bible?
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
This is the reason a person becomes interested in spiritual things.
This is the reason a person becomes interested in spiritual things.
Are we then just puppets on God’s string? No!
Are we then just puppets on God’s string? No!
1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
What is your responsibility toward salvation?
What is your responsibility toward salvation?
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
You must repent.
Turn to Hebrews 3
Turn to Hebrews 3
You must believe.
God brought Israel out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
He brought plagues over the whole land.
He then brought plagues over just the Egyptians and not the Hebrews.
Their understanding became only God could do these things.
He then parted the Red Sea so that the Hebrews walked across on dry ground.
It was not muddy ground, that would be what you would expect at the bottom of a sea.
It was not damp ground, it was dry ground.
You see, it is only the mighty hand of God, who can divide a sea and leave dry ground to walk on.
You understand that it is only the mighty hand God, who can bring a sinner to repentance and faith.
A sinner will not come on his own.
We learned this in the first three chapters of Romans.
After God did all of these mighty work for the Jews, there were many who would not believe.
Notice verse 11-13
11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
God brought them out of Egypt to enter the promised land but did not because of unbelief.
You have a responsibility to believe and you have a responsibility to encourage others to believe.
Look at verse 15
15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Do not harden your heart to the work God is doing in you.
Do not harden your heart to the work God is doing in you.
You can be exposed to the gospel all day long but if you do not repent and believe you will not receive eternal life.
You can be exposed to the gospel all day long but if you do not repent and believe you will not receive eternal life.
Come to the end of yourself, repent, and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ today.
Come to the end of yourself, repent, and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ today.