Unconditional Election

James Johnson

Controversial Calvinism • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

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(1 Minute) Introduction: Justen

Unconditional Election

I. (1 Minute) Introduction: Justen • Greeting: Welcome to Made New, I am [Name, Title, Church], I am [Name, Title, Church] and I am [Name, Title, Church]. We are three local pastors striving to teach you theology and help you apply it to your life. • State Subject: Unconditional Election• Transition: So, what is unconditional election, Jimmy? II. (5 Minutes) The Doctrine Defined with clarity• [Jimmy reads] 2nd London Baptist Confession of 1689 chapter 3, paragraphs 3-5, which was also adopted in the Philadelphia Confession of 1724 and Charleston Confession of 1767: 3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and Angels are predestinated, or fore-ordained to Eternal Life, through Jesus Christ, to the praise of his glorious grace; others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of his glorious justice. 4. These Angels and Men thus predestinated, and fore-ordained, are particularly, and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain, and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished. 5. Those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret Councel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of his meer free grace and love; without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving him thereunto.• [Jimmy directs Ryan to read] John L. Dagg (1794-1884), an early Southern Baptist pastor, university president, and theologian defined election by saying, “All who will finally be saved, were chosen to salvation by God the Father, before the foundation of the world, and given to Jesus Christ in the covenant of grace”.• [Jimmy directs Justen to read] James P. Boyce (1827-1888) , the first president of the Southern Baptist Theological, defined it this way, “God of his own purpose has from Eternity, determined to save a definite number of mankind as individuals; not for or because of any merit or work of theirs, nor of any value to him of them; but of his own good pleasure.”• [Jimmy reads] Our working definition: though the term election and concept is used in a variety of ways in Scripture like the choice of Israel to be a peculiar people and the choice of individuals to some office or some special service, the doctrine of unconditional election is God’s free and eternal choice of individuals for salvation in and through His Son Jesus. It is based on God’s good pleasure and perfect wisdom. It includes both the ends and the means. III. (12 Minutes) The Doctrine Demonstrated in Scripture• Important Biblical Terms: ¬ Foreknow: o to know something beforehand—: Peters already know that some twist the Scriptures. Therefore, they shouldn’t do it themselves or follow those that doo to choose beforehand¬ Elect/Choose: to pick out someone or something¬ The Elect: those who have been chosen¬ Predestine: to decide something beforehand• Election is unconditional: ¬ : God’s chooses some and not others, not based on what they do, but based on His own purpose. Old Testament examples include the choice of Isaac and Jacob and the rejection of Esau and the hardening of Pharaoh. These are used by Paul as illustrations of how God operates in saving some Jews and not others given the context of verses 1-5. ¬ , : God chose some of Israel by grace and not others. • Election is eternal: ¬ : When did God’s choice take place? Before the foundation of the world. ¬ : God chose Jacob and not Esau before they were born, before they had faith, or did anything good or bad. • Election is of individuals: ¬ : God chose some people in Christ before the foundations of the World, not some abstract group or type of people. ¬ : God foreknew some individuals personally, and they are the ones he predestines, calls, justifies, and will glorify. ¬ : God’s mercy is singular and indiscriminate. ¬ : appointment is of some people and not others. The appointment proceeds both chronologically and logically before belief. In fact, the appointment is demonstrated as the primary cause of the belief. • Election is to salvation in and through Jesus: ¬ : God’s chosen way of salvation is in and through Jesus Christ. It is by way of union with Him that the chosen are saved. • Election is based on God’s good pleasure and wisdom: ¬ : It is not based on man’s will or deeds, but God’s grace. • Election includes both the ends and the means: ¬ Outward General Call: ; , ¬ Inward Effectual Call/Regeneration: ; , ; ¬ Faith in Jesus: ; ¬ Justification: : ¬ Adoption: ¬ Sanctification: ¬ Glorification—Final Salvation: :30IV. (1 Minute) Coffee and Commercial Break, promoting the Website/BlogV. (5 Minutes) The Doctrine Defended against objections• Election is not of individuals but groups: Well groups are made up of individuals. So yes, God elects a group of individuals in eternity past to salvation. God also choose to let another group of individuals remain in their willful rebellion and bare the consequences of that rebellion in judgment. • Election is not to salvation but to service: Sure, God elects people to service, but which is often quoted as a proof text for this assertion certainly has salvation as its context. Paul does not morn that his fellow kinsmen aren’t selected for service. He mourns that they aren’t chosen for salvation. However, the illustrations from the Old Testament we may concede are analogical/typological and not univocal. They show God’s freedom in doing what He wants. The same freedom He has in saving some and not others. • Election is not unconditional but based on foreseen faith or obedience. is often cited by those who hold this position since God’s foreknowledge precedes His predestination. Certainly, God knows all things before they happen. God knows that who will trust in Him, but is that what Paul is teaching in ? Foreknow can mean more than just passive knowledge facts, faith, or deeds. In a given context, it can mean to choose someone beforehand or to lovingly regard someone beforehand. This fits the context better since He is foreknowing those He predestines to be conformed into the likeness of Christ. These are the one He calls, justifies, and glorifies. It is speaking of the people themselves and not their actions. VI. (9 Minutes) The Doctrine Devoted in life• Applications: The Christian should respond to the God’s unconditional election in the following ways, ¬ Rest in God’s wisdom, love, goodness by not delving into endless speculation or investigating questions about things God has not revealed in His Word. ¬ Joyfully believe and teach all that God does reveal in His word concerning the doctrine of election. ¬ When doubts or despair comes to mind or heart when considering the doctrine of election, pray that God would help you trust Him and submit to His Word and study His Word vigorously until He comforts your mind and heart. ¬ Give God the exclusive credit He deserves for your salvation in your worship and testimony. • Questions: ¬ So why should we pray or preach the gospel to the lost if those who God chooses will be saved no matter what? ¬ How has the doctrine of election affected your life and ministry? • Recommended Recourses: ¬ Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul¬ The Sovereign Grace of God by James White¬ The Potter’s Freedom by James White¬ Beyond Five Points by Ernest C. Reisinger and D. Matthew Allen¬ By His Grace and For His Glory by Thomas J. Nettles¬ A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Confession of Faith by Samuel Waldron¬ The Doctrine of Election and/or The Sovereignty of God by A.W. Pink¬ The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination by Loraine BoettnerVII. (1 Minute) Conclusion: Justen• So, the doctrine of unconditional election is God’s free and eternal choice of individuals for salvation in and through His Son Jesus. It is based on God’s good pleasure and perfect wisdom. It includes both the ends and the means. May we give Him the glory and praise He deserves. • If you have any questions or comments, leave them on our Facebook page. • Also, please share our content on social media, leave us a review on iTunes, and visit our website. • Until next time, grace and peace.

(1 Minute) Introduction: Justen

Greeting: Welcome to Made New, I am [Name, Title, Church], I am [Name, Title, Church] and I am [Name, Title, Church]. We are three local pastors striving to teach you theology and help you apply it to your life.

State Subject: Unconditional Election

Transition: So, what is unconditional election, Jimmy?

(5 Minutes) The Doctrine Defined with clarity

[Jimmy reads] 2nd London Baptist Confession of 1689 chapter 3, paragraphs 3-5, which was also adopted in the Philadelphia Confession of 1724 and Charleston Confession of 1767: 3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and Angels are predestinated, or fore-ordained to Eternal Life, through Jesus Christ, to the praise of his glorious grace; others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of his glorious justice. 4. These Angels and Men thus predestinated, and fore-ordained, are particularly, and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain, and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished. 5. Those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret Councel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of his meer free grace and love; without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving him thereunto.

[Jimmy directs Ryan to read] John L. Dagg (1794-1884), an early Southern Baptist pastor, university president, and theologian defined election by saying, “All who will finally be saved, were chosen to salvation by God the Father, before the foundation of the world, and given to Jesus Christ in the covenant of grace”.

[Jimmy directs Justen to read] James P. Boyce (1827-1888) , the first president of the Southern Baptist Theological, defined it this way, “God of his own purpose has from Eternity, determined to save a definite number of mankind as individuals; not for or because of any merit or work of theirs, nor of any value to him of them; but of his own good pleasure.”

[Jimmy reads] Our working definition: though the term election and concept is used in a variety of ways in Scripture like the choice of Israel to be a peculiar people and the choice of individuals to some office or some special service, the doctrine of unconditional election is God’s free and eternal choice of individuals for salvation in and through His Son Jesus. It is based on God’s good pleasure and perfect wisdom. It includes both the ends and the means.

(12 Minutes) The Doctrine Demonstrated in Scripture

Important Biblical Terms:

Foreknow:

to know something beforehand—: Peters already know that some twist the Scriptures. Therefore, they shouldn’t do it themselves or follow those that do

to choose beforehand

Elect/Choose: to pick out someone or something

The Elect: those who have been chosen

Predestine: to decide something beforehand

Election is unconditional:

: God’s chooses some and not others, not based on what they do, but based on His own purpose. Old Testament examples include the choice of Isaac and Jacob and the rejection of Esau and the hardening of Pharaoh. These are used by Paul as illustrations of how God operates in saving some Jews and not others given the context of verses 1-5.

, : God chose some of Israel by grace and not others.

Election is eternal:

: When did God’s choice take place? Before the foundation of the world.

: God chose Jacob and not Esau before they were born, before they had faith, or did anything good or bad.

Election is of individuals:

: God chose some people in Christ before the foundations of the World, not some abstract group or type of people.

: God foreknew some individuals personally, and they are the ones he predestines, calls, justifies, and will glorify.

: God’s mercy is singular and indiscriminate.

: appointment is of some people and not others. The appointment proceeds both chronologically and logically before belief. In fact, the appointment is demonstrated as the primary cause of the belief.

Election is to salvation in and through Jesus:

: God’s chosen way of salvation is in and through Jesus Christ. It is by way of union with Him that the chosen are saved.

Election is based on God’s good pleasure and wisdom:

: It is not based on man’s will or deeds, but God’s grace.

Election includes both the ends and the means:

Outward General Call: ; ,

Inward Effectual Call/Regeneration: ; , ;

Faith in Jesus: ;

Justification: :

Adoption:

Sanctification:

Glorification—Final Salvation:

(1 Minute) Coffee and Commercial Break, promoting the Website/Blog

(5 Minutes) The Doctrine Defended against objections

Election is not of individuals but groups: Well groups are made up of individuals. So yes, God elects a group of individuals in eternity past to salvation. God also choose to let another group of individuals remain in their willful rebellion and bare the consequences of that rebellion in judgment.

Election is not to salvation but to service: Sure, God elects people to service, but which is often quoted as a proof text for this assertion certainly has salvation as its context. Paul does not morn that his fellow kinsmen aren’t selected for service. He mourns that they aren’t chosen for salvation. However, the illustrations from the Old Testament we may concede are analogical/typological and not univocal. They show God’s freedom in doing what He wants. The same freedom He has in saving some and not others.

Election is not unconditional but based on foreseen faith or obedience. is often cited by those who hold this position since God’s foreknowledge precedes His predestination. Certainly, God knows all things before they happen. God knows that who will trust in Him, but is that what Paul is teaching in ? Foreknow can mean more than just passive knowledge facts, faith, or deeds. In a given context, it can mean to choose someone beforehand or to lovingly regard someone beforehand. This fits the context better since He is foreknowing those He predestines to be conformed into the likeness of Christ. These are the one He calls, justifies, and glorifies. It is speaking of the people themselves and not their actions.

(9 Minutes) The Doctrine Devoted in life

Applications: The Christian should respond to the God’s unconditional election in the following ways,

Rest in God’s wisdom, love, goodness by not delving into endless speculation or investigating questions about things God has not revealed in His Word.

Joyfully believe and teach all that God does reveal in His word concerning the doctrine of election.

When doubts or despair comes to mind or heart when considering the doctrine of election, pray that God would help you trust Him and submit to His Word and study His Word vigorously until He comforts your mind and heart.

Give God the exclusive credit He deserves for your salvation in your worship and testimony.

Questions:

So why should we pray or preach the gospel to the lost if those who God chooses will be saved no matter what?

How has the doctrine of election affected your life and ministry?

Recommended Recourses:

Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul

The Sovereign Grace of God by James White

The Potter’s Freedom by James White

Beyond Five Points by Ernest C. Reisinger and D. Matthew Allen

By His Grace and For His Glory by Thomas J. Nettles

A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Confession of Faith by Samuel Waldron

The Doctrine of Election and/or The Sovereignty of God by A.W. Pink

The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination by Loraine Boettner

(1 Minute) Conclusion: Justen

So, the doctrine of unconditional election is God’s free and eternal choice of individuals for salvation in and through His Son Jesus. It is based on God’s good pleasure and perfect wisdom. It includes both the ends and the means. May we give Him the glory and praise He deserves.

If you have any questions or comments, leave them on our Facebook page.

Also, please share our content on social media, leave us a review on iTunes, and visit our website.