Chosen by God: Embracing His Invitation to Relationship

Devotional

Day 1: You Are Chosen by God

God, the Creator of the universe, has chosen every person to be in relationship with Him—not just a select few. This choosing is not about being picked over others or being left out, but about God making the first move, extending an invitation to all. Just as Eli Manning could only play for the team that chose him, we can only respond to God because He first chose us. Yet, being chosen does not remove our responsibility; it gives us the opportunity to respond. God’s love is so great that He desires everyone to know Him, and He has made a way for all to come to Him. The question is, will you respond to His invitation? [57:54]

John 15:16 (ESV)
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you."

Reflection: When you consider that God has chosen you personally, how does that change the way you see yourself and your purpose today? What step can you take to respond to His invitation?

Day 2: The Invitation Is for Everyone

God’s invitation to salvation and relationship is extended to every person, regardless of background, past, or status. The Bible makes it clear that God so loved the world—not just a select group—that He gave His Son so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. This means no one is excluded from God’s love or His call. However, while the invitation is universal, each person must make a personal decision to accept or reject it. God’s heart is that none would perish, but all would come to repentance and life. [01:00:12]

John 3:16-17 (ESV)
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to know that God’s invitation is for them too? How can you share this truth with them in a practical way this week?

Day 3: The True Chosen Are Those Who Respond

While God calls and chooses everyone, only those who respond in faith and obedience become the true “chosen.” The parable of the wedding banquet shows that many are invited, but only those who accept the invitation and come, clothed in the righteousness provided by the King, are welcomed in. It’s not enough to simply hear the call; it requires a response—a turning from our own way to God’s way, accepting what Christ has done for us. The chosen are those who say yes to God’s invitation and live in relationship with Him. [01:20:59]

Matthew 22:14 (ESV)
"For many are called, but few are chosen."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you’ve heard God’s call but haven’t yet responded? What would it look like to say “yes” to Him today?

Day 4: We Are Clothed in Christ’s Righteousness, Not Our Own

Entrance into God’s presence and His eternal banquet is not based on our own goodness or religious efforts, but on being clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Just as the king in the parable provided wedding garments for his guests, God provides us with the righteousness of Jesus when we put our faith in Him. Our best efforts fall short, but through Christ, we are made clean and acceptable before God. This is a gift we must receive, not something we can earn. [01:22:09]

Galatians 3:26-27 (ESV)
"For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

Reflection: Are you relying on your own efforts to be right with God, or are you resting in the righteousness that comes from Christ alone? How can you remind yourself of this truth today?

Day 5: God’s Heart Is for All to Be Saved

God’s desire is that every person would come to know Him and be saved. He is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but for everyone to come to repentance. This means that our prayers and efforts for others to know Christ matter deeply. We are called not only to receive God’s invitation ourselves but also to pray for and reach out to others, trusting that God is working in their hearts. No one is beyond His reach, and He invites us to join Him in praying for the salvation of those around us. [01:18:33]

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

Reflection: Who is one person you can commit to pray for daily, asking God to draw them to Himself and open their heart to His invitation?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we gathered as a family of faith, welcoming new faces and familiar ones, to celebrate the goodness of God and to be reminded of His deep love and calling on our lives. As we move into a new season, both in the natural and in our church life, we’re invited to reflect on what it means to be chosen by God and how we respond to that invitation. Through the reading of John 15:16—“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit, fruit that will last”—we explored the profound truth that God’s initiative always comes first. He extends His love and grace to all, offering each of us the opportunity to enter into relationship with Him.

Being chosen by God is not about exclusivity or favoritism; it’s about God making a way for every person to respond to His call. Just as in the parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22, the invitation goes out to many, but only those who accept and respond become the true “chosen.” The difference is not in God’s willingness, but in our response. God desires that all would be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, but He does not force anyone—He honors our freedom to choose.

We also considered the importance of not confusing religious activity with genuine relationship. Jesus calls us friends, not merely servants, inviting us into a covenant relationship where we know His heart and participate in His mission. The “wedding garment” in the parable symbolizes the righteousness of Christ, which we receive by faith, not by our own efforts. Our best attempts at righteousness fall short, but God clothes us in Christ’s holiness when we accept His gift.

Ultimately, the call of God is universal, but the chosen are those who respond in faith and obedience, accepting the invitation and allowing Christ to transform their lives. Each of us is drafted in the “heavenly draft”—the question is, will we choose to play on God’s team? The gift of salvation is prepared for all, but it must be received personally. Today is an opportunity to say “yes” to God’s invitation, to receive His love, and to walk in the newness of life He offers.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Choice Precedes Our Response God’s love and initiative always come first—He chooses us before we ever think to choose Him. This means that our ability to respond to God is itself a gift, not something we earn or initiate. The invitation to relationship is extended to all, and our response is simply to accept what He has already made possible. [53:56]
2. The True Meaning of Being “Chosen” Being chosen by God does not mean we are forced into relationship or that some are excluded. Rather, it means God has made a way for everyone to respond, but He honors our freedom to accept or reject His invitation. The “chosen” are those who choose Him back, responding to His call with faith and surrender. [57:54]
3. Relationship Over Religion Jesus distinguishes between servants and friends, inviting us into a relationship where we know His heart and participate in His mission. Mere religious activity or outward conformity is not enough; God desires a covenant relationship marked by love, obedience, and shared purpose. True friendship with God transforms us from the inside out. [53:56]
4. The Necessity of the Right Response The parable of the wedding banquet teaches that being invited is not enough; we must respond appropriately by accepting the “wedding garment” of Christ’s righteousness. Our own efforts cannot make us worthy—only by receiving what Christ has done for us can we stand in God’s presence. Salvation is a gift, but it must be received personally to be effective. [82:09]
5. God’s Heart for All People Scripture is clear that God desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. The invitation is universal, and God’s patience is evidence of His longing for everyone to respond. Our prayers and witness matter, as we join God in His mission to reach the world with His love and grace. [78:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:38] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[04:41] - Midweek Services and Special Gatherings
[06:57] - Offering and Vision for the House
[38:04] - Worship and Encouragement
[41:35] - Proclamation and Children’s Dismissal
[47:47] - The Origin of Today’s Message
[51:06] - John 15:13-16: Chosen and Friendship with God
[53:56] - What Does It Mean to Be Chosen?
[56:16] - The Eli Manning Analogy: Choice and Response
[57:54] - God’s Universal Invitation
[60:12] - John 3:16-19: Whoever Believes
[66:07] - The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
[74:19] - Responding to the Invitation
[78:33] - God’s Desire for All to Be Saved
[82:09] - The Wedding Garment: Righteousness in Christ
[84:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation to Respond

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 15:13-16 (ESV) — > 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
> 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
> 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
> 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Matthew 22:1-14 (ESV) – Parable of the Wedding Banquet — (You may want to read this together as a group)

1 Timothy 2:3-4 (ESV) — > 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
> 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Observation Questions

In John 15:16, who does Jesus say took the first step in the relationship—us or Him? What does He say He appointed us to do?
According to the parable in Matthew 22, who received invitations to the wedding banquet, and how did people respond? [01:14:19]
What does Jesus say is the difference between being a servant and being a friend in John 15:15?
In 1 Timothy 2:3-4, what is God’s desire for all people?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon said, “Being chosen by God is not about exclusivity or favoritism; it’s about God making a way for every person to respond to His call.” How does this challenge or confirm your understanding of what it means to be “chosen”? [53:56]
In the parable of the wedding banquet, why do you think some people refused the king’s invitation, and what does that say about our freedom to respond to God? [01:14:19]
The “wedding garment” in the parable represents the righteousness of Christ. Why is it important that we are “clothed” in Christ’s righteousness and not our own efforts? [01:22:09]
Jesus calls us friends, not just servants. What does it mean to move from religious activity to genuine relationship with God? [53:56]

Application Questions

The sermon compared God’s invitation to a “heavenly draft,” where everyone is chosen, but we must decide if we’ll play on God’s team. Is there an area in your life where you’ve been hesitating to say “yes” to God’s invitation? What’s holding you back? [57:54]
The parable shows that being invited isn’t enough—we must respond and put on the “wedding garment.” Are there ways you’ve tried to earn God’s approval through your own efforts instead of accepting Christ’s righteousness? How can you shift your focus this week? [01:22:09]
Jesus wants a friendship with us, not just religious service. What’s one practical way you can deepen your relationship with God this week—maybe through prayer, worship, or listening for His voice? [53:56]
God’s heart is for all people to be saved. Is there someone in your life who needs to know about God’s invitation? How can you pray for them or reach out to them this week? [01:18:33]
The sermon said, “Our best attempts at righteousness fall short, but God clothes us in Christ’s holiness when we accept His gift.” How does this truth affect the way you see yourself and others in the church? [01:22:09]
The difference between the “called” and the “chosen” is in the response. What does a faithful response to God’s call look like in your daily life? Are there habits or attitudes you need to change to better respond to God? [01:20:59]
The pastor shared that God’s invitation is for everyone, but He honors our freedom to choose. How does this impact the way you pray for and interact with people who haven’t yet responded to God’s call? [01:18:33]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does it mean to be chosen by God?

How does free will influence God's selection process?

What is the significance of responding correctly to God's invitation?