Embracing God's Omnipotence in Salvation and Grace

 

Summary

In our gathering today, we explored the profound and often challenging doctrine of God's omnipotence, particularly as it relates to salvation. We began by acknowledging the importance of being faithful members of our local churches, emphasizing that while conferences and gatherings are beneficial, they are not a substitute for the church's role in our spiritual lives. Our focus was on the omnipotence of God, a foundational attribute that all Christians should agree upon, yet often find themselves divided over, especially when it comes to God's sovereignty in salvation.

We delved into the Apostles' Creed, which affirms belief in God the Father Almighty, and unpacked what it truly means to confess that God is all-powerful. This confession implies that God is sovereign over all aspects of life, including salvation. However, many Christians struggle with the idea that God's omnipotence extends to His sovereign choice in salvation, often resisting the notion that God is all-powerful over human will and salvation.

We examined Romans 9, where Paul addresses the sovereignty of God in election and salvation. Paul makes it clear that God's promises have not failed, even when not all of Israel is saved. He explains that God's election is not based on human will or effort but on His mercy and sovereign choice. This doctrine, while difficult, reveals the depth of God's grace and the mystery of His will.

We also discussed the doctrine of reprobation, which is the counterpart to election, emphasizing that God's choices are just and rooted in His perfect will. While these truths are hard to accept, they lead us to a deeper understanding of God's grace and power. We are reminded that our role is not to question God's ways but to trust in His perfect sovereignty and to rest in His grace.

Key Takeaways:

- Faithfulness to the Local Church: While conferences and gatherings are beneficial, they are not a substitute for the church's role in our spiritual lives. We are called to be faithful members of our local churches, regularly attending to the means of grace that God has provided. [01:11]

- Understanding God's Omnipotence: Confessing that God is all-powerful means acknowledging His sovereignty over all aspects of life, including salvation. This understanding challenges us to trust in God's perfect will, even when it is difficult to comprehend. [04:27]

- The Doctrine of Election: God's election is not based on human will or effort but on His mercy and sovereign choice. This doctrine reveals the depth of God's grace and challenges us to trust in His perfect sovereignty. [19:25]

- The Mystery of God's Will: While we may struggle to understand why God chooses some and not others, we are reminded that His ways are higher than ours. Our role is to trust in His perfect will and to rest in His grace. [30:21]

- Resting in God's Grace: Understanding God's sovereignty in salvation leads us to a deeper appreciation of His grace. It is only when we rest in His grace that we can truly understand the sufficiency of His power in our lives. [49:30]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to the Ministry
- [00:43] - The Role of Conferences
- [01:11] - Faithfulness to the Local Church
- [02:13] - Exploring God's Omnipotence
- [03:44] - The Apostles' Creed and God's Power
- [06:21] - God's Sovereignty in Salvation
- [08:23] - Personal Struggles with Doctrine
- [12:53] - Romans 9: Understanding Election
- [19:25] - God's Promises and Election
- [22:36] - Theodicy: God's Goodness and Evil
- [30:21] - The Challenge of Accepting God's Sovereignty
- [37:35] - God's Mercy and Compassion
- [42:36] - Pharaoh and God's Power
- [49:30] - Resting in God's Grace

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 9:1-24
2. Exodus 33:12-19
3. Malachi 1:2-5

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Observation Questions:

1. In Romans 9, how does Paul express his feelings about the salvation of his fellow Israelites? What does this reveal about his heart for the lost? [14:23]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of God's statement to Moses in Exodus 33:19, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy"? How does this relate to the concept of God's sovereignty? [37:35]

3. How does the sermon explain the contrast between Jacob and Esau in Malachi 1:2-3? What does this contrast illustrate about God's sovereign choices? [31:26]

4. What is the main argument Paul is making in Romans 9 regarding God's promises and election? How does he address the concern that God's word might have failed? [19:25]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the doctrine of election challenge common perceptions of fairness and justice? What does the sermon suggest about our understanding of God's justice? [36:01]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that understanding God's omnipotence in salvation can deepen our appreciation of His grace? How does this understanding affect our view of God's power in our lives? [49:30]

3. How does the sermon address the struggle many Christians have with accepting God's sovereignty over human will? What personal experiences did the pastor share to illustrate this struggle? [08:43]

4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between God's sovereignty and human responsibility, particularly in the context of evangelism and prayer? [15:48]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own church involvement. How can you ensure that you are a faithful member of your local church, as emphasized in the sermon? What steps can you take to deepen your commitment? [01:42]

2. The sermon challenges us to trust in God's perfect will, even when it is difficult to comprehend. Can you identify a situation in your life where you struggle to trust God's sovereignty? How can you work towards trusting Him more fully? [04:27]

3. How do you personally wrestle with the doctrine of election and reprobation? What steps can you take to seek a deeper understanding and acceptance of these doctrines? [30:21]

4. The sermon highlights the importance of resting in God's grace. What practical ways can you incorporate this rest into your daily life, especially during times of stress or uncertainty? [49:30]

5. Consider your prayer life and heart for evangelism. How can you cultivate a deeper passion for the lost, as demonstrated by Paul in Romans 9? What specific actions can you take to pray for and reach out to those who do not know Christ? [15:30]

6. The sermon discusses the challenge of accepting God's sovereignty over salvation. How can you engage in conversations with others who struggle with this concept, offering grace and understanding? [08:23]

7. Reflect on a time when you questioned God's ways or decisions. How can the insights from this sermon help you approach such questions with humility and trust in God's perfect plan? [44:45]

Devotional

Day 1: Faithfulness to the Local Church
Faithfulness to the local church is essential for spiritual growth and community. While conferences and gatherings can be enriching, they are not a substitute for the consistent fellowship and accountability found in a local church. Being a faithful member means regularly participating in worship, engaging in community, and utilizing the means of grace that God has provided through the church. This commitment helps believers grow in their faith and remain grounded in their spiritual journey. [01:11]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the life of your local church this week, perhaps by serving in a new way or reaching out to someone in need?


Day 2: Understanding God's Omnipotence
Confessing that God is all-powerful means acknowledging His sovereignty over every aspect of life, including salvation. This understanding challenges believers to trust in God's perfect will, even when it is difficult to comprehend. God's omnipotence assures us that He is in control, and His plans are for our ultimate good. Embracing this truth requires humility and a willingness to submit to His authority, trusting that His ways are higher than ours. [04:27]

Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"

Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to trust God's omnipotence, and how can you begin to surrender that area to Him today?


Day 3: The Doctrine of Election
The doctrine of election teaches that God's choice in salvation is based on His mercy and sovereign will, not on human effort or decision. This profound truth reveals the depth of God's grace and challenges believers to trust in His perfect sovereignty. Understanding election can be difficult, but it ultimately points to the greatness of God's love and the mystery of His will. It calls us to respond with gratitude and humility, recognizing that our salvation is a gift from God. [19:25]

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Reflection: How does the understanding of God's election change the way you view your relationship with Him and others?


Day 4: The Mystery of God's Will
While it can be challenging to understand why God chooses some and not others, believers are reminded that His ways are higher than ours. Our role is to trust in His perfect will and to rest in His grace. This mystery invites us to a deeper faith, acknowledging that God's wisdom and understanding far surpass our own. It encourages us to live in humility and dependence on Him, trusting that He is working all things for His glory and our good. [30:21]

Job 42:2-3 (ESV): "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."

Reflection: What is one mystery of God's will that you find difficult to accept, and how can you seek to trust Him more in that area?


Day 5: Resting in God's Grace
Understanding God's sovereignty in salvation leads believers to a deeper appreciation of His grace. It is only when we rest in His grace that we can truly understand the sufficiency of His power in our lives. This rest is not passive but an active trust in God's provision and care. It calls us to cease striving in our own strength and to rely fully on His grace, knowing that He is sufficient for all our needs. [49:30]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively rest in God's grace today, allowing His power to be made perfect in your weaknesses?

Quotes

thank you Chris I want to echo what Chris said in that we are a parachurch ministry we're not the church in fact we are not even really a parachurch ministry appropriately as a parachurch ministry is a ministry that comes alongside the church we are more so a sub Church ministry a ministry that serves the church that comes under the church a ministry that strives to listen to the church to understand the needs of the church and provide the church globally with resources that can help serve the church and advance the gospel in the Word of God so that the Great Commission might be fulfilled in all its fullness [00:09:09]

conferences are wonderful we get to see a lot of old friends they're wonderful times almost like family reunions we get to hear teaching from the Word of God and about the Word of God in the theology of the Word of God but I want us all to remember that conferences are not ultimate we are called to be faithful church men faithful church women we are called to attend regularly to the means of grace that God has given us as his people [00:56:34]

if you confess that which all Christians ought to confess all Christians ought to believe and all Christians claim they believe if you confess that if you believe that then you are in essence sing heartily that you believe that God is all-powerful you are confessing that God is Almighty you are confessing that God is great and God is awesome that God is the God of Israel he is the king of kings he is the Lord of lords that nothing is too difficult for God [00:256:38]

theology proceeds from God it teaches us about God and it leads us back to God it leads us back to God and knowing God and loving God and worshiping God if our theology that proceeds from God doesn't teach us about God and doesn't lead us back to God in doxology that it's not biblical theology the theology that comes from God it informs us it changes us it brings us to our knees in worship and prayer and faith and repentance [00:335:99]

while all Christians claim to believe that God is omnipotent and all-powerful too often too many Christians sitting in too many pews in too many churches in fact do not believe that God is all-powerful because they deny that God is all-powerful when it comes to salvation and their very own will [00:473:22]

these doctrines are hard these doctrines are difficult they're difficult not because the Bible makes them difficult because we in our sinful minds and our finite minds make them difficult because we are not God and we don't understand the ways of God his ways are past finding out we cannot understand the mysteries of our triune God all that we can do is learn from what he has revealed to us for us and our children [00:618:30]

Paul begins Romans 9 with a heart for the Lost Paul begins Romans 9 with with describing in the most sincere terms he possibly could saying please believe me I really mean this I'm not just saying this I'm not just giving lip service to my real heart for those who are gods who have rejected the Christ he begins with a heart for the lost and a heart even for the gospel going to the lost it's a heart for evangelism it's a heart for missions [00:888:79]

we as God's people who love the grace of our Lord and love the gospel of God and believe in the sovereignty of God we believe that God is sovereign we believe that God has foreordained all things that come to pass yet he is neither the author nor the approver of sin or evil we who believe that that he is the primary and ultimate cause of all things we also firmly believe that he is also the one who has ordained secondary means God ordains not only the means of all ends he ordains the ends of all things [00:960:48]

it's not as though the Word of God has failed and so Paul explains he explains to a largely Gentile audience with some Jews many Jews were filtering back into Rome after Claudius died having expelled the Jews from Rome in 49 now having died in 54 many of the Jews were coming back into the Rome Roman churches and so writing to a largely Gentile audience but still some Jews in this magnum opus Paul explains that the Word of God has not failed for not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel [00:1265:21]

the truth is God is just and he's merciful these are not parts of God these are not attributes sort of put alongside God or things that he possesses if you will these are who God is God is just God is merciful as we'll see here in just a moment how God even defines or discloses who he is even more fully is there injustice on God's part by no means for he says to Moses I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion [00:2228:93]

the truth of the matter is that many of us want to ask the question and we still want to ask this question especially if we have a heart for the lost we're not just talking about the lost out there that we see we're talking about our friends and our family we're talking about moms and dads and grandmas and grandpas we're talking about our own children we're talking about our grandchildren that may not know the Lord and we're praying God save them and I pray that they would be among your elect [00:2800:80]

it's only when we rightly understand the sovereign power of God and salvation that we can really begin to understand the true omnipotence of God it's only when we understand the sovereignty of God and salvation that we can understand the grace of God it's only when we understand the grace of God that we will be able to hear those beautiful words the Lord Jesus Christ said to Paul my grace is sufficient for you not only in salvation but in all of life [00:2956:65]

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Transcript
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