God's Election and Human Efforts in Salvation

Devotional

Day 1: Human Effort in Divine Salvation

The relationship between divine election and human effort is a profound mystery. While God has chosen His people before the foundation of the world, He has also ordained that their salvation will be achieved through human means. This underscores the privilege and responsibility of believers to actively participate in evangelism and ministry. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this by enduring suffering for the sake of the elect, knowing that his efforts are not in vain. His ministry serves as a reminder that God's election does not negate the necessity of human effort; rather, it ensures that these efforts will be effective. Believers are called to be instruments in God's plan, actively engaging in the work of bringing the gospel to the lost. [02:27]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Reflection: Who in your life can you share the gospel with this week, trusting that God has prepared this opportunity for you?

Day 2: Assurance of Salvation for the Elect

The certainty of salvation for the elect is rooted in God's predestined plan. This assurance provides comfort and motivation for believers to persevere in their mission. Knowing that God has chosen His people for eternal glory, believers can rest in the confidence that their efforts in evangelism will bear fruit. This assurance is not a call to passivity but a call to active participation in God's redemptive work. The knowledge that God has already secured the outcome should inspire believers to engage with zeal and dedication, knowing that their labor is not in vain. [03:16]

2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV): "Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began."

Reflection: How does the assurance of your salvation motivate you to share the gospel with others today?

Day 3: Divine Sovereignty in Evangelism

God's sovereignty extends to the means of salvation, ensuring that His chosen people will hear the gospel and respond. He orchestrates the sending of missionaries and empowers their message, guaranteeing that the gospel will reach those He has elected. This divine orchestration should embolden believers, knowing that their evangelistic efforts are backed by God's omnipotent and unfailing support. The knowledge that God is in control should inspire confidence and diligence in sharing the gospel, trusting that He will accomplish His purposes through their efforts. [09:24]

Acts 13:48 (ESV): "And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed."

Reflection: In what ways can you trust God's sovereignty in your evangelistic efforts this week, even when you face challenges or rejection?

Day 4: Empowerment in Evangelistic Efforts

Believers are empowered by God's omnipotent power in their evangelistic endeavors, ensuring that their efforts will bear fruit. This empowerment should inspire confidence and diligence in sharing the gospel, knowing that God is working through them to accomplish His purposes. The Apostle Paul's life and ministry serve as a testament to the power of God at work in the lives of believers. Despite facing persecution and imprisonment, Paul remained steadfast in his mission, knowing that the Word of God is not bound. Believers today are called to the same level of commitment and trust in God's power to work through their efforts. [10:10]

Colossians 1:29 (ESV): "For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."

Reflection: How can you rely on God's power to strengthen you in your evangelistic efforts, especially when you feel inadequate or discouraged?

Day 5: Election and Human Agency

Belief in election should not diminish human agency in evangelism. Instead, it should fuel a passionate commitment to reach the lost. The Apostle Paul's life and ministry demonstrate that belief in God's sovereign election is not a call to passivity but a call to action. His willingness to endure suffering for the sake of the elect serves as a powerful example of the importance of human agency in God's redemptive plan. Believers are called to actively participate in the work of evangelism, trusting that God will use their efforts to bring His chosen people to salvation. [10:28]

2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to actively participate in God's redemptive plan, trusting that He will use your efforts to reach the lost?

Sermon Summary

In this session, we delve into the profound relationship between God's eternal election and the human means by which salvation is brought to the elect. The focus is on understanding how God's sovereign choice of a people for Himself before the foundation of the world intersects with the human efforts required to bring these chosen ones to salvation. We begin by acknowledging Jesus Christ as the risen King, the ultimate authority who cannot be defeated. This gospel, which proclaims such a Christ, often leads to suffering, as exemplified by Paul's own imprisonment. Despite being bound, Paul emphasizes that the Word of God is not bound, and he endures all things for the sake of the elect.

Paul's endurance and suffering are not in vain; they are the means through which the elect obtain salvation. This highlights a crucial point: God's election does not negate the necessity of human effort. Instead, it ensures that these efforts will be effective. Paul sees his ministry and suffering as essential to bringing the elect to eternal glory. This is further supported by other scriptural references, such as Ephesians 1 and Acts 18, which affirm that God has chosen His people and that they will come to salvation through the proclamation of the gospel.

The assurance of salvation for the elect is rooted in God's predestined plan, and this certainty extends to the means by which salvation is achieved. God orchestrates both the election and the sending of missionaries, ensuring that His chosen people will hear the gospel and respond. Therefore, belief in election should not dampen evangelistic zeal. On the contrary, it should embolden believers, knowing that their efforts are backed by God's omnipotent and unfailing support.

Key Takeaways

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2. Certainty of Salvation for the Elect: God's election guarantees the salvation of the elect, as He has chosen them for eternal glory. This assurance provides comfort and motivation for believers to persevere in their mission.

3. God's Sovereignty in Evangelism: God not only elects His people but also ensures the means of their salvation by sending missionaries and empowering their message. This divine orchestration assures that the gospel will reach those He has chosen.

4. Empowerment in Evangelistic Efforts: Believers have the support of God's omnipotent power in their evangelistic endeavors, ensuring that their efforts will bear fruit. This should inspire confidence and diligence in sharing the gospel.

5. Election and Human Agency: Belief in election should not diminish human agency in evangelism. Instead, it should fuel a passionate commitment to reach the lost, as demonstrated by Paul's own life and ministry.

** [02:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:21] - Introduction to Election and Human Means
[00:45] - Prayer for Understanding
[01:07] - Jesus Christ: Risen King
[01:25] - The Gospel and Suffering
[01:49] - The Unbound Word of God
[02:11] - Endurance for the Elect
[02:27] - Human Means in Salvation
[02:52] - Paul's Role in Salvation
[03:16] - Certainty of Salvation
[03:42] - The Privilege of Suffering
[04:20] - Scriptural Confirmation of Election
[04:59] - Encouragement in Evangelism
[05:40] - Jesus' Teaching on Election
[07:23] - Summary of Key Points

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

2 Timothy 2:8-10
Ephesians 1:3-4
Acts 18:9-10

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Observation Questions:

In 2 Timothy 2:8-10, what does Paul say about his own suffering and its purpose for the elect? How does this relate to the concept of the Word of God being unbound? [01:49]
According to Ephesians 1:3-4, when did God choose His people, and what does this imply about His plan for salvation?
In Acts 18:9-10, what assurance does God give Paul about his mission in the city, and how does this relate to the concept of election?
How does Paul describe his role in the salvation of the elect in the sermon, and what does this reveal about the relationship between divine election and human effort? [02:27]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the assurance of God's election, as described in Ephesians 1, impact a believer's confidence in their salvation and their role in evangelism? [04:20]
What does Paul's willingness to endure suffering for the sake of the elect suggest about the nature of Christian ministry and the cost of discipleship? [03:42]
How does the vision in Acts 18:9-10 illustrate the balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in evangelism?
In what ways does the sermon suggest that belief in election should influence a believer's zeal for evangelism and missions? [10:10]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt discouraged in your evangelistic efforts. How can the assurance of God's election and His support, as discussed in the sermon, renew your motivation? [10:10]
Paul endured suffering for the sake of the elect. What sacrifices are you willing to make to share the gospel with others, and how can you prepare yourself for potential challenges? [03:42]
How can you actively participate in God's plan of salvation for others, knowing that He has chosen people to hear and respond to the gospel? Identify one specific action you can take this week.
The sermon emphasizes that God's election should not dampen evangelistic zeal. How can you cultivate a passionate commitment to evangelism in your daily life? [10:28]
Consider the people in your life who may be part of God's elect but have not yet responded to the gospel. How can you be a faithful witness to them, trusting in God's sovereignty?
How does understanding the relationship between God's sovereignty and human effort change the way you view your role in your church's mission activities?
Reflect on the assurance of salvation for the elect. How does this assurance provide comfort and motivation for you personally in your spiritual journey? [03:16]

Sermon Clips

I endure everything so these chains is being bound being treated as a criminal I endure all this for the sake of the elect, people who've been chosen by God before the foundation of the world will see that minute I endure all this for the sake of the elect. [00:02:02]

Paul considers himself to be the means of the elect obtaining salvation which is in Jesus Christ who is in this gospel and thus bringing the elect to eternal glory for which they were in fact chosen and predestined. [00:02:41]

God elects people that election secures their salvation he chose them for salvation that's what he chose them for election means choosing he chose them for salvation and eternal glory and Paul says he is giving his life to see to it that the elect reach eternal glory. [00:02:59]

He did not conclude from election that he could take a vacation and God would get it done without human means he believes exactly the opposite he believes that he should can has the privilege of enduring in Chains and prison and being bound being treated like a criminal. [00:03:38]

Here's an example Acts 18 9 and 10 he's frightened he's alone Timothy is just coming the Lord said to him one night in a vision to encourage him don't be afraid go on speaking don't be silent I am with you and no one will attack you and here's the key for I have many in this city who are my people. [00:04:42]

These are the elect I chose them before the foundation of the world I know who they are they are my people there in this city I want you to be trusting me that I'll be with you I don't want you to be silent because these people get saved through the gospel that you're speaking so go on speaking. [00:05:15]

All that the father gives me that's the elect being given to Jesus will come to me that's the effect of election and whoever comes to me I will never cast out so does Jesus say then well God's gonna give them to me they're gonna come to me no human agent is needed no he doesn't. [00:06:23]

I have other sheep that are not of this fold in other words the people that have already come to me in this Jewish fold I have other sheep just like X 1810 there are I have other people in this city I have other sheep I must bring them they will listen to my voice so there will be one flock and one Shepherd. [00:06:48]

The Word of God is not bound therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect so that they may obtain salvation and eternal glory Paul sees himself and his ministry and his suffering as an essential means of bringing the elect to salvation. [00:07:23]

Salvation the salvation of the elect happens by human means through human means second the salvation of the elect is sure that's what it means to be chosen by God for salvation before the foundation of the world he chooses us because he predestined that we will in fact achieve salvation. [00:07:54]

God is just as much in charge of sending missionaries and putting words in their mouths as he is electing his people and finally therefore as a means you have omnipotent and unfailing absolutely sure help help in your evangelism. [00:09:26]

Don't let anybody tell you that believing in election and the sure salvation of God's people dampens human agency in evangelism and world missions those who have believed most strongly in election have been those like Paul who have suffered most and worked most hard in order to reach them. [00:10:04]

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