God's Sovereign Work in Our Salvation Journey

 

Summary

Romans 8 is often heralded as the best chapter in the Bible, and today we delve into its profound truths, particularly focusing on verses 28-30. These verses reveal the divine orchestration of our salvation, a process that begins in eternity and culminates in glorification. The journey of salvation is not merely a sequence of events but a divine tapestry woven by God, ensuring that all things work together for the ultimate good of those who love Him. This ultimate good is our glorification, where we are conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, reflecting His holiness and righteousness.

Paul's exposition in Romans 8:29-30 introduces us to the "golden chain" of salvation: foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification. This sequence underscores the sovereignty of God in salvation, emphasizing that it is God who initiates and completes the work of salvation. Our journey begins with God's foreknowledge, which is not merely foresight but a deep, covenantal love set upon us before the foundation of the world. Predestination follows, where God sets our destiny to be conformed to the image of His Son.

The calling of God is both general and effectual, drawing us irresistibly to Himself. This call leads to justification, a legal declaration of righteousness based on the finished work of Christ. Justification assures us of our right standing with God, bringing the future verdict of "not guilty" into the present. Finally, glorification is the culmination of this divine process, where we are fully transformed into the likeness of Christ.

This passage challenges us to see our salvation as entirely the work of God, from beginning to end. It is a humbling reminder that our faith, repentance, and sanctification are responses to God's sovereign grace. As we reflect on these truths, we are called to live in gratitude, acknowledging that our salvation is a testament to God's unmerited favor and love.

Key Takeaways:

- The Ultimate Good: The ultimate good that God works in our lives is our glorification, where we are conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. This transformation is the goal of our salvation, ensuring that we reflect the holiness and righteousness of Christ. [01:16]

- The Golden Chain of Salvation: The sequence of foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification highlights God's sovereign work in our salvation. Each link in this chain is a testament to God's initiative and grace, ensuring that our salvation is secure from eternity to eternity. [06:59]

- Foreknowledge as Divine Love: God's foreknowledge is not mere foresight but a deep, covenantal love set upon us before the foundation of the world. This love initiates the process of salvation, ensuring that we are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ. [09:59]

- Justification and Glorification: Justification is a legal declaration of righteousness based on Christ's work, bringing the future verdict of "not guilty" into the present. This assurance of justification leads inevitably to glorification, where we are fully transformed into Christ's likeness. [20:48]

- Salvation as God's Work: Our salvation, from beginning to end, is entirely the work of God. Our faith, repentance, and sanctification are responses to His sovereign grace, reminding us to live in gratitude and humility, acknowledging that our salvation is a testament to God's unmerited favor. [23:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Romans 8
- [00:22] - The Best Verse in the Bible
- [00:37] - God's Sovereign Plan
- [01:16] - The Ultimate Good: Glorification
- [01:46] - From Eternity to Eternity
- [02:21] - Conforming to the Image of Christ
- [03:09] - What Would Jesus Do?
- [04:19] - The Order of Salvation
- [05:36] - William Perkins and the Golden Chain
- [06:08] - The Five Links of Salvation
- [08:33] - Foreknowledge and Predestination
- [09:59] - Foreknowledge as Divine Love
- [11:14] - Predestination Explained
- [12:39] - Free Will and Divine Sovereignty
- [16:15] - The Call of God
- [19:00] - Justification and Its Significance
- [22:18] - Assurance of Glorification
- [23:34] - Salvation as God's Work

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Romans 8:28-30

Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:28-30
- Ephesians 2:8-9
- John 10:27-29

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Romans 8:28 mean when it says "all things work together for good"? How is this "good" defined in the context of the passage? [01:03]

2. In Romans 8:29-30, Paul outlines a sequence of events in the process of salvation. What are these events, and how do they relate to each other? [06:22]

3. How does the sermon describe God's foreknowledge in Romans 8:29? What is the significance of this foreknowledge in the context of salvation? [09:59]

4. According to the sermon, what is the ultimate goal of our salvation as described in Romans 8:29-30? [02:36]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of God's sovereignty in salvation, as described in Romans 8:28-30, challenge or affirm your understanding of free will? [12:39]

2. The sermon mentions that justification is a legal declaration of righteousness. How does this understanding impact the way believers view their relationship with God? [19:14]

3. In what ways does the "golden chain" of salvation (foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, glorification) provide assurance to believers about their salvation? [06:59]

4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between God's work in salvation and our response of faith and repentance? [23:49]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to see how "all things work together for good" in your life. How can Romans 8:28 provide comfort and assurance in such situations? [01:03]

2. The sermon emphasizes living in gratitude for God's sovereign grace. What are some practical ways you can express gratitude for your salvation in your daily life? [23:34]

3. How can understanding the "golden chain" of salvation change the way you approach challenges in your spiritual journey? [06:59]

4. Consider the idea of being conformed to the image of Christ. What specific areas of your life do you feel need transformation to better reflect Christ's holiness and righteousness? [02:36]

5. The sermon discusses the effectual call of God. How can you be more attentive to God's calling in your life, and what steps can you take to respond more fully? [16:15]

6. Justification is described as bringing the future verdict of "not guilty" into the present. How does this assurance affect your confidence in approaching God in prayer and worship? [20:48]

7. In what ways can you actively participate in your sanctification process, knowing that it is a response to God's sovereign work in your life? [23:49]

Devotional

Day 1: The Ultimate Good: Our Glorification
The ultimate good that God works in our lives is our glorification, where we are conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. This transformation is the goal of our salvation, ensuring that we reflect the holiness and righteousness of Christ. Glorification is not just a future hope but a present reality that shapes how we live today. It is the culmination of God's work in us, where we are fully transformed into the likeness of Christ. This process begins with God's foreknowledge and predestination, leading us through calling and justification, and ultimately to glorification. As we journey through life, we are being shaped and molded to reflect Christ's character, and this is the ultimate good that God has purposed for us. [01:16]

"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in the process of being conformed to the image of Christ today? What practical steps can you take to reflect His holiness and righteousness in your daily life?


Day 2: The Golden Chain of Salvation
The sequence of foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification highlights God's sovereign work in our salvation. Each link in this chain is a testament to God's initiative and grace, ensuring that our salvation is secure from eternity to eternity. This "golden chain" underscores the fact that salvation is not a random series of events but a divinely orchestrated process. God's foreknowledge is not merely foresight but a deep, covenantal love set upon us before the foundation of the world. Predestination follows, where God sets our destiny to be conformed to the image of His Son. The calling of God is both general and effectual, drawing us irresistibly to Himself. This call leads to justification, a legal declaration of righteousness based on the finished work of Christ. Finally, glorification is the culmination of this divine process, where we are fully transformed into the likeness of Christ. [06:59]

"In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding the "golden chain" of salvation impact your view of God's sovereignty in your life? What assurance does it give you about your future in Christ?


Day 3: Foreknowledge as Divine Love
God's foreknowledge is not mere foresight but a deep, covenantal love set upon us before the foundation of the world. This love initiates the process of salvation, ensuring that we are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ. God's foreknowledge is an intimate knowledge that involves a personal relationship with us, even before we were born. It is a love that is not based on our actions or merits but solely on God's grace and purpose. This understanding of foreknowledge challenges us to see our relationship with God as one that is rooted in His eternal love and commitment to us. It is a humbling reminder that our salvation is not something we earn but a gift of God's unmerited favor. [09:59]

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5, ESV)

Reflection: How does knowing that God has set His love upon you before the foundation of the world change the way you view your relationship with Him? How can you respond to this divine love in your daily life?


Day 4: Justification and Glorification
Justification is a legal declaration of righteousness based on Christ's work, bringing the future verdict of "not guilty" into the present. This assurance of justification leads inevitably to glorification, where we are fully transformed into Christ's likeness. Justification is not just a one-time event but an ongoing reality that affects how we live. It assures us of our right standing with God and gives us confidence in our relationship with Him. Glorification, on the other hand, is the future hope that we will be fully conformed to the image of Christ. It is the ultimate goal of our salvation, where we will reflect His holiness and righteousness perfectly. This understanding of justification and glorification challenges us to live in light of our future hope, knowing that our present struggles are preparing us for an eternal glory. [20:48]

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: How does the assurance of your justification influence your daily walk with God? In what ways can you live today in light of the future hope of glorification?


Day 5: Salvation as God's Work
Our salvation, from beginning to end, is entirely the work of God. Our faith, repentance, and sanctification are responses to His sovereign grace, reminding us to live in gratitude and humility, acknowledging that our salvation is a testament to God's unmerited favor. This understanding of salvation challenges us to see our spiritual journey as one that is initiated and sustained by God. It is a humbling reminder that we are not the authors of our salvation but recipients of God's grace. As we reflect on these truths, we are called to live in gratitude, acknowledging that our salvation is a testament to God's unmerited favor and love. This perspective encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty and to rely on His grace in every aspect of our lives. [23:34]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to acknowledge God's sovereignty and grace more fully? How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude for the work of salvation that God has accomplished in you?

Quotes


For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and those whom he predestined he also called and those whom he called he also justified and those whom he justified he also glorified. [00:31:16]

The good in verse 28 we know that for those who love god all things work together for good and in our previous study we said the good was our final glorification he intends us to come all the way home and to be in those mansions that jesus said had been prepared for us. [00:54:48]

And so paul as it were pulls the camera out from the circumstances of difficulty and distress and the weakness and the futility of this world and he as it were pans the camera out in order to see that our salvation that ultimate good that god has in store for us is actually something that begins in eternity and ends in eternity. [01:09:36]

And the way in which he does that is that he intends to conform us and notice in verse 29 to conform us to the image of his son so an answer to the question what is that ultimate good that god has in store one answer is to glorify us but what does that mean or perhaps what does that look like. [01:41:02]

God is going to make you and me like jesus to the extent that we're not like jesus is the extent of the work that is still left to do some of us have a lot left to do and we are still in the workshop which is down here until we get to the showroom which is up here. [03:33:45]

And there is a sequence to that there's a logical sequence to it but there's also to some extent a chronological sequence to it in the sense that calling comes before justification and not the other way around and calling comes before glorification and not the other way around. [06:34:00]

The fact that you're a christian now how is that what is the cause what is the reason that you're a christian and you say well because i believed in jesus i made a decision i can date that decision and so on and so forth and paul is shaking his head and he's saying no the reason you're a christian is because god has done something. [08:41:20]

And god foreknew you so the armenian comes in and says yes i understand foreknowledge god can see into the future and he can see you making a decision and that's what paul is talking about he can it is foresight and he can see that you make a decision and paul is shaking his head and he's saying no. [09:32:56]

The idea here is that god set his affection upon you in eternity he made a compact he made a covenant with his son that he would set his affection upon you having decreed that sin would enter into the world he also decreed salvation that he would send a messiah that he would send a savior to redeem his people. [10:24:40]

What is justification justification is a declaration by god that we are in a right relationship with him it is a legal forensic verdict on behalf of god the judge that we are not guilty that our sins though they are red like crimson are as white as snow on the basis that jesus was made sin for us. [19:10:57]

And the fact that we are saved is all of you praise the lord for that truth it is our only hope we'll continue this in our next lesson thank you. [24:20:24]

God is at work this is all of god the foreknowledge the predestination the calling the justification the glorification those are all things god does there are responses that we make faith repentance progressive sanctification and so on but salvation from beginning to end is all of god it's all his. [23:34:48]

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Transcript
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