Understanding God's Sovereign Election in Salvation

Devotional

Day 1: The Profound Gift of Individual Election

Understanding God's election is a journey into the heart of divine grace. Ephesians 1:3-6 reveals that God has chosen individuals for salvation, not based on their merit but solely on His sovereign will. This choice is deeply personal, as God selects specific people to be in Christ. This understanding should lead believers to a place of worship and humility, recognizing that their election is a profound act of grace. It is not a corporate election of Christ alone but an individual selection of believers, emphasizing the personal nature of God's love and purpose. This truth should inspire confidence in our ministry, knowing that our calling and election are secure in God's hands. [01:14]

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: Consider how the understanding of being individually chosen by God impacts your sense of identity and purpose. How can this truth lead you to a deeper sense of worship and gratitude today?

Day 2: The Unexpected Choice of God

Scripture is filled with examples of God's unexpected choices, highlighting His sovereign will in selecting individuals for His purposes. In 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Paul emphasizes that God chose the foolish, weak, and despised to shame the wise and strong. This challenges human expectations and boasting, illustrating that God's election is not based on human merit or wisdom. Similarly, Romans 9 discusses God's choice of Jacob over Esau, underscoring that election is based on God's purpose, not human works. These passages remind us that God's ways are higher than ours, and His choices are rooted in His divine wisdom and purpose. [03:48]

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate or unworthy. How does knowing that God chooses the weak and foolish for His purposes encourage you to trust in His plan for your life?

Day 3: The Sovereign Will of God in Salvation

The doctrine of election underscores God's sovereignty in salvation, affirming that He is the decisive cause of who is in Christ. This truth is not based on human will or foreseen faith but on God's sovereign choice. Understanding this should instill confidence and assurance in our faith, knowing that our salvation is secure in Christ because of God's choosing. It challenges us to trust in His sovereign plan and to rest in the assurance that we are secure in Christ. This understanding should lead us to a place of humility and gratitude, recognizing that our salvation is entirely a work of God's grace. [07:44]

Romans 9:15-16 (ESV): "For he says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.' So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in God's sovereignty? How can you begin to surrender these areas to Him, trusting in His perfect will and timing?

Day 4: The Father's Role in Drawing Us to Christ

Jesus' teachings in the Gospel of John highlight the Father's role in drawing individuals to Christ. He speaks of those given to Him by the Father, indicating a specific group chosen out of the world. This divine selection is not based on foreseen faith or human decision but on God's sovereign will. Understanding this truth should lead us to a place of humility and gratitude, recognizing that our salvation is entirely a work of God's grace. It challenges us to trust in His sovereign plan and to rest in the assurance that we are secure in Christ because of His choosing. [10:44]

John 6:44 (ESV): "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."

Reflection: How does knowing that the Father has drawn you to Christ impact your relationship with Him? What steps can you take to deepen your trust and reliance on His guidance in your life?

Day 5: Assurance and Gratitude in God's Sovereign Choice

Understanding election should lead to a deep sense of gratitude and assurance, knowing that our salvation is secure in Christ because of God's sovereign choice. This truth challenges us to trust in His sovereign plan and to rest in the assurance that we are secure in Christ. It is a reminder that our salvation is not based on our efforts or decisions but entirely on God's grace. This understanding should lead us to a place of worship and humility, recognizing that our election is a profound act of grace. It inspires confidence in our ministry, knowing that our calling and election are secure in God's hands. [11:58]

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: In what ways can you express gratitude for God's sovereign choice in your life today? How can this assurance of salvation influence your interactions with others and your service in ministry?

Sermon Summary

In this session, we delve into the profound truth of God's election as presented in Ephesians 1:3-6. The passage begins by blessing God for the spiritual blessings bestowed upon us in Christ, highlighting the significant blessing of being chosen in Him. This choice is not merely a corporate election of Christ alone but an individual selection of believers. The text explicitly states that God chose "us," not just Christ, indicating a personal and individual election. This understanding should lead us to a deep sense of worship, humility, and confidence in our ministry, knowing that our election is not based on anything we have done but solely on God's sovereign will.

We explore various scriptural evidences supporting individual election. In 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Paul emphasizes that God chose the foolish, weak, and despised individuals to shame the wise and strong, illustrating God's selection of specific people. Similarly, in Romans 9, Paul discusses God's choice of Jacob over Esau before they were born, underscoring that election is based on God's purpose, not human works or merit. This individual election is further affirmed in Revelation 13, where names are written in the Lamb's book of life before the foundation of the world, signifying a personal and predetermined choice by God.

Jesus' teachings in the Gospel of John also affirm this truth. He speaks of those given to Him by the Father, indicating a specific group chosen out of the world. The Father draws these individuals to Christ, and they come to Him because they are His sheep. This divine selection is not based on foreseen faith or human decision but on God's sovereign will.

Understanding this doctrine of election should lead us to a place of humility and gratitude, recognizing that our salvation is entirely a work of God's grace. It challenges us to trust in His sovereign plan and to rest in the assurance that we are secure in Christ because of His choosing.

Key Takeaways

1. Individual Election: God's choice of individuals is evident throughout Scripture, emphasizing that He selects specific people for salvation, not based on their merit but His sovereign will. This understanding should lead us to worship and humility, recognizing that our election is a profound act of grace. [01:14]
2. Scriptural Evidence: Various passages, such as 1 Corinthians 1 and Romans 9, illustrate God's individual election, showing that He chooses the foolish, weak, and despised to fulfill His purposes, challenging our expectations and boasting. [03:48]
3. Divine Sovereignty: The doctrine of election underscores God's sovereignty in salvation, affirming that He is the decisive cause of who is in Christ, not human will or foreseen faith. This truth should instill confidence and assurance in our faith. [07:44]
4. Jesus' Teachings: Jesus' words in the Gospel of John highlight the Father's role in drawing individuals to Christ, affirming that those who come to Him are those whom the Father has given, emphasizing the personal nature of election. [10:44]
5. Assurance and Gratitude: Understanding election should lead to a deep sense of gratitude and assurance, knowing that our salvation is secure in Christ because of God's sovereign choice, not our efforts or decisions. [11:58]
** [11:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Introduction to God's Choosing
[00:32] - Spiritual Blessings in Christ
[00:44] - Misinterpretations of Election
[01:14] - Individual vs. Corporate Election
[02:09] - Contextual Clues in Ephesians
[03:09] - Evidence from 1 Corinthians
[05:16] - Paul's Heart for Israel
[06:20] - Individual Election in Romans
[07:04] - Jacob and Esau: A Case Study
[08:30] - Revelation's Book of Life
[10:05] - Jesus' Teachings on Election
[11:22] - Assurance in God's Sovereignty
[12:14] - Addressing Foreseen Faith
[12:50] - Conclusion and Next Steps

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 1:3-6
- 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
- Romans 9:10-13

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Observation Questions:

According to Ephesians 1:3-6, what are the spiritual blessings mentioned, and how is being chosen in Christ described? [00:32]
In 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, what types of people does Paul say God has chosen, and for what purpose? [03:20]
How does Romans 9:10-13 illustrate the concept of individual election through the story of Jacob and Esau? [07:04]
What does the Gospel of John say about those whom the Father gives to Jesus, and how does this relate to the concept of election? [10:05]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the understanding of individual election in Ephesians 1:3-6 challenge or affirm one's view of God's sovereignty in salvation? [01:14]
In what ways does 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 challenge societal norms about wisdom and strength, and how does this relate to God's purpose in choosing individuals? [03:31]
How does the story of Jacob and Esau in Romans 9:10-13 illustrate the principle that God's election is not based on human merit or actions? [07:21]
What implications does Jesus' teaching in the Gospel of John have for understanding the nature of divine selection and human response? [10:44]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on the idea that God's choice is not based on human merit. How does this understanding affect your view of yourself and others in your faith community? [01:26]
Considering 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, how can you embrace your own perceived weaknesses as part of God's purpose for your life? [03:20]
How does the story of Jacob and Esau challenge you to trust in God's purpose for your life, even when it seems contrary to human expectations? [07:21]
In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and humility, knowing that your salvation is a result of God's sovereign choice? [11:58]
How can you rest in the assurance of your salvation, as emphasized in the sermon, and what practical steps can you take to strengthen your confidence in God's sovereign plan? [11:22]
Reflect on a time when you struggled with the concept of divine election. How can this study help you reconcile those struggles with a deeper trust in God's sovereignty? [12:14]
Identify one area in your life where you need to surrender control and trust in God's sovereign will. What steps can you take this week to practice that surrender? [12:31]

Sermon Clips

Father, I pray that you would clarify this for us because this should cause us to worship very profoundly depending on how we understand your election and cause us to tremble that we have been chosen and not others owing to nothing in ourselves and cause us to be tremendously confident with all humility as we minister. [00:77:60]

Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are. [00:191:28]

Brothers, consider your calling because behind this calling there is a divine election and the fact that you brothers, some of you are foolish, were foolish, some of you were weak, some of you were despised, and all of that is illustrating God's choosing particular kinds of people, and he does it without any reference to our expectations. [00:220:64]

So this is not a corporate election of Israel. This is choosing people within Israel. Not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all who are children of Abraham are children of Abraham because they are his offspring. Some are, some aren't. This is individual choosing of God. [00:392:00]

When Rebecca had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing good or bad, she was told the older will serve the younger. So Esau is going to serve Jacob. An election has been made of Jacob, not Esau. Jacob was chosen. [00:419:75]

In order that God's purpose of election might stand, might continue, not because of works—they had not yet been born, had done nothing good or bad—not because of works, and then it doesn't say but because of faith, it says but because of him who calls, the calling one. [00:456:16]

The beast was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them, and authority was given to the beast over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on the earth will worship it, all who dwell on the earth will worship it, almost all, no, not all. [00:507:03]

Everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. Particular names are written in the book of life of the Lamb because it's in Christ Jesus that they will be saved. Before the foundation of the world, these names were written there. [00:533:44]

I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. That is, he selected them. Judas wasn't one of them and others. He selected a people out of the world. Yours they were. That's election. They already belonged to you, and then you gave them to me. [00:603:51]

All that the Father gives me will come to me. So why do they come? Because the Father gives them these particular individuals that he's chosen. That's why they come to Jesus, and whoever comes, I will know no one has cast out. In John 6:44, why do they come? How can they come? [00:638:48]

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. No one can come to me unless it is granted to him by the Father. God does this for particular individuals, and they come to Christ. Some do not come; they do not believe. Why do they not believe? [00:660:64]

You do not believe because you are not among my sheep. You don't belong to the Father. You know you are not among the elect. So I come back and I say there are contextual indications here in Ephesians 1. There is a pointer in First Corinthians chapter 1. [00:685:92]

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Understanding God's Sovereign Election in Salvation

Devotional

Day 1: The Profound Gift of Individual Election

Day 2: The Unexpected Choice of God

Day 3: The Sovereign Will of God in Salvation

Day 4: The Father's Role in Drawing Us to Christ

Day 5: Assurance and Gratitude in God's Sovereign Choice

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Understanding God's Sovereign Election in Salvation

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