Predestined to Glory

Text: Ephesians 1:3-14

 

I.         The confusion over predestination isn’t due to understanding that it exists; rather, the questions is who was predestined and for what purpose.

            A.        “the doctrine that God in consequence of his foreknowledge of all events infallibly guides those who are destined for salvation” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

            B.        “The doctrine that God has long ago determined who will be saved and who will be damned. Three types of predestination doctrine have developed.

                        1.         One doctrine holds that God singled out the saved because he foresaw their future merits.

                        2.         A second doctrine (often identified with John Calvin) states that from eternity God has determined the saved and the damned, regardless of their merit or lack thereof.

                        3.         A third doctrine, set forth by Thomas Aquinas and Martin Luther, ascribes salvation to the unmerited grace of God but links the lack of grace to sin.” [Merriam-Webster Concise Encyclopedia]

            C.        The Greek word proorizo literally means to set boundaries or limits in advance

            D.        The steps laid out - Romans 8:29-30

II.        Everyone is predestined

            A.        God wants everyone to be saved - II Peter 3:9; I Timothy 2:4

            B.        It was God’s plan that we should be holy and blameless before Him by predestining us to adoption in Christ - Ephesians 1:4-5

            C.        To that end, Jesus died for all, so that all might live - Hebrews 2:9; Romans 5:18

            D.        God’s gift appeared to all men - Titus 2:11

            E.        He is the savior of all men - I Timothy 4:10

III.       Everyone is called

            A.        This is why the Gospel is taught to all - Matthew 28:18-20

            B.        God calls the many - Acts 2:39

            C.        The Gospel is the power of God to save everyone - Romans 1:16

                        1.         It wasn’t limited to the Jews - Romans 9:21-25

                        2.         Gathered into one - Ephesians 1:10-12; 2:11-19

            D.        Called by the gospel to obtain glory - II Thessalonians 2:13-14

            E.        But all will not listen - II Thessalonians 2:10; Romans 10:16-18

            F.        All invited, but all won’t come - Matthew 22:2-3

            G.        Unwilling to have life - John 5:40

            H.        It doesn’t lessen the fact that God did predetermine to save, but it means men have a choice whether to answer the invitation or not

IV.      Only those who believe are justified

            A.        Justifier of those who have faith in Jesus - Romans 3:26

            B.        The means is the same means open to everyone, but everyone doesn’t believe - Romans 5:9-10

            C.        Justified by faith and not by the Old Law - Galatians 2:16

            D.        Cannot let unbelief cause us to be like Israel of old - Hebrews 3:18-19

            E.        Yet we realize that there will be those who will not accept Jesus’ teachings - John 12:48

            F.        They won’t have sufficient love for Christ - John 14:15

V.        Only those who remain faithful are glorified

            A.        Faithful until death - Revelation 2:10

            B.        Steadfast to the end - Hebrews 3:14-15

            C.        Sadly some purposely turn away - Hebrews 10:26-31

            D.        Others shipwreck their faith - I Timothy 1:18-19

            E.        Some just wear out - Hebrews 6:10-12

VI.      Your salvation was predetermined before the world began. The offer is extended to you. Will you believe it? Will you obey it? Will you continue in it to the end? - Matthew 7:13-14