God chose us

Topics: chosen by God

I. Christians are the elect of God!

A. The Elect are chosen in Christ!

1. Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4 a; 2 Th. 2:13).
2. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those . . . who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood (1 Peter 1:1, 2).

B. The Elect are chosen for a purpose!

1. Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love (Ephesians 1:4; John 15:16; Colossians 3:12-14).
2. The phrase "in love" may be attached to what precedes it or what follows:

• a. If precedes: it adds a specific quality to our holy and blameless lives coupled with love.
• b. It follows: it expresses God's attitude toward adopting us as His children, boundless love.

II. Christians are adopted by God!

A. Predestined us to adoption!

1. He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself (Eph, 1:5).
2. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" (Rom. 8:15).

B. Predestined us by His kind will!

1. He predestined us to adoption as sons . . . according to the kind intention of His will (Ephesians 1:5).
2. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29 ).

III. Christians are to praise God!

A. Praise the glory of God's grace! To the praise of the glory of His grace (Ephesians 1:6 ).

B. Praise the Beloved Son of God!

1. His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6b).
2. He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, May 4th, 2025.

Life Group Flow and Discussion Questions

God Chose Us!

An important Guideline of Life Groups: What we believe impacts how we behave! Discuss the biblical teaching of God's sovereignty and Man's free will in your Life Group. How do you live with the tension of this biblical mystery?

Getting Started:

1. How does it make you feel that God chose you before the foundation of the world?
2. What are the biblical purposes of God choosing us (Eph. 1:4; John 15:16; Col 3:12-14)?

Discussing Truths:

1. How does Jesus tie human responsibility with God's sovereign choice in John 6:64, 65: "But there are some of you who do not believe . . . For this reason, I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father."?
2. What is the relationship between foreknowledge and predestination (Romans 8:28-30)?
3. Which of the 5 tenants of Calvinism/Reformed Theology do you agree with and which do you think is unbiblical (if any)?

• T = Total depravity of man
• U = Unconditional Election
• L = Limited Atonement
• I = Irresistible Grace
• P = Perseverance of the Saints

4. What is God's desire for all people (1 Tim 2:3, 4; 2 Pet 3:9; John 3:16, 17; Rom 11:32-36)?

5. How do you reconcile Romans 10:9-13 and Daniel 4:35? What is your persuasion about the free will of man and God's sovereignty?

Now What? Application:

1. Respond with worship and praise to God's loving choice of you as His adopted child!
2. Everything we do should be to the glory of God evaluate your life and seek God for any changes He may want to bring into your life.