In Christ Alone: God’s purpose in choosing

Prayer

In Jesus name, amen!

Welcome

Main Passage:

Genesis 32:22–30 NLT

During the night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two servant wives, and his eleven sons and crossed the Jabbok River with them. After taking them to the other side, he sent over all his possessions. This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” “What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.” “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” “Please tell me your name,” Jacob said. “Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.”

Title:

In Christ alone: God’s purpose in choosing.

Introduction

Story:

Explanation:

Application:

Context

Bible

Romans 9:9–13 NLT

For God had promised, “I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” This son was our ancestor Isaac. When he married Rebekah, she gave birth to twins. But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God. (This message shows that God chooses people according to his own purposes; he calls people, but not according to their good or bad works.) She was told, “Your older son will serve your younger son.” In the words of the Scriptures, “I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau.”

Transitional Sentence

Three important truths God wants to teach in His choosing

Truth 1: It doesn’t depend on our works (v.9-10; v.12)

Romans 9:9–10 NLT

For God had promised, “I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” This son was our ancestor Isaac. When he married Rebekah, she gave birth to twins.

Romans 9:12 NLT

he calls people, but not according to their good or bad works.) She was told, “Your older son will serve your younger son.”

Explanation

Illustration

Ephesians 2:8–9 NLT

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Application

Truth 2: He chooses to fulfill His purpose (v. 11)

Romans 9:11 NLT

But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God. (This message shows that God chooses people according to his own purposes;

Explanation

Illustration

Romans 8:28-29

Romans 8:28–29 NLT

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

2 Timothy 1:9 NLT

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.

Application

God purpose is to become like His son.

To show us His grace through Christ Jesus.

Truth 3: It’s found in Christ alone (v.13)

Romans 9:13 NLT

In the words of the Scriptures, “I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau.”

Explanation

Illustration:

Genesis 32:22-30.

Application

So what

Now what

Prayer

In Jesus name, amen!

Respond song:

In Christ alone.