Sermon Tone Analysis

Quick illustration - My grandfather loved to restore classic cars.

In fact, he chauffeured me and my date to my senior prom in a 1957 Chevy Bel Aire.

When he had the time and money he would search through newspaper and online listings, as well as junk yards for a car or truck to restore.

But he wasn’t looking for just any car - he was always searching for a particular make, model, and year.

Even then, he passed over some cars that met these first criteria for different reasons, known only to him.

Quick illustration - My grandfather loved to restore classic cars.

In fact, he chauffeured me and my date to my senior prom in a 1957 Chevy Bel Aire.

When he had the time and money he would search through newspaper and online listings, as well as junk yards for a car or truck to restore.

But he wasn’t looking for just any car - he was always searching for a particular make, model, and year.

Even then, he passed over some cars that met these first criteria for different reasons, known only to him.

THE QUESTION: Do I trust God’s work or my own for salvation?

Do I trust God’s work or my own for salvation?

Do I trust God’s work or my own for salvation?

9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”

13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

14 What shall we say then?

Is there injustice on God’s part?

By no means!

15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

See and

1. Salvation is God’s work, not ours ()

)a.

a. God calls out to fallen men first ()

See = The Lord loves his people though they do not love Him or seek Him out.

He initiates the loving relationship.

b.

God redeems us when we cannot ()

See = We cannot bear to be in the presence of God despite our own best effort - our sin would be destroyed in His presence, and our attached souls with it.

But he makes a way by shielding us from the fullness of His glory and only giving us glimpses that we can follow in faith (Christ is both shield and shepherd)

2. God is creator and restorer, not man ()

a.

He has the right to do as He wills with His creation ()

See and = God uses Pharoah to exalt himself above any other imagined god, including Pharoah.

He speaks first of hardening Pharaoh's heart, then subsequently Pharoah hardens his own heart.

See , particularly v 10

b.

He does not owe us his mercy (John 3:16-21)

See = Everyone remembers vs 16, but usually forgets the following verses which speak of mankind's default fallen state, under God’s wrath and not His love as children.

THE CHALLENGE: Reorient your view of God in relation to man