Life Together Pt. III

God’s Chosen people | Eph 1:3-6

“I cannot expect to understand the mysteries of God, neither do I wish to do so. If I could understand God, he would not be the true God. A doctrine which I cannot fully grasp is a truth of God which is intended to grasp me. When I cannot climb, I kneel. Where I cannot build an observatory, I set up an altar. How idle it is to dream of our ever running parallel in understanding with the infinite God! His knowledge is too wonderful for us. It is high, we cannot obtain it!”

Charles H. Spurgeon

Where there is God, there is mystery. We cannot know it all. We need revelaiton. However, we can know truly but not extensively. In a process of time, we can know in part.

We are chosen in the chosen one.

God chose us

God: Subject of the verse is God. He is doing the acting. He is the source, the author and finisher of our salvation.

Chose: He starts with Abraham, and creates this nation called Israel (Deut 7:6-8). God chose them, not because they are special, but out of his love. Christ the messiah is the chosen one (Isa 42:1). He chooses his disciples (John 15:16) Flow from the story. God is the one who initiates.

Us: Believers, saints, the recipients of the spiritual blessings. Individuals or the church? All of the above. Personal and collective. Jews and Gentiles, all nations are included. None left out- ordinary people not the MVP’s. Not based on us, but on God. He is sufficient to win without us, as a matter of fact, he already has and will continue.

We had nothing to offer, displays his glory through grace.

God chose us in Christ (union)

Trinitarian work: Salvation

Father: Plans

Son: Accomplishes

Spirit: Applies

Prior to creation- not only before us being created, but all of creation.

In love- he predestines. According to the good pleasure. Because God is love. His love was not based on you- it was his love. Parents, learn from this love. Let it be natural and overflowing from you. Children, do not work for their love, and in your relationship with God.

Purpose: Holiness and adoption

Planning the whole of your salvation

God chose us, and we heard the gospel. Missionary mandate- Doctrine of Election. Salvation is a work of God- we have something to do. Hearing through the word of God (Rom 10:17). More than information, it is the power of God, a kingdom seed that produces a new family tree.

God is on a mission to save his people. Gen 12:1-3 I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing, and all the people of the earth will be blessed. Blessing to the nations. Exodus 19:5-6 To be a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. A treasured possession. And the whole earth is mine. Out of universality, there is particularity, for the purpose of the particularity to be universal. Out of all, there is some, so that some can go to all.

We believed. God choosing us is consistent with our responsibility to believe in Jesus. Faith in Christ. Our faith does not initiate God’s love, propell God’s love, but only receives God’s love.

God chose us for his glory: To the praise of his glorious grace. Grace on display. Receiving praise for who is is, and what he has done.

Why are we saved? Because God deserves to be praised. Because God loves you. Because he planned to save us. Because Jesus died for us. Because someone shared the gospel with us. The Holy Spirit convicted us of sin. Because we trusted Christ.

Right balance: Holding twin truths together to say both and, not either or.

Right proportion: Contingent to your priorities being aligned with God’s.

What role does humility play in forming our beliefs? (Deut 29:29, Phil 2:3-11).

How does God’s identity shape his mission?

How does our identity shape our mission?