We Believe - The Doctrine of God - God's Decree

Ephesians 1:1–14 (ESV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Introduction

We are considering the Doctrine of God is our Studies in We Believe - The 1966 Baptist Affirmation of Faith. Last time we looked at the Trinity, today we come to God’s Decree.

There are five elements of this but we will look at the first two this evening

Love

God is Sovereign

Election

Predestination

Teaching

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1. Love

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God is love, and therefore all his counsels and actions proceed from this his essential nature. Grace Baptist Assembly. (n.d.). Baptist Affirmation of Faith 1966.

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John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 4:7 ESV

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:16 (ESV)

16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

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2. God Is Sovereign

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God has decreed in himself before the world began, by his most holy, wise and sovereign will, all things whatsoever that come to pass, but in such a way that he is not the author of sin; nor is violence done to the will of the creature, nor is God’s use of means or second causes removed but established by the decree. God is sovereign and man is a responsible creature. Grace Baptist Assembly. (n.d.). Baptist Affirmation of Faith 1966.

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a. God has decreed in himself before the world began, by his most holy, wise and sovereign will, all things whatsoever that come to pass,

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Isaiah 46:9–10 (ESV)

9 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

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Romans 9:15 ESV

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.”

Exodus 33:19 (ESV)

19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

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Ephesians 1:11 (ESV)

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

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b. but in such a way that he is not the author of sin; nor is violence done to the will of the creature,

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1 Peter 1:16 (ESV)

16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

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James 1:13 ESV

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (1:13)

James offered a sharp rebuke to those who find an easy excuse for their sinning. To free themselves from responsibility they say, “I am tempted by God,” or “from God” (apo theou), denoting the origin, not merely the agency. James made it abundantly clear God cannot be tempted.

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c. nor is God’s use of means or second causes removed but established by the decree. God is sovereign and man is a responsible creature.

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Acts 2:23 (ESV)

23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

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John 19:11 ESV

11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

Conclusion

Proverbs 16:33 (ESV)

33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.