Sermon CHOSEN BY GOD Introduction

Have you had your Casablanca Moment?

THERE ARE FOUR KEY WORDS CREATION FALL RESCUE RESTORATION

Does God choose sinners to be saved and then do what is necessary to accomplish their salvation? Or, Does God provide the way of salvation but the determining factor reside with us sinners?

This passage, and others, show us that the determining factor of salvation is the gracious saving work of God to bring dead people to life

THERE IS A TRANSFORMING POWER THAT COMES FROM KNOWING AND EMBRACING GOD’S GRACE IN ELECTION The RESCUE part of the plotline is built around a savior who would come from the seed of a Chosen people

This spiritual blessing that Paul is laying out here is not a point of debate; it is a subject of DOXOLOGY. The RESCUE through Christ should show us that we can trust the heart of God

[1] And you were dead in the trespasses and sins [2] in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience

[3] among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. (Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV)

[10] as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; [11] no one understands; no one seeks for God. [12] All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12 ESV)

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men. Rom 5:12

[5] For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. [6] For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

[7] For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. [8] Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:5-8 ESV)

WE ARE SPIRITUALLY DEAD Something would have to happen to us in order for us to even want to embrace Christ because DEAD PEOPLE CAN’T DO ANYTHING.

4] But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—[6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

…[8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:4-9 ESV)

Ephesians chapter one shows us that Election is foundational for all other blessings that come to us in Christ

- Spiritual Intimacy with God When we Let God be God we face our own limitations and vulnerability, which fosters intimacy. - Communion with Believers The more we embrace God’s sovereignty in salvation, the easier it is to embrace and accept other believers

- INFLUENCE with non-Believers When we understand that our salvation was a miracle of God’s grace, then we have hope for anyone.

All the spiritual blessings that are ours “in Christ” flow from the hand of a gracious God who chose a Bride for his Son and predestined us to adoption…TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORIOUS GRACE