God’s Purpose #
Rom 8:29
Introduction
A lot of people, baptists and others have greatly confused the idea of predestination. So I want us to take the time to go through these verses and consider what the text is trying to teach us. Many people will take their beliefs, go to the Bible to try to prove what they believe. Let’s take a look at what the Bible teaches, and see for our self.
foreknow – to have previous knowledge of
predestine – foreordain, to predetermine.
Calvanism would have you believe that God predestinated some people to go to heaven, and some people to go to hell. They may not say the second part, but if God choses some to go to heaven, then by all means, he condemns the rest to hell by not choosing them. This does NOT fit the narrative of the Bible. After all,
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
- If God predestines individuals to heaven, then 2 Pet 3:9 is not true:
2Pet. 3:9 ¶ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
- God desires man to repent, but does not force it.
I. Purpose of God (28) #
A. God has a purpose for your life #
1. Most people get saved, out concern for the consequences of their sin. #
2. Most people do not have a good understanding of salvation, until later. #
- We are into the meaty portion of God’s Word. You may have to chew on this a little while.
1Cor. 3:1 ¶ And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3. We have looked at God’s purpose (will or desire) for your life. #
- God wants to use you!
B. Corporate purpose #
1. There are certain things I can say, this is God’s will for your life: Get baptized, Read the Bible, Attend Church, Submit to the Spirit of God, Witness to others, Pray, Give thanks, be joyful This is God’s purpose, desire for every christian. #
2. God has a desire for your individual life too, I cannot specify those, they are individual. #
II. Predestine (29) #
A. Salvation? #
1. I cannot explain God’s knowledge, what he for knows, or doesn’t, but I can explain His predestination. #
2. No individual is predestined to become saved here. #
3. We have covered a couple of reasons why, (John 3:16, 2 Pet 3:9) #
John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
Rom. 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
- IF God meant WHOSOEVER, then no single individual person was selected, elected, chosen, or predestined to go to heaven.
B. Sanctification… set apart #
Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
1. Those who are saved, are predestine to conform to the image of Christ! #
Phil. 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
III. Process (30) #
- This is the same process for every person that accepts God's Great Gift of Salvation!
- In Romans 8, Paul is not dealing with how to be saved... but rather what we get in Salvation, we get the Spirit, we get an inheritance, we get the Spirit that makes intercession for us...
A. Called - to be followers of Christ #
- Just as Jesus told his disciples to follow him, we are called to Follow Christ in our life!
1Pet. 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
B. Justified - #
1. Starts at Salvation #
2. Continues through our life time #
C. Glorified #
- We are made to sit in heavenly places!
- Some day we will get a glorified body too!
God does not predestinate some people to be saved, and others not to be saved.
Romans 8 is not even dealing with Salvation!