2nd Sunday of Christmas 2010
2nd Sunday after Christmas
Date: 1/2/11
Text: Ephesians 1:3-14
Title: Chosen in Christ
God’s foreknowledge and God’s predestination have caused discord in the Christian Church for almost 2000 years, so I want to talk to you about them this morning, for when properly understood they rank right near the top of most comforting words in God’s Word.
God’s foreknowledge and predestination when not properly understood leads a person to believe that because God has foreknowledge of all things that they don’t have any choice not only concerning their spiritual life, but their very life on earth. Everything is ordained by God and there is no changing it. It is like an old church joke I heard a long time ago. “A man was going down a flight of stairs when he tripped and fell down the stairs breaking his leg in the process. As he lay there in great pain he exclaimed, ‘I am glad that is over with.’” He believed that because God had foreknowledge of his life that he predestinated to at that moment in time fall and break his leg. The problem is that he did not understand the true meaning of God’s foreknowledge or predestination.
God’s foreknowledge and his predestination when not properly understood can also lead a person into believing that they are either predestined to go to heaven or hell. Just like their lives they believe they have no choice in the matter. This can lead to a life of uncertainty concerning their salvation or it can lead a person to convince themselves that they are chosen, so they can lead a purposeful sinful life, for after all they are chosen and that can’t be changed. Of course the problem is that while it is true that God says that nothing will take his elect away from him he does not mean that you cannot walk away from him. We, because of our sinful nature don’t want to be held accountable by God, so we would just as soon stay away from him.
These are just a few of the problems that spring out of a false understanding of God’s foreknowledge and God’s Predestination. That is why I want to talk to you this morning about God’s foreknowledge and predestination. It is my sure hope that when I am through you will see the comfort found in these two Christian doctrines, for in them and through them you will know, if you truly believe and accept Jesus’ work of salvation, that you have been adopted as sons and daughters of God. Your name is marked in the Book of Life.
Let’s take a look at God’s foreknowledge first. God’s foreknowledge is nothing more than God, who is not confined to time, as we understand it, having no beginning or end knows all things even those things which have not happened. That is why he knows who is saved. That in itself is a comfort. This foreknowledge applies to those who call him their Lord and those who reject him as their Lord. His foreknowledge is not the cause of evil or of sin. In other words, God by having foreknowledge of evil is not the cause of evil. His foreknowledge also, as some believe and teach does not cause people’s damnation. That can only come from one source the person who rejects Jesus’ saving work.
A little illustration here might help. If you and I were to go to the kitchen in the Fellowship Hall and turn on the gas stove I would know ahead of time that, if you were to stick your hand over the flame that you would jerk your hand away. My knowing that you would jerk your hand away is foreknowledge, not anywhere near the knowledge of God’s foreknowledge, but foreknowledge just the same. Did my knowing what would happen cause you to jerk it back? Of course not; it was your decision. I just knew what you would do.
God’s foreknowledge is much more than that of course, for in his foreknowledge he knows everything all people are going to do whether it is right and wrong. And since he is outside of time he knows where everyone is in their faith life. He knows the sin, the walking away from him, the coming back in repentance, the temptations that all are faced with. He knows and for a Christian who claims Jesus as Lord of their life nothing will separate then from his salvation. That is what you call a comforting article of faith.
Now that you understand that God’s foreknowledge does not mean that just because he knows what you are going to do in the future does not mean that you have no choice, no free will in matters of life, it should be comfort to you.
In understanding God’s predestination we can only rely on the Word of God, for our answers, for it is only in the Word that we can begin to understand God, as he has shown himself through Jesus. An important thing to know is that predestination or what is sometimes called his eternal election only covers the godly beloved children of God.
God’s predestination is the cause of your salvation. Your salvation is planted so firmly on God’s predestination that the gates of hell cannot overcome it, as we are told in John 10:28, "8 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." Also in Matthew 16:18, "I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
God’s Word leads us to Christ, who is the Book of Life mentioned in Revelation. We see that in Ephesians 1:4-5, "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 as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,"
Christ calls all sinners to himself and promises them rest, as we read in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” In that verse he does not say only some come. He wills that all people should come to him and allow themselves to be helped. Why wouldn’t he? He died for all, even those who reject his free gift of forgiveness. To do otherwise would be to work against himself.
Because we by nature even as Christians deep down do not want to be near God, God tells us in 2 Peter 1:10, "Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall." The qualities that he speaks of are godly virtues that are freely given by God.
He gives them when he offers himself in his Word, Sacraments and the Absolution that speak to you every Sunday. He does not want anyone to plug up their ears, or neglect and despise his Word. Furthermore, he promises the power and working of the Holy Spirit’s divine intervention so that we may remain steadfast in our faith, thus gaining eternal salvation.
I pray that this brief explanation of God’s predestination or as it sometimes called his election glory is given entirely and fully to God. Out of pure mercy alone, without any merit on our part he saves us according to the purpose of his holy will. In this doctrine there is absolutely no reason for anyone to worry or give into despair or give themselves over to sinful life.
Want proof that I am saying to you this morning is true? Pick up your Bible and read about Jesus and his saving work on your behalf. Read about his conception, birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension, for he is the proof of God’s foreknowledge and predestination of those he loves.
Rejoice my brothers and sisters in Christ you belong to God. Amen.
Parts of this sermon came from the Formula of Concord in the Lutheran Confessions.
Date: 1/2/11
Text: Ephesians 1:3-14
Title: Chosen in Christ
God’s foreknowledge and God’s predestination have caused discord in the Christian Church for almost 2000 years, so I want to talk to you about them this morning, for when properly understood they rank right near the top of most comforting words in God’s Word.
God’s foreknowledge and predestination when not properly understood leads a person to believe that because God has foreknowledge of all things that they don’t have any choice not only concerning their spiritual life, but their very life on earth. Everything is ordained by God and there is no changing it. It is like an old church joke I heard a long time ago. “A man was going down a flight of stairs when he tripped and fell down the stairs breaking his leg in the process. As he lay there in great pain he exclaimed, ‘I am glad that is over with.’” He believed that because God had foreknowledge of his life that he predestinated to at that moment in time fall and break his leg. The problem is that he did not understand the true meaning of God’s foreknowledge or predestination.
God’s foreknowledge and his predestination when not properly understood can also lead a person into believing that they are either predestined to go to heaven or hell. Just like their lives they believe they have no choice in the matter. This can lead to a life of uncertainty concerning their salvation or it can lead a person to convince themselves that they are chosen, so they can lead a purposeful sinful life, for after all they are chosen and that can’t be changed. Of course the problem is that while it is true that God says that nothing will take his elect away from him he does not mean that you cannot walk away from him. We, because of our sinful nature don’t want to be held accountable by God, so we would just as soon stay away from him.
These are just a few of the problems that spring out of a false understanding of God’s foreknowledge and God’s Predestination. That is why I want to talk to you this morning about God’s foreknowledge and predestination. It is my sure hope that when I am through you will see the comfort found in these two Christian doctrines, for in them and through them you will know, if you truly believe and accept Jesus’ work of salvation, that you have been adopted as sons and daughters of God. Your name is marked in the Book of Life.
Let’s take a look at God’s foreknowledge first. God’s foreknowledge is nothing more than God, who is not confined to time, as we understand it, having no beginning or end knows all things even those things which have not happened. That is why he knows who is saved. That in itself is a comfort. This foreknowledge applies to those who call him their Lord and those who reject him as their Lord. His foreknowledge is not the cause of evil or of sin. In other words, God by having foreknowledge of evil is not the cause of evil. His foreknowledge also, as some believe and teach does not cause people’s damnation. That can only come from one source the person who rejects Jesus’ saving work.
A little illustration here might help. If you and I were to go to the kitchen in the Fellowship Hall and turn on the gas stove I would know ahead of time that, if you were to stick your hand over the flame that you would jerk your hand away. My knowing that you would jerk your hand away is foreknowledge, not anywhere near the knowledge of God’s foreknowledge, but foreknowledge just the same. Did my knowing what would happen cause you to jerk it back? Of course not; it was your decision. I just knew what you would do.
God’s foreknowledge is much more than that of course, for in his foreknowledge he knows everything all people are going to do whether it is right and wrong. And since he is outside of time he knows where everyone is in their faith life. He knows the sin, the walking away from him, the coming back in repentance, the temptations that all are faced with. He knows and for a Christian who claims Jesus as Lord of their life nothing will separate then from his salvation. That is what you call a comforting article of faith.
Now that you understand that God’s foreknowledge does not mean that just because he knows what you are going to do in the future does not mean that you have no choice, no free will in matters of life, it should be comfort to you.
In understanding God’s predestination we can only rely on the Word of God, for our answers, for it is only in the Word that we can begin to understand God, as he has shown himself through Jesus. An important thing to know is that predestination or what is sometimes called his eternal election only covers the godly beloved children of God.
God’s predestination is the cause of your salvation. Your salvation is planted so firmly on God’s predestination that the gates of hell cannot overcome it, as we are told in John 10:28, "8 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." Also in Matthew 16:18, "I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
God’s Word leads us to Christ, who is the Book of Life mentioned in Revelation. We see that in Ephesians 1:4-5, "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 as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,"
Christ calls all sinners to himself and promises them rest, as we read in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” In that verse he does not say only some come. He wills that all people should come to him and allow themselves to be helped. Why wouldn’t he? He died for all, even those who reject his free gift of forgiveness. To do otherwise would be to work against himself.
Because we by nature even as Christians deep down do not want to be near God, God tells us in 2 Peter 1:10, "Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall." The qualities that he speaks of are godly virtues that are freely given by God.
He gives them when he offers himself in his Word, Sacraments and the Absolution that speak to you every Sunday. He does not want anyone to plug up their ears, or neglect and despise his Word. Furthermore, he promises the power and working of the Holy Spirit’s divine intervention so that we may remain steadfast in our faith, thus gaining eternal salvation.
I pray that this brief explanation of God’s predestination or as it sometimes called his election glory is given entirely and fully to God. Out of pure mercy alone, without any merit on our part he saves us according to the purpose of his holy will. In this doctrine there is absolutely no reason for anyone to worry or give into despair or give themselves over to sinful life.
Want proof that I am saying to you this morning is true? Pick up your Bible and read about Jesus and his saving work on your behalf. Read about his conception, birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension, for he is the proof of God’s foreknowledge and predestination of those he loves.
Rejoice my brothers and sisters in Christ you belong to God. Amen.
Parts of this sermon came from the Formula of Concord in the Lutheran Confessions.
posted by Pastor Rhoads | 4:16 PM
|
0 comments
