Sermons and Biblical Studies

EPHESIANS 1:3–14 … having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will (Eph. 1:5). Why does God give grace to some and not others? Is He arbitrary, capricious, or whimsical? This is the conclusion many draw when they hear the doctrine of election. But … Continue reading “GOD’S GOOD PLEASURE”

ROMANS 9:14–29 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! (Rom. 9:14). Those who hold to the prescience view of predestination believe that the doctrine of election casts a shadow on the justice of God. They assert that if God chooses some to be saved, then He must choose all. If … Continue reading “GRACE, MERCY, AND JUSTICE”

ROMANS 9:1–13 for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand (Rom. 9:11). The basic issue in the debate over election is “what is the decisive factor in redemption?” Is salvation based on man’s choice or God’s? Because fallen man … Continue reading “THE DIVINE CHOICE”

ROMANS 8:28–39 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29). Those who hold to the foreknowledge (prescience) view of predestination use Romans 8:29 to support their position. The verse says that those whom God “foreknew,” He predestined.… Then in verse 30, Paul writes: “Moreover whom … Continue reading “THE GOLDEN CHAIN”

EPHESIANS 1:3–14 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11). Because the doctrine of predestination is so central to Scripture and so controversial, we will spend the next few weeks studying this doctrine using … Continue reading “WHAT IS PREDESTINATION”

JOHN 6:43–51 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44). When the Jews murmured against Him, Jesus did not enter into a useless debate with them. He simply called them to account by stressing their responsibility to … Continue reading “DRAWN BY THE FATHER”

JOHN 6:41–42 The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven” (John 6:41). In an age of self-fulfillment, self-seeking, self-aggrandizement, the message of our dependence on Christ not only for our happiness but for our very existence often falls on deaf ears. This is true today … Continue reading “BREAD FROM HEAVEN”

JOHN 6:30–40 “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life” (John 6:40). In this passage, we have set before us three very significant doctrines: human responsibility, predestination, and preservation of the saints. In explaining to the Jews that He … Continue reading “GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION”

JOHN 6:28–29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent” (John 6:29). The Jewish people who followed Jesus not only sought Him because they wanted their physical needs satisfied, but because their entire theology was physically based. Their salvation was seen in terms … Continue reading “GOD’S WORK OF FAITH”

JOHN 6:22–27 “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you” (John 6:27). The people who had been present at Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the five thousand followed Him many miles around the sea because they wanted Him to … Continue reading “MOTIVES TO SEEK CHRIST”