In this message we continue to explore the sovereignty of God, but now in relation to who is saved and who is not. Is the sinner’s salvation determined by the sinner’s “free will” or by God’s sovereign will. Find out in this message.

Teaching Notes:

The God of the Bible is Sovereign – Pt. 2

The Sovereignty of God in Election

1. 2 Timothy 1:8-9: “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity”

What was God’s calling us not due to? What was it due to?
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When was God’s grace and purpose in calling us granted?
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Why then are some people called (regenerated) while others are not?
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2. Acts 13:48: “When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.”

Who are those who will believe the gospel?
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Are all people appointed to eternal life?
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Are we appointed to eternal life because we believe, or do we believe because we are appointed to eternal life?
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3. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14: “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

What had God chosen these Thessalonian believers unto?
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When had God chosen them?
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What means had God chosen to use to bring them into the possession of salvation?
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What does “sanctification by the Spirit” refer to here? Why is it mentioned before “faith in the truth”?
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4. Ephesians 1:3-6: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”

When did the Father choose us in Christ? (vs.4)
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What was God’s ultimate goal for us when He chose us? (vs.4)
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How does the parallel thought in vs. 5 help us understand God’s choosing us?
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Why did God choose us? (vs.5)
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What is God’s ultimate goal in respect to Himself in choosing us? (vs.6)
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5. Romans 9:6-24 read passage from Bible

What was God’s choice of Jacob over Esau NOT due to? (vs.11)
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Why then, did God choose Jacob? (vs.11)
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What attribute of God did His election flow from? (vs.13)
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How does Paul think his readers will feel about God due to what he has just taught? (vs.14). How does that help us know whether our interpretation of vs. 10-13 are correct?
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What does Paul emphatically state an individual’s salvation does NOT depend on? (vs.16)
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To whom then does God have mercy? To whom does He harden? (vs.18)
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What is the meaning of the anticipated objection in 9:19?
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What is Paul’s point in using the analogy of the potter and the clay? (vs.20-21)
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What 2 groups does Paul have in mind in 9:22-23. What destination was each group prepared for?
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Who are the “vessels of mercy” of 9:23?
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6. 1 Peter 1:1-2: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.”

What were we chosen according to? (vs.2)
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What is the “foreknowledge” of God? Compare 1:20; Acts 2:23.
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3) How does God bring His elect into the possession of salvation? (vs.2)
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7. John 6:37-39: “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.”

What is true about those the Father has given the Son? (vs.37-39)
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8. John 10:16, 26-29: “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd… But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

Who were the “other sheep” not of this fold? (vs.16)
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What “must” Jesus do for them? (vs.16)
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Why “must” He do this? (vs.16)
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What will be the result? (vs.16)
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When does someone become one of Christ’s sheep? (vs.16)
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Are all people Christ’s sheep? (vs.26)
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If a person is not one of Christ’s sheep, what will he not do? (vs.26)
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If a person is one of Christ’s sheep, what will he do? (vs.27)
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What does Jesus promise He will do for His sheep? What shall never happen to them? (vs.28)
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How does Jesus describe His sheep in vs.29?
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9) John 17:1-2 “Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.”

Who does Jesus have authority over? (vs.2)
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How does Jesus use this authority? (vs.2)
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To whom does Jesus give eternal life? (vs.2)
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Application:

1. How does the fact that God chose you to salvation make you feel?
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2. How should we respond to this truth?
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3. How does this truth affect the way we preach and witness to the lost?
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