1. God Choses His Own ROM 9:15-16

2. Introduction  Election is an act of God before creation in which he chooses some people to be saved, not on account of any foreseen merit in them, but only because of His sovereign good pleasure.  Different from our own experiences and relationship -that we have to do something good to merit something good.  Controversial as it means some people would be left out.  But this would have been our fate anyway if we are not chosen.  This manifest God’s attribute. To the chosen-grace,to the non elect –justice-both together.

3. Election Definition in Scripture  Rom 8:28-30-We were called according to His purpose and predestined to be conformed to our Lord Jesus Christ.  Eph 1:3 -4 We were chosen before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in the sight of God. We were also predestined to be adopted as His Sons THROUGH OUR Lord Jesus Christ.  2Thes 2:13-14 –We were chosen from the beginning to be saved.  2 Tim 1:9-10- This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.

4. The source  The source of election is the will of God.  Rom 9:15-I will have mercy on whom I have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion  Eph 1:5-… in accordance with His pleasure and will.  Eph 1:11..in conformity with the purpose of His will  Nothing outside of Himself moved God to form such a purpose.  Not influenced by the thoughts of mind and moved by the affection of the heart.  Dan 4:35 Describes the sovereignity of God-He does as He pleases…

5. God Elected Us –Not Due to Our Good Works  Rom 9:11-We were not born yet, so we did not have chance to do good works.The case of Esau and Jacob.  Eph 2:10 –Our good works is a result of our election. Our good works were prepared in advance for us to do.  2 Tim 1:9-Not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace…given to us before the beginning of time.  This is counter intuitive-we did not do anything good but we merited to be chosen…

6. God Elected Us-Not Because of Our Holiness  Eph 1:4- We were elected because we were holy but to be holy and blameless.  2Thes 1:13- We were chosen from the beginning to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.  Our holiness is a result of our election and not the other way around.  We do not have the capability in our own way to be holy. We could only be sanctified (made holy ) through the work of the Holy Spirit.

7. God Elected Us –Not Because of “Our” Faith  Rom 1:18-22-The fallen men has no abilty to believe and have faith in the power and invisible qualities of God.  We could not say that we are able through our own strength have that Heb 11:1 faith-to be sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. We will in the end have doubt..unless our faith does not come from ourselves.  Eph 2:8 the saving faith is not from ourselves but a gift of God.  Acts 13:48-Our election (ordained for eternal life) comes with the gift of faith(Eph 2:8) then we belived.

8. God Elected Us –Not Because He Knows in Advance What Will happen to Us  He did not chose us because he knows in advance what will happen to us-ie respond to the gospel call and live a righteous life.  God’s knowing what will happen in the future is based on the determination of His will.  Rom 8:28-29 His will determines what will happen in the future. If he says you are elected you will be and you will respond to the gospel call, regenerated,,converted, justified,adopted, sanctified, remain in Christ and in the end glorified.

9. What does this really mean to us?  This truth makes me realise how great the grace that saved me –given freely without me not doing anything to merit it.  Eph 2:8-9 Really creates a resounding statement-and highlights the amazing grace and the gift of faith that saved me.

10. What does this really mean to us?  This truth makes me humble  Nothing in myself that I could have done to earn God’s favour.  It points to me that Its’ not about me.  I could not do anything to earn my salvation  I totally depend on God  God is glorified.

11. What does this really mean to us?  This truth gives us confidence.  Phil 1:6- We have confidence that God will finish in us the good work He has started. (Assurance that we will remain)  1 Cor 1:8-9 –He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless…  1 Thes 5:23-24-sanctified through and through- kept blameless until the Lord comes.  A confident Christian life depending on God to persevere.