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5.14.23 Romans 8:28-30 Pastor Danny Gardner · HBCWestminster

• 0:00
  titled this morning's message guaranteed glory i'll explain why in just a few moments guaranteed glory romans 8 verses 28 to 30 and once you've found it would you stand in honor of god's word as i read these three verses and then we'll pray and begin romans 8 verse 28 the word of god says and we know that for those who love god all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose
• 0:29
  For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined, he also called. And those whom he called, he also justified. And those whom he justified, he also glorified. You pray with me. Heavenly Father, we thank you today for our earthly mothers. May they experience your grace and peace and understand today how valued they truly are.
• 0:58
  Lord, would you bless the preaching of your word for the good of your people? In Jesus' name, amen. Amen. Thank you, church. Well, we ended last Sunday's sermon praying that the Lord would come back. Do you remember? We said, come, Lord Jesus. Today would be great, but if not today, maybe tomorrow. But please, Lord, don't wait a week. And yet here we all are. He has apparently either decided to wait one additional week or we all missed it. If that is the case, then I need to change my sermon, all right?
• 1:29
  But no, the Lord has not yet come back, and so we must continue to wait for that eternal spring that our souls so long for. We studied last Sunday the groaning tension of the way things are compared to how we know they should be. The Lord's followers groan with the pains of childbirth.
• 1:53
  his return and so we say come Lord Jesus in fact every day we say come Lord Jesus excuse me today is even better than tomorrow until he finally does return I would encourage us church and friends to keep this truth in mind that the summit will be worth the strain that the glory will be worth the groaning no matter how difficult the strain is here the summit is worth it and no matter how much groaning the glory
• 2:24
  is worth it and this morning we study what is no doubt the best known verse in romans 8 it is verse 28 which one commentator calls one of the greatest promises of god to his people anywhere in the bible just imagine the weight of that statement for a moment
• 2:41
  one of the greatest promises of God anywhere in the Bible, and that includes John 3.16. I mean, that's a pretty good promise. He says, you know what, Romans 8.28 is one of the greatest promises in all of the scriptures, and we have the privilege of looking at it today, but let us not miss the fact that it is also one of the most misunderstood. Because it is so beloved, it has been almost universally memorized by God's people, and because it is the one verse that we all know,
• 3:08
  It is typically the go-to. It is the one that so many Christians through the ages have quoted. In every possible situation, it has, in many instances, become dislodged from the context in which it is found and is therefore sometimes misused, misinterpreted, perhaps even being used to offer a counterfeit comfort to people who are hurting. It has a three-verse block.
• 3:36
  this small section communicates two glorious guarantees. One for this present life, which is verse 28, and then one for the future, verses 29 and 32. Glorious guarantees. And as I prepared for this sermon, it occurred to me that I certainly could have chosen to preach these three verses over two or even three sermons. But I didn't want to do that since the conclusion of verse 28 leads naturally to our understanding, I think, of verses 29 and 30.
• 4:07
  This text has become the focus of theological debates for centuries. But really, it can be boiled down pretty simply to this statement. And if you want to write this statement down, this simple truth, write it down, and then you can nap through the rest of the sermon. That would be fine. Here it is. God has a plan. Amen? Even when we don't know what that plan is. Amen? And He can be trusted.
• 4:37
  not only with the foreknowing of our souls, but with the glory of our souls in the future. God has a plan, even when we don't understand what it is. That plan began with foreknowing us and will end with glorifying us. Amen and amen. There is the truth of these three verses. And let's start with verse 28. What does the verse state? Verse 28 says, And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good.
• 5:09
  This verse states that everything we do and say, everything people do to us or say about us, every experience we will ever have, all are sovereignly used by God for our good. That's what the verse says. I'll say it again. Everything we do and say, everything that people do or say to us, every experience we will ever have, all of those are sovereignly used by God.
• 5:36
  For our good, that is what the verse says. But before I elaborate any more on what it says, let me take a moment to tell you what it does not say. Like a kindergarten with his crayons. Sometimes people use this verse to color outside the lines of what God originally intended to communicate. We hear of some difficulty in the life of a believer and we will quip in the most inappropriate moment. Well, God intends everything for good.
• 6:07
  We use it whenever clouds gather over the lives of others and we don't know what else to say. Based on when we quote this verse, it seems that we use Romans 8.28 more to make ourselves feel better rather than to bring actual comfort to one who is experiencing actual grief. It becomes like Mary Poppins' use of the supercalifragilistic word. It's kind of what church people say when they don't know what else to say. It's just kind of what fills in the blank of Christian theology.
• 6:37
  And so I'm going to offer four things that this verse does not state, four ways that Romans 8 should not be used. And on these points, I appreciate the work of Pastor Stephen Davey. First, Romans 8.28 should not be used as a precise explanation for suffering. It doesn't necessarily apply every time somebody is crying. That's what I'm saying.
• 7:05
  It doesn't explain away suffering, toil, trials, tribulations, persecution. It doesn't explain it away. It's not meant to provide a quick answer for the grieving. It is not a band-aid solution for every bleeding heart. It is not an answer to all of the questions of life that begin with the word why. No doubt you've been confronted with those questions. Why is this happening to me?
• 7:32
  Why would God allow me to endure this? Or you've even asked those questions yourself or been confronted with them from others. Why? Why, Pastor Danny, is this happening? And Romans 8.28 does not offer answers to those questions. In fact, it doesn't even pretend to. Read the verse again. We know that for those who love God, all things work together for good.
• 7:54
  for those who are called according to His purpose. You'll notice there that glorious promise, one of the best promises in all of Scripture, but no answers are offered. In fact, the word because isn't even in the verse. Why, Pastor Denny? Well, because Romans 8, 28, it never says that. The promise is that God is at work, but there is no answer offered beyond it. A quick just perusal of...
• 8:25
  The Old and New Testaments will leave you with the understanding that God is not compelled to answer all of life's questions. Proverbs chapter 25 and verse 2, it is the glory of God to conceal things. He knows things that we don't. That's what it says. Isaiah 45, 15, truly you are God. You are a God who hides himself. Deuteronomy 29, the secret things belong to the Lord our God.
• 8:52
  Ecclesiastes 11 and verse 5, as you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones and the womb of a woman with child. I love that he says it that way. God just says, you know what? Explain pregnancy to me. Explain it to me. How do I knit these bodies together? And when and how do I attach a soul and a spirit to them? He says, honestly, you have no idea how pregnancy works. Stop guessing. He says, in the same way, you don't know how I do anything else either.
• 9:21
  He says, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. You don't understand that. Even in the simplest terms, you don't understand any of this. God's ways are higher than your ways. Does that sound familiar? That's from Isaiah 55. For my thoughts are not your thoughts. God says, I don't think like you think. Neither are my ways, your ways, my ways. I don't act like you act, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are, what does it say? My ways higher than your ways.
• 9:51
  My thoughts higher than your thoughts. And we may want the answers to all of life's riddles. We want things to make sense, but we lack the capacity to fully understand the infinite ways of God. What he's saying is, even if I took the time to explain everything in the universe to you, you still wouldn't comprehend. My ways are higher, my thoughts.
• 10:18
  higher and so the author of Romans is just left with chapter 11 and verse 34 this kind of rhetorical question that he asks for who has known the mind of the Lord and so friends let me ask you what's the answer to that question who has known the mind of the Lord no one no one knows the mind of God no one can pretend to understand the answers to all of life's riddles
• 10:50
  If there are two key takeaways from this point that we can absolutely count on, those takeaways would be these. Number one, God knows what he's doing even if we don't know what he's doing. God knows what he's doing even if we don't know what he's doing. That's first. And then second, we very often have no idea what we're talking about. When we try to guess, when we try to speak into situations in people's lives which we know not of, when we hear about somebody's problem for 10 minutes,
• 11:23
  But this problem has persisted for 10 years and then we offer advice and counsel. Oftentimes that advice and counsel is off base. Why? Because the reality is we just don't know. And I think that it would probably benefit us and benefit the church if Christians would just expand their vocabulary to include the phrase, I don't know why. I don't know. I wish at times that people would just admit when they don't know that they don't know.
• 11:57
  I love how one pastor has worded it when he just simply said, I do not know why, but I do know who. That is what we know in life's difficult situations. That is, when there's a question mark at the end, that is the right answer. I don't know why, but I do know who is at work. When we are faced with difficult situations which have no earthly answer, we can focus our eyes and the eyes of others on the attributes of God. That God is good.
• 12:27
  He's good all the time, and he is loving and compassionate, and he is sovereign, and he is wise, and his works are good, even when we can't understand them. God is working all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. That's first. Notice second. Romans 8.28 should not be used as a prohibition against sorrow.
• 12:54
  This is not the Christian's answer or even rebuke for other Christians who are crying. It is not a sin to cry. As if to say, well, don't weep, don't mourn, don't grieve. Remember Romans 8, 28, God's working all things together for the good. No, it is okay to grieve. It is okay to cry. And if it is a sin to cry, then our Savior was not sinless because he, after all, wept.
• 13:22
  Over the death of his friend Lazarus, he wept at the lack of faith of Lazarus' two sisters. They did not understand the work of God, and so his heart was broken. He grieved as he anticipated the cross. He even prayed that his father would find another way. Lord, if there is any other way, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done. It is not a prohibition against sorrow. Third,
• 13:53
  Romans 8.28 should not be used as a pretext for avoiding the challenges of life. This is not a promise of God that our lives will never be difficult. As if the assumption is, because I am in Christ, therefore my life should be easy. I should experience no hardship. I should not have to work. I will somehow, because I am in Christ, I will avoid the earthly fallout of sin.
• 14:19
  The earthly fallout of the curse. I will never experience the curse. It's not what the scriptures say. Believers are actually called to carry our cross. Believers are called to run the race with perseverance. The assumption is the race might be hard. Believers have been called to endure fiery trials. We've been called to bear up under the intensity of the flaming arrows of the evil one. We have an enemy of our souls who is shooting flaming arrows at us.
• 14:52
  That doesn't sound easy. We've been called to fight the good fight of the faith. We've been called to agonize. We've been called to resist the devil himself. We're never promised an easy life. To say that because we are in Christ, we will never experience lack or want, that we will never become sick, that we will never experience pain, is to forget that those promises will actually find their ultimate fulfillment in heaven.
• 15:21
  and not on earth to say that because we are in Christ, we will never have any need is to forget Philippians 4.13. Do you guys remember Philippians 4.13? It's probably one that you've memorized. If not, you may have memorized it, not even known that you memorized it. Philippians 4.13 says, I can do all things. What's the rest? Through Christ who gives me strength.
• 15:46
  And typically when we see that verse printed somewhere, it's on like a poster or something. We'll see it at Hobby Lobby or we'll see it somewhere else. Phil 4.13, right? I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. And it'll be on the bottom of a poster with a guy standing there with a baseball bat in his hand mid-swing. And he's hitting this baseball and he's like, I'll never strike out again. Why? Because I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
• 16:09
  I can hit a 95-mile-an-hour fastball, and I will never swing over that O2 change-up. Why? Because I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. You're like, I don't think that's what the Apostle Paul meant. Do you guys remember the context of Philippians 4.13 when he made that statement, I can do all things? The preceding verses say, and remember, he was writing this from prison. He says, I know what it's like when life stinks. That's a paraphrase, all right?
• 16:39
  I know what it's like. I know what it's like to be hungry. I know what it's like to be cold. I know what it's like to be exposed. I know what pain is like. I know what vulnerability is like. I know what lashes are like. I know what persecution is like. I know what suffering is like. And yet through all of those things, I will be content. Why? Because I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength to use. Romans 8, 28 is,
• 17:06
  a cudgel against believers who are experiencing the cruelty of the world's pressure against the gospel is to misuse it it's actually to forget that we are aliens here that we don't belong here this world it really is not our home that we have another world to look forward to that we are citizens of there and not here fourth finally what does the verse not say romans 8 28 should not be used
• 17:37
  as a permanent ticket to lazy living let me explain what i mean by that that this verse is not an excuse to lay back to shrug our shoulders and say well the lord's going to work everything out for my good so why should i exert any effort i don't need to work hard in school why romans 8 28 god's going to work it out
• 18:02
  I don't need to be disciplined with my soul or with my body. Why? Romans 8.28, God's going to work everything out. I don't need to be disciplined financially. I don't need to save for retirement. I don't need to spend less than I make. I don't need to give generously to those who have needs. Why? Romans 8.28, God's going to work everything out. I don't need to invest in and cultivate my marriage. Why? Romans 8.28, God's going to work everything out. Romans 8.28 is my life hack to laziness.
• 18:34
  It's my key to live, think, and act like a child and never take any responsibility for anything. Romans 8.28, God's going to work everything out. The reality is that God will work everything out. Isn't that true? God will work everything out. Amen? But we're also going to reap what we sow. Isn't that also true? Yeah, that's also true. Proverbs 6.10. Maybe you've used this verse. Maybe you've memorized this verse. Certainly, if you've raised young men, this verse has come up.
• 19:06
  all right in their child rearing a little sleep just a little bit a little slumber a little folding of the hands to rest that is laziness just a little bit and poverty will come upon you like a robber and want like an armed man let me ask you how long does it take to go broke it is not long how long does it take to save
• 19:29
  How long does it take to prepare? How long does it take to amass wealth? How long does it take to scrimp and to save and to tighten your belt? It takes years and decades of faithfulness, and yet it can be lost. Boom, just a little bit of laziness. And this says that that robber's going to come in and take everything you have. So it's not this life hack for, oh, well, I just don't have to do anything. God's just going to give me whatever I want. No, that's not what the verse says. It cannot be used.
• 19:57
  As an explanation for suffering, it's not the answer to all of life's why questions. It's not a prohibition against sorrow as if crying is a sin. It's not. It's not a pretext for avoiding challenges of life. We still experience the curse. We still experience the fall. Our lives will still be hard. It is not a permanent ticket to lazy living. Like, I can just do whatever I want, say whatever I want, and never experience any consequences for my own sin. That's not what it says. Well, then what does it say?
• 20:25
  Read it again. Look at verse 28. We know that for those who love God, all things work together for good. For those who are called according to his purpose. The promise given is that God is at work in all circumstances and is sovereignly orchestrating people and events to bring himself the greatest glory and to we who love him and are called according to his purpose, our greatest good. That's what it says. Let me say it again.
• 20:52
  The promise given, what does Romans 8.28 say? Is that God is at work in all circumstances. He is sovereignly orchestrating people and events to bring himself the greatest glory and to we who love him and are called according to his purpose, our greatest good. His glory, our good. Now, the word good in this instance also has to be properly defined.
• 21:22
  If you like to underline or make notes in your Bibles, you can circle the word good. It's right in the middle of verse 28. Circle the word good. Draw an arrow up to your margin and write spiritual good over material good. Spiritual good over material good. This verse is often misquoted when we say things like, well,
• 21:47
  I know that you've lost your job, but God must have a better job in store for you because after all, Romans 8, 28, he works all things for the good of those who love him. And therefore your next job is going to be better than this job. Or I know that your car was stolen. What a bummer. But that just means that the Lord has a better car in store because after all, God works all things together for the good of those who love him. Then the reality could be that your next job will not be as good, right?
• 22:14
  Your next job could stink and your next car may not be as good. It could be a piece of junk. And if that happens, if what we believe is that our lives are meant to be this kind of perpetual cycle of better things, physical, tangible, better things, then when those better things don't come, we can become disillusioned in our faith and think, well, God must not actually love me. We can't fall into the trap of interpreting this promise entirely materialistically.
• 22:44
  God does want our material good. He's provided for us everything pertaining to godliness on this earth and an inheritance in heaven. He does want our material good, but that material good is only ever secondary, never at the expense of our spiritual good. God never promises to give your body what will cost your soul. Does that make sense? Our spiritual good is what this author has in mind.
• 23:15
  Therefore, the good, in verse 28, may not come in this lifetime at all. The good that God may have in mind and that he is, according to verse 28, working all things toward may be entirely bound up in eternity. We may not even experience the good in this life. The story goes that George Whitefield, who was a pastor preacher during the great awakening of the 18th century,
• 23:47
  reportedly gave a single mom a large sum of money after she'd fallen behind on her house payments. She was going to lose her house and all of her furniture as well. And so George Whitefield finds out about this. He gathered all of his earthly wealth. He gave it to this single mom in order to save her house and to save all of her furniture with her young kids. Everything that he owned, he gave to her.
• 24:11
  A friend of Whitfield's came along and began to rebuke him, saying he couldn't afford to give that much money away. They were walking along the path one day, and he just said, man, George, you can't be just giving all your, you gave it all away, I gave it all away. She needed it more than me, and so I just gave it all to her. And he says, you can't afford to do that. As they were talking and walking along the road, an armed man came and confronted them with the intention of robbing them. This armed man comes in front of the two of them and says, give me your money. The friend reluctantly reaches over, finds his wallet.
• 24:42
  and hands it to the man george whitfield just looked at this armed robber and shrugged his shoulders and said what i don't have any money i gave it all away as the robber is running away with his friend's wallet the guy says george whitfield says ah see romans 8 28 it's better it's better that this widow got all my money than this guy got all my money it's good that i was generous as the robber is running away the armed man turns around and runs back
• 25:12
  and says, well, you don't have any money, but you do have a jacket. It was a cold day, and he said, give me your jacket. George Whitefield says, you know what, I will give you your jacket, but like you said, I will give you my jacket. Like you said, it is a cold day, and so I will only give you mine if you give me yours. The thief says, okay, fine, and his jacket had been moth-eaten.
• 25:33
  It was dirty and gross and was not very effective, but he takes off his jacket, hands it to George Whitefield. George Whitefield hands him this new one. The guy puts it on and goes running away again. And his friend looks at George Whitefield and says, ah, okay, where's Romans 8.28 now? You've lost everything you did have. As they're walking along and George Whitefield's hands get cold, he reaches into the pockets of the jacket, finds his friend's wallet, hands it to his friend.
• 26:04
  finds in the other pocket all the rest of the thief's money and says ah romans 8 28 the lord works all things out for the good of those who love him now this could be an example of romans 8 28 in action yes but what if whitfield had simply been robbed lost his money and it never returned what if he hadn't gotten all of that money back would that have meant that god was not working in all things for his good no
• 26:35
  Recall the story of Joseph, the second youngest of 12 brothers. 12 brothers, Joseph was number 11. He was hated by the older 10 brothers because of their jealousy for their father's love. You remember, of all of these 12 brothers, Jacob, their father, loved Joseph the most. He was, honestly, he was a rotten dad. Do not pattern your parenting after Jacob. He chooses Joseph to be his firstborn, even though he's 11th born.
• 27:04
  He gives him a tangible reminder of his love by giving him this coat of many colors. Joseph, being a young and immature man, begins to have dreams. He interprets these dreams, and he begins sharing the interpretation of those dreams with his older brothers. You know, Jude, one day you're going to bow down to me. I had a dream. God told me, you're all going to bow down to me. And I've always thought, man, if you're the younger brother, don't be sharing stuff like that. Just keep your mouth shut.
• 27:31
  Even if the Lord is giving you dreams, those are not the dreams to share with your older brothers unless you want to get pounded. That's exactly what happened to Joseph. He got beat up, eventually sold as a slave into Egypt, where he was imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit. He was discovered in prison as a man who could interpret dreams. He prophetically saved the Egyptian empire from a global famine.
• 27:56
  He was exalted to the second highest position in Egypt behind the Pharaoh himself. And you guys remember what happened at the end of the story. His brothers come to him begging for food. They've not recognized him yet. Once he was revealed as the brother they had sold into bondage so many years before, Joseph made this statement. He says, as for you, you meant evil against me. What you did was wrong. But God used that evil act as a seed to bring about what is good.
• 28:27
  God meant it for good to bring it about that many people should be kept alive as they are today. Joseph said, you know what, what you intended for evil, God not only meant for good for me, he said through me, he has saved the world. And when you read the end of Genesis, you realize that's what's going on. There's this global famine that because of Joseph's leadership, his vision.
• 28:49
  He saved not only his own empire, but man, people from all over the world came and Egypt saved them. They had food to spare. So he says, do not fear. I will provide for you and your little ones. Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Now, again, this could be a good example of Romans 8, 28 in action. But what if Joseph had died while in prison? What if he was released, but had never had that resolution with his family? Would that have meant that God was not at work?
• 29:20
  If there was no physical resolution, would he look at Romans 8.28 and say, that is not true? No. Again, the good that God has in mind, and that is promised in Romans 8.28, and that he is working all things together toward may be entirely bound up in eternity. God is indeed working all things together for your spiritual good over your material good for those who are called according to his purpose.
• 29:50
  You notice in the next two verses that the author explains the process of salvation, beginning in eternity's past, providing purpose in the present, culminating in the future. Pay particular attention, if you would, to the fact that these statements create an unbreakable chain of salvation. In other words, once this process starts, it does not stop until it is finished. These two verses have created controversy throughout church history.
• 30:21
  Just saying the word predestined can cause heartburn for some. Honestly, there are some of the verses, these are some of the verses which discourage pastors to preach through the Bible verse by verse because they come to verses like these and are tempted to skip them rather than preach them. These are some, 1 Corinthians 7 on the conjugal rights of husbands and wives is another one. You're like, you're just never going to hear a topical pastor ever preach that. Why? Because nobody wants to preach that. It's awkward and uncomfortable. And so many times,
• 30:50
  Verses like these get skipped. Better just not to deal with it. But may I encourage all of us just to allow the Scriptures to speak clearly for themselves. We should interpret these verses using their simplest and clearest means. Let us just look at what the Scriptures say. And let's let them say what they say. Verses 29 and 30 contain five verbs. And again, I'm going to encourage you to circle them. Five verbs which form what has been called
• 31:22
  the five-step process of God's sovereign purpose and design in salvation, which link together to create an unbreakable and glorious redemptive chain. This is the chain of salvation. This is how salvation works. And with 28 in mind.
• 31:43
  With the understanding that sometimes we just must admit that we don't understand how things work, let's look at the first two links in that chain. The first two words, the author says that if you are in Christ, then God both foreknew you and predestined you. Look at verse 29. For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Foreknew.
• 32:14
  is not difficult to define. It means that God not only knows the future in terms of events and timelines, but he knows people who were not yet created. The Greek word for foreknew involves more than mere knowledge. It doesn't just say that he knows your name. It actually includes intimacy. He knew us before we were made. He loved us before we were made. He intended to have a relationship with us before we were made.
• 32:42
  And then it says that those whom He foreknew, He also predestined. Again, not as difficult to define as we probably make it. The prefix pre- means before or prior to. Destined means according to plan or toward a particular goal. The aim of your life was one way, but God chose beforehand to turn the aim or goal of your life another way. It's where we get the words destiny and destination.
• 33:12
  Ephesians chapter 1 says it this way. He chose us in him before the foundation of the world. Before the world was formed, God knew you. You were actually chosen that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, now here is the same word. In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ according to the purpose of his will. I have heard those who are no doubt well-meaning Bible-believing Christians tell me,
• 33:42
  They, quote, don't believe in predestination. I will often respond by saying, well, listen, with respect, you can define it differently than I do. That's okay. But to say that you don't believe in predestination is to deny Romans 8 and Ephesians 1. The word is actually in there. You can't just look at the word and say, I don't believe in it. Well, okay, you can define it differently. That's okay. But you can't just overlook the word. It's you.
• 34:13
  If we will just let the scriptures speak for themselves, they say that every believer was known by God before they were created. Every believer was chosen by God. That's Ephesians 1. Was chosen by God before they came into existence. And this says that your eternal destination, now I'm not talking about heaven and hell. I'm talking about the goal or aim of your life. The goal of your life was determined by God.
• 34:42
  before you ever uttered a word or before you ever drew breath. If that's already causing heartburn for some of you, just wait till we get to chapter nine. It's gonna be way worse, all right? But notice that the text actually includes why we were saved. Why did God foreknow us? Why did he predestine us? It says in verse 29, to be conformed to the image of his son in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Why?
• 35:15
  From before time even began, prior to the first tick of the first clock, God predestined believers to be conformed to the image of His Son. Conformity to Christ is the new destination of your life, of every believer. Conformity to Christ. The entire purpose for salvation can be bound up in that one phrase. Why was I saved? To be conformed.
• 35:41
  Now, the text does not say that the purpose of salvation is so that believers will go to heaven instead of hell. Notice, heaven and hell, those words aren't even in there. It says that the purpose of salvation is that believers will become like Jesus in order that Jesus might be called the firstborn or preeminent among us, first among us. Notice the next link in the unbreakable redemptive chain, the word called, verse 30, and those whom he predestined, he also...
• 36:12
  Call. This is the effectual call of God unto salvation. It connotes an inward drawing to the side of God. Jesus said that none come to the Father except the Father draws them. Now this is a little bit different than that universal invitation to be saved. That is evangelism. We know that the Holy Spirit has gone out into all the world calling people to the Father, wooing them, courting them.
• 36:40
  Almost like dating them through evangelism, through the preaching of His Word, through the testimonies of the faithful believers, through gospel tracts and next-door neighbors and friends and family and co-workers. That is an invitation to be saved, but that is not this call. Because some hear that invitation and they reject it. But at some point, God specifically calls those who are His to His side and they are saved. All are invited.
• 37:12
  Believers are called by God. Those whom He foreknew, He predestined. Those whom He predestined, He called. Notice it continues. And those whom He called, He justified. We've studied that word before. Justified means declared legally righteous. It's maybe the craziest doctrine in the New Testament. I think it is. Because justified means that even though you sin, you're no longer called a sinner.
• 37:43
  even though you're guilty, you're declared innocent. I mean, it's just the most backward thing. It doesn't make any sense at all. It is such a clear picture of the grace of God toward us. Justified, sinless, even though our lives are filled with sin. And if you remember that really simple way to remember what justified means, justified means just as if I'd never sinned. Those whom He called, He justified. And this is...
• 38:09
  kind of a synonym. We will use it interchangeably with the word saved. He saved. Those whom he justified, he also glorified. Finally, we will be given, this says, uncorrupted minds, body, and hearts. Allow me to conclude our time together with two additional thoughts, and with these I conclude. You've perhaps noticed I've called these verbs glorious, redemptive, and unbreakable.
• 38:39
  You've probably drawn the same conclusion that I have, which is that those whom the Lord foreknew ended up glorified. Do you see that? All of those he foreknew end up in glory. And the text doesn't mention any exceptions. You may have concluded then that I believe that the Bible teaches the permanence of salvation, and I do.
• 39:00
  sometimes called the perseverance of the saints that's exactly what i believe you'd be right i think that the scriptures teach that according to these verses and many others and here's why that doctrine is so important because it means you have something unshakable to look forward to you do not have to live in the fear of losing it i think one of our enemies favorite strategies favorite strategies is to convince those who are in the faith that they're not in the faith i think he loves doing that
• 39:31
  He'll whisper when you're in sin. Oh, certainly a genuine son or daughter of God would never. And so cause you to question God's love for you. And I'm telling you, how many times have I counseled people in the church and in the faith who struggle with this idea? Does God genuinely love me? Why? Because I'm in sin. Yes, he loves you. And listen, I know that there are a million wrinkles in that doctrine, which I am happy.
• 40:02
  to help you to iron out i and the other pastors would gladly discuss that doctrine with anyone who'd like to get together if you're confused on that point if you don't agree with me would you do me a favor send me an email i would love to talk to you about it if you were foreknown and predestined this says you were invited and and more than invited you were called and if you were called then you were justified forgiven made right with god
• 40:28
  and saved and if you were saved that means you will not be condemned because otherwise what were you saved from you look forward only to glory i like how one guy said it he said you can no more work out your salvation work yourself out of salvation then you could work your way into salvation philippians chapter 1 and verse 6 he who began a good work in you will be what faithful to complete it if he began it if he started it he'll finish it
• 41:01
  Hebrews chapter 12, fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher, perfecter of your faith. Second, and with this, we're done, I promise. Five verbs, right? Which form this unbreakable, glorious, redemptive chain are in the Greek aorist tense. Now, the closest thing we get to that in English is the past tense. Did you listen to them? Foreknew, predestined, called, justified, glorified, past.
• 41:32
  These verbs are written from God's perspective, which means they are as good as done. They are accomplished. They are finished. There is no question in God's mind. Those whom he foreknew and predestined will be glorified. And if you are in Christ, then the glorious past tense in God's mind is the glorious future which awaits you and I. That is the promise that he makes that is guaranteed. Lord, thank you.
• 42:04
  Thank you for verse 28, which says that you have a plan. Even when we don't know what you're doing, Lord, you always know what you're doing. And thank you for verses 29 and 30. We can count on the work of Jesus not only to save us, but to complete that salvation to the end. Lord, we look forward to glory. We thank you for the call of salvation, for the quickening of our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Lord, we love you and are so thankful that you love us. And it's in Jesus' name we pray.
• 42:37
  Amen.