A Royal Priesthood, Pt. 2
Chosen Ahead of Time
Pastor Cory Herthel
Midland SDA Church
November 10, 2012
Key Texts: 1 Peter 2:9-10; Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:3-6 & 11-12; Philippians 2:12-16
References: The Signs of the Times, January 2, 1893
Introduction: How many college students are present today (ask for show of hands)? How many High School/Academy? Middle/Elementary? Good, hopefully each of you can relate to what I am about to share from my experience as a student. Something I never cared for during all my years as a student were "group projects" or "group discussions." More specifically the kind where the teacher/instructor decides for you who your partners will be and what the subject of your discussion would be. For me, it was as if I had someone thinking for me and I never could appreciate that. I like being a part of the decision process when things are being planned for me.
However, we are told in Scripture about a plan that was set in motion for each of us before we ever existed. A way to everlasting life. And it is something that was already decided before any of us existed. He could see beforehand what would happen with His beloved creation prior to His first creative act. And therefore, He made a provision and predestined a plan for those who would love Him in return.
Opening: Romans 8:28-30
I. Predestination
1. Before He formed man in the Garden, He knew of his fate.
a. God had a plan to redeem us
b. He didn't create us to leave us lost
c. Does this mean some are already set to be saved and others lost? NO!
2. 2 Peter 3:9 - Many become discouraged in regards to Jesus' coming, but He wants as many
ready to meet Him as possible.
a. While it is not His will for any to perish…He leaves the choice to us.
b. Adam and Eve were created in a state of perfection. However, God desires genuine love of His
creation. He doesn't want programmed robots. He gave them the same choice He gives us
today.
II. Good Works
1. How do we make the right choice?
a. Through our obedience, God works through us (Philippians 2:12-13)
b. Through our obedience, we are God's lights (vs. 14-15)
c. By holding fast to Christ (the word of life); we will make the right choice.
2. He chose us that we should be "HOLY" - Ephesians 1:3-6
3. Apart from Christ we are nothing and can not inherit eternal life.
SOP Reference: The Father sets His love upon His elect people who live in the midst of men. These are the people whom Christ has redeemed by the price of His own blood; and because they respond to the drawing of Christ, through the sovereign mercy of God, they are elected to be saved as His obedient children. Upon them is manifested the free grace of God, the love wherewith He hath loved them. Everyone who will humble himself as a little child, who will receive and obey the Word of God with a child’s simplicity, will be among the elect of God....
In the council of heaven, provision was made that men, though transgressors, should not perish in their disobedience, but, through faith in Christ as their substitute and surety, might become the elect of God, predestinated unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself according to the good pleasure of His will. God wills that all men should be saved; for ample provision has been made, in giving His only-begotten Son to pay man’s ransom. Those who perish will perish because they refuse to be adopted as children of God through Christ Jesus.
Conclusion: God has indeed established an order of predestination. No, it is not the kind that many Christians of today subscribe to where God arbitrarily picks and chooses who will be saved and who will be lost. Instead, He has called all mankind to join the ranks of a Royal Priesthood. A priesthood that He foreordained before laying the foundation of the world. However, each of us has a responsibility to choose this day whom we will serve. He wants each of us to accept this invitation. Will stand with me now as we pray and accept His invitation?