Predestination / Election Are you here because you chose to come, or because God made you come?!

Predestination / Election

Are you here because you chose to come, or because

God made you come?!


When you hear these words predestination / election,

How does it make you feel? What comes into your mind?

What are the questions it raises for you?


“…that work of God’s grace whereby he chooses individuals and groups for a purpose or destiny in accordance with his will.”

God choosing in the Bible…

Angels - I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism. 1 Tim 5:21


Abraham - 1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 12:1-3


Israel - For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. 7 The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 But it was because the LORD loved you… Deuteronomy 7:6-7


A King, David - 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

1 Samuel 16:7-12


The Messiah- 1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.

Isaiah 42:1


Jesus - A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” Luke 9:35

The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” Luke 23:35


The Church - And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. Mark 13:27

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9


“an act of God before creation, in which he chooses some people to be saved, not on account of any merit in them, but only because of his Sovereign good pleasure.”

God choosing people for salvation…

Teaching of Jesus: 44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. John 6:44

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last... John 15:16


Teaching of Acts of Apostles: 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honoured the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

Acts 13:48


Teaching of Paul: 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Romans 8:28-30


Teaching of Paul: Ephesians 1:3-14 Read…

• How many times does it speak of being predestined/chosen? • Who is at the centre of this passage, and of God’s purposes?• What does God choose us for?• How are we included in Christ?

The doctrine of election is:

1) A Revealed truth

2) A Christ-centred truth

3) A Wonderful truth

4) A truth in tension

37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Mt.23:37

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30


1) A Revealed truth




5) A truth for Christians

CHOSEN FROM BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD Eph 1:4-5

TURN TO ME & BE SAVED, ALL YOU ENDS OF THE EARTH; FOR I AM GOD & THERE IS NO OTHER Isaiah 45:2


1) A Revealed truth




5) A truth for Christians

6) A Practical truth

Questions and objections:

1) Aren’t people just robots?

4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.[a] 8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.

20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[a] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. Acts 2:23

27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

Acts 4:27-28



2) Isn’t God unfair?

14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”[a] 16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

Romans 9:14-16




3) Does God choose people to go to hell?

39 You study[a] the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life. John 5:39-40




3) Does God choose people to go to hell?

4) How can I know if I’m chosen, or anyone else?

4 For we know, brothers and sisters[a] loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 1 Thess 1:4-5

The doctrine of election should lead to:

1) Praise…

2) Humility…

3) Assurance…

4) Holiness…

5) Evangelism…

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:9-10

The doctrine of election should lead to:

1) Praise…

2) Humility…

3) Assurance…

4) Holiness…

5) Evangelism…

Predestination / Election Are you here because you chose to come, or because God made you come?!

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