A Series of Studies on the foundational Doctrines of the Gospel

Part II He Chose Us (Ephesians 1:4)

II.2 The Eternal Will of God

1. The Plan

“I love it when a plan comes together” (the A-Team)

a) Scheming Psalm 33:11; Isaiah 46:9,10

b) Sustaining Colossians 1:16,17; Hebrews 1:3(a)

c) Securing Romans 8:28-39

2. The Proof

a) In relation to prophecy

b) In relation to Christ

“There was a Calvary above, the mother of it all” P.T.Forsythe.

Christ was predestined to come to do what he did; yet he was not a robot for he freely chose to do the Father’s will.

c) In relation to believers

• Because God is all-wise, the plan took all eventualities into account
• Because God is all-powerful, the plan is being fulfilled down to the tiniest detail.

3. The Problem

a) God and sin

• God neither causes nor condones sin; but he does permit, restrain, limit and over-rule it.

b) Sovereignty and free-will

• Scripture attributes all that is good in man to God
• Scripture attributes all that is sinful in man to man

4. The Purpose

“In Scripture, the doctrine of divine sovereignty is always introduced as a pastoral encouragement rather than as a matter of controversy.”