I HAVE CHOSEN YOU

Sunday Morning - March 9, 1997

Text: John 15:16 "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."

 TULIP CALVANISM: Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints.

WHEN DID HE CHOSE?

Ephesians 1:4-5 "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children [TO PLACE AS A SON] by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,"

CALLED ACCORDING TO FOREKNOWLEDGE

Romans 8:28-30 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

IN THE FAMILY

Romans 9:11-14 "(For the children being not yet born [BUT ALREADY CONCEIVED, PART OF THE FAMILY], neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

THE PURPOSE OF ELECTION

12. It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

The greater shall serve the lesser

 13. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Relative terms of love and hate in this case.

14. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid."

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "What? know ye not that ... ye are not your own? 20. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

CHOICE - THE LAST

Ishmael and Isaac, LAST BUT FIRST, BLESSED

Esau and Jacob, LAST BUT FIRST - BLESSED

Manasseh and Ephraim, LAST BUT FIRST - BLESSED

Abinadab and David, LAST BUT FIRST - KING

ELECT CONCERNING THINGS TO COME

Hebrews 11:20 "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come."

 Hebrews 9:11 "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;"

FEW CHOSEN

Matthew 20:16 "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."

SALVATION IS FOR ALL

Hebrews 2:9 "But we see Jesus, ... that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."

CALLING AND ELECTION NOT FIRM

2 Peter 1:10-11 "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

 11. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

THEIR ELECTION

1 Thessalonians 1:4 "Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God."

THEIR CALLING

1 Thessalonians 2:12 "That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory."

WALK WORTHY - BE LAST

Ephesians 4:1-2 "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2. With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;"

BE FRUITFUL

John 15:16 "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."

 John 15:8 "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."

Judges 9:13 "And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man,...?"

THE FINAL FRUIT OF THE VINE IS CRUSHED GRAPES!

WHAT YOU DO WILL BE CRUSHED

FOR HIS PURPOSES

John 15:16 "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."

 John 14:13-14 "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."

FOR FULL JOY

John 16:23-24 "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."

WELLPLEASING IN HIS SIGHT

Hebrews 13:20-21 "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21. Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

ABUNDANT ENTRANCE

Matthew 25:21 "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."