SPRINGCREEK FELLOWSHIP
Sunday, March 22, 2026

      • Acts 2:42CSB

  • Wonderful Merciful Savior

      • Psalm 119:33–40CSB

  • O Praise The Name (Anástasis)
  • It Is Well with My Soul
  • There Is A Redeemer
  • Romans 8:29–30 CSB
    29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.
    PRAYER
    We BEGIN with CONTEXT—and more specifically, the STRUCTURE of the passage.
    BECAUSE (v.29) begins with “For…” - from ὅτι - ‘that, because, for’, which makes (vv.29-30) a GROUND—that it, the evidence why the statement in (v.28) is to be believed or obeyed!
    In other words, (vv.29-30) give us the REASON or EVIDENCE why we know (v.28) is TRUE!
    Romans 8:28 CSB
    28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
    If you “love God” and “…are called according to his purpose,” God is FOR YOU and NOT AGAINST YOU!
    This is DEMONSTRATED in the title of this morning’s message,

    “God’s Salvation!”

    We shall explore God’s Salvation by considering FIVE KEY WORDS from (8:29-30)!

    I. “For those he foreknew…” - προέγνω - (8:29a)

    προέγνω is from the root, προγινώσκω (proginōskō), a compound verb from pro -“before,” and ginōskō - “to know.” It is active voice, indicative mood, and aorist tense indicating a past action with continuing results!
    In Classical Greek it has three primary meanings’: (1) It often refers to having insight of something yet future. (2) It may also refer to prognosticating or foreshadowing something. Aristotle said that “the bees foreshadow winter.” (3) It can mean “coming to a decision beforehand” as in Demosthenes (Orations 29.58), “prejudged by his own friends.”
    In the Septuagint God knew beforehand the deliverance of the righteous and the destruction of the enemies and made that knowledge known to the fathers (Wisdom of Solomon 18:6).
    In the writings of the Apostolic Fathers. “The Lord knew all things before, he knew the wickedness of men and the subtlety of the devil” (Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 4.3.4).
    THIS word is only used FIVE TIMES in the N.T. In TWO CONTEXTS:
    The FIRST is simply, “To already know something.”
    Acts 26:5 CSB
    5 They have known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived as a Pharisee.
    2 Peter 3:17 CSB
    17 Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position.
    Many modern translations read, “…you know this beforehand.”
    THE REMAINING THREE TIMES can mean to “foreknow” and/or “foreordain”—both meanings are possible from a purely linguistic point of view.
    This verb is used of three specific groups or individuals:

    Of ISRAEL/PEOPLE OF GOD - (Romans 11:2)

    Romans 11:2 CSB
    2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Or don’t you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he pleads with God against Israel?

    Of JESUS - (1 Pet 1:20)

    1 Peter 1:20 CSB
    20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for you.

    And of BELIEVERS - (Romans 8:29)

    Romans 8:29 CSB
    29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
    This word is ONLY USED ONCE (as a verb) of BELIEVERS! That’s it.
    The NOUN form, πρόγνωσις prognōsis is also used of believers just ONCE!
    1 Peter 1:2 CSB
    2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient and to be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
    There is no extensive usage of this word regarding believers in the NT!
    And yet, in spite of the fact that there are numerous articles, chapters, and entire sermons dedicated to this topic!
    MY POINT: I would admonish you to hold whatever you believe about foreknowledge with HUMILITY, and acknowledge the limitations of Scriptural revelation on this topic.
    It’s fine and good to have a conviction about this, but don’t be DOGMATIC or DIVISIVE, because you may be right, or you may not be!
    ONE thing I believe can be inferred in (v.29) is from the BKC, “Believers are those God foreknew. This does not mean simply that God foreknows what believers will do, but that God foreknows them.”
    Q: “HOW does God foreknow? What gives Him this ability?”
    A: He is TIMELESS in His Being and OMNISCIENT in understanding!
    He is ETERNAL and ALL-KNOWING!
    Psalm 90:2 CSB
    2 Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, you are God.
    Revelation 1:8 CSB
    8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
    Exodus 3:14 CSB
    14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.”
    John 8:58 CSB
    58 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.”
    Isaiah 40:28 CSB
    28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never becomes faint or weary; there is no limit to his understanding.
    Isaiah 46:9–10 CSB
    9 Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and no one is like me. 10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: my plan will take place, and I will do all my will.

    II. “…he also predestined” - προώρισεν - (8:29b, 30a)

    προώρισεν is an active, indicative, aorist verb from the root, προορίζω - ‘proorizō’ composed of the preposition pro, “before,” and the verb horizō, “to set a boundary.”
    The definition of the Greek word is the same as English: “To set boundaries beforehand, appoint or determine beforehand.”
    Used SIX TIMES in the NT:
    In PETER’S PRAYER for BOLDNESS!
    Acts 4:26–28 CSB
    26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers assemble together against the Lord and against his Messiah. 27 “For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 28 to do whatever your hand and your will had predestined to take place.
    Of GOD’S MYSTERY/WISDOM!
    1 Corinthians 2:7 CSB
    7 On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory.
    FOUR TIMES in TWO LETTERS describing BELIEVERS!
    Romans 8:29–30 CSB
    29 For those he foreknew he also predestined… 30 And those he predestined…
    Ephesians 1:5 CSB
    5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
    Ephesians 1:11 CSB
    11 In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will,
    There are THREE PURPOSES of PREDESTINATION:

    A. SANCTIFICATION! - (8:29c)

    Romans 8:29 CSB
    29 “…he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son”
    I’m not sure how strong an implication there is, but the FIRST purpose of predestination is NOT salvation, but SANCTIFICATION!
    The usage of “predestination” (προορίζω) in Ephesians 1 follows the SAME PATTERN:
    Ephesians 1:4–5 CSB
    4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
    I am CHOSEN by God first and foremost to be conformed to the image of his Son—holy and blameless in love before him!
    Philippians 1:6 CSB
    6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
    Which leads to the second purpose…

    B. SUBMISSION! - (v.29d)

    Romans 8:29 CSB
    29 “…so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”
    “Who are the brothers and sisters?” - Well, every believer in this room! WE ARE!
    “Anybody here from a big family? Were there ever any issues about who’s in charge?”
    “When dad and mom were out of sight did anyone rise to the occasion?”
    Anyone ever think to themselves: “I was born for such a time as this!”
    “Does this ever happen in Churches?”
    I was tempted to talk about churches where the leadership dresses differently so everyone would know who’s in charge, but rather I will ask this question:
    “Is Christ the firstborn among all of us? Does this place belong to Him, or have we convinced ourselves that in His absence we are somehow in charge?”
    I’m NOT suggesting there should be no leaders, or leadership, but I am suggesting that we ALL are predestined to FOLLOW Jesus Christ!
    Psalm 89:27 CSB
    27 I will also make him my firstborn, greatest of the kings of the earth.
    Colossians 1:15 CSB
    15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
    Colossians 1:18 CSB
    18 He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.
    When you put these first two purposes together, you begin to understand that God doesn’t reveal His predestination to us so we could debate over His sovereignty vs. human agency—“Did God choose me, or did I choose Him?”
    But rather that we would be CONFORMED to the image of His Son so He would have FIRST PLACE among many brothers and sisters!
    The THIRD PURPOSE of PREDESTINATION is…

    C. SALVATION! - (v.30b)

    “Pastor, didn’t Paul get the order wrong? Doesn’t SALVATION come before SANCTIFICATION and SUBMISSION? Shouldn’t SALVATION be FIRST?”
    That’s a GREAT QUESTION! And since I can’t speak for Paul, you’ll have to wait till you meet his to ask.
    What I do know is one of the questions you ask when interpreting Scripture is, “Is this passage PRESCRIPTIVE or DESCRIPTIVE?
    In other words, is this passage PRESCRIBING something for me to do, or HOW I might do something?
    OR is it DESCRIBING something God is DOING, or has DONE?
    It is clearly DESCRIPTIVE! All the verbs in (vv.29-30) are active voice (God is the subject), indicative voice, aorist tense! There is nothing here for me to DO!
    These are all the ACTIONS GOD HAS TAKEN for our salvation!
    There are THREE REMAINING…

    III. “…he also called” - ἐκάλεσεν - (8:30b)

    From the root, καλέω kaleō - ‘call, name, summon, invite.’

    Q: How does God call/invite?

    2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 CSB
    13 But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    A: Through the PREACHING of the GOSPEL!

    Acts 2:37–41 CSB
    37 When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” 41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them.
    Ephesians 1:18 CSB
    18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
    Ephesians 4:1 CSB
    1 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,

    Q: Does everyone God calls come?

    A: Not according to the Parable of the Large Banquet in (Luke 14:15-24)!

    Galatians 1:6 CSB
    6 I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
    We shall further address this topic as we get into Chapter 9!

    IV. “…he also justified” - ἐδικαίωσεν - (8:30c)

    From the root verb, δικαιόω dikaioō - ‘Justify, render innocent, pronounce righteous.’
    Romans 3:24–26 CSB
    24 they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as the mercy seat by his blood, through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. 26 God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be just and justify the one who has faith in Jesus.
    Romans 5:1 CSB
    1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
    Romans 5:9 CSB
    9 How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath.

    V. “…he also glorified” - ἐδόξασεν - (8:30d)

    Of the SIXTY-ONE times this verb is used in the NT, all but two glorify God or Jesus Christ!
    The Good News is that we are PROMISED GLORY!
    John 17:22 CSB
    22 I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one.
    Romans 5:2 CSB
    2 We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
    Romans 8:18 CSB
    18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.
    I would like to close this message with the following thought: Your salvation is so sure that God speaks of it in PAST TENSE!
    It’s not “…will be glorified”, but “…those he justified, he also glorified!”

      • Romans 8:29–30CSB

      • Romans 8:28CSB

      • Acts 26:5CSB

      • 2 Peter 3:17CSB

      • Romans 11:2CSB

      • 1 Peter 1:20CSB

      • Romans 8:29CSB

      • 1 Peter 1:2CSB

      • Psalm 90:2CSB

      • Revelation 1:8CSB

      • Exodus 3:14CSB

      • John 8:58CSB

      • Isaiah 40:28CSB

      • Isaiah 46:9–10CSB

      • Acts 4:26–28CSB

      • 1 Corinthians 2:7CSB

      • Romans 8:29–30CSB

      • Ephesians 1:5CSB

      • Ephesians 1:11CSB

      • Romans 8:29CSB

      • Ephesians 1:4–5CSB

      • Philippians 1:6CSB

      • Romans 8:29CSB

      • Psalm 89:27CSB

      • Colossians 1:15CSB

      • Colossians 1:18CSB

      • 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14CSB

      • Acts 2:37–41CSB

      • Ephesians 1:18CSB

      • Ephesians 4:1CSB

      • Galatians 1:6CSB

      • Romans 3:24–26CSB

      • Romans 5:1CSB

      • Romans 5:9CSB

      • John 17:22CSB

      • Romans 5:2CSB

      • Romans 8:18CSB

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