Sunnyside First Baptist Church
11.10.24 Evolutionary Grace - FREE WILL
  • Friend Of God
  • My Redeemer Lives
  • Holy Forever
  • God Of Wonders
  • — Today we are going to walk through one of the more difficult passages in Romans
    — These three verses, Romans 8:28-30 can put the fear of God, even into well grounded people.
    — At the core of these discussions is the idea of this
    — As we begin let’s pray
    ​
    Does God, or did God, determine from eons past who would accept Jesus as their Savor?
    OR
    Does mankind have some responsibility to reach out and accept Christ?
    — “The church,” I mean the professors that occupy the best seminaries are generally going to go with, “God decides… We follow.
    — There is another option to “determinism”
    — It is “free-will”
    — These essence of what we are talking about today is
    The SOVEREIGNTY of GOD
    — From that perspective, God has laid out everything, even our next breath, from birth to death
    “In the Bible, Joseph’s story is a classic example of sovereignty through adversity. Sold into slavery by his brothers, he eventually rose to power in Egypt. It’s like being thrown a surprise party you didn’t see coming! Life can feel capricious, but God orchestrates every twist and turn to prepare us for our destiny. Sometimes our setbacks are simply setups for God’s amazing grace!
    — From a "Free-Will" perspective, from us being allowed to choose a path but it still steeped in the Sovereignty of God. God still remains in charge, in control of us… His creatures.
    — Let take a look at the scripture this morning.
    Book of Romans, Chapter 8, Vs. 28-30
    — Stand if you will as I read these three verses
    Romans 8:28–30 ESV
    28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
    — Thanks be to God… Please be seated
    Romans 8:28-30 can be understood in a way that preserves both God’s sovereignty and human free will.
    This perspective emphasizes this...
    While God is sovereign and has a plan for humanity, individuals still have the ability to choose whether to accept or reject His calling.
    — Let’s look at the first verse
    Romans 8:28 ESV
    28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
    — This verse reassures believers that God is actively working for their good, but it does not mean that people are passive recipients without choice in their relationship with God.
    The key phrase here is "those who love God."
    — From a free-will perspective, love cannot be coerced or predetermined;
    — It is a choice that we all make.
    — To accept or reject. Although he would not want ONE to perish and all to be saved.
    God works all things for the good of those who choose to love Him—a love that comes from a freely given response to His grace.
    — What is God’s purpose
    —Let me lay it out for you with scripture
    1 Timothy 2:3–4 ESV
    3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
    — But not all will choose to follow Him.
    — The fact that God "works" for the good of those who love Him”
    — Emphasizes that, while God has a plan, it is enacted through the cooperation of human free will.
    — Believers, through their faith and trust in God, participate in His plan.
    God’s sovereignty will does not override human free will but works in harmony with it.
    — So is it that God’s Sovereignty works hand-in-hand with “Free Will”
    — Is your head spinning yet?
    — Let’s look at V.29, Foreknowledge and Predestination.
    Romans 8:29 ESV
    29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
    “Foreknew or Foreknowlege”
    “God's Foreknowledge” refers to God's ability to know everything that will happen, including all human choices, without determining or controlling those choices.
    — This view upholds the belief that humans have genuine free will to make their own decisions, and God, in His all knowing nature, perfectly knows what those decisions will be, but He does not force or predetermine them.
    “Predestined”refers to God’s sovereign plan and purpose for those who, through their free will, choose to believe in and follow Jesus Christ.
    — If you sit here today, have chosen of your own free will to follow God, through His son Jesus… You are “predestined” to an eternity with God.
    — You are SAVED!!!
    Let’s get to the verse again
    Romans 8:29 ESV
    29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
    — From the “Free will” perspective, predestination is more about the destination for believers, rather than the selection of who will be saved and who will be lost.
    --God predestines that all who accept His call will be conformed to the image of Christ, but He does not force that acceptance.
    Let’s take a look at V.30
    Romans 8:30 ESV
    30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
    — This verse in many circles and in many peoples mind is the.. The Golden Chain of Salvation
    — From a free-will perspective, each link in the chain involves both God’s initiative and human response.
    A famous climber once said that reaching the summit of a great mountain is not just about the final ascent, but every step that led to it. The climber learns that each step—training, preparation, overcoming fear, and trusting their guide—mirrors our spiritual journey. Our salvation is similarly a golden chain; each link must be forged with intention. We cannot ignore aspects like prayer, scripture, community, and worship—they empower us to reach our eternal destination in Christ.
    There are 4 links in this chain
    #1 Predestined
    —This refers to God’s sovereign plan and purpose for those who, through their free will, choose to believe in and follow Jesus Christ.
    There are 4 links in this chain
    #2 Called
    — The call of God goes out to all people (Matthew 22:14, “For many are called, but few are chosen”), but not all respond.
    — Those who respond to God’s call are the ones who are justified and ultimately glorified. They are welcomed into the family of God.
    There are 4 links in this chain
    #3 Justified
    — Justification is the act of being declared righteous through faith in Jesus Christ.
    — This, too, involves human free will. Individuals must place their faith in Christ to be justified. It is not something that happens apart from their choice.
    There are 4 links in this chain
    #4 Glorified
    — Finally, glorification is the future reality for all believers, where they are fully transformed into the likeness of Christ and receive eternal life.
    — Glorification is the ultimate outcome for those who, through their free will, have responded to God’s call, trusted in Christ for justification, and persevered in their faith.
    We are left in a quandary… How do Harmonize God’s Sovereignty and Free Will?
    Picture a skilled chess player facing a worthy opponent. Each move involves strategy and choice, yet the overarching player has a plan to win the game. Just as the chess master anticipates the opponent's moves, God knows the choices we will make. This analogy reflects the profound reality of God's sovereignty working through our free will, showcasing His foresight while honoring our decisions in the game of life.
    — In the free-will perspective, God’s sovereignty is understood as God having a perfect plan for humanity—a plan that is not contingent on human decisions, but is inclusive of human freedom.
    — God is not surprised by our choices, but His knowledge of them does not nullify the freedom we have in making them.
    Let me give you are example
    — God’s will is that all people be saved.
    2 Peter 3:9 ESV
    9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
    — And He offers the grace necessary for salvation to everyone.
    — However, individuals must respond to this grace, and their response is an exercise of their free will.
    — What do I need to do… I believe in the “Free-Will Perspective?”
    God can decree something and then leave the means up to the decisions of other free-will agents. The end is sovereignly ordained; the means to that end may or may not be.
    Michael S. Heiser
    Applications of the Free-Will Perspective
    #1 Respond to God’s Call in your Life.
    --Every person is responsible for responding to God’s call. God has extended His grace and offer of salvation to all,.
    —But we must choose to receive it.
    — This means living in a posture of openness to God’s work in our lives and responding to His love by loving Him in return.
    Applications of the Free-Will Perspective
    #1 Respond to God’s Call in your Life
    #2 Have confidence in God’s Plan
    — While we make choices, we can also take comfort in knowing that God is working in and through those choices for His glory and our good.
    --When we surrender to His will and follow Christ, we can trust that our lives are part of a bigger, redemptive plan.
    Applications of the Free-Will Perspective
    #1 Respond to God’s Call in your Life
    #2 Have confidence in God’s Plan
    #3 Evangelism and Prayer
    --From a free-will perspective, evangelism and prayer become crucial because people’s choices matter.
    — We pray for others, knowing that God can work in their hearts, but we also know that they must respond.
    — This should encourage us to share the gospel boldly and trust that God’s Spirit will move, while also recognizing that individuals have the freedom to accept or reject Christ.
    Applications of the Free-Will Perspective
    #1 Respond to God’s Call in your Life
    #2 Have confidence in God’s Plan
    #3 Evangelism and Prayer
    #4 Living with Purpose
    — This perspective should motivate believers to live purposefully, knowing that their choices have eternal significance.
    — Following Christ is not just a passive experience; it involves daily choices to align our will with God’s, to walk in obedience, and to pursue the destiny God has for us—to be conformed to the image of Christ.
    Conclusion/Prayer
    —You and I know many people who think differently about this passage than I do and perhaps you do.
    — These are NOT reasons to separate but should spurn us on to understand these differences
    — The point here is NOT that someone is wrong our right but that we understand and accept God’s word in the best way we understand it… Led by the Holy Spirit.
    For me… Romans 8:28-30, presents a picture of God’s sovereign plan that includes human freedom.
    — God has foreknown and predestined a glorious future for those who choose to love Him.
    — He calls all people, but only those who respond in faith are justified and will one day be glorified.
    A balance between God’s initiative and Our Response
    --This perspective emphasizes the balance between God’s initiative and our response, showing that our free will is part of God’s larger, redemptive plan.
    — God does not force anyone to love Him, but He invites everyone to experience the fullness of life in Christ.
    The ASSURANCE is that for those who choose to love God, their future is secure. God will work all things—even suffering—for His and our ultimate good.
    Let’ Pray

      • Romans 8:28–30NLT

      • Romans 8:28NLT

      • 1 Timothy 2:3–4NLT

      • Romans 8:29NLT

      • Romans 8:29NLT

      • Romans 8:30NLT

      • 2 Peter 3:9NLT

  • Trust In God
Sunnyside First Baptist Church
sunnysidefbc@gmail.com
509-837-3084
https://sunnysidefbc.faithlifesites.com
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