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Sunday, June 20, 2004 pm

PREDESTINED TO GLORY

ROMANS 8:26-30

Tonight we continue our study of the book of Romans, establishing the need of all mankind, both Jew and Gentile, for the gospel of God’s grace through our obedient faith.  In Chapter 8 Paul has addressed the Spirit working in our lives with our spirit putting to death the deeds of the body (worldly pleasures).  If the Spirit of God is in us (and His influence is felt through the gospel) then we are heirs, even joint-heirs with Christ, IF we are willing to suffer in hope.  In our text this evening, we want to notice how all things are in His control and the provisions He has made to help us appeal to Him through the Spirit.  This will be our lesson tonight.  There are actually a number of great lessons to glean from this text.

I.  The Spirit Helps In Our Weaknesses (26-27)

A.      In these verses we find the Spirit interceding to God on our behalf.  To understand the meaning, it needs to be put into context.  Recall vs. 18-25 which speak first of our sufferings which are incomparable to the glory we anticipate.  Suffering is a part of the life of a Christian AND the life of man.  Because of sin, the world was somewhat cursed – Paul says here it was subjected to futility - (e.g. – thorns, death, disasters, etc. – all things I am convinced would not happen had man not sinned).  Figuratively, the creation (all that God created) groans anticipating things being made as they ought to be – being delivered from the bondage of corruption (which will happen when this world is brought to an end – 2 Peter 3:10).  We, the righteous also groan eagerly waiting redemption which is our hope.  This groaning that we endure relates to our suffering in this world and looking forward to that time when all will be brought to an end.  In the meantime we continue to be patient.

B.       As Christians we know we are to pray

a.        Philippians 4:6 – letting our requests be made known to God

b.       1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing

c.        Romans 12:12 – continuing steadfastly in prayer

d.       BUT how can we adequately express to God our groaning and desires?

C.       Our text says the Spirit helps us in this

a.        that is the weakness mentioned here

b.       While we may not know exactly what we ought to be praying for (have you ever had a time when words could not adequately describe how you feel?  Maybe in your prayers and desires, you search for the right words to approach God with, but they come out awkwardly) the Sprit knows what we mean and intercedes for us
NOTE: This is one thing the Spirit that is within us does.  (He is there – though His influence is  indirectly through the word)

c.        NOTE ALSO – The text does not say that this is something the Spirit does to us, but for us.

d.       He intercedes for us with groaning which cannot be uttered – in ways we do not understand

D.      Now He who searches the hearts (vs. 27) I believe is a reference to Christ, who is our mediator.

a.        Some believe this has reference to God Himself, and the He makes intercession has reference to the Holy Spirit.  That is certainly a possibility and contextually, it has been several verses since reference to Christ was made, but to me I see all 3 persons of the Godhead here helping us.  After all…

b.       Christ is our mediator – Hebrews 12:24; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1-2 – He is our advocate

c.        Romans 8:24; Hebrews 7:25 – He makes intercession for us.

d.       These intercessions are made “according to God”  or “according to the will of God”

e.        In this verse, Christ, together with the Holy Spirit intercede for us to God.  Is there any wonder we can approach Him with confidence and no doubting (James 1:6-8)

II.  All  Things Work Together For Good (28)

A.      We often quote this verse to say that everything will turn out alright and that with everything we do, there is a purpose.  In other words, God allows evil (and good) to befall us knowing that in the end all will work out.  While a good argument could be made for this reasoning, I am not sure that is the intended meaning in this text.

B.       Here Paul is assuring brethren, that we can trust in God because we know that HIS purpose will prevail.  We live in troubling times and evil seems to abound more and more.  Like the martyred saints of Revelation 6:9-10 we wonder why God puts up with it and how long.  But rest assured God will prevail – Isaiah 55:11

C.       That good will be directed toward those who:

a.        Love God – agape love.  How do we love Him? 1 John 5:2; 3:18 – in deed and in truth; Galatians 5:6 – faith working through love

b.       Are called according to His purpose – the calling here has a reference to God’s invitation to obedience.  Those called according to His purpose are those who realize His purpose and submit to that in obedience.  More in a moment.

D.      What of those who do not love God or reject His calling?  Not only will they endure the groaning of this earth, but indignation and wrath await them – Romans 2:5, 8-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, 2:9-12

III.  Who Shall Be Glorified? (29-30)

A.      Speaking of the purpose of God, Paul now lists the process of who are saved.  These verses are misused by Calvinists who teach the predestination of specifically named persons.  This concept is both unscriptural and anti-scriptural – because it teaches that man has no real choice and thus nullifies the importance of the scriptures for the average man.  As we look at this process – there is another way to interpret these words (according to their intended meaning) that preserves the integrity of gospel as the power of God unto salvation for everyone which IS the message of Romans.

B.       Whom He foreknew

a.        The word “foreknew” is a word that means “to have knowledge of beforehand” (Thayer)
“to know about something prior to some temporal reference point, for example, to know about an event before it happens” (Louw & Nida)

b.       God knows all things – including what can happen in the future.  That is why prophecy is such a powerful proof of His existence and acceptance of Jesus.
Matthew 6:8 – God knows all things you need, before you ask Him
Acts 15:18 – “Known to God from eternity are all His works”
Isaiah 46:9-10 – He is God, “declaring the end from the beginning”

c.        Before the world was ever formed, God KNEW, hence He foreknew, what would be necessary for man to be saved.  He had a plan determined from the beginning – Ephesians 3:9-11.  Note that plan included Jesus Christ – God accomplished it in Jesus

d.       It is in this sense that foreknowledge is used here.  Another discussion here could include how God can use those whom He knows will reject Him to accomplish His will.

C.       These He predestined

a.        The word “predestined” means, “to predetermine, decide beforehand, to foreordain.” (Thayer)  “to come to a decision beforehand” (L & N).  As with foreknew, this word can be used two ways – either individual election (God chose certain persons) or a mold or form that one must conform to.  This text has to refer to the second use.

b.       Salvation is available to all mankind – John 3:16

c.        But still, God predetermined the ones who would be saved as those who obey His will.

d.       To Conform to the image of His Son helps explain this – pointing to the fact that the saved will be as He is (changed) – note passages like Ephesians 1:4-5

D.      These He called

a.        Again, Calvinism teaches a limited call only to those who are predestined.  But the calling does NOT have to be miraculous –which would exclude those are not fortunate enough to receive the Holy Spirit directly.

b.       The calling here has reference to God’s invitation to mankind.  2 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Peter 5:11 – called by Christ Jesus.

E.       These He justified

a.        The word justified means, “to make to render righteous or such as he ought to be.” (Thayer).  This describes the one who is saved.  The one whose sins have been washed away.

b.       Who will be saved?  Those who answer the call.  In reality they “call on the name of the Lord” (Romans 10:13).  Acts 22:16 ties in baptism to this.  So does Romans 6:3-4 – where we are raised to walk in newness of life.

F.       These He will glorify

a.        This describes the final state of those who are justified.  This describes our reward in heaven

b.       Hebrews 9:15 speaks of   Christ being a mediator of a better covenant so that those who are called my receive the eternal inheritance (heaven)

c.        1 John 3:2-3 speaks of us being like Him when He is revealed.

G.       NOTE how in all of these we see the divine side of salvation – GOD does all these things by His grace.  It is up to us to respond in obedience as has been mentioned – that is our faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Truly, as we suffer as Christians, there is hope at the end.  Paul has in this letter encouraged all to think alike, whether Jew or Gentile, looking unto salvation.  In this lesson we have seen that God’s purpose WILL be accomplished – will you submit to His calling unto your justification?  If you need to respond, we are here.