Sermon by Bruce McCallum 9 June 2019

1. CHOSEN

2. Ephesians 1:4 (NKJV)
…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the
world, that we should be holy and without blame before
Him in love
Ephesians 1:4 (AMP)
Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out
for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of
the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set
apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above
reproach, before Him in love.

3. 1. How do we access “every spiritual
blessing”
Ephesians 1:3-4 (NKJV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the
heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be
holy and without blame before Him in love

4. What God has done
What God promises to do
What is the amazing outcome of it all

5. 2. A comment on PREDESTINATION 
Chosen by God according to His own good pleasure
Ephesians 1:5 (NKJV)
…having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus
Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His
will

6. Two views on Predestination
VIEW 1: We are chosen by God simply as a result of His
own good pleasure
VIEW 2: We who enjoy God’s blessing were chosen by
God before the foundation of the world because God
knew we would exercise faith and be different from
those who do not.

7. Romans 9:19-20 (NIV)
One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still
blame us? For who resists His will?" 20 But who are you, O
man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to
him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'"

8. 1 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)
And without controversy great is the mystery of
godliness: …

9. 3. God chooses first!!!
John 15:16 (NKJV)
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed
you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit
should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My
name He may give you.

10. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV)
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you,
brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the
beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification
by the Spirit and belief in the truth, …

11. 1 Peter 1:2 (NIV)
1:2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge
of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the
Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His
blood: …
1 Peter 1:2 (AMP)
1:2 Who were chosen and foreknown by God the Father
and consecrated (sanctified, made holy) by the Spirit to
be obedient to Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and to be
sprinkled with [His] blood: …

12. Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)
This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast
of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or
the rich man boast of his riches, 24 but let him who
boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows
me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice
and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.

13. 4. Us in Him
“… He chose us in Him …”

14. Acts 2:1-4 (NIV)
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together
in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a
violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole
house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed
to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on
each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy
Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit
enabled them.

15. CHOSEN