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PREDESTINATION

I. Ephesians 4:3-7

  1. All blessings are "in Christ" [3]
  2. God chose us "in him" before creation [4]
  3. We should be holy and without blame "before him" [4]
  4. We were predestined to adoption "by Jesus Christ" [5]
  5. He made us accepted "in the beloved" [6]
  6. Redemption is "in him" [7]
  7. Forgiveness of sins are "in him" [7]
  8. Heaven is for those "in Christ" [10]
  9. "In whom" we have obtained an inheritance [11]
  10. We should trust "in Christ" [12]
  11. "In whom" you were sealed with the Holy Spirit [13]

II. Predestination is NOT:

  1. "When your number's up, your number's up."
  2. "God decided it was his time to die."
  3. "What ever will be, will be" Doris Day song
  4. "Fickle Finger of Fate"
  5. "Lady Luck"
  6. God already decided if you would be saved.
    1. The number is already set.
    2. If chosen - you can not be lost.
    3. If not chosen - you can not be saved.
    4. NOTE: This is the basic doctrine of Calvinism.

III. Predestination IS:

God established the criteria for salvation:
    1. Before there was sin.
    2. Before there was a world.
    3. Before there were any men who had sinned.
God's Plan was:
    1. To save those who are "IN CHRIST"
    2. Examine verses 13-14.
    1. You trusted in Christ
    2. Your heard the word of truth, the gospel
    3. You believed
    4. You were sealed with the Holy Spirit
    5. This is the "earnest" of our inheritance

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