[ ] 8/24/2008 #791
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS ON SALVATION:
A CHOSEN PEOPLE
Exodus 19:1-4
INTRODUCTION: The Israelites were the chosen of God. So are Christians.
Every saved person in the Old and New Testament was saved by grace. Every person who will be saved will be saved by God’s grace. Israel was redeemed from Egypt before they were given the law. The only requirement placed on Israel to be delivered from the bondage of Egypt was to trust in God. The only requirement for the sinner to be saved is to trust in Jesus. A changed life is the result of God’s saving grace. Christians must learn that they are saved by grace. Secondly, they must learn to live by this supply of grace.
I. GRACE FOR ISRAEL
A. CHOSEN BY GOD.
1. Blessing in the choosing.
“For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.” (Deut. 7:6)
2. Basis for the choosing.
“The LORD did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people. But because the LORD loved you, and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.” (Deut. 7:7-8)
B. CARE FROM GOD.
1. Power from God. (Ex. 15:30-31) “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptian”
2. Provisions from God. “I bore you on eagles’ wings” (Ex. 15:25; 16:4, 17:6)
3. Privileges from God.
(a) Favored by God. (v. 5)“peculiar treasure unto me above all people”
(b) Fellowship with God. (v. 4) “brought you unto Myself”
II. GRACE FOR CHRISTIANS
A. CHOSEN BY GOD.
1. Blessing in the choosing.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him, in love Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” (Eph. 1:3-5)
“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 2:14-15)
2. Basis in the choosing.
(a) Grace of God. (Eph. 1:6-7)
“To the praise of the glory of his grace, through which he hath made us accepted in the Beloved; In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (Eph. 1:6-7)
(b) Mercy of God. (Eph.2:4; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 Pet. 2:9)
“Who in time past were not a people but are now the people of God; who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Pet. 2:9)
B. CARE FROM GOD.
John R. W. Stott: Grace is love that cares and stoops and rescues.
1. Power from God. (Col. 1:12-13)
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” Col. 1:12-13
2. Provisions from God. (Romans 8:30-34; 2 Peter 1:3-4)
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:3-4
3. Privileges from God.
(a) Favored by God. (1 Pet. 2:9; Titus 3:7) “peculiar treasure unto me”
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
“That, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7)
(b) Fellowship with God. (Rom. 5:8-10; 1 Cor. 1:9)
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:9
(c) Future with God. (John 14:1-3)
LESSONS FOR LIFE:
1. Every blessing we receive comes to us because of the mercy and grace of God.
2. The person who is saved by grace will love God and serve Him with a grateful heart.
3. The riches of God’s grace are unfathomable. The redeemed will spend eternity discovering the love and goodness of God.
4. God’s mercy and grace are the only hope for hell deserving sinners. God’s law convicts every person of sin. (Rom. 3:20) His grace can save the worse of sinners. (1 Tim. 1:15) Repent and trust Jesus today!
When the mask of self-righteousness has been torn from us and we stand stripped of all our accustomed defenses, we are candidates for God’s generous grace. Erwin W. Lutzer