The God Who Calls Sinners With a Purpose - Santosh Poonen - May 20, 2012
http://rlcfchurch.org/the-god-who-calls-sinners-with-a-purpose River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon emphasizes that God's calling and purpose for individuals predate the foundation of the world, likening it to being a 'twinkle in God's eye.' The core message, drawn from 2 Timothy 1, is that our ability to live a holy life or possess a 'holy calling' is not based on our own works but is granted by God's eternal grace and purpose in Christ. Understanding Christ means standing under Him, which reveals the immense, pre-ordained blessings available to us.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Saved and called by His eternal purposeGod saved us and called us with a holy calling not based on our works, but according to His own purpose and grace granted in Christ Jesus from all eternity.
Chosen in Him before the foundation of the worldGod chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world so that we would be holy and blameless before Him.
Guarded as the apple of His eyeScripture reveals how God found His people in a wilderness and guarded them as the pupil or apple of His eye with tender protection.Deuteronomy 32:10
Predestined through His foreknowledgeGod works all things together for good for those called according to His purpose, whom He foreknew and predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinnersIt is a trustworthy statement worthy of full acceptance that Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom Paul considered himself the foremost.1 Timothy 1:15
Delivered up by the predetermined plan of GodJesus was delivered up to the cross by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, and was raised up because death could not hold Him.
Despised like a worm, yet chosenJesus quoted Psalm 22, identifying with the description of being a worm and not a man, taking our place to accomplish our salvation.Psalm 22:6
The gospel is the power of God unto salvationThe gospel is not merely an emotional story that makes us cry, but the dynamic power of God that brings true salvation and boldness.
Treasure in earthen vesselsGod has shone His light in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, placing this treasure in fragile earthen vessels.
Afflicted yet not crushedAs disciples carrying about the dying of Jesus in our bodies, we may be afflicted and persecuted, but we are never abandoned or destroyed.
The outer man decays while the inner man is renewedEven though our outer circumstances or physical bodies may decay, our inner man is being renewed day by day by the power of God.
Giving ourselves away to the God who callsRecognizing the unmatched debt of love at the cross, we surrender our Brokenness to God so His light can shine through us.
