Election & Predestination: A Sermon (Eph. 1:4-6)

Why preach on the doctrine of predestination and election? The short answer is because it is in the Bible! Twice in Ephesians 1 , the word “predestined” appears (vs. 5, 11). Paul is not ashamed of the doctrine; quite the contrary, he praises God for this “glorious grace” (vs. 6).

In Paul’s farewell discourse to the Ephesians elders, he defended his apostolic ministry with these words: “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

The whole counsel of God. Including doctrines that make you bend the knee before the Lord even if it means it breaks your brain. Some ignore the doctrine. Some “yeah but” the doctrine to death. Yet, at the end of the day, you have to actually interpret Ephesians 1.

Here is my (somewhat expanded) sermon entitled “The Father’s Purpose” from Ephesians 1:4-6.

I begin by answering FOUR COMMON OBJECTIONS to the doctrine of predestination & election before delving into the main text of the sermon.