Understanding Election and Assurance of Salvation
June 8, 2025
Sermon: The Unshakeable Grip of Grace:
Understanding Election and Assurance of Salvation
With Bishop Ronald K. Powell
Introduction
“Have you ever wondered… ‘Am I truly saved?’ or ‘How can I be sure that God has chosen me?'”
Acknowledge the complexity: Confess that these are deep theological waters, and there are many different understandings. Emphasize that our goal today is to explore God’s Word with humility and an open heart, seeking to understand His truth and find comfort in His promises.
Sermon Theme: Today, we’re going to explore two interconnected truths that are foundational to our Christian faith: the doctrine of election – God’s sovereign choice – and the assurance of salvation – our confident hope in Christ. We will see that these truths, far from being a cause for anxiety, are a source of profound comfort, security, and worship.
The Doctrine of Election: God’s Sovereign Choice
Transition: Let’s begin by tackling the concept of election, which can sometimes be misunderstood or even feared.
Define Election: Explain that “election” simply means “chosen” or “selected.” It’s not about human merit, but about God’s free and sovereign will.
Scriptural Foundation:
Ephesians 1:3-6 (Read & Expound): “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”
Key Points:
“Chose us in him before the foundation of the world”: Emphasize the eternal nature of God’s choice. This wasn’t an afterthought.
“That we should be holy and blameless”: The purpose of election is not just salvation, but sanctification and conformity to Christ.
“According to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace”: It’s all about God’s will and His glory, not ours. It’s grace from beginning to end.
Romans 8:29-30 (Read & Expound): “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
Key Points:
The “Golden Chain of Redemption”: Foreknowledge, Predestination, Calling, Justification, Glorification. Show the unbreakable link in God’s plan.
“Foreknew”: Not just knowing about us, but knowing us in a relational, choosing sense (as in Amos 3:2, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth”).
This chain demonstrates the certainty of God’s saving work for those He has chosen.
John 6:37, 39 (Read & Expound): “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out… And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.”
Key Points:
God gives people to Jesus.
Jesus will not lose them. This is a profound promise of security.
Clarification & Application:
Not based on our merit: Reiterate that election is not because God saw something good in us. It’s purely His grace.
Not a call to inaction: It doesn’t mean we don’t evangelize or share the Gospel. Rather, it assures us that God will draw His chosen to Himself through the proclamation of His Word.
Mystery: Acknowledge the mystery. We cannot fully comprehend the mind of God. Our response should be awe and worship, not intellectual pride or fear.
I. The Assurance of Salvation: Our Confident Hope
Transition: So, if God has chosen us, how can we know we are among the chosen? How can we have confidence in our salvation? This leads us to the crucial doctrine of assurance.
Define Assurance: It’s not a feeling, but a confident conviction based on God’s promises and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Scriptural Foundation:
1 John 5:11-13 (Read & Expound): “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”
Key Points:
“Know that you have eternal life”: The very purpose of John’s letter is to give believers assurance.
The basis of assurance: “Whoever has the Son has life.” It’s about union with Christ.
Romans 8:15-16 (Read & Expound): “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
Key Points:
The role of the Holy Spirit: He gives us a sense of belonging, enabling us to call God “Father.”
Inner testimony: The Spirit’s witness is not a mystical feeling, but an internal conviction and the fruit of His work in our lives.
Philippians 1:6 (Read & Expound): “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Key Points:
God’s faithfulness to complete what He starts.
Our salvation is not dependent on our ability to hold on, but on God’s power to hold us.
Jude 24-25 (Read & Expound): “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
Key Points:
II. God’s ability to “keep you from stumbling” and “present you blameless.” Our security is in His power.
Marks of Assurance (Practical Application):
Love for Christ: Do you genuinely love Jesus? Do you desire to obey Him? (John 14:15)
Desire for Holiness: Do you grieve over sin and strive for righteousness? (1 John 3:9-10)
Love for Other Believers: Do you have affection for God’s people? (1 John 3:14)
Perseverance in Faith: Despite struggles, do you continue to trust in Christ? (Hebrews 3:14)
Repentance and Confession: When you sin, do you turn back to God? (1 John 1:9)
Reliance on God’s Word: Do you find comfort and truth in Scripture?
III. The Result: Security, Humility, and Worship
Transition: When we grasp both election and assurance, what is the proper response?
Security, Not Complacency:
Our salvation is secure, not because we are strong, but because God is faithful. This should lead to boldness in living for Christ, not carelessness.
It’s a call to greater devotion, knowing that we are loved with an everlasting love.
Humility, Not Pride:
There is no room for boasting in ourselves. All glory goes to God for His sovereign grace.
This understanding should lead to deeper humility and dependence on Him.
Worship, Not Worry:
The overwhelming response to these truths should be worship. “Why me, Lord?”
God’s electing love and His unfailing faithfulness should stir our hearts to praise and gratitude.
Conclusion
Recap: We have seen that God’s election is His sovereign, gracious choice from eternity past, and our assurance of salvation is a confident hope based on His promises and the Spirit’s work.
Invitation/Call to Action:
For those who are unsure: If you have never placed your faith in Jesus Christ, the invitation stands. His arms are open wide. Believe in Him, repent of your sins, and receive the gift of eternal life.
For believers: Rest in the unshakeable grip of God’s grace. If you struggle with doubts, cling to His Word, examine the fruit of His Spirit in your life, and trust in His faithfulness to complete the good work He began in you.
Benediction/Prayer: End with a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s electing love, His saving grace, and the assurance we have in Christ Jesus. Emphasize His sovereignty and faithfulness.
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