The Lord Confirmed His Purpose

The following text is an excerpt from Pastor Paul Vroom's sermon "Our Faithful Lord" on June 23, 2013. This section of the sermon had numerous "amens" resounding from my heart. Enjoy!

“For I have many people in this city.” . . God knew each one by name, but Paul didn’t know who they were until they put their trust in Christ. He had to preach the gospel to them so that they could believe.

Some argue that the doctrine of election discourages evangelism, because if God chose them, then it’s a done deal, so we don’t have to do anything. But, God ordained not only their salvation, but also the means of their salvation, the preaching of the gospel. The doctrine of election ought to motivate us to evangelism. If salvation is up to man’s so- called “free will,” no one will ever be saved when you witness to them, because no man can understand the gospel in his fallen condition apart from God’s sovereign grace (Rom. 3:10-13; 1 Cor. 2:14; 2 Cor. 4:4). Given a free choice, every fallen sinner will choose sin. 

But if God purposed to save a sinner, and Jesus shed His blood to redeem him, and the Holy Spirit imparts eternal life and saving faith to him when he hears the gospels, then there is hope when we share the gospel! That’s why Paul later wrote in 2 Timothy 2:10, “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” Therefore God is faithful to raise up godly co-workers, to provide funds, to bring converts, even in the face of opposition, and to confirm His presence, His protection, and His purpose.