1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,240 Please remain standing now for the reading of 2 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:04,400 the word. We are in Paul's letter to 3 00:00:04,400 --> 00:00:06,740 the Romans, and we're looking at chapter 8, 4 00:00:06,879 --> 00:00:09,919 verses 28 to 30 this morning. Again, Romans 5 00:00:09,919 --> 00:00:10,419 8, 6 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:11,939 verses 28 7 00:00:12,320 --> 00:00:13,059 to 30. 8 00:00:17,655 --> 00:00:19,414 It says, And we know that for those 9 00:00:19,414 --> 00:00:20,475 who love God, 10 00:00:21,175 --> 00:00:23,355 all things work together for good. 11 00:00:23,894 --> 00:00:25,275 For those who are called 12 00:00:25,734 --> 00:00:27,114 according to his purpose. 13 00:00:27,859 --> 00:00:29,320 For those whom he foreknew, 14 00:00:29,859 --> 00:00:32,179 he also predestined to be conformed to the 15 00:00:32,179 --> 00:00:33,320 image of his Son, 16 00:00:33,780 --> 00:00:36,039 in order that he might be the firstborn 17 00:00:36,739 --> 00:00:37,960 among many brothers. 18 00:00:38,659 --> 00:00:40,119 And those whom he predestined, 19 00:00:40,945 --> 00:00:42,005 he also called. 20 00:00:42,465 --> 00:00:44,645 And those whom he called, he also justified. 21 00:00:45,344 --> 00:00:46,965 And those whom he justified, 22 00:00:47,585 --> 00:00:48,804 he also glorified. 23 00:00:49,344 --> 00:00:50,564 The word of the Lord. 24 00:00:50,945 --> 00:00:53,204 Thanks be to God. Please be seated. 25 00:01:10,174 --> 00:01:11,795 Well, I think it is fair to say 26 00:01:12,655 --> 00:01:13,795 that for many reasons, 27 00:01:14,094 --> 00:01:15,715 millennials get a bad rap. 28 00:01:16,495 --> 00:01:18,094 But we should admit that one of the 29 00:01:18,094 --> 00:01:21,155 great contributions that millennials have made to society 30 00:01:21,614 --> 00:01:23,614 is that they were the generation that first 31 00:01:23,614 --> 00:01:24,114 embrace 32 00:01:24,689 --> 00:01:26,869 and expanded the use of memes. 33 00:01:27,649 --> 00:01:29,250 I do not know if we would have 34 00:01:29,250 --> 00:01:31,750 made it through the COVID pandemic, for example, 35 00:01:32,049 --> 00:01:32,549 without 36 00:01:32,929 --> 00:01:33,670 the wonderful 37 00:01:34,049 --> 00:01:36,469 levity and perspective that memes provided. 38 00:01:37,615 --> 00:01:40,594 Most recently, the value of memes was demonstrated 39 00:01:40,734 --> 00:01:42,034 during the Paris Olympics. 40 00:01:42,415 --> 00:01:44,575 The fruitful harvest of which is still in 41 00:01:44,575 --> 00:01:45,715 the beginning stages, 42 00:01:46,174 --> 00:01:48,975 especially with a plentiful seed provided by the 43 00:01:48,975 --> 00:01:52,480 breakdancing prowess of the distinguished doctor Reagan from 44 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:52,980 Australia. 45 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:57,780 Other notable memes coming out of Paris 2024 46 00:01:58,000 --> 00:01:58,500 involve 47 00:01:58,959 --> 00:02:00,500 Turkish shooter, Joseph 48 00:02:00,799 --> 00:02:01,299 Dikec, 49 00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:02,819 the silver medalist 50 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:05,140 whose ultra chill demeanor, 51 00:02:06,015 --> 00:02:06,835 dad eyeglasses, 52 00:02:07,695 --> 00:02:09,074 no frills t shirt, 53 00:02:09,455 --> 00:02:12,194 hand in pocket shooting style, and overall, 54 00:02:12,655 --> 00:02:14,115 I'm just a guy vibe, 55 00:02:14,655 --> 00:02:17,855 captivated the imagination of meme artists from around 56 00:02:17,855 --> 00:02:18,514 the globe. 57 00:02:19,135 --> 00:02:21,000 You You know, to use an expression that 58 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:23,819 that millennials are yet to ever employ is, 59 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:25,260 in my day, 60 00:02:25,879 --> 00:02:27,099 it was gold medalists 61 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:29,099 who earned fame and recognition. 62 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:31,879 In fact, that's one of the reasons why 63 00:02:31,879 --> 00:02:34,060 they were awarded a gold medal. 64 00:02:34,694 --> 00:02:35,435 Because gold, 65 00:02:35,735 --> 00:02:38,634 with its great value, not only signified excellence, 66 00:02:39,335 --> 00:02:41,594 but its great durability with its resistance 67 00:02:41,974 --> 00:02:43,675 to tarnish and corrosion 68 00:02:44,615 --> 00:02:46,395 symbolize the enduring nature 69 00:02:46,694 --> 00:02:47,915 of Olympic glory. 70 00:02:48,719 --> 00:02:50,560 Well, this morning we are considering one of 71 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:52,800 the most memorable texts in Paul's letter to 72 00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:53,460 the Romans, 73 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:54,980 a text that displays 74 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:56,659 both the glory 75 00:02:57,120 --> 00:02:58,500 and the enduring power 76 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:00,340 of God's redeeming work. 77 00:03:00,724 --> 00:03:02,724 In fact, the main lesson that I want 78 00:03:02,724 --> 00:03:04,564 you to impress upon you this morning is 79 00:03:04,564 --> 00:03:05,064 this, 80 00:03:05,925 --> 00:03:08,025 salvation is a golden chain 81 00:03:08,405 --> 00:03:10,985 that is forged in God's eternal purpose 82 00:03:11,365 --> 00:03:14,665 and secured around you by his unfailing love. 83 00:03:15,419 --> 00:03:17,520 Again, salvation is a golden chain 84 00:03:17,900 --> 00:03:20,400 that is forged in God's eternal purpose 85 00:03:20,699 --> 00:03:22,400 and secured around you 86 00:03:22,699 --> 00:03:25,419 by his unfailing love. And we're going to 87 00:03:25,419 --> 00:03:27,840 examine this golden chain under 3 headings. 88 00:03:28,379 --> 00:03:28,879 1st, 89 00:03:29,259 --> 00:03:30,479 the chain's design. 90 00:03:31,764 --> 00:03:33,544 2nd, the chain's designer. 91 00:03:34,324 --> 00:03:36,344 And 3rd, the chain's durability. 92 00:03:36,965 --> 00:03:39,125 So let's consider the first heading, the chain's 93 00:03:39,125 --> 00:03:39,625 design. 94 00:03:40,645 --> 00:03:43,125 A recent survey found that 6 in 10 95 00:03:43,125 --> 00:03:45,650 young adults are living life without a clear 96 00:03:45,650 --> 00:03:47,669 sense of meaning and purpose. 97 00:03:48,610 --> 00:03:49,830 Can you imagine that? 98 00:03:50,770 --> 00:03:52,310 At the very time in life 99 00:03:52,689 --> 00:03:55,650 when one has the most energy, when one 100 00:03:55,650 --> 00:03:58,185 is full of life, and and in fact 101 00:03:58,425 --> 00:04:00,104 most of one's life is still ahead of 102 00:04:00,104 --> 00:04:02,664 us, when the possibilities of what one might 103 00:04:02,664 --> 00:04:03,164 accomplish 104 00:04:03,944 --> 00:04:06,104 are as varied and as good as they 105 00:04:06,104 --> 00:04:07,245 can possibly be, 106 00:04:08,185 --> 00:04:11,004 one believes that life has no purpose. 107 00:04:12,389 --> 00:04:13,689 Imagine that. Imagine believing 108 00:04:13,989 --> 00:04:15,209 that life has no purpose, 109 00:04:15,989 --> 00:04:17,050 living life without 110 00:04:17,509 --> 00:04:18,009 meaning, 111 00:04:18,389 --> 00:04:19,449 without a goal, 112 00:04:19,750 --> 00:04:20,649 without direction. 113 00:04:21,910 --> 00:04:22,889 This could easily 114 00:04:23,269 --> 00:04:25,509 hurt your performance at work, for example. It 115 00:04:25,509 --> 00:04:27,975 could easily hurt your personal relationships. 116 00:04:28,514 --> 00:04:30,134 And it could even cause you 117 00:04:30,915 --> 00:04:33,654 to withdraw from society altogether and become 118 00:04:34,275 --> 00:04:34,775 isolated. 119 00:04:35,314 --> 00:04:37,314 This is why so many people today, and 120 00:04:37,314 --> 00:04:38,535 not just young people, 121 00:04:38,980 --> 00:04:40,520 end up falling prey to 122 00:04:41,060 --> 00:04:43,879 unhealthy coping mechanisms of all kinds, such as 123 00:04:44,100 --> 00:04:45,080 substance abuse, 124 00:04:45,460 --> 00:04:48,680 or unhealthy eating habits, or promiscuity, 125 00:04:49,699 --> 00:04:51,720 or excessive screen time, 126 00:04:52,504 --> 00:04:53,004 escapism 127 00:04:53,705 --> 00:04:54,764 or even workaholism 128 00:04:56,105 --> 00:04:56,605 because 129 00:04:57,145 --> 00:04:59,705 you have to fill that empty void with 130 00:04:59,705 --> 00:05:00,205 something. 131 00:05:00,985 --> 00:05:03,485 But since these coping mechanisms don't address 132 00:05:03,944 --> 00:05:05,245 the underlying issue, 133 00:05:05,705 --> 00:05:06,925 this lack of direction 134 00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:10,500 often leads to increased levels of anxiety 135 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:12,100 and depression 136 00:05:12,639 --> 00:05:14,740 and even to hopelessness and despair. 137 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:17,279 Well, the good news is that the Bible 138 00:05:17,279 --> 00:05:19,459 does address this underlying issue. 139 00:05:19,805 --> 00:05:20,625 You may remember last 140 00:05:20,925 --> 00:05:23,004 week that from last week, we looked at 141 00:05:23,004 --> 00:05:25,884 verses 26 and 27 of Romans 8, and 142 00:05:25,884 --> 00:05:28,125 we saw that the Holy Spirit reworks our 143 00:05:28,125 --> 00:05:29,105 deepest longings 144 00:05:29,645 --> 00:05:32,064 so that when the Father searches our hearts, 145 00:05:32,579 --> 00:05:35,220 looking as he does through the benevolent lens 146 00:05:35,220 --> 00:05:36,360 of Christ's grace, 147 00:05:36,819 --> 00:05:38,899 he sees the prayer that we ought to 148 00:05:38,899 --> 00:05:39,639 have prayed 149 00:05:40,100 --> 00:05:42,600 proceeding from a heart that is conformed 150 00:05:43,060 --> 00:05:44,040 to his will. 151 00:05:44,660 --> 00:05:46,919 And this ensures that through the Holy Spirit's 152 00:05:46,979 --> 00:05:47,479 intercession 153 00:05:48,205 --> 00:05:50,465 and the ministry of Jesus on our behalf, 154 00:05:51,004 --> 00:05:51,904 our petitions 155 00:05:52,444 --> 00:05:55,105 before God's throne of grace are always received 156 00:05:55,324 --> 00:05:57,025 in full accordance and agreement 157 00:05:57,404 --> 00:05:58,465 with God's purpose. 158 00:05:59,404 --> 00:06:01,025 This is why Romans 828 159 00:06:01,485 --> 00:06:01,985 says, 160 00:06:02,389 --> 00:06:04,790 and we know that for those who love 161 00:06:04,790 --> 00:06:05,290 God, 162 00:06:05,829 --> 00:06:08,629 all things work together for good, for those 163 00:06:08,629 --> 00:06:10,250 who are called according 164 00:06:11,350 --> 00:06:12,329 to his purpose. 165 00:06:13,430 --> 00:06:15,350 People today are trained to believe that life 166 00:06:15,350 --> 00:06:18,250 has no purpose, but that's a terrible lie. 167 00:06:18,685 --> 00:06:20,764 You see, verse 28 tells us that we 168 00:06:20,764 --> 00:06:21,985 are called according 169 00:06:22,685 --> 00:06:23,824 to God's purpose. 170 00:06:24,524 --> 00:06:26,925 In other words, not only is there a 171 00:06:26,925 --> 00:06:27,985 design to life, 172 00:06:28,524 --> 00:06:31,105 but there is a design for your life. 173 00:06:31,850 --> 00:06:34,329 And not only that, but God because God 174 00:06:34,329 --> 00:06:34,990 is sovereign, 175 00:06:35,370 --> 00:06:37,610 verse 28 tells us that if you're a 176 00:06:37,610 --> 00:06:38,110 Christian, 177 00:06:38,569 --> 00:06:39,949 all things are designed 178 00:06:40,730 --> 00:06:41,709 to work together 179 00:06:42,490 --> 00:06:43,709 for your good. 180 00:06:44,895 --> 00:06:47,055 Beloved Christian, I want you to allow this 181 00:06:47,055 --> 00:06:47,555 verse 182 00:06:48,095 --> 00:06:49,875 to wash away your anxiety 183 00:06:51,055 --> 00:06:52,194 and your uncertainties. 184 00:06:52,975 --> 00:06:54,574 I want you to put to rest the 185 00:06:54,574 --> 00:06:55,074 notion 186 00:06:55,455 --> 00:06:56,915 that your life is aimless, 187 00:06:57,615 --> 00:06:58,675 that it is purposeless. 188 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:01,879 Now verse 28 teaches us that God has 189 00:07:01,879 --> 00:07:04,379 a purpose for his creation, and more importantly, 190 00:07:04,919 --> 00:07:07,879 verse 28 teaches us that God has a 191 00:07:07,879 --> 00:07:09,180 good purpose. 192 00:07:10,199 --> 00:07:12,120 Now Paul does not write that all things 193 00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:14,459 work together for everyone's good. 194 00:07:14,834 --> 00:07:16,915 He writes that all things work together for 195 00:07:16,915 --> 00:07:19,014 the good of a specific group of people. 196 00:07:19,475 --> 00:07:22,615 People who on the one hand love God, 197 00:07:22,834 --> 00:07:25,634 and on the other hand are called by 198 00:07:25,634 --> 00:07:26,134 God. 199 00:07:27,169 --> 00:07:28,849 And in case this is not clear to 200 00:07:28,849 --> 00:07:30,789 you, those who love God 201 00:07:31,089 --> 00:07:33,029 and those who are called by God 202 00:07:33,409 --> 00:07:35,029 are the same group of people. 203 00:07:35,969 --> 00:07:38,149 This is the group of people for whom 204 00:07:38,289 --> 00:07:39,829 all things work together 205 00:07:40,209 --> 00:07:41,029 for good. 206 00:07:42,064 --> 00:07:44,625 The Apostle Paul the Apostle John, sorry, writes 207 00:07:44,625 --> 00:07:46,245 in 1st John chapter 4, 208 00:07:46,625 --> 00:07:47,925 that we love God 209 00:07:48,544 --> 00:07:50,964 because He first loved us. 210 00:07:51,584 --> 00:07:53,444 In other words, we love God because 211 00:07:54,250 --> 00:07:55,949 He lovingly called us 212 00:07:56,410 --> 00:07:58,029 into His love. 213 00:07:59,050 --> 00:08:00,889 What this means is that loving God is 214 00:08:00,889 --> 00:08:01,790 not a precondition 215 00:08:02,569 --> 00:08:05,290 that must be met in order to be 216 00:08:05,290 --> 00:08:07,629 the beneficiary of His benevolent design. 217 00:08:08,464 --> 00:08:10,865 Life is not a choose your own adventure 218 00:08:10,865 --> 00:08:13,365 book, where if you choose to love God, 219 00:08:13,904 --> 00:08:16,625 then your character arc now becomes one of 220 00:08:16,625 --> 00:08:18,004 blessing and good purpose. 221 00:08:18,944 --> 00:08:19,444 Rather, 222 00:08:20,064 --> 00:08:21,845 God calls you into his love, 223 00:08:22,430 --> 00:08:25,310 effectively writing you into a story that is 224 00:08:25,310 --> 00:08:26,449 specifically designed 225 00:08:27,149 --> 00:08:27,889 to result 226 00:08:28,269 --> 00:08:29,329 in your blessing. 227 00:08:30,669 --> 00:08:32,370 Your love for God is a response 228 00:08:32,750 --> 00:08:34,370 to his sovereign love for you. 229 00:08:35,204 --> 00:08:37,684 It is the first evidence of his favor 230 00:08:37,684 --> 00:08:38,424 toward you. 231 00:08:39,125 --> 00:08:41,044 It is evidence that you have been called 232 00:08:41,044 --> 00:08:42,424 according to his purpose. 233 00:08:43,125 --> 00:08:44,904 It is the most pivotal instance 234 00:08:45,284 --> 00:08:47,464 of all things working together 235 00:08:48,004 --> 00:08:49,144 for your good. 236 00:08:49,929 --> 00:08:50,750 In other words, 237 00:08:51,210 --> 00:08:54,190 loving God is not a requirement for blessing, 238 00:08:54,570 --> 00:08:56,509 rather it is the first result 239 00:08:56,970 --> 00:08:58,029 of God's blessing. 240 00:08:59,210 --> 00:09:01,690 In 2nd Timothy chapter 1 verse 9, Paul 241 00:09:01,690 --> 00:09:03,070 affirms this very point 242 00:09:03,450 --> 00:09:05,070 writing the following. He writes 243 00:09:05,884 --> 00:09:07,825 that God saved us 244 00:09:08,205 --> 00:09:10,144 and called us to a holy calling, 245 00:09:10,684 --> 00:09:12,465 not because of our works, 246 00:09:13,004 --> 00:09:15,424 but because of his own purpose and grace, 247 00:09:15,644 --> 00:09:17,664 which he gave us in Christ Jesus 248 00:09:18,125 --> 00:09:19,985 before the ages began. 249 00:09:21,269 --> 00:09:22,250 That is to say, 250 00:09:22,949 --> 00:09:24,409 because he loved you 251 00:09:24,870 --> 00:09:26,409 before you loved him, 252 00:09:26,870 --> 00:09:29,029 because he loved you even before the ages 253 00:09:29,029 --> 00:09:29,529 began, 254 00:09:30,309 --> 00:09:32,789 he called you in Christ according to his 255 00:09:32,789 --> 00:09:34,009 own purpose and grace 256 00:09:34,415 --> 00:09:35,875 to live a meaningful life 257 00:09:36,415 --> 00:09:37,634 following a specific 258 00:09:38,175 --> 00:09:38,995 and good 259 00:09:39,375 --> 00:09:39,875 design. 260 00:09:41,295 --> 00:09:43,695 Dear Christian, circumstances in your life may be 261 00:09:43,695 --> 00:09:44,195 difficult 262 00:09:45,054 --> 00:09:45,795 or tragic 263 00:09:46,495 --> 00:09:47,394 or sad. 264 00:09:48,149 --> 00:09:49,750 There might even be people who are trying 265 00:09:49,750 --> 00:09:50,809 to intentionally 266 00:09:51,429 --> 00:09:52,490 cause you harm. 267 00:09:53,429 --> 00:09:56,970 But Romans 828 reminds you that God divinely 268 00:09:57,190 --> 00:10:00,069 orchestrates events in such a way that no 269 00:10:00,069 --> 00:10:02,889 evil scheme against you will ultimately prevail. 270 00:10:04,085 --> 00:10:06,085 This does not mean that everything will work 271 00:10:06,085 --> 00:10:08,425 out the way that you would like. 272 00:10:09,285 --> 00:10:11,925 It does mean that everything will work out 273 00:10:11,925 --> 00:10:13,384 for your ultimate good. 274 00:10:14,485 --> 00:10:15,625 It does not mean 275 00:10:15,925 --> 00:10:18,404 that all your prayers will be answered how 276 00:10:18,404 --> 00:10:19,065 you intend. 277 00:10:20,139 --> 00:10:21,120 It does mean 278 00:10:21,580 --> 00:10:23,980 that your prayers will be answered according to 279 00:10:23,980 --> 00:10:24,799 God's goodwill. 280 00:10:26,299 --> 00:10:28,059 It does not mean that you will be 281 00:10:28,059 --> 00:10:28,559 spared 282 00:10:29,179 --> 00:10:31,200 pain and suffering in this life. 283 00:10:32,284 --> 00:10:33,264 It does mean 284 00:10:33,565 --> 00:10:35,745 that you will be spared pain and suffering 285 00:10:35,804 --> 00:10:36,625 unto eternity. 286 00:10:37,884 --> 00:10:40,225 So instead of wandering through life aimlessly, 287 00:10:40,924 --> 00:10:42,865 as those who have no hope do, 288 00:10:43,404 --> 00:10:46,284 deepen your love for God by studying the 289 00:10:46,284 --> 00:10:47,424 instruction manual 290 00:10:47,860 --> 00:10:49,960 that reveals God's design for creation 291 00:10:50,500 --> 00:10:51,639 and for your life, 292 00:10:52,259 --> 00:10:53,160 God's Word. 293 00:10:53,940 --> 00:10:55,940 We need to devote ourselves to this book. 294 00:10:55,940 --> 00:10:57,960 It is a blessing that God gives us. 295 00:10:58,419 --> 00:11:00,580 And this by doing this, you will set 296 00:11:00,580 --> 00:11:01,080 aside 297 00:11:01,664 --> 00:11:02,404 your anxiety 298 00:11:02,705 --> 00:11:04,084 about what lies ahead, 299 00:11:04,544 --> 00:11:05,605 resting instead 300 00:11:05,985 --> 00:11:07,924 in the assurance that by design, 301 00:11:08,384 --> 00:11:11,205 all things will ultimately work together 302 00:11:11,584 --> 00:11:12,644 for your good. 303 00:11:13,424 --> 00:11:15,799 So So having considered the chain's design, let's 304 00:11:15,799 --> 00:11:17,100 consider our second heading. 305 00:11:17,480 --> 00:11:18,700 The chain's designer. 306 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:20,700 In verse 28, 307 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:23,340 we just learned that God has a design 308 00:11:23,559 --> 00:11:24,860 for the life of Christians, 309 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:27,580 a design that results in their good. 310 00:11:28,325 --> 00:11:30,804 In verses 29 and 30, we will see 311 00:11:30,804 --> 00:11:32,424 that God's benevolent design 312 00:11:32,804 --> 00:11:33,465 for Christians 313 00:11:34,004 --> 00:11:36,985 is their complete and thoroughgoing salvation. 314 00:11:38,485 --> 00:11:40,804 That is the glorious design that is in 315 00:11:40,804 --> 00:11:41,544 view here. 316 00:11:42,279 --> 00:11:44,360 Recall that the main point that I want 317 00:11:44,360 --> 00:11:46,519 you to remember from this morning's sermon is 318 00:11:46,519 --> 00:11:49,799 this, salvation is a golden chain that is 319 00:11:49,799 --> 00:11:53,080 forged in God's eternal purpose and secured around 320 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:55,339 you by his unfailing love. 321 00:11:55,894 --> 00:11:58,315 In verse 29, we see the first links 322 00:11:58,534 --> 00:12:01,014 of this golden chain, and because of their 323 00:12:01,014 --> 00:12:02,794 supreme and exquisite craftsmanship, 324 00:12:03,495 --> 00:12:06,134 they teach us about the identity of the 325 00:12:06,134 --> 00:12:07,034 master craftsman. 326 00:12:07,654 --> 00:12:09,674 Look again at what verse 29 says. 327 00:12:10,860 --> 00:12:12,399 For those whom he foreknew, 328 00:12:13,019 --> 00:12:15,419 he also predestined to be conformed to the 329 00:12:15,419 --> 00:12:17,899 image of his son in order that he 330 00:12:17,899 --> 00:12:20,639 might be the firstborn among many brothers. 331 00:12:21,980 --> 00:12:24,059 Notice the verbs in the first half of 332 00:12:24,059 --> 00:12:24,879 verse 29, 333 00:12:25,735 --> 00:12:26,475 to foreknow 334 00:12:27,174 --> 00:12:27,995 and to predestine. 335 00:12:29,095 --> 00:12:31,595 These verbs constitute the first two links 336 00:12:32,054 --> 00:12:33,754 in the Golden Chain of Salvation. 337 00:12:34,695 --> 00:12:36,774 And these two links by themselves reveal the 338 00:12:36,774 --> 00:12:37,915 extraordinary craftsmanship 339 00:12:38,375 --> 00:12:39,195 of the chain. 340 00:12:39,735 --> 00:12:40,875 Here's what I mean. 341 00:12:41,279 --> 00:12:42,339 The raw materials 342 00:12:42,879 --> 00:12:44,259 or the root words 343 00:12:44,799 --> 00:12:45,779 of each link 344 00:12:47,120 --> 00:12:48,820 of foreknowledge and predestination 345 00:12:49,839 --> 00:12:51,059 have been reshaped 346 00:12:51,759 --> 00:12:52,579 and reworked 347 00:12:53,414 --> 00:12:56,054 through the attachment of a prefix that denotes 348 00:12:56,054 --> 00:12:56,554 temporality. 349 00:12:57,735 --> 00:12:59,495 Look at the root of foreknowledge that is 350 00:12:59,495 --> 00:13:00,154 to know. 351 00:13:00,534 --> 00:13:01,595 The root of predestination 352 00:13:02,534 --> 00:13:03,274 to destined. 353 00:13:03,735 --> 00:13:05,674 The first link comes from taking the verb 354 00:13:05,735 --> 00:13:06,475 to know 355 00:13:07,279 --> 00:13:10,259 and hammering into it the temporal prefix 356 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:11,540 for, 357 00:13:12,320 --> 00:13:14,179 creating the verb to foreknow. 358 00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:18,660 This changes the meaning from merely knowing something 359 00:13:19,264 --> 00:13:22,784 to knowing something before it happens, or even 360 00:13:22,784 --> 00:13:23,924 before it is. 361 00:13:25,024 --> 00:13:27,264 But there's another nuance to this link of 362 00:13:27,264 --> 00:13:27,764 foreknowledge. 363 00:13:28,705 --> 00:13:30,325 The late John Murray, 364 00:13:30,705 --> 00:13:33,585 renowned professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster in 365 00:13:33,585 --> 00:13:34,085 Philadelphia, 366 00:13:34,709 --> 00:13:37,289 notes that in scripture, the verb to know 367 00:13:37,669 --> 00:13:39,449 often refers to a loving 368 00:13:39,909 --> 00:13:41,049 relational commitment, 369 00:13:41,589 --> 00:13:43,449 especially in a covenantal context. 370 00:13:44,230 --> 00:13:46,149 One instance of this usage is in Genesis 371 00:13:46,149 --> 00:13:47,129 4, for example, 372 00:13:47,495 --> 00:13:50,294 where we read that Adam knew Eve and 373 00:13:50,294 --> 00:13:51,034 she conceived. 374 00:13:52,054 --> 00:13:55,195 To know there means to love with intimacy, 375 00:13:55,334 --> 00:13:58,154 within the intimate relationship of husband 376 00:13:58,534 --> 00:14:01,595 and wife. It is covenantal in that sense. 377 00:14:02,230 --> 00:14:04,549 Another instance of this usage is in Amos 378 00:14:04,549 --> 00:14:07,910 chapter 3 verse 2, where God rebukes Israel 379 00:14:07,910 --> 00:14:11,110 for disobeying him, promising to punish Israel as 380 00:14:11,110 --> 00:14:12,090 he cries out, 381 00:14:12,470 --> 00:14:13,290 you only 382 00:14:13,750 --> 00:14:14,570 have I known 383 00:14:15,029 --> 00:14:17,129 of all the families of the earth. 384 00:14:18,235 --> 00:14:20,794 Obviously, God does not here intimate that he 385 00:14:20,794 --> 00:14:22,814 is unaware of other nations, 386 00:14:23,674 --> 00:14:27,134 but rather that Israel's sin is especially damning. 387 00:14:27,595 --> 00:14:29,774 Because of all the nations of the earth, 388 00:14:29,834 --> 00:14:30,654 they alone 389 00:14:31,209 --> 00:14:32,509 have been in a loving 390 00:14:32,889 --> 00:14:33,389 covenantal 391 00:14:34,089 --> 00:14:34,589 relationship 392 00:14:35,209 --> 00:14:36,029 with God. 393 00:14:36,970 --> 00:14:39,209 God knows Israel, which is to say, He 394 00:14:39,209 --> 00:14:39,709 loves 395 00:14:40,250 --> 00:14:42,029 Israel. And their disobedience 396 00:14:42,409 --> 00:14:43,870 has broken his heart 397 00:14:44,785 --> 00:14:46,004 because he knows them, 398 00:14:46,544 --> 00:14:48,085 because he loves them. 399 00:14:48,865 --> 00:14:50,865 So you see in scripture very often to 400 00:14:50,865 --> 00:14:53,665 know is to love, and this applies to 401 00:14:53,665 --> 00:14:54,165 foreknowledge. 402 00:14:56,384 --> 00:14:57,684 So that to foreknow 403 00:14:58,589 --> 00:14:59,809 is to forelove, 404 00:15:00,190 --> 00:15:01,649 that is to say to love 405 00:15:02,029 --> 00:15:02,529 before 406 00:15:03,230 --> 00:15:04,129 being loved. 407 00:15:05,149 --> 00:15:07,389 Therefore we can reasonably conclude that the first 408 00:15:07,389 --> 00:15:09,889 link in the golden chain of salvation carries 409 00:15:10,350 --> 00:15:12,370 the meaning of setting one's love 410 00:15:12,750 --> 00:15:13,490 on someone, 411 00:15:14,154 --> 00:15:15,754 even before they set their love on you, 412 00:15:15,754 --> 00:15:17,615 indeed even before they exist. 413 00:15:19,355 --> 00:15:22,235 The second link comes from taking the archaic 414 00:15:22,235 --> 00:15:22,735 verb 415 00:15:23,514 --> 00:15:24,735 to destiny. 416 00:15:25,274 --> 00:15:28,235 It's archaic, no longer used, which means to 417 00:15:28,235 --> 00:15:28,735 determine, 418 00:15:29,500 --> 00:15:32,480 and fusing into it the temporal prefix 419 00:15:33,019 --> 00:15:33,519 pre, 420 00:15:34,139 --> 00:15:35,839 creating the verb to predestine. 421 00:15:37,100 --> 00:15:37,839 This transformation 422 00:15:38,220 --> 00:15:40,799 changes the meaning from merely determining something 423 00:15:41,315 --> 00:15:44,695 to determining something in advance or a priori. 424 00:15:45,954 --> 00:15:48,195 Notice then what these two links in the 425 00:15:48,195 --> 00:15:50,054 golden chain of salvation reveal 426 00:15:50,434 --> 00:15:52,834 about the master craftsman who shaped and joined 427 00:15:52,834 --> 00:15:53,250 them. 428 00:15:54,049 --> 00:15:55,029 No mere creature 429 00:15:55,490 --> 00:15:58,230 is capable of perfectly knowing what lies ahead, 430 00:15:59,009 --> 00:16:01,029 neither does a mere creature have authority 431 00:16:01,570 --> 00:16:04,629 to sovereignly mold someone's life into a shape 432 00:16:04,769 --> 00:16:06,870 and for a purpose of his own choosing. 433 00:16:08,294 --> 00:16:09,995 This means that God alone 434 00:16:10,695 --> 00:16:13,654 has the capacity and right to forge a 435 00:16:13,654 --> 00:16:15,034 golden chain of salvation 436 00:16:15,414 --> 00:16:17,195 that has foreknowledge and predestination 437 00:16:17,894 --> 00:16:19,434 as its first two links. 438 00:16:20,299 --> 00:16:22,860 The first link tells us that God sets 439 00:16:22,860 --> 00:16:25,199 his saving love on certain individuals 440 00:16:25,819 --> 00:16:27,839 before he has even made them. 441 00:16:28,459 --> 00:16:31,339 That's why he foreknows them and he foreloves 442 00:16:31,339 --> 00:16:31,839 them. 443 00:16:32,404 --> 00:16:34,665 And then having set his love on them, 444 00:16:34,884 --> 00:16:38,504 God predestines them or predetermines their glorious destiny 445 00:16:39,205 --> 00:16:40,825 before creating them. 446 00:16:41,684 --> 00:16:43,365 This is how Paul puts it in in 447 00:16:43,365 --> 00:16:46,085 Ephesians chapter 1 verses 3 to 5, where 448 00:16:46,085 --> 00:16:46,745 he writes, 449 00:16:47,769 --> 00:16:49,450 Blessed be the God and Father of our 450 00:16:49,450 --> 00:16:50,589 Lord Jesus Christ, 451 00:16:50,889 --> 00:16:53,129 who has blessed us in Christ with every 452 00:16:53,129 --> 00:16:55,149 spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 453 00:16:55,610 --> 00:16:57,709 even as He chose us in Him 454 00:16:58,169 --> 00:16:58,669 before 455 00:16:59,370 --> 00:17:00,829 the foundation of the world, 456 00:17:01,355 --> 00:17:03,595 that we should be holy and blameless before 457 00:17:03,595 --> 00:17:06,894 him. In love, he predestined us 458 00:17:07,355 --> 00:17:10,154 for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus 459 00:17:10,154 --> 00:17:10,654 Christ, 460 00:17:11,195 --> 00:17:12,734 according to the purpose 461 00:17:13,115 --> 00:17:14,095 of his will. 462 00:17:15,779 --> 00:17:18,119 Notice that this work of foreknowledge and predestination 463 00:17:18,420 --> 00:17:21,480 takes place before the creation of mankind even 464 00:17:21,539 --> 00:17:23,559 before the foundation of the world. 465 00:17:24,500 --> 00:17:26,039 Therefore, the kind of work, 466 00:17:26,580 --> 00:17:27,720 this kind of work 467 00:17:28,184 --> 00:17:30,365 literally requires divine intervention, 468 00:17:30,825 --> 00:17:32,284 meaning that God alone 469 00:17:32,744 --> 00:17:34,904 is the designer of the golden chain of 470 00:17:34,904 --> 00:17:35,404 salvation. 471 00:17:36,585 --> 00:17:37,085 Now 472 00:17:37,865 --> 00:17:40,585 because of the uniquely glorious provenance of this 473 00:17:40,585 --> 00:17:41,484 golden chain, 474 00:17:41,950 --> 00:17:43,170 Christians throughout centuries 475 00:17:43,630 --> 00:17:46,750 have struggled to accept this priceless gift as 476 00:17:46,750 --> 00:17:47,250 is. 477 00:17:47,950 --> 00:17:49,970 In fact, instead of simply and humbly 478 00:17:50,430 --> 00:17:53,390 receiving the gift of this chain, many try 479 00:17:53,390 --> 00:17:55,410 to add their own work to the chain, 480 00:17:55,654 --> 00:17:56,875 and by so doing, 481 00:17:57,255 --> 00:17:58,394 they end up tarnishing 482 00:17:58,774 --> 00:17:59,994 the radiant splendor 483 00:18:00,375 --> 00:18:01,194 of the original. 484 00:18:02,134 --> 00:18:04,294 They rework the chain by adding their own 485 00:18:04,294 --> 00:18:05,194 link to it, 486 00:18:05,734 --> 00:18:08,315 right between the link of foreknowledge and predestination. 487 00:18:09,390 --> 00:18:11,549 The link they add is the link of 488 00:18:11,549 --> 00:18:12,450 personal faith, 489 00:18:13,390 --> 00:18:16,450 effectively making the connection between foreknowledge and predestination 490 00:18:17,309 --> 00:18:17,809 contingent 491 00:18:18,670 --> 00:18:20,369 upon this new link. 492 00:18:21,309 --> 00:18:23,809 They say, for God to foreknow you, 493 00:18:24,474 --> 00:18:25,214 you must 494 00:18:25,994 --> 00:18:26,494 show 495 00:18:26,954 --> 00:18:29,514 somewhere in his knowledge that you will have 496 00:18:29,514 --> 00:18:30,494 personal faith. 497 00:18:31,274 --> 00:18:32,794 And if he knows that you will one 498 00:18:32,794 --> 00:18:34,174 day have personal faith, 499 00:18:34,474 --> 00:18:36,494 then God will predestine you 500 00:18:37,194 --> 00:18:38,414 to eternal life. 501 00:18:39,640 --> 00:18:41,799 They add this new man made link which 502 00:18:41,799 --> 00:18:43,900 becomes the most important link in the chain. 503 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:47,420 And in order to fit this new link 504 00:18:47,799 --> 00:18:50,119 in between the first two, they have to 505 00:18:50,119 --> 00:18:50,619 reshape 506 00:18:51,079 --> 00:18:51,900 both links. 507 00:18:53,054 --> 00:18:55,794 So they readjust and open the first link, 508 00:18:56,494 --> 00:18:58,654 so that instead of being foreknowledge by which 509 00:18:58,654 --> 00:19:01,694 God sovereignly and freely knows and loves those 510 00:19:01,694 --> 00:19:03,954 whom He will save even before they exist, 511 00:19:04,575 --> 00:19:07,075 it becomes a kind of post knowledge. 512 00:19:07,789 --> 00:19:09,869 Meaning that God will only set His love 513 00:19:09,869 --> 00:19:10,450 on you 514 00:19:11,069 --> 00:19:11,970 after knowing 515 00:19:12,429 --> 00:19:14,509 that you will exhibit personal faith in Him 516 00:19:14,509 --> 00:19:15,009 someday. 517 00:19:16,349 --> 00:19:17,250 In other words, 518 00:19:17,710 --> 00:19:19,329 the links in the reworked 519 00:19:20,575 --> 00:19:21,475 chain of salvation 520 00:19:22,255 --> 00:19:23,795 begin telling a different story. 521 00:19:24,255 --> 00:19:26,434 They now say that God loves you because 522 00:19:26,654 --> 00:19:27,154 you 523 00:19:27,455 --> 00:19:27,955 first 524 00:19:28,575 --> 00:19:29,475 loved him. 525 00:19:30,815 --> 00:19:32,815 In the reworked chain of salvation, the link 526 00:19:32,815 --> 00:19:33,394 of predestination 527 00:19:33,855 --> 00:19:35,394 is also altered 528 00:19:35,720 --> 00:19:37,820 to fit in the link of personal faith. 529 00:19:38,519 --> 00:19:41,019 The link of predestination by which God predetermines 530 00:19:41,559 --> 00:19:43,880 whom he will redeem according to his own 531 00:19:43,880 --> 00:19:45,259 sovereign and free will, 532 00:19:45,720 --> 00:19:47,019 instead has to become 533 00:19:47,559 --> 00:19:48,539 post destination. 534 00:19:49,484 --> 00:19:50,545 As God responds 535 00:19:51,325 --> 00:19:54,444 to redeem only those who first exhibit personal 536 00:19:54,444 --> 00:19:56,704 faith according to their free will. 537 00:19:57,724 --> 00:20:00,444 The designer of this counterfeit chain of salvation 538 00:20:00,444 --> 00:20:02,704 is no longer God, but man 539 00:20:03,039 --> 00:20:05,039 who adds the link of personal faith between 540 00:20:05,039 --> 00:20:06,339 foreknowledge and predestination 541 00:20:07,119 --> 00:20:09,440 and proceeds to sell this new chain of 542 00:20:09,440 --> 00:20:09,940 salvation 543 00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:11,299 to whosoever 544 00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:12,660 chooses 545 00:20:13,119 --> 00:20:13,859 to believe. 546 00:20:15,615 --> 00:20:17,714 Beloved Christian, don't settle for the counterfeit. 547 00:20:18,894 --> 00:20:20,835 Salvation belongs to the Lord. 548 00:20:21,295 --> 00:20:22,755 He is the master craftsman, 549 00:20:23,214 --> 00:20:25,714 the designer of the golden chain of salvation, 550 00:20:26,494 --> 00:20:28,894 and he has made this invaluable gift for 551 00:20:28,894 --> 00:20:29,394 you. 552 00:20:30,329 --> 00:20:31,309 Don't alter it. 553 00:20:31,929 --> 00:20:33,950 Humbly receive it with a grateful heart, 554 00:20:34,329 --> 00:20:37,769 and display this precious gift adorning it with 555 00:20:37,769 --> 00:20:39,769 a godly life that brings glory to the 556 00:20:39,769 --> 00:20:40,990 lover of your soul. 557 00:20:42,089 --> 00:20:43,609 For you see, that is the purpose of 558 00:20:43,609 --> 00:20:44,269 this gift. 559 00:20:44,894 --> 00:20:47,855 The golden chain of salvation doesn't merely save 560 00:20:47,855 --> 00:20:48,355 you. 561 00:20:48,894 --> 00:20:49,715 It transforms 562 00:20:50,575 --> 00:20:52,975 you into a beautiful and holy person that 563 00:20:52,975 --> 00:20:54,595 God designed for you to be. 564 00:20:55,615 --> 00:20:57,555 It conforms you to the image of Christ 565 00:20:58,170 --> 00:21:00,670 so that your life will increasingly be marked 566 00:21:00,890 --> 00:21:02,990 by his character and his godliness. 567 00:21:04,330 --> 00:21:06,490 Remember that this is what Paul writes in 568 00:21:06,490 --> 00:21:08,029 the second half of verse 29, 569 00:21:08,330 --> 00:21:10,570 where we once again read, for those whom 570 00:21:10,570 --> 00:21:12,190 he foreknew, he also predestined 571 00:21:12,704 --> 00:21:14,224 to be conformed to the image of his 572 00:21:14,224 --> 00:21:15,924 son, in order that 573 00:21:16,944 --> 00:21:18,244 he might be the firstborn 574 00:21:18,865 --> 00:21:20,164 among many brothers. 575 00:21:21,664 --> 00:21:22,724 Is this not amazing? 576 00:21:23,744 --> 00:21:26,144 The golden chain of salvation will transform the 577 00:21:26,144 --> 00:21:28,450 person who wears it into the image of 578 00:21:28,450 --> 00:21:29,429 Christ one day. 579 00:21:30,289 --> 00:21:31,829 The affections of your hearts, 580 00:21:32,769 --> 00:21:33,589 your character, 581 00:21:34,289 --> 00:21:35,029 your thoughts 582 00:21:35,329 --> 00:21:37,409 and your actions will be so conformed to 583 00:21:37,409 --> 00:21:39,649 the image of Christ, your lives will so 584 00:21:39,649 --> 00:21:40,630 resemble his, 585 00:21:41,265 --> 00:21:42,865 that it will be clear that you are 586 00:21:42,865 --> 00:21:43,605 his brothers 587 00:21:43,904 --> 00:21:44,724 and his sisters. 588 00:21:45,664 --> 00:21:47,445 You will bear the family resemblance. 589 00:21:48,625 --> 00:21:51,285 That is the ultimate destiny that God predestined 590 00:21:51,424 --> 00:21:53,845 for you before the world began. 591 00:21:55,100 --> 00:21:56,799 This is the ultimate goal and purpose 592 00:21:57,180 --> 00:21:58,240 for your lives, 593 00:21:58,860 --> 00:21:59,360 Christlikeness. 594 00:22:00,940 --> 00:22:02,940 So let us begin to cultivate the fruit 595 00:22:02,940 --> 00:22:05,039 of the Spirit in our lives now, 596 00:22:05,580 --> 00:22:07,784 confident that he who began a good work 597 00:22:07,784 --> 00:22:10,204 in us will also bring it to completion. 598 00:22:11,304 --> 00:22:13,704 The golden chain of salvation begins in eternity 599 00:22:13,704 --> 00:22:14,204 past 600 00:22:14,505 --> 00:22:16,044 with foreknowledge and predestination 601 00:22:16,664 --> 00:22:17,964 as its first two links. 602 00:22:18,440 --> 00:22:19,179 And now 603 00:22:19,559 --> 00:22:21,720 we see that its effect results in a 604 00:22:21,720 --> 00:22:22,779 glorious transformation 605 00:22:23,400 --> 00:22:24,940 unto eternity future, 606 00:22:25,559 --> 00:22:27,339 which brings us to our final heading, 607 00:22:27,720 --> 00:22:28,859 the chain's durability. 608 00:22:29,799 --> 00:22:31,420 Look at verse 30 with me. 609 00:22:32,555 --> 00:22:33,855 And those whom he predestined, 610 00:22:34,154 --> 00:22:35,375 he also called. 611 00:22:35,914 --> 00:22:38,654 And those whom he called, he also justified. 612 00:22:39,355 --> 00:22:40,815 And those whom he justified, 613 00:22:41,434 --> 00:22:42,174 he also 614 00:22:42,555 --> 00:22:43,055 glorified. 615 00:22:44,799 --> 00:22:46,559 Whereas the first two links of the golden 616 00:22:46,559 --> 00:22:47,539 chain of salvation, 617 00:22:48,080 --> 00:22:49,539 foreknowledge and predestination, 618 00:22:50,480 --> 00:22:53,039 originate before the foundation of the world and 619 00:22:53,039 --> 00:22:55,539 therefore belong to the realm of eternity past, 620 00:22:55,920 --> 00:22:58,974 verse 30 introduces the temporal links of the 621 00:22:58,974 --> 00:23:02,014 golden chain where God's saving work is applied 622 00:23:02,014 --> 00:23:03,234 and brought to fruition 623 00:23:03,615 --> 00:23:05,154 in the lives of believers. 624 00:23:06,494 --> 00:23:08,974 Now I want you to, first first of 625 00:23:08,974 --> 00:23:09,714 all, notice 626 00:23:10,174 --> 00:23:12,194 what other links are included 627 00:23:12,720 --> 00:23:15,440 in this golden chain of salvation that is 628 00:23:15,440 --> 00:23:16,660 displayed in verse 30. 629 00:23:17,039 --> 00:23:20,419 Now I'll say this. The the chain presented 630 00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:22,559 for us by Paul in Romans chapter 8 631 00:23:22,559 --> 00:23:23,859 is not complete, 632 00:23:24,160 --> 00:23:24,980 but it is 633 00:23:25,955 --> 00:23:28,434 a a good exemplar of what this chain 634 00:23:28,434 --> 00:23:29,955 holds. And so look at what he includes 635 00:23:29,955 --> 00:23:33,394 here. After introducing foreknowledge and predestination in verse 636 00:23:33,394 --> 00:23:33,894 29, 637 00:23:34,595 --> 00:23:36,375 verse 30 adds calling, 638 00:23:37,394 --> 00:23:37,894 justification, 639 00:23:38,755 --> 00:23:39,494 and glorification. 640 00:23:41,109 --> 00:23:42,089 These are links 641 00:23:42,630 --> 00:23:43,849 in the golden chain. 642 00:23:44,710 --> 00:23:46,789 We said earlier that only God is able 643 00:23:46,789 --> 00:23:47,529 to foreknow 644 00:23:47,829 --> 00:23:48,809 and to predestine. 645 00:23:49,669 --> 00:23:51,909 Well, in verse 30, we read that he 646 00:23:51,909 --> 00:23:52,649 who predestined 647 00:23:53,190 --> 00:23:54,889 is the same person who called, 648 00:23:55,705 --> 00:23:57,244 and the same person who justified 649 00:23:57,865 --> 00:23:59,644 and the same person who glorified. 650 00:24:00,505 --> 00:24:01,404 In other words, 651 00:24:02,025 --> 00:24:03,965 there really is no other designer 652 00:24:05,305 --> 00:24:07,085 of the golden chain of salvation, 653 00:24:08,549 --> 00:24:09,529 but God alone. 654 00:24:11,269 --> 00:24:13,590 Just think of the scope of God's saving 655 00:24:13,590 --> 00:24:14,090 work. 656 00:24:14,710 --> 00:24:16,570 It begins with him foreknowing 657 00:24:17,029 --> 00:24:18,170 whom he will save 658 00:24:18,630 --> 00:24:20,904 before the foundation of the world, And it 659 00:24:20,904 --> 00:24:21,964 ends with him 660 00:24:22,345 --> 00:24:22,845 perfecting 661 00:24:23,625 --> 00:24:24,125 believers 662 00:24:24,585 --> 00:24:25,325 in glory. 663 00:24:26,424 --> 00:24:29,224 He really does all the work, which means 664 00:24:29,224 --> 00:24:31,404 that he rightly gets all the glory. 665 00:24:32,265 --> 00:24:33,884 Look at how Paul puts it in Ephesians 666 00:24:33,944 --> 00:24:35,640 chapter 2 verses 8 to 10. 667 00:24:36,680 --> 00:24:38,359 For by grace you have been saved through 668 00:24:38,359 --> 00:24:38,859 faith, 669 00:24:39,640 --> 00:24:41,740 and this is not your own doing. 670 00:24:42,119 --> 00:24:44,119 It is the gift of God, not a 671 00:24:44,119 --> 00:24:46,519 result of works so that no one may 672 00:24:46,519 --> 00:24:47,019 boast. 673 00:24:47,559 --> 00:24:48,859 For we are his workmanship 674 00:24:50,194 --> 00:24:53,234 created in Christ Jesus for good works, which 675 00:24:53,234 --> 00:24:54,775 God prepared beforehand 676 00:24:55,474 --> 00:24:57,174 that we should walk in them. 677 00:24:58,355 --> 00:24:59,974 Remember I said earlier that 678 00:25:00,275 --> 00:25:01,654 man tries to alter 679 00:25:02,130 --> 00:25:04,369 God's golden chain of salvation by adding his 680 00:25:04,369 --> 00:25:06,309 own link of personal faith 681 00:25:06,690 --> 00:25:08,549 resulting in a counterfeit chain. 682 00:25:09,570 --> 00:25:11,329 Well, as we just read in Ephesians 2, 683 00:25:11,329 --> 00:25:13,349 faith really is an important link 684 00:25:13,730 --> 00:25:15,430 in the chain of our salvation, 685 00:25:15,765 --> 00:25:18,105 for we are saved by grace through faith. 686 00:25:18,644 --> 00:25:19,144 However, 687 00:25:20,005 --> 00:25:23,285 Ephesians 2 also teaches us that even our 688 00:25:23,285 --> 00:25:24,184 saving faith 689 00:25:24,805 --> 00:25:26,265 is a gift of God 690 00:25:26,565 --> 00:25:28,724 and not a result of works, so that 691 00:25:28,724 --> 00:25:30,345 no one may boast. 692 00:25:31,670 --> 00:25:33,289 So the link of saving faith, 693 00:25:34,230 --> 00:25:35,609 like every other link 694 00:25:36,150 --> 00:25:38,549 in the golden chain is the work of 695 00:25:38,549 --> 00:25:39,769 the master craftsman. 696 00:25:40,230 --> 00:25:42,150 It is the work of God and not 697 00:25:42,150 --> 00:25:42,890 our own. 698 00:25:43,904 --> 00:25:45,904 This may not allow you to boast in 699 00:25:45,904 --> 00:25:47,904 your faith, since it is not your work 700 00:25:47,904 --> 00:25:49,904 but it is God's gift to you, but 701 00:25:49,904 --> 00:25:51,985 it ought to cost a boost in your 702 00:25:51,985 --> 00:25:52,485 faith, 703 00:25:52,865 --> 00:25:54,625 knowing that since faith is a result of 704 00:25:54,625 --> 00:25:57,445 God's work in you, your faith will endure 705 00:25:57,750 --> 00:26:00,089 and ultimately it will not fail. 706 00:26:01,349 --> 00:26:03,829 Paul does not here provide definitions for the 707 00:26:03,829 --> 00:26:05,289 links in the golden chain. 708 00:26:05,750 --> 00:26:07,690 But when he mentions that God calls, 709 00:26:08,309 --> 00:26:10,410 we know that he is not referring to 710 00:26:10,505 --> 00:26:11,244 the call 711 00:26:11,705 --> 00:26:13,485 that God's Word makes to everyone, 712 00:26:13,945 --> 00:26:15,404 the call that says that everyone 713 00:26:16,184 --> 00:26:17,005 should repent 714 00:26:17,785 --> 00:26:19,725 and repent of their sins and that everyone 715 00:26:19,865 --> 00:26:22,345 should turn to Christ, trusting in Him alone 716 00:26:22,345 --> 00:26:23,005 for salvation. 717 00:26:23,305 --> 00:26:25,900 That's a true call from God's word that 718 00:26:25,900 --> 00:26:26,960 is made to everyone. 719 00:26:27,340 --> 00:26:27,840 However, 720 00:26:28,380 --> 00:26:30,000 not everyone heeds that call. 721 00:26:30,380 --> 00:26:32,960 In fact, few people heed that call, 722 00:26:33,340 --> 00:26:34,880 and most people ignore 723 00:26:35,340 --> 00:26:36,480 or even despise 724 00:26:37,019 --> 00:26:37,840 that call. 725 00:26:38,904 --> 00:26:40,285 And that's why we know 726 00:26:40,664 --> 00:26:42,904 that that is not the call that Paul 727 00:26:42,904 --> 00:26:44,285 is referring to here. 728 00:26:44,904 --> 00:26:46,605 Because you see in Romans 8:30, 729 00:26:47,065 --> 00:26:49,085 it states that, those whom he predestined, 730 00:26:49,865 --> 00:26:51,244 he also called. 731 00:26:52,240 --> 00:26:54,240 And those whom he called, he also justified, 732 00:26:54,240 --> 00:26:56,399 and those whom he justified, he also glorified. 733 00:26:56,399 --> 00:26:57,299 In other words, 734 00:26:58,000 --> 00:26:58,819 from foreknowledge 735 00:26:59,519 --> 00:27:00,179 to predestination, 736 00:27:01,440 --> 00:27:02,099 to calling, 737 00:27:02,799 --> 00:27:03,460 to justification, 738 00:27:04,575 --> 00:27:05,554 and to glorification, 739 00:27:06,654 --> 00:27:08,355 all these links of the chain 740 00:27:08,815 --> 00:27:09,315 secure 741 00:27:09,694 --> 00:27:11,954 the same group of people. 742 00:27:13,294 --> 00:27:15,154 And those whom he predestined, 743 00:27:15,454 --> 00:27:16,595 he also called. 744 00:27:17,130 --> 00:27:20,589 And those whom He called, He also justified. 745 00:27:21,210 --> 00:27:23,630 And those whom He justified, 746 00:27:24,089 --> 00:27:25,230 He also glorified. 747 00:27:26,570 --> 00:27:29,390 The group stays the same. It never changes. 748 00:27:29,690 --> 00:27:31,070 Not one is lost. 749 00:27:32,294 --> 00:27:35,014 When God foreknows you, that is to say 750 00:27:35,014 --> 00:27:37,494 when God places his love on you before 751 00:27:37,494 --> 00:27:38,875 the foundation of the world, 752 00:27:39,815 --> 00:27:40,954 when you are secured 753 00:27:41,654 --> 00:27:43,894 by that link in the golden chain here 754 00:27:43,894 --> 00:27:44,394 described, 755 00:27:45,089 --> 00:27:47,410 that link and every other link in the 756 00:27:47,410 --> 00:27:47,910 chain 757 00:27:48,529 --> 00:27:49,349 will hold. 758 00:27:50,369 --> 00:27:51,669 It will never break. 759 00:27:52,929 --> 00:27:54,789 It will never let go of you 760 00:27:55,490 --> 00:27:57,029 so that you will certainly 761 00:27:57,569 --> 00:28:00,549 go from being lovingly foreknown in eternity past 762 00:28:00,924 --> 00:28:02,704 to being perfectly glorified 763 00:28:03,085 --> 00:28:03,825 in eternity 764 00:28:04,285 --> 00:28:04,785 future. 765 00:28:05,964 --> 00:28:07,984 The Golden Chain of Salvation is unbreakable 766 00:28:08,684 --> 00:28:10,525 because it was designed and forged by the 767 00:28:10,525 --> 00:28:11,424 master craftsman 768 00:28:11,805 --> 00:28:14,285 and secured around you by the lover of 769 00:28:14,285 --> 00:28:15,105 your soul. 770 00:28:16,169 --> 00:28:18,250 So the link that calls you is the 771 00:28:18,250 --> 00:28:20,109 effectual call that you cannot resist. 772 00:28:20,889 --> 00:28:22,490 It is the effectual call of the good 773 00:28:22,490 --> 00:28:22,990 shepherd 774 00:28:23,609 --> 00:28:25,849 who says that he knows his sheep, that 775 00:28:25,849 --> 00:28:27,470 is to say, he loves them. 776 00:28:28,184 --> 00:28:30,125 And he knows his sheep by name, 777 00:28:30,664 --> 00:28:31,884 and he calls his 778 00:28:32,184 --> 00:28:34,505 sheep, and they follow him because they know 779 00:28:34,505 --> 00:28:35,244 his voice. 780 00:28:36,184 --> 00:28:37,724 It cannot be any other way 781 00:28:38,264 --> 00:28:40,105 because the good shepherd does not lose a 782 00:28:40,105 --> 00:28:41,164 single one 783 00:28:41,490 --> 00:28:42,390 of his sheep. 784 00:28:42,929 --> 00:28:44,069 It is his design. 785 00:28:45,730 --> 00:28:46,869 And the link of justification 786 00:28:47,730 --> 00:28:50,210 refers to God's declaration that because his Son 787 00:28:50,210 --> 00:28:51,910 has redeemed you with his blood, 788 00:28:52,690 --> 00:28:54,690 then you are reckoned as righteous in his 789 00:28:54,690 --> 00:28:55,190 sight. 790 00:28:56,595 --> 00:28:57,575 It is a legal 791 00:28:57,875 --> 00:28:59,015 matter of record. 792 00:28:59,474 --> 00:29:01,494 It cannot be any other way. 793 00:29:02,755 --> 00:29:03,974 And the link of glorification 794 00:29:04,595 --> 00:29:07,075 refers to the full transformation of your soul 795 00:29:07,075 --> 00:29:09,575 and of your body which will be completed 796 00:29:09,875 --> 00:29:10,695 at the resurrection, 797 00:29:11,500 --> 00:29:13,519 and which will result in the total 798 00:29:13,980 --> 00:29:14,480 eradication 799 00:29:15,019 --> 00:29:15,759 of sin, 800 00:29:16,140 --> 00:29:17,119 and of illness, 801 00:29:17,579 --> 00:29:19,759 and of pain, and of sadness, 802 00:29:20,220 --> 00:29:21,679 and even of death. 803 00:29:23,339 --> 00:29:24,960 And it will also result 804 00:29:25,345 --> 00:29:28,144 in your full enjoyment of all the pleasures 805 00:29:28,144 --> 00:29:29,205 at God's right hand. 806 00:29:32,144 --> 00:29:33,985 And even though the full fruition of this 807 00:29:33,985 --> 00:29:36,725 link lies in the future, it is nevertheless 808 00:29:36,865 --> 00:29:39,525 written like every other link in the chain 809 00:29:39,900 --> 00:29:41,119 in past tense 810 00:29:41,900 --> 00:29:43,599 because it is just as certain 811 00:29:44,140 --> 00:29:47,259 and as sure as every other link since 812 00:29:47,259 --> 00:29:49,039 it is made by the same designer 813 00:29:49,340 --> 00:29:52,160 and forged by the same master craftsman. 814 00:29:52,774 --> 00:29:56,554 The links cannot fail because God never fails. 815 00:29:58,054 --> 00:29:59,274 In Exodus 28, 816 00:29:59,974 --> 00:30:01,815 we read that the high priest wore a 817 00:30:01,815 --> 00:30:02,794 square breastpiece 818 00:30:03,815 --> 00:30:05,115 that held 12 stones, 819 00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:09,059 each representing 1 of the tribes of Israel. 820 00:30:10,880 --> 00:30:13,539 Therefore, the breastpiece was known as the breastplate 821 00:30:13,680 --> 00:30:14,339 of judgment. 822 00:30:14,960 --> 00:30:16,720 Because whenever the high priest would put on 823 00:30:16,720 --> 00:30:19,274 his garments to enter into the Holy of 824 00:30:19,274 --> 00:30:20,734 Holies on the day of atonement, 825 00:30:21,115 --> 00:30:22,014 he was figuratively 826 00:30:22,875 --> 00:30:24,654 carrying on his heart 827 00:30:25,115 --> 00:30:26,575 the sins of Israel 828 00:30:27,274 --> 00:30:27,774 before 829 00:30:28,234 --> 00:30:29,054 God's throne. 830 00:30:30,569 --> 00:30:32,730 The breastpiece was fastened to the high priest 831 00:30:32,730 --> 00:30:33,230 garments 832 00:30:33,609 --> 00:30:34,990 using gold chains. 833 00:30:36,329 --> 00:30:37,470 Listen, dear Christian, 834 00:30:37,849 --> 00:30:39,470 Jesus is your high priest. 835 00:30:40,569 --> 00:30:43,869 He ascended the cross with your sin firmly 836 00:30:44,009 --> 00:30:44,509 fastened 837 00:30:44,890 --> 00:30:45,869 to his heart, 838 00:30:47,095 --> 00:30:48,714 And he atoned for your sin 839 00:30:49,015 --> 00:30:49,994 with his own 840 00:30:50,375 --> 00:30:51,515 precious blood. 841 00:30:52,694 --> 00:30:54,554 He took the chains of your sin 842 00:30:55,015 --> 00:30:57,115 and gave you the golden chain of salvation. 843 00:30:58,490 --> 00:30:59,549 How good it is 844 00:30:59,930 --> 00:31:00,670 to wear 845 00:31:01,049 --> 00:31:02,269 this golden chain. 846 00:31:03,289 --> 00:31:05,769 Regardless of your circumstances, let the golden chain 847 00:31:05,769 --> 00:31:07,789 of salvation comfort you in your distress. 848 00:31:08,650 --> 00:31:09,789 It cannot be broken. 849 00:31:10,654 --> 00:31:11,794 It will never fail. 850 00:31:12,255 --> 00:31:14,414 It is a chain forged in God's eternal 851 00:31:14,414 --> 00:31:14,914 purpose 852 00:31:15,375 --> 00:31:18,674 and secured around you with his unfailing love. 853 00:31:18,974 --> 00:31:19,714 Let's pray.