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What is the foundation of the Christian faith? Is there anything solid you can build your life on? In Romans 8, Paul packs nearly the whole Christian faith into one climactic chapter at the pinnacle of his greatest letter. In this series, we walk through Romans 8:28-39 and discover the core truths that form Our Firm Foundation.

"Remember Jesus Christ ..." Paul says to a timid Timothy. That's good counsel in any situation, but especially when we find ourselves tempted to fear and cowardice. We need to remember that the Leader we are following treads the path of suffering, and we must follow Him into it if we would be His disciples. Paul was in prison, and was sufferings, but it was for the sake of the gospel and he rejoiced that the Word of God was not imprisoned. The Word cannot be imprisoned. All of church history is one attempt after another by religious and secular authorities to imprison and silence the Word of God. All such attempts have failed and all will fail. The Word can never be imprisoned. Paul said he endured all his sufferings for the sake of the elect -- those God chose before the foundation of the world to be saved. This was Paul's "focus group." He knew nothing of demographic constituencies, so commonly talked about by church growth gurus. Paul wasn't trying to save anyone who would never be saved. He wasn't trying to convert the reprobate. He was preaching the gospel so that the lost sheep of God would hear it and believe. Notice how the doctrine of election goes hand in hand with missions. Paul endured all things for the elect, so that they might obtain the salvation that is in Christ. Paul didn't have the view that since election was true, no efforts or sacrifices were needed on his part. No, he endured all things so that the elect would obtain salvation. Election and evangelism are not enemies, but friends.

Timothy is struggling with fear and with shrinking back from the fight. And in these verses Paul reminds him of the blessed gospel truths of calling and election. Paul and Timothy and all Christians have been chosen by God from before the foundation of the world for salvation and to fulfill God's purpose in their lives. This big picture truth comforts us and reminds us why we are here. God did not choose us for salvation just to get us out of hell. He chose us to be holy and blameless before Him and to fulfill the purposes He has for us in this life.

Ran through some quick discussions of a few topics in the first half hour, and then took calls in the second. Covered a few Francis the Marxist stories, and then looked briefly at Ken Wilson's anti-Calvinist polemic (dressed up as a work of history), The Foundation of Augustinian-Calvinism. Then pointed folks to a new resource for Qur'an studies, Fadel Soliman's Bridges' Translation of the Ten Qira'at of the Noble Quran. Went to the phones with calls on teaching teens apologetics, church history, reaching Mormons, etc.

Though I'm sure certain hyper-Calvinists on the web will have a fit, I responded to Justin Brierley's article attempting to refute Reformed theology in the context of disputing with a brother, not an enemy. I hope Justin will hear my words in that context. You can find Justin's article here. I did not finish my review, unfortunately, and will do so, Lord willing, either Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. But we covered a lot of the foundational ground necessary for dealing with this important issue today. Hope you find it useful!

Chapter timestamps: Note: Times are estimated 0:00 Intro: Sovereignty of God & Foreknowledge 0:38 Foreknowledge: Logical, Scriptural, Harmonious 1:00 Critique of Calvinist Necessity Argument 1:39 Ramifications: Sin & "Author of Sin" Concern 2:22 Why Calvinism Was Covered Earlier 3:12 Letter D: Foreknowledge and Eternal Purpose 3:55 Eternal Purpose in Christ 4:14 Redemption Planned Before the Foundation 5:14 The Lamb Slain from the Foundation 6:13 Promise of Eternal Life 6:40 Chosen in Christ and Adoption 7:18 Predestined to Christlikeness 7:38 Chosen Through Sanctification and Belief 8:35 Clarifying Predestination 10:15 Eternal Purpose and the Church 10:21 Mystery of the Church Revealed 12:25 Bride Price and Typology 14:00 Prophecy and the Bride 15:53 God's Purpose Will Stand 17:12 God's Word Will Accomplish His Will 17:48 The Counsel of God 30:08 Calvinist View of the Counsel 30:54 Determinate Counsel in the Crucifixion 31:35 God's Counsel Determined What Was Done 33:45 Counsel of God Defined by Scripture 34:11 Counsel of the Lord Stands Forever 35:07 Rebelling Against God's Counsel 36:53 Declaring the Whole Counsel of God 37:36 The Mind of Christ 39:11 Rejecting the Counsel of God 42:04 Decrees of God in Scripture 47:00 Days of Man Determined 50:43 Responsibility for Life's Choices 52:27 Personal Illustration of God's Preservation 56:21 Numbering Our Days 1:00:14 Promise of Long Life 1:05:12 Boundaries of Nations and Free Will 1:07:04 Closing and Transition to Morning Service

The sermon explored the theological complexities surrounding the extent of the atonement and the sovereignty of God in salvation, emphasizing that God's grace and desire for all people to repent are foundational to understanding the free offer of the gospel. It challenged both hyper-Calvinistic and Arminian perspectives, arguing that a faithful presentation of the gospel requires a clear invitation to believe, rooted in a recognition of God's benevolent love and a commitment to interpreting Scripture in its entirety, rather than selectively emphasizing certain passages. Ultimately, the message underscored the importance of submitting to God's revealed truth and avoiding reasoned objections that contradict plain declarations of Scripture, particularly regarding the universal availability of salvation through faith in Christ.

George Whitefield was a dynamic and dramatic itinerant preacher who helped spark ‘The Great Awakening’ in the American colonies and Britain in 1740. Though his fiery style of open-air preaching drew the ire of some, even a casual reader cannot help but be moved by Whitefield’s pleas for the unregenerate to come to new birth through Christ. Indeed, repentance is the foundation of grace in the soul (Hebrews 6:1), being the first sermon that Christ ever preached (Matthew 4:17); its footsteps go down the path of life that leads to fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore in the presence of God the Father (Psalm 16:11). “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3 Whitefield, George. The Digital Puritan - Vol.II, No.4 (Kindle Locations 3131-3140). Digital Puritan Press. Kindle Edition. Note: While reading and recording this (I had never read it before), i see that Whitefield echoed his contemporary, John Wesley in his calling upon the unregenerate to "choose" Christ. I do not agree with this statement on choosing Christ in the manner that the Rev. Whitefield suggested. It was stated that he (that is, Whitefield himself) had only recently been regenerated. Perhaps it is the Methodism in him that says "choose". I don't know. I do know that he is referred to as a "Calvinistic Methodist" (whatever that means). I personally believe that regeneration precedes faith. Take it for what you will. Narrated by Duane Linn

An introduction to the 1646 First London Baptist Confession.

Its a debate much older than may realize...