Our name | Mission | Vision | Leaders Ministries | Schedule | Directions | Contact Home   Gateway Church gathers for worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Location: 6425 Jefferson Rd. (Hwy. 129) in Athens, Georgia. For directions, click here. Ministry of the Word: Recent sermons Our quarterly e-magazine Gateway Today For the Gateway family Pastor Jerry's Weekly E-Mail A GATEWAY SERMON SUMMARY AUDIO Chosen Jerry Varnado, pastor Gateway Church, Athens GA May 25, 2003 Main Scripture text: John 15:9-17. John 15:16 makes clear that we did not choose Jesus. He has chosen us. Accepting Christ is really accepting the fact that God has, in Christ, accepted us. When did God choose us? The Bible says that before we were born God predestined us to be His children. We can't understand biblical predestination apart from God's foreknowledge. God knows everything before it happens. Before He laid the foundations of the earth God knew who would say "yes" to His offer of salvation and who would refuse His grace. Those He foreknew would say "yes" He chose to be His children, and He sees to it that nothing is able to keep His chosen ones from having the opportunity to say "yes." Why did God choose us? The Bible is clear that God loves everyone, but He hasn't chosen everyone. The sole criterion for God's choosing us is His foreknowledge that we would say "yes" to His offer. Our abilities are not of concern to God -- only our availability. Although God chooses us for a purpose in this world, the ultimate destiny of creation doesn't depend upon us, but upon the sovereign power, infinite wisdom, and unlimited ability of God. For what are we chosen? The text from John 15 describes several specific things -- and then gives one overarching purpose. First, we are chosen for obedience (v. 10). Jesus is the coach; we are the players. That means Jesus determines who plays what position; Jesus sets the schedule, determines our strategy and Jesus calls the plays. We are to obey the coach. Second, we are chosen for complete joy (v. 11). Not just regular joy, but the joy of Jesus, which is full and complete joy. Obedience to God's commands is the path to joy. Third, we are chosen to love each other (v. 12). The mission of the church is a team effort. There must be unity, and unity comes through love. This love is not an emotion but an act of one's will. We are chosen to be Jesus' friends (vv. 14-15). Being His servant would be fine for me, but Jesus says he has chosen us for something even greater: the intimacy of friendship. Now let's turn to the overarching purpose for which God has chosen us: What is our purpose In life? Verse 16 says it it "to bear fruit." I believe this is referring to people who come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord through us. This world and everything in it is passing away, but Jesus said the Word of God will not pass away. The only fruit that will last is that which comes from sowing the seed of God's Word -- the Good News of Kingdom of God revealed in Jesus Christ. We are chosen to play on God's team and the game we are playing Is called "reconciliation." We are to be God's ambassadors in the world declaring His truth and urging others to be reconciled to Him. Verse 16 also says we are chosen as God's partners, to wield His power in the world. When we live as his friends, in intimate relationship, in obedience to Him, Jesus says we can ask the Father anything in His name and He will do it. If we accept our choosing, we will share in the ultimate victory of Christ over all of God's adversaries. You are called, you are chosen. Be a faithful follower. Get in the game! Supporting texts: 2 Thessalonians 2:13 | Ephesians 1:4-6 | Romans 8:28-29 | 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 | 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 | 1 Peter 2:9 | 1 Corinthians 2:4 | John 14:12 | Revelation 17:14 A mp3 audio file of this sermon is here. (Download to a PC by right clicking on the link and choosing "Save Target As." Mac users: click, hold, and choose "Download Link to Disk." Depending on your connection speed, the file may take several minutes to download.) An audio tape of this sermon is available free of charge (U.S. requests only). Request a tape by calling or writing the Gateway Church office. Please specify tape number 030525a: Chosen. © 2003 Gerald R. Varnado To the Gateway Church home page How to contact us