Sermon Notes from 1 Thessalonians 1:4, "Unconditional Election," by Tray Earnhart.

[The following notes were taken at the 10:45AM service this morning at Kosmosdale Baptist Church. The sermon should soon be available to hear on-line HERE.]

I. Introduction

A. We must beware of overly complicating matters of theology due to our own pride.

B. “Unconditional election” is based on the simple idea that God is sovereign and we are not.

1. God’s sovereignty becomes a complicated issue only because we do not want to accept the truth of who God is and who we are.

2. John 10:22-30 demonstrates both God’s sovereignty in salvation and the explanation for why some refuse to hear and believe.

II. Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:4

A. Unlike in other letters, Paul interrupts the “thanksgiving” section of the First Epistle to the Church of the Thessalonians to detail his ministry to the Thessalonians.

B. “Knowing.” Paul is encouraging the Thessalonians with a certain knowledge of their calling.

1. Paul’s certainty of the Thessalonians’ calling is NOT because they have prayed a certain prayer, etc.

2. Paul’s certainty of the Thessalonians’ calling is because of the obvious power of the Holy Spirit in their lives (1 Thess 1:5ff.).

C. “Calling.”

1. God is the initiator of salvation.

2. God’s calling is based on His special love: i.e., “Beloved by God.”

III. Doctrine: Unconditional Election

A. God alone is sovereign; Man is not.

B. Examples of Unconditional election:

1. Abraham

2. Israel

3. Christ

C. We must worship God as He is revealed in Scripture; anything else is idolatry.

D. In the end, God will have His way.

E. The concept of election according to foreknowledge (1 Pet 1:1-2) becomes clear as we consider Romans 8:29; God’s foreknowledge is active, leading to His intended result.

F. Additional Scripture proofs of Unconditional election:

1. John 6:37-40; 15:16

2. Ephesians 1:4

IV. Gospel Call