Philippians 1:29-30 - For it has

been granted to you on behalf

of Christ not only to believe on

him, but also to suffer for him, 30since you are going through

the same struggle you saw I

had, and now hear that I still

have. NIV

I. Granted to Believe

Philippians 1:28 - Don’t be

intimidated in any way by your

enemies. This will be a sign to

them that they are going to be

destroyed, but that you are

going to be saved, even by

God himself. NLT

SIN NATURE: Romans 3:9-12

Under the power of sin

No one is righteous

No one is

truly wiseNo one is

seeking God

No one does good,

not a single one

GOD’S MERCY: Romans 9:6-24

Only the children of promise

God chooses people according

to his own purposes

He calls people,

but not according to their

good or bad works

GOD’S MERCY: Romans 9:6-24

I will show mercy to

anyone I choose

I will show compassion

To anyone I choose

It is God who decides

to show mercy

GOD’S MERCY: Romans 9:6-24

We can neither choose

it or work for it

Pharaoh: I have appointed

you for the very purpose

of displaying my power

To spread my fame

throughout the earth

GOD’S MERCY: Romans 9:6-24

God chooses to show mercy to

some, and he chooses to harden

the hearts of others so they refuse

to listen.

Who are you, a mere human

being, to argue with God?

Titus 3:4-5 - But -- “When God

our Savior revealed his

kindness and love, 5he saved

us, not because of the righteous

things we had done, but

because of his mercy. He

washed away our sins, giving us

a new birth and new life through

the Holy Spirit. NLT

GOD’S GRACE: Ephesians 2:1-8

Even though we were dead

because of our sins,

he gave us life It is only by

God’s grace

that you have

been saved!

GOD’S GRACE: Ephesians 2:1-8

So God can point to us in all

future ages as examples of the

incredible wealth of his grace and

kindness toward us,

GOD’S GRACE: Ephesians 2:1-8

And you can’t take credit for this;

it is a gift from God.

GOD’S GRACE

Faith/Belief

It

refers either to

Salvation

you can’t take credit for this;

it is a gift from God. v. 8

Philippians 1:29 - For it has been

granted to you on behalf of Christ

not only to believe on him,… NIV

2 Peter 1:1 …I am writing to you

who share the same precious faith

we have. This faith was given to

you because of the justice and

fairness of Jesus Christ, our God

and Savior. NLT

To God alone the glory

(Soli Deo Gloria)

II. Granted to Suffer

God has not only granted us

belief in Christ but also

suffering – both for

Christ’s sake.

Acts 5:41 - The apostles left the

high council rejoicing that God

had counted them worthy to

suffer disgrace for the name of

Jesus. NLT

Luke 6:22-23 - What blessings

await you when people hate you

and exclude you and mock you

and curse you as evil because

you follow the Son of Man.

23When that happens, be happy!

Yes, leap for joy! For a great

reward awaits you in heaven.

And remember, their ancestors

treated the ancient prophets

that same way. NLT

Romans 8:17 - And since we are

his children, we are his heirs. In

fact, together with Christ we are

heirs of God’s glory. But if we

are to share his glory, we must

also share his suffering. NLT

2 Timothy 3:12 - Yes, and

everyone who wants to live a

godly life in Christ Jesus

will suffer persecution. NLT

III. Granted Belief & Suffering

should naturally lead to

Glorifying God Alone

through Worship

By Faith Alone

(Sola Fide)

God alone gets the glory

(Soli Deo Gloria)

IV. Meditation & Application

Christians

have been granted

1. Belief resulting in salvation

2. Privilege of suffering for

Christ’s sake

To God alone the glory

(Soli Deo Gloria)