What does it mean to say that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ? What is the relationship between God’s sovereignty and our free will? This sermon explores the tensions between God’s rule and our free will, and it relates how those truths are connected to God’s love. In the end, it is only because God is sovereign that Christians can be assured that nothing will separate them from God’s love.

Additional scriptural references made in this sermon are: Proverbs 16:1,9; Acts 27; Matthew 10:32; John 15:16; John 6:44; Deuteronomy 7:7-8; Psalm 27:10.

We need a calling in life greater than the selfishness of our own hearts. When Elijah takes Elisha as his successor, we see an example of the call of God. Elisha did not call himself, but was called by God. Though he was rich, he gave up his wealth in order to answer God’s call. Likewise, every Christian must follow the specific call that God has laid out for them, and must fall back upon the grace of God when we inevitably fail to measure up to all that God has called us to do and to be.

Meeting with God and grasping the grace he freely gives us changes our relationship to our money, possessions, and career. When we see that salvation cannot be earned or gained through hard work, we are freed from the idolatry of wealth. When we experience this freedom, we can give with spontaneity and joy.

The gospel should change not just our inner being but also the way we relate to the outside world. Paul engaged with society every day. He was distressed, indignant and compassionate about the Athenians' beliefs, but he kept his eyes on the cross to inform his words. He recognized their idols and raised up Jesus as the only true God.