Romans 8:28-31 Paul traces God’s good and saving purpose through five stages, from its beginning in God’s mind, to its consummation in the coming glory.

• Foreknowledge, Predestination, Calling, Justification, and Glorification.

The believer’s confidence for the present time, as well as for future glory, is rooted in God’s sovereign determination to call us into relationship with him, preserve us in that relationship, and vindicate us on the Last Day!

Col. 4:2-4 Biblical evangelists rely on the prayer saturated interplay between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. Therefore, (1) we pray that God may sovereignly open a door for the word, and (2) we proclaim the mystery of Christ clearly.

John 4:35-37 Jesus had a “ripe harvest” evangelistic outlook, an outlook that balances God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. So must we.