What does it mean to be predestined according to Reformed theology?

In Reformed theology, predestination is understood as the divine decree by which God chooses certain individuals for salvation before the foundation of the world. This doctrine is rooted in passages like Ephesians 1:4-5, which state that God predestined us unto adoption as sons. The sermon's emphasis on predestination illustrates that God, in His sovereign will, selects individuals not based on their actions but solely according to His good pleasure. This teaching alleviates the burden of self-salvation and emphasizes reliance on God’s unmerited favor, thereby reinforcing the security of salvation for believers who find assurance in their chosen status.