WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.040 Good morning, everyone. Join me in your copy of God's Word and go to Romans chapter 9. 00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:18.140 ! This is the third week we've been riding this crazy bull that is Romans chapter 9. 00:00:18.140 --> 00:00:22.199 ! Hopefully most of you are still hanging on for eight seconds. 00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:26.780 We are going to pick up the last little part of Romans 9 today. 00:00:26.780 --> 00:00:32.780 We started by... 00:00:32.780 --> 00:00:44.439 Last week I was torn whether or not to introduce to you in a doctrinal manner what we would call the doctrines of grace, Calvinism, or Reformed theology. 00:00:45.400 --> 00:00:50.659 And I've done my best not to really push that, but just to let you see it in the text. 00:00:51.260 --> 00:00:53.960 That really is sort of the best way. 00:00:53.960 --> 00:00:59.600 And like, you know, some people get nervous when they hear the phrase Calvinism, but I can put you at ease. 00:00:59.719 --> 00:01:02.439 Like, Paul was way before John Calvin, you know. 00:01:02.719 --> 00:01:12.500 So when we look at Romans chapter 9, we see some things that are very hard for us to swallow as human beings. 00:01:12.500 --> 00:01:19.159 And it helped me as I wrestled with these things, somebody in my early 20s. 00:01:20.260 --> 00:01:22.420 I was pretty frustrated. 00:01:22.659 --> 00:01:26.960 I was really angry, hostile towards this kind of teaching. 00:01:27.060 --> 00:01:36.240 And then I had just some men in my life who just very humbly and compassionately just pointed me back to the Scriptures over and over again. 00:01:36.239 --> 00:01:41.039 To where I eventually just had to bow before what God's Word said. 00:01:41.039 --> 00:01:46.039 And it also helped me to understand these are not new teachings. 00:01:46.959 --> 00:01:48.119 It's been... 00:01:48.119 --> 00:01:57.039 These are things that many in the historical, gospel-believing, Bible-preaching church have believed throughout the history of the church. 00:01:57.040 --> 00:02:05.540 And one man that I know many of us respect would be a man named George Muir of Bristol. 00:02:05.800 --> 00:02:11.540 And he was famous for starting his orphan homes. 00:02:11.620 --> 00:02:15.560 And he cared for around 10,000 orphans in his lifetime. 00:02:15.759 --> 00:02:19.420 And he pastored the same church for 66 years. 00:02:19.419 --> 00:02:26.439 Didn't take a salary for 68 years and preached the gospel in 42 countries. 00:02:27.479 --> 00:02:33.919 And he's a man marked by what many would say just humility, compassion, and service. 00:02:34.319 --> 00:02:35.939 That's what marked his life. 00:02:36.619 --> 00:02:37.519 Gospel conviction. 00:02:37.799 --> 00:02:41.239 And he at first was very obstinate towards these things. 00:02:41.239 --> 00:02:48.599 And just as an introduction, just really shortly, he was against the doctrines of grace for a long time. 00:02:48.599 --> 00:02:49.659 But then he said this, 00:02:49.659 --> 00:02:54.239 I was brought to examine these precious truths by the Word of God. 00:02:54.680 --> 00:02:59.639 Being made willing to have no glory of my own in the conversion of sinners, 00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:03.539 but to consider myself merely as an instrument. 00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:07.280 And being made willing to receive what the Scripture said, 00:03:07.799 --> 00:03:12.240 I went to the Lord, reading the New Testament from the beginning, 00:03:12.959 --> 00:03:15.579 with a particular reference to these truths. 00:03:16.219 --> 00:03:17.500 It's something he did frequently. 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:20.620 He would say, here's a doctrine or a teaching I've heard about. 00:03:20.699 --> 00:03:24.199 Let me read through the entire Bible and see how many times I see this. 00:03:24.280 --> 00:03:26.120 And he would just read through it. 00:03:26.139 --> 00:03:26.580 And he said, 00:03:26.780 --> 00:03:30.580 I found, to my great astonishment, 00:03:30.979 --> 00:03:37.139 that the passages which speak directly for election and persevering grace 00:03:37.139 --> 00:03:43.099 were about four times as many as those which speak apparently against these truths. 00:03:43.099 --> 00:03:48.060 And even those few, shortly after, when I examined and understood them, 00:03:48.659 --> 00:03:51.120 served to confirm me in the above doctrines. 00:03:51.719 --> 00:03:56.539 As to the effect in which my belief in these doctrines is had on me, 00:03:57.259 --> 00:04:02.019 by the grace of God, I have walked more closely with him since that period. 00:04:02.020 --> 00:04:05.960 So, just by way of encouragement, 00:04:06.800 --> 00:04:12.520 many faithful men and women have taught these things throughout the history of the church. 00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:15.240 Now, going back into Romans 9, 00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:19.379 two weeks ago, we did Romans 9, 1 through 5, 00:04:19.439 --> 00:04:22.259 where Paul expresses the great anguish 00:04:22.259 --> 00:04:25.199 and burdened, he feels, 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:29.219 for his fellow Jews that are still in darkness, 00:04:29.219 --> 00:04:32.560 those who have rejected Jesus as the Messiah. 00:04:33.439 --> 00:04:36.860 And he even says he'd be willing to give up his own soul 00:04:36.860 --> 00:04:40.300 if it meant that all Israel could be saved. 00:04:41.579 --> 00:04:42.439 And last Sunday, 00:04:43.360 --> 00:04:45.519 well, excuse me, I probably should tie this all in together, 00:04:45.659 --> 00:04:46.920 but the question has eroded, 00:04:46.920 --> 00:04:52.480 since many Jews have not laid hold of Jesus as the Messiah, 00:04:52.620 --> 00:04:54.060 has God's promise failed? 00:04:54.180 --> 00:04:55.120 That's the question. 00:04:55.740 --> 00:04:58.120 What does Israel's unbelief prove? 00:04:58.780 --> 00:05:00.840 And Paul answers the question directly, 00:05:01.040 --> 00:05:04.900 as we talked about last week in verses 6 through 13, 00:05:05.100 --> 00:05:05.700 and he says, 00:05:05.780 --> 00:05:09.700 yes, even though the majority of Jews have failed 00:05:09.700 --> 00:05:11.879 to believe in Jesus as the Messiah, 00:05:12.060 --> 00:05:14.100 God's promise to them has not failed. 00:05:14.100 --> 00:05:16.620 And the reason that we unpacked at length 00:05:16.620 --> 00:05:20.420 is just simply because God never made a promise 00:05:20.420 --> 00:05:25.180 to save every single Jewish individual. 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:29.100 And he points out, if you look at verse 6, 00:05:29.820 --> 00:05:32.439 for not all who are descended from Israel 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:34.780 belong to Israel. 00:05:35.500 --> 00:05:37.960 And we see there's this reality 00:05:37.960 --> 00:05:40.400 that there's an ethnic, physical Israel, 00:05:40.540 --> 00:05:42.280 and there's a spiritual Israel. 00:05:42.279 --> 00:05:46.879 And within the larger collective circle of national Israel, 00:05:47.099 --> 00:05:50.859 there's a smaller circle of saved, believing Israel. 00:05:51.739 --> 00:05:56.699 God only promised to save a chosen remnant from Israel. 00:05:57.379 --> 00:05:59.059 He is faithful to that promise. 00:05:59.179 --> 00:06:00.000 And then last week, 00:06:00.039 --> 00:06:03.419 we sort of walked into that in the next few verses, 00:06:03.599 --> 00:06:05.419 and we looked at Abraham and his sons, 00:06:05.539 --> 00:06:06.879 and Isaac and his sons, 00:06:07.459 --> 00:06:10.639 to show that God's election was not just to a group, 00:06:10.699 --> 00:06:11.559 but it was to individuals. 00:06:11.560 --> 00:06:12.560 He chose. 00:06:13.339 --> 00:06:14.240 He chose. 00:06:14.379 --> 00:06:14.579 He chose, right? 00:06:15.019 --> 00:06:16.759 Isaac over Ishmael. 00:06:17.660 --> 00:06:19.399 Jacob over Esau. 00:06:20.560 --> 00:06:22.439 And God did this in verse 11. 00:06:22.699 --> 00:06:23.480 We'll start there. 00:06:23.560 --> 00:06:24.280 Look at verse 11. 00:06:24.860 --> 00:06:26.720 God did this in order, 00:06:26.860 --> 00:06:30.899 or so that God's eternal purpose of election 00:06:30.899 --> 00:06:32.019 might continue, 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:33.779 not because of works, 00:06:33.840 --> 00:06:36.000 but because of Him who calls. 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:40.439 So without regard of any human good work, 00:06:40.560 --> 00:06:41.100 any merit, 00:06:41.240 --> 00:06:43.019 any foreseen faith, 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:47.579 God chose some individual Jews, 00:06:47.639 --> 00:06:48.319 but not all, 00:06:48.980 --> 00:06:49.740 for salvation. 00:06:49.740 --> 00:06:51.199 And like a good teacher, 00:06:52.500 --> 00:06:56.280 Paul's anticipating at least two objections to that statement. 00:06:57.379 --> 00:06:57.680 Right? 00:06:57.800 --> 00:07:02.699 And I personally think these might have been things that he himself wrestled with. 00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:03.879 Okay? 00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:07.680 Things that I wrestle with still do, 00:07:08.680 --> 00:07:13.279 but they are natural objections that arise. 00:07:13.420 --> 00:07:15.040 And so before I get into this, 00:07:15.079 --> 00:07:17.540 I want to say there is a humble and right way 00:07:17.540 --> 00:07:19.819 to question God, 00:07:20.840 --> 00:07:23.020 to come to Him with the desire to honor Him, 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:24.860 to come to Him with the desire to know Him, 00:07:25.819 --> 00:07:28.720 to be okay if answers don't come. 00:07:29.500 --> 00:07:31.740 There's a way to do that that is humble, 00:07:31.860 --> 00:07:33.500 but that's not the kind of questioning 00:07:33.500 --> 00:07:35.780 that we're going to look at here. 00:07:36.660 --> 00:07:39.000 This kind of question is presumptuous. 00:07:39.080 --> 00:07:39.800 It's arrogant. 00:07:40.939 --> 00:07:42.939 And Paul draws that out here. 00:07:43.580 --> 00:07:44.420 And again, 00:07:44.780 --> 00:07:47.340 Paul doesn't just use his own feelings. 00:07:47.900 --> 00:07:50.060 His own opinions and his own sentiments 00:07:50.060 --> 00:07:53.560 to prove what he claims to believe. 00:07:54.400 --> 00:07:56.280 In this chapter 9, 00:07:56.379 --> 00:08:00.160 he cites 15 Old Testament references. 00:08:00.400 --> 00:08:00.920 And today, 00:08:01.540 --> 00:08:02.340 he uses 00:08:02.340 --> 00:08:06.500 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:07.320 8 references 00:08:07.320 --> 00:08:08.980 in the text today. 00:08:09.060 --> 00:08:09.240 He's saying, 00:08:09.320 --> 00:08:10.780 look, it's always been this way. 00:08:11.300 --> 00:08:12.360 This is what the Scripture says. 00:08:13.259 --> 00:08:14.540 To prove his answer. 00:08:14.540 --> 00:08:14.939 So, 00:08:15.700 --> 00:08:17.379 at least these two objections 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:18.639 comes to our mind. 00:08:19.560 --> 00:08:20.740 We'll pick it up here. 00:08:20.899 --> 00:08:21.399 But this is, 00:08:21.500 --> 00:08:22.600 we're going to do it in the form of questions. 00:08:22.680 --> 00:08:23.560 Three questions today. 00:08:24.219 --> 00:08:26.040 Question number one is, 00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:29.899 if God's election is true, 00:08:30.899 --> 00:08:33.080 does this make Him unjust? 00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:36.059 If God's election is true, 00:08:36.139 --> 00:08:37.399 does this make Him unjust? 00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:41.159 This is answered in verses 14 through 18. 00:08:41.159 --> 00:08:42.480 All right, 00:08:42.559 --> 00:08:43.279 let's look at this. 00:08:43.419 --> 00:08:44.100 Verse 14. 00:08:45.579 --> 00:08:46.319 Paul says, 00:08:46.320 --> 00:08:48.460 What shall we say then? 00:08:49.320 --> 00:08:51.500 Is there injustice on God's part? 00:08:52.020 --> 00:08:53.600 By no means. 00:08:54.780 --> 00:08:56.060 For He says to Moses, 00:08:56.360 --> 00:08:58.420 I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, 00:08:58.480 --> 00:09:01.720 and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 00:09:02.680 --> 00:09:03.740 So then, 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:09.720 it depends not on human will or exertion, 00:09:09.720 --> 00:09:11.940 but on God who has mercy. 00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:14.700 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, 00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:17.500 For this purpose I raise you up, 00:09:17.779 --> 00:09:20.200 that I might show my power in you, 00:09:20.779 --> 00:09:23.960 and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. 00:09:24.899 --> 00:09:25.759 So then, 00:09:26.460 --> 00:09:29.399 He has mercy on whomever He wills, 00:09:29.399 --> 00:09:32.500 and He hardens whomever He wills. 00:09:32.500 --> 00:09:35.799 Hard words. 00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:38.139 But true. 00:09:39.399 --> 00:09:41.179 So just to clarify the question, 00:09:41.460 --> 00:09:44.139 or to clarify the objection 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:46.460 that Paul is anticipating, 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:48.179 he's saying, 00:09:49.539 --> 00:09:52.980 Is God just in choosing 00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:56.080 one particular individual over another 00:09:56.080 --> 00:09:57.860 for salvation? 00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:02.259 This sounds so unfair of God. 00:10:02.500 --> 00:10:06.500 I thought God was supposed to be loving. 00:10:06.659 --> 00:10:08.799 I thought God was always supposed to do what's right. 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:12.679 So if unconditional election is true, 00:10:13.539 --> 00:10:15.259 then that would make God unjust, 00:10:15.419 --> 00:10:16.840 arbitrary, unloving. 00:10:17.460 --> 00:10:19.019 Therefore, it can't be true. 00:10:20.299 --> 00:10:20.559 Right? 00:10:21.460 --> 00:10:23.360 And by some small shot, 00:10:23.460 --> 00:10:24.220 if it is true, 00:10:24.299 --> 00:10:25.759 then it's not a God I want to worship. 00:10:26.759 --> 00:10:30.519 That's where this kind of questioning can take us 00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:32.720 when we are approaching things 00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:33.879 in a man-centered position. 00:10:34.079 --> 00:10:35.379 But I'm going to just say, 00:10:35.439 --> 00:10:36.399 it's not wrong to say, 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:37.460 Well, God, 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:39.740 I just want to see how this fits together. 00:10:40.019 --> 00:10:41.100 And if you say no, 00:10:41.679 --> 00:10:42.220 okay. 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:44.139 But I'm just, 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:45.220 I would like to know 00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:47.079 if there is an answer. 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:49.079 And Paul answers the question, 00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:50.199 Does this make God unjust? 00:10:50.200 --> 00:10:50.820 And he says, 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:51.980 No, never. 00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:53.700 By no means. 00:10:53.800 --> 00:10:55.020 The strongest negative 00:10:55.020 --> 00:10:57.200 in the Greek language. 00:10:58.180 --> 00:11:01.460 Other translations idiomatically say, 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:02.240 God forbid. 00:11:02.680 --> 00:11:04.080 May it never be. 00:11:04.920 --> 00:11:05.800 No, no, no. 00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:07.160 A thousand times, no. 00:11:07.259 --> 00:11:08.040 It's impossible. 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:08.920 No infinity, 00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:10.180 as we would say growing up. 00:11:10.560 --> 00:11:11.640 No infinity. 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:15.419 Even the mere thought of God 00:11:15.419 --> 00:11:17.080 being unjust or unrighteous, 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:18.559 Paul says, 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:19.939 even the thought of that 00:11:19.939 --> 00:11:20.919 to the slightest degree 00:11:20.919 --> 00:11:22.059 is blasphemy. 00:11:23.019 --> 00:11:26.299 Even with his limited revelation, 00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:28.539 even that Abraham did not have 00:11:28.539 --> 00:11:31.299 the Scriptures in his hand as we do, 00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:32.759 Abraham said, 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:35.220 Shall not the judge of all the earth 00:11:35.220 --> 00:11:37.019 do what's right 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:39.600 and act justly? 00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:41.259 That's Genesis 18, 25. 00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:43.259 And Moses wrote later, 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:44.480 God is the rock. 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:45.720 His work is perfect. 00:11:45.919 --> 00:11:47.879 All his ways are justice. 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:49.740 A God of faithfulness 00:11:49.740 --> 00:11:50.819 and without iniquity, 00:11:51.059 --> 00:11:53.279 just and upright is he. 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:55.159 That's Deuteronomy 32, verse 4. 00:11:55.899 --> 00:11:57.039 So by no means, 00:11:57.139 --> 00:11:58.039 like God's election 00:11:58.039 --> 00:11:59.559 does not make him unjust. 00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:00.819 No. 00:12:01.480 --> 00:12:02.200 By no means. 00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:02.679 God forbid. 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:04.600 And so we go, 00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:05.000 Okay, well, 00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:05.819 I take it as your word. 00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:09.039 Now, why do you say that? 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:10.840 So then he goes from that, 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:13.679 verifying his answer to affirming his answer 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:14.980 in the next few verses here. 00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:17.399 And God is not just, 00:12:17.519 --> 00:12:18.240 not unjust, 00:12:18.299 --> 00:12:18.659 excuse me, 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:19.919 in choosing one or the other. 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:20.580 He goes to Scripture. 00:12:20.700 --> 00:12:22.840 He goes to the Exodus account. 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:25.600 And in verse 15, 00:12:25.720 --> 00:12:27.759 he looks at Exodus 33, 19, 00:12:29.040 --> 00:12:30.200 verse 17, 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:31.700 Exodus 9, 16. 00:12:32.460 --> 00:12:34.620 And I want you to look very closely 00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:37.740 at 15, 16, 17, and 18. 00:12:37.899 --> 00:12:39.620 Like, look at verse 15. 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:40.519 See the 4? 00:12:41.800 --> 00:12:43.660 He connects the 4 in verse 15 00:12:43.660 --> 00:12:46.560 to the so in verse 16. 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:48.679 And then later, 00:12:49.059 --> 00:12:51.599 he connects the 4 in verse 17 00:12:51.599 --> 00:12:53.979 to the so in verse 18. 00:12:54.099 --> 00:12:54.619 So basically, 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:55.679 4, 00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:57.139 because of this, 00:12:57.819 --> 00:12:58.539 so, 00:12:58.919 --> 00:12:59.239 therefore. 00:13:00.339 --> 00:13:02.319 So he's driving home a point. 00:13:02.439 --> 00:13:02.939 And first, 00:13:03.739 --> 00:13:06.379 he speaks of Moses in verse 15, 00:13:07.039 --> 00:13:07.879 as we just read. 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:08.339 4, 00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:10.059 he says to Moses, 00:13:10.059 --> 00:13:11.739 I will have mercy on whom 00:13:11.739 --> 00:13:12.519 I will have mercy, 00:13:12.599 --> 00:13:13.599 and I will have compassion 00:13:13.599 --> 00:13:15.399 on whom I will have compassion. 00:13:16.099 --> 00:13:17.239 Exodus 3, 19. 00:13:18.219 --> 00:13:20.659 So God remains perfectly just 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:24.339 even if he chose not 00:13:24.339 --> 00:13:26.119 to save anyone. 00:13:27.219 --> 00:13:28.039 Further still, 00:13:28.199 --> 00:13:29.379 the salvation of anyone 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:31.879 is only due to his grace 00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:33.059 and his mercy alone. 00:13:33.799 --> 00:13:34.839 In verse 16, 00:13:34.839 --> 00:13:35.399 So, 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:37.539 so then, 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:38.459 therefore, 00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:39.700 accordingly, 00:13:39.940 --> 00:13:40.160 right? 00:13:40.560 --> 00:13:42.720 It depends not on human will 00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:44.000 or exertion, 00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:47.500 the totality of human effort, 00:13:47.860 --> 00:13:49.840 but on God who has mercy. 00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:52.400 Our salvation then, 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:52.720 I mean, 00:13:52.940 --> 00:13:55.040 you can look it up if you want to, 00:13:55.100 --> 00:13:55.820 this is what it says. 00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:57.740 I'm not trying to pull the wool 00:13:57.740 --> 00:13:58.320 over your head. 00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:58.780 It just, 00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:00.820 it says that our salvation 00:14:00.820 --> 00:14:02.759 is not ultimately due 00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:05.160 to human free will 00:14:05.160 --> 00:14:05.980 or our effort, 00:14:06.160 --> 00:14:06.620 our work, 00:14:06.720 --> 00:14:07.460 our exertions. 00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:09.120 It depires completely 00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:11.120 on God's merciful 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:12.340 and gracious will. 00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:14.320 I have some things 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:14.960 we'll pull out of this 00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:15.600 in just a second, 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:16.860 but then he goes from Moses, 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:18.259 what God said to Moses, 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:20.180 to what God said to Pharaoh. 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:22.240 In verse 17, 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:23.620 for, 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:26.280 because of this, 00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:28.180 the scriptures say to Pharaoh, 00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:29.440 for this very purpose, 00:14:29.560 --> 00:14:30.580 I've raised you up 00:14:30.580 --> 00:14:33.360 that I might show my power in you 00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:34.900 and that my name 00:14:34.900 --> 00:14:35.780 might be proclaimed 00:14:35.780 --> 00:14:36.620 in all the earth. 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:39.100 He quotes that scripture 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:40.200 to show that God 00:14:40.200 --> 00:14:42.480 is completely sovereign 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:44.379 over the actions of Pharaoh, 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:46.080 over the actions of his army, 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.960 towards the Israelites. 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:50.160 You know a verse 00:14:50.160 --> 00:14:51.480 that will just spin your head around? 00:14:52.520 --> 00:14:53.620 Spun my head around. 00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:55.700 Proverbs 16, 00:14:55.820 --> 00:14:56.179 4. 00:14:57.179 --> 00:14:57.740 It says, 00:14:58.879 --> 00:14:59.379 the Lord 00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:01.039 has made, 00:15:01.700 --> 00:15:02.200 created, 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:04.159 everything for its own purpose, 00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:05.679 even the wicked, 00:15:06.679 --> 00:15:07.799 for the day of evil. 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:11.219 God appointed Pharaoh 00:15:11.219 --> 00:15:12.899 as a supreme ruler of Egypt 00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:14.439 and in judgment, 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:16.259 he hardened his heart 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:18.399 so that God's saving power 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:20.779 and his glorious name 00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:21.519 might be spread 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:22.259 throughout the whole world. 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:23.599 That's what that passage says. 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:26.959 And he repeated it 00:15:26.959 --> 00:15:27.979 on several occasions 00:15:27.979 --> 00:15:29.019 in the Exodus account. 00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:31.120 God says that his goal 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:33.000 is to make his name great, 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:35.479 to glorify his great name. 00:15:35.839 --> 00:15:37.419 At the climax of, 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:38.539 the Red Sea, 00:15:38.859 --> 00:15:40.439 where they're at the Red Sea, 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:41.539 this is what God said 00:15:41.539 --> 00:15:42.000 in Exodus, 00:15:42.579 --> 00:15:44.159 I will harden Pharaoh's heart 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:46.519 and he will pursue them, 00:15:46.559 --> 00:15:48.019 meaning like he will follow them 00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:48.679 into the wilderness 00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:49.719 and into the Red Sea 00:15:49.719 --> 00:15:51.240 to his own destruction. 00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:53.179 And I will get glory 00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:54.019 over Pharaoh 00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:55.279 and all his hosts. 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:57.379 And the Egyptians shall know 00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:58.719 that I am the Lord. 00:15:59.859 --> 00:16:01.500 Exodus 14, 4. 00:16:02.339 --> 00:16:03.339 So saying in Exodus 00:16:03.339 --> 00:16:04.139 the same thing 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:06.899 as chapter 14, 17 through 18, 00:16:06.899 --> 00:16:08.279 but summary, 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:08.919 God, 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:10.879 so then, right? 00:16:10.959 --> 00:16:11.579 Connecting it back 00:16:11.579 --> 00:16:12.819 to the earlier part. 00:16:12.959 --> 00:16:13.659 So then, 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:15.480 he has mercy 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.659 on whom he desires. 00:16:17.699 --> 00:16:18.399 You see this? 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:19.120 Verse 18. 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:22.199 Mercy on whom he wills 00:16:22.199 --> 00:16:24.519 and hardens whom he wills. 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:26.759 A lot of us struggle with this. 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:28.000 Like, 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:30.000 we have to understand 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:33.120 that God has 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:34.960 numerable attributes. 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:36.679 Guess what? 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:38.039 Justice and wrath 00:16:38.039 --> 00:16:39.220 are two of those attributes 00:16:39.220 --> 00:16:40.159 just as much as 00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:41.139 goodness, 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:41.899 love, 00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:43.179 and mercy. 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:45.659 And it may be hard 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:46.360 for us to swallow, 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:48.159 but God is glorified 00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:50.279 when he destroys evil. 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:52.559 God is glorified 00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:53.539 when he destroys 00:16:53.539 --> 00:16:54.879 those who spit 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:56.620 upon his greatness. 00:16:58.320 --> 00:16:59.039 And so, 00:16:59.120 --> 00:16:59.559 I'm going to give you 00:16:59.559 --> 00:17:00.379 three takeaways 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:02.000 from just this one passage. 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.100 All right? 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:05.039 We're saying, 00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:05.259 again, 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:06.220 this just isn't fair. 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:07.599 I feel like this is unjust, 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:09.980 but we have to remember this. 00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:11.460 Number one, 00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:13.319 underneath this first question, 00:17:14.359 --> 00:17:15.319 none are worthy 00:17:15.319 --> 00:17:17.339 because all are guilty. 00:17:18.339 --> 00:17:19.680 Because all mankind, 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:20.259 me, 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:22.059 I know me 00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:23.480 and you, 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.160 all of us 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:26.200 have trampled upon 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:27.559 the infinite worth 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:28.200 of God. 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:30.000 We only 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:31.460 deserve judgment. 00:17:32.619 --> 00:17:33.940 We all have rebelled 00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:34.920 against our good creator. 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:36.039 We have no case 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:36.559 to plea. 00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:38.140 This is what Paul does 00:17:38.140 --> 00:17:39.160 in the first two chapters 00:17:39.160 --> 00:17:39.660 in Romans. 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:40.220 He just lays it out. 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:40.359 Yeah, 00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:41.140 you've got no case. 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:41.700 All guilty. 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:43.339 All guilty 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:45.319 before God. 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:46.920 And man 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:47.960 is not 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:48.839 deserving 00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:50.699 of God's goodness. 00:17:51.959 --> 00:17:53.279 I am not deserving 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.399 and you are not. 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:56.099 We only 00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:56.919 deserve 00:17:56.919 --> 00:17:57.759 death 00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:58.299 for our sins 00:17:58.299 --> 00:17:58.939 that mankind 00:17:58.939 --> 00:17:59.959 has committed. 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:01.459 And it says, 00:18:01.819 --> 00:18:02.579 those who practice 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:04.059 such wicked things 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:04.639 deserve 00:18:04.639 --> 00:18:06.099 to die. 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:08.659 And they not only 00:18:08.659 --> 00:18:09.079 do them, 00:18:09.139 --> 00:18:09.899 but give approval 00:18:09.899 --> 00:18:11.459 to those who practice them. 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:12.939 That's Romans 1.32. 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:14.740 And so, 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:17.220 when we see our sin 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:18.039 and how terrible 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:18.740 and appalling 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.379 it is, 00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:21.859 we question 00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:23.720 God. 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:25.480 How can we do that? 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:26.779 When we see 00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:27.740 how awful it is, 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:28.519 the real question 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:29.180 is not why would 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:29.920 He save some, 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.379 but why would 00:18:30.379 --> 00:18:31.680 He save any of us? 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.500 That is the question. 00:18:34.680 --> 00:18:35.879 Why would God 00:18:35.879 --> 00:18:36.500 be inclined 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:37.899 to save any of us? 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.139 Y'all know that 00:18:40.139 --> 00:18:40.899 in 2 Peter 00:18:40.899 --> 00:18:41.619 it talks about 00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:43.599 how the angels 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.700 rebelled against God. 00:18:44.879 --> 00:18:45.859 God didn't spare them. 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:47.619 He didn't spare any of them. 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:48.479 He didn't send them 00:18:48.479 --> 00:18:49.159 any Savior. 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:51.279 He just judged them. 00:18:52.439 --> 00:18:53.199 So the fact 00:18:53.199 --> 00:18:53.679 that He even 00:18:53.679 --> 00:18:54.699 sent a Savior 00:18:54.699 --> 00:18:56.039 to save 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:56.959 mankind 00:18:56.959 --> 00:18:57.839 is mind-blowing. 00:18:58.959 --> 00:18:59.879 So none are worthy 00:18:59.879 --> 00:19:00.739 because all 00:19:00.739 --> 00:19:01.519 are guilty. 00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:03.079 This leads 00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:03.319 to 00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:05.479 save any 00:19:05.479 --> 00:19:05.799 sinner. 00:19:07.239 --> 00:19:08.500 Yet He chose 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.119 to save 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:09.659 some 00:19:09.659 --> 00:19:11.539 as a demonstration 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.479 of His mercy, 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:13.239 His grace, 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:13.859 and His love. 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:16.259 Because all 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:16.700 are guilty, 00:19:16.900 --> 00:19:17.720 God has the right 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.599 to have mercy. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.319 We see it right there 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:19.740 in the text, 00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:20.339 verse 15. 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:22.200 Mercy on whom 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:22.880 He desires 00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:24.200 and compassion 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:25.160 on whom He desires. 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:26.819 Now, 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:28.259 God would be 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:29.299 perfectly justified 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:30.019 again in 00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:31.079 annihilating 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:31.839 all of us 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:33.660 for our rebellion 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:34.339 against Him. 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:35.779 There's a good chance 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.700 that you spat upon Him 00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:36.940 today. 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.440 I have. 00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:39.559 We have rebelled 00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:40.340 against God. 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:41.960 And so, 00:19:42.120 --> 00:19:42.820 there is no 00:19:42.820 --> 00:19:43.840 injustice in God 00:19:43.840 --> 00:19:44.559 if He chooses 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.640 to save some 00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:47.240 and not others. 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:48.340 Now, 00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:49.059 let me help you 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:49.840 wrap your head 00:19:49.840 --> 00:19:50.380 around this. 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:51.100 This helped me. 00:19:52.080 --> 00:19:52.640 I know my history 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.340 major was good 00:19:53.340 --> 00:19:53.860 for something. 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:55.380 But, 00:19:55.860 --> 00:19:56.900 I tend to bring 00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:57.640 a Western, 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:59.120 democratic idea 00:19:59.120 --> 00:20:00.220 of 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:01.480 justice 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:02.820 into this text. 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.440 And this is not 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:05.000 how the Bible 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.960 talks about things. 00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:06.360 And let me 00:20:06.360 --> 00:20:07.220 tell you, 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:08.940 the kingdom of God 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:09.900 is not a democracy. 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:11.799 It is an absolute 00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:13.000 monarchy. 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:15.480 And we go back 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:16.120 in the ancient 00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:17.799 and medieval worlds. 00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:19.660 We will see that 00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:20.279 a king, 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:21.120 an emperor, 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.160 a ruler, 00:20:23.840 --> 00:20:25.720 they also served 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:27.059 as judges, right? 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:27.900 Think about Solomon. 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:28.700 He was a judge. 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:29.660 People brought their 00:20:29.660 --> 00:20:30.440 cases before him 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:31.440 and he would listen 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:32.000 and he would make 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.460 a decision. 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:34.600 So, 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:36.380 these monarchs, 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:36.759 kings, 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:37.320 emperors, 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:37.779 would serve 00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:38.619 as judges. 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.279 And, 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:42.599 a good monarch 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:44.500 would be powerful, 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:45.220 merciful, 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:46.179 and just. 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:47.639 If a king 00:20:47.639 --> 00:20:48.439 isn't powerful, 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:50.139 then his subjects 00:20:50.139 --> 00:20:51.599 can see him 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:52.079 as weak 00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:52.639 and will take 00:20:52.639 --> 00:20:53.539 advantage of him. 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:55.299 If he's not 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:55.819 merciful, 00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:57.319 he cannot maintain 00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:58.339 the love and loyalty 00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:59.519 of his subjects. 00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:01.639 He's seen as weak. 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:03.860 And if he's not 00:21:03.860 --> 00:21:04.480 just, 00:21:05.560 --> 00:21:06.780 then they see him 00:21:06.780 --> 00:21:07.420 as corrupt. 00:21:08.580 --> 00:21:08.759 Right? 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:09.940 So, 00:21:10.100 --> 00:21:10.960 supreme power, 00:21:11.120 --> 00:21:11.360 mercy, 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:11.900 and justice 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:13.200 are all inseparable. 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.500 And here's what would 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:14.800 happen. 00:21:15.300 --> 00:21:16.060 If a king 00:21:16.060 --> 00:21:17.000 was confronted 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:18.759 with a band 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:20.320 of rebels, 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:21.040 people who had 00:21:21.040 --> 00:21:21.520 murdered, 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.420 raped, 00:21:23.820 --> 00:21:24.180 stolen, 00:21:25.560 --> 00:21:25.940 this is, 00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:26.860 I'll show you 00:21:26.860 --> 00:21:27.380 in just a second, 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:28.340 just a common occurrence, 00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:29.659 but they would all 00:21:29.659 --> 00:21:30.480 come before the king 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:30.899 and he would say, 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:31.439 look at me, 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.159 all of you 00:21:32.159 --> 00:21:33.439 deserve the sword. 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.639 You all deserve to die. 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:36.359 You broke the law. 00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:37.439 You hurt people. 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:39.139 You dishonored me 00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:39.799 as the king. 00:21:39.959 --> 00:21:41.179 All of you deserve to die. 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:42.659 But, 00:21:43.399 --> 00:21:44.319 because 00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:45.740 I am 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.439 a merciful 00:21:46.439 --> 00:21:47.480 king, 00:21:48.379 --> 00:21:49.500 I will pardon you 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.959 and you. 00:21:51.399 --> 00:21:52.559 But the rest of you 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:53.939 get the sword. 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.199 Because people 00:21:55.199 --> 00:21:56.179 also need to know 00:21:56.179 --> 00:21:57.199 that I'm not a pushover. 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:58.660 And that, 00:21:58.779 --> 00:22:00.340 I take the law seriously. 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:02.600 So in that one act, 00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:05.080 a king would be feared, 00:22:05.360 --> 00:22:06.240 right, 00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:08.400 as well as loved. 00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:10.000 He spared. 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:11.700 He spared 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:13.500 these rebels 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:14.940 when he didn't have to. 00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:16.360 And so, 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:16.900 let me give you 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:17.799 just two examples 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.680 of this in the Scripture. 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:19.360 It's just important 00:22:19.360 --> 00:22:20.140 for you to see this, 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:21.380 but you don't have 00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:21.819 to look there, 00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:23.140 but in Exodus 32, 00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:24.120 we know the context. 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.860 Moses had received 00:22:25.860 --> 00:22:26.819 the Ten Commandments, 00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:27.899 from God 00:22:27.899 --> 00:22:28.759 on Mount Sinai 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:30.079 and down the Israelite camp. 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:31.279 There's rebellion brewing 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:33.259 and idolatry spreading. 00:22:33.439 --> 00:22:34.639 They build the golden calf 00:22:34.639 --> 00:22:36.639 and commit this sensual, 00:22:36.899 --> 00:22:38.919 depraved celebration 00:22:38.919 --> 00:22:40.279 at the bottom 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:41.200 of Mount Sinai 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:44.119 and unbelief. 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:46.220 And Moses feels 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:47.200 that indignation 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:47.960 from God 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:49.419 coming towards the nation. 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:50.639 And he knows 00:22:50.639 --> 00:22:51.240 that punishment 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:51.779 will come. 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.980 All right? 00:22:53.139 --> 00:22:54.119 For that sin, 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:55.680 you'll see, 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:57.079 God commands 00:22:57.079 --> 00:22:58.259 that 3,000 people 00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:58.980 be killed 00:22:58.980 --> 00:23:00.319 immediately. 00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:02.019 And so, 00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:02.779 here's a question. 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.859 A question for us. 00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:06.500 For that horrific act 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.399 of idolatry, 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:10.000 would God be justified 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:12.680 if He put to death 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:13.839 all those Israelites 00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:14.599 who had committed 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:15.099 that sin 00:23:15.099 --> 00:23:16.519 or those who just stood by 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:17.160 and let it happen? 00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:17.279 Yes. 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.480 He would be just 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:22.279 if He killed them all. 00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:23.880 I mean, 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:25.160 Aaron blows my mind. 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.140 Aaron, 00:23:27.360 --> 00:23:28.120 the mother of Moses, 00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:29.120 was just like, 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:29.740 okay guys, 00:23:29.840 --> 00:23:30.040 sure, 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:31.000 whatever you want to do. 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:33.460 And I always wonder 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.680 why God didn't punish him. 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.460 Well, 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.519 the answer is His mercy. 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:37.440 He could have. 00:23:38.140 --> 00:23:38.759 He was guilty. 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:43.420 And Moses made that prayer 00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:44.300 of intercession. 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:45.720 Right? 00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:47.960 God demonstrated His justice 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:49.779 by executing 3,000 00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:51.240 as a warning. 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:53.079 Don't do it again. 00:23:54.100 --> 00:23:55.279 And He incited fear. 00:23:56.360 --> 00:23:58.380 But He also spared the rest 00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:59.480 inciting gratitude. 00:24:00.620 --> 00:24:01.200 You see that? 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.779 Another quick example 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.339 comes out of, 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:05.200 this is really simple, 00:24:05.360 --> 00:24:06.319 2 Samuel 8, 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:07.519 verse 2, 00:24:07.600 --> 00:24:08.220 that's when David 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:09.480 was winning 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.360 all these victories 00:24:10.360 --> 00:24:11.960 against all the pagan 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:13.079 enemies of God. 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:15.000 And he defeated Moab 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.720 and he captured 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.740 a whole bunch of them. 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:18.339 And we read this, 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:19.759 David defeated Moab. 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.279 He measured them 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.319 with a line, 00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:24.380 making them lie down 00:24:24.380 --> 00:24:24.980 on the ground. 00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:27.240 Two lines he measured 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:29.140 to be put to death 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:31.099 and one full line 00:24:31.099 --> 00:24:32.000 to be spared. 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:34.259 The Moabites 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:35.559 became servants to David 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.819 and brought Him tribute. 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:38.639 So, 00:24:38.899 --> 00:24:40.779 I hope you see that. 00:24:41.419 --> 00:24:42.879 But I just want you 00:24:42.879 --> 00:24:44.119 to think about, 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:45.000 if you were the judge, 00:24:45.639 --> 00:24:46.720 if you had all the power 00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:49.200 and that band of criminals 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:52.419 who committed heinous acts 00:24:52.419 --> 00:24:53.119 came to you, 00:24:53.839 --> 00:24:54.759 you expect them to come in 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.359 on their knees 00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:56.539 begging for their lives, 00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:56.859 right? 00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:58.899 and they come in to you 00:24:58.899 --> 00:24:59.139 and say, 00:24:59.219 --> 00:24:59.339 hey, 00:24:59.639 --> 00:25:01.439 we deserve to be let go. 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:03.099 We think this trial 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.759 is an outrage. 00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:05.299 You can just say, 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:05.859 excuse me? 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:08.399 That is how 00:25:08.399 --> 00:25:10.899 the indolence 00:25:10.899 --> 00:25:11.599 that you feel 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:12.339 when you hear that, 00:25:12.419 --> 00:25:13.240 that's just a fraction 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.319 of how God feels 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:14.959 probably 00:25:14.959 --> 00:25:16.699 when we say, 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:18.199 that just doesn't 00:25:18.199 --> 00:25:19.099 sound fair, God. 00:25:20.199 --> 00:25:21.240 It puts me 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.240 in my place. 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:24.859 Spurgeon said, 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:26.420 sinful man 00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:27.140 is now 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:28.279 not in the position 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.559 of a well-deserving 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:31.160 innocent child. 00:25:32.140 --> 00:25:33.160 We will suppose 00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:34.299 another case, 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.599 one closer to the mark. 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:36.700 A number of criminals 00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:38.519 guilty of the most 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.259 aggravated 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.579 and detestable crimes 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:41.400 are righteously 00:25:41.400 --> 00:25:42.460 condemned to die 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:43.680 and die 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.599 they must 00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:45.839 unless 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:47.539 the king 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:48.279 shall give them 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.079 a free pardon. 00:25:50.339 --> 00:25:50.740 If 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.900 for good 00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:53.040 insufficient reasons 00:25:53.040 --> 00:25:53.720 known only 00:25:53.720 --> 00:25:54.560 to himself, 00:25:55.340 --> 00:25:56.220 the king chooses 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:57.840 to forgive 00:25:57.840 --> 00:25:58.620 a certain number 00:25:58.620 --> 00:25:59.460 and leave the rest 00:25:59.460 --> 00:26:00.160 for execution, 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:02.080 is there anything 00:26:02.080 --> 00:26:03.280 cruel or unrighteous 00:26:03.280 --> 00:26:03.740 here? 00:26:05.540 --> 00:26:06.160 And so, 00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:07.480 may we say, 00:26:07.600 --> 00:26:08.180 is there any 00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:09.120 unrighteousness 00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:09.800 with God? 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:11.060 God forbid. 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:13.140 And that's 00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:13.900 just important 00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:14.840 for you to understand. 00:26:15.080 --> 00:26:16.940 God has that right. 00:26:17.040 --> 00:26:17.840 He's under no 00:26:17.840 --> 00:26:18.620 obligation. 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.900 And the fact 00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:20.780 that he saves any 00:26:20.780 --> 00:26:21.840 should blow our minds 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:22.220 and this leads 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:23.459 to the third 00:26:23.459 --> 00:26:24.059 and last one. 00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:24.500 This is 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:26.720 hard to swallow. 00:26:28.419 --> 00:26:28.859 But, 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.899 as a consequence 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:31.119 of what I just said, 00:26:31.879 --> 00:26:32.720 just as 00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:33.359 God freely 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:34.139 and graciously 00:26:34.139 --> 00:26:35.339 decided to save 00:26:35.339 --> 00:26:35.939 some, 00:26:37.439 --> 00:26:38.319 so he also 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:39.339 passed over 00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:40.500 others. 00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:42.039 This is what 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.759 is referred to 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:44.059 as reprobation. 00:26:45.459 --> 00:26:46.379 God has chosen 00:26:46.379 --> 00:26:47.579 to pass over 00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:48.740 certain persons 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:50.259 and punish them 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:51.299 for their sins, 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:52.059 manifesting 00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:52.859 his justice. 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:54.859 I'm not making 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:55.299 it up. 00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:56.099 Look at 00:26:56.099 --> 00:26:56.940 verse 18. 00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:58.700 So then, 00:26:58.900 --> 00:26:59.980 God has mercy 00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:00.839 on whomever 00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:01.660 he wills 00:27:01.660 --> 00:27:03.279 and hardens 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:03.880 whomever 00:27:03.880 --> 00:27:05.420 he wills. 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.460 Now, 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:06.940 it's important 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:07.740 to understand 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.019 this, 00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:08.620 that when we say 00:27:08.620 --> 00:27:09.380 God hardens 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:09.740 somebody, 00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:10.240 he doesn't just 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:10.460 go, 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:12.059 and just 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:12.819 zaps them 00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:13.099 and just 00:27:13.099 --> 00:27:13.680 makes them 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.279 bad. 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:16.740 Scripture teaches 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.359 we are bad 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:18.019 on our own. 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:19.579 We are 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:20.899 sinful 00:27:20.899 --> 00:27:21.940 by nature. 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.539 What it means 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.059 is God 00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:24.740 gives us 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.639 over to our 00:27:25.639 --> 00:27:26.660 already sinful 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.319 devices. 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:28.740 God 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:29.279 hardens 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:29.559 sinners 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:30.019 not by 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.579 implanting 00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:31.519 evil in us, 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.399 for that 00:27:32.399 --> 00:27:32.740 would infer 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.259 evil comes 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:33.740 from him, 00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.000 right? 00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:34.599 But rather, 00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:35.579 God chooses 00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:36.299 not to 00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:37.000 change us 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:38.359 and leaves 00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:38.779 us 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.619 to our 00:27:39.619 --> 00:27:40.059 already 00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:40.819 existing 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.759 sin. 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:43.640 If you 00:27:43.640 --> 00:27:43.920 go back 00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:44.339 to Romans 00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:44.720 1, 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.779 it says 00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.440 three times 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:47.779 in there 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.240 a phrase, 00:27:48.379 --> 00:27:49.099 God gave 00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:49.640 them up. 00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:50.960 God gave 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:51.460 them up. 00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:52.859 And 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:54.339 that's what 00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:54.740 happens 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.700 when God 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.200 takes his 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:56.900 hand off. 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:58.279 That's what 00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:58.700 happens. 00:27:58.960 --> 00:27:59.319 There is 00:27:59.319 --> 00:28:00.259 grace 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:00.960 constraining 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.379 us. 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:03.839 Just for 00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:04.200 the sake 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:04.759 of time, 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:05.819 I want 00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:06.200 you to 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:07.299 write down 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:07.940 John 00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:09.180 chapter 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:09.799 12 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:11.299 verse 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:11.899 37 00:28:11.899 --> 00:28:12.159 through 00:28:12.159 --> 00:28:12.599 40 00:28:12.599 --> 00:28:13.940 where 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.440 basically 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:15.059 it says 00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:15.399 that people 00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:15.680 have 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:16.200 rejected 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:16.819 Jesus 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:18.180 because 00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:18.720 God 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:18.980 has 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:19.399 blinded 00:28:19.399 --> 00:28:19.579 their 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:19.940 eyes 00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:20.119 and 00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:20.419 hardened 00:28:20.419 --> 00:28:20.680 their 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:21.079 hearts. 00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:22.619 That's 00:28:22.619 --> 00:28:22.839 what it 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:23.220 says. 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:23.940 It's a 00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:25.440 hard truth 00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:25.680 out of 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:25.980 God's 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:26.259 word. 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:27.500 And this 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:27.980 leads to 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.480 the second 00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:29.039 question 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:30.299 in Romans 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:30.700 9. 00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:32.220 Going 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:32.579 in verse 00:28:32.579 --> 00:28:33.139 19. 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:34.399 This is 00:28:34.399 --> 00:28:34.720 question 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:34.960 number 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:35.259 two. 00:28:36.139 --> 00:28:36.460 Question 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:36.659 number 00:28:36.659 --> 00:28:37.039 one is 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.579 does this 00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:37.980 make God 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:38.440 unjust? 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:39.799 No, 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:40.220 it doesn't. 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:41.799 question 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:42.039 number 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:42.339 two. 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:43.640 If 00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.120 God's 00:28:44.120 --> 00:28:44.600 election 00:28:44.600 --> 00:28:44.900 is 00:28:44.900 --> 00:28:45.319 true, 00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:46.839 then how 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:47.360 can 00:28:47.360 --> 00:28:47.500 he 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:47.740 hold 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:47.900 us 00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:48.460 responsible? 00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:51.380 Verses 00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:51.779 19 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:51.940 through 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:52.420 23. 00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:53.900 Let's 00:28:53.900 --> 00:28:54.160 read. 00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:55.420 Paul 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:55.660 says, 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.019 you will 00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:56.319 say to 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:56.440 me 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:56.759 then, 00:28:57.360 --> 00:28:58.160 why 00:28:58.160 --> 00:28:58.360 does 00:28:58.360 --> 00:28:58.480 he 00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:58.720 still 00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.019 find 00:28:59.019 --> 00:28:59.420 fault? 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.460 For 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:00.600 who 00:29:00.600 --> 00:29:00.779 can 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:01.140 resist 00:29:01.140 --> 00:29:01.360 his 00:29:01.360 --> 00:29:01.640 will? 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:03.819 All 00:29:03.819 --> 00:29:04.019 right? 00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:05.079 Now 00:29:05.079 --> 00:29:05.319 listen to 00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:05.460 this 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:05.799 stunning 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:06.440 response. 00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:07.680 But 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:08.160 who 00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:08.580 are 00:29:08.580 --> 00:29:09.160 you, 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:09.600 O 00:29:09.600 --> 00:29:10.059 man, 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:10.320 to 00:29:10.320 --> 00:29:10.660 answer 00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:10.940 back 00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:11.120 to 00:29:11.120 --> 00:29:11.480 God? 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.019 Well, 00:29:13.059 --> 00:29:13.240 what 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:13.400 is 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:14.080 molded 00:29:14.080 --> 00:29:14.380 say 00:29:14.380 --> 00:29:14.559 to 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:14.759 its 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.180 motor? 00:29:16.140 --> 00:29:16.620 Why 00:29:16.620 --> 00:29:16.880 have 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:17.019 you 00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:17.299 made 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:17.460 me 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:17.700 like 00:29:17.700 --> 00:29:18.080 this? 00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:19.440 Has 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:19.600 the 00:29:19.600 --> 00:29:19.940 potter 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:20.140 no 00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:20.500 right 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:20.740 over 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:20.940 the 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:21.320 clay 00:29:21.320 --> 00:29:21.559 to 00:29:21.559 --> 00:29:21.779 make 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:22.039 out 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:22.160 of 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:22.360 the 00:29:22.360 --> 00:29:22.840 same 00:29:22.840 --> 00:29:23.420 lump 00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:24.320 one 00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:24.779 vessel 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.019 for 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.340 honorable 00:29:25.340 --> 00:29:25.740 use 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:25.880 and 00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:26.180 another 00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:26.440 for 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:27.160 dishonorable 00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:27.620 use? 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:28.940 What 00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:29.100 if 00:29:29.100 --> 00:29:29.539 God 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:30.980 desiring 00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:31.220 to 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.460 show 00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:31.720 his 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:32.200 wrath 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:33.019 and 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.140 to 00:29:33.140 --> 00:29:33.340 make 00:29:33.340 --> 00:29:33.640 known 00:29:33.640 --> 00:29:33.860 his 00:29:33.860 --> 00:29:34.279 power 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:35.420 has 00:29:35.420 --> 00:29:35.720 endured 00:29:35.720 --> 00:29:35.940 with 00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:36.299 much 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:36.899 patience 00:29:36.899 --> 00:29:37.399 vessels 00:29:37.399 --> 00:29:37.680 of 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:38.099 wrath 00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:38.579 prepared 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:38.899 for 00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:39.420 destruction 00:29:39.420 --> 00:29:40.619 in 00:29:40.619 --> 00:29:41.039 order 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:42.299 so 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:42.680 that 00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:43.519 to 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:43.720 make 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.000 known 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.220 the 00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:44.480 riches 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:44.819 of 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:45.039 his 00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:45.539 glory 00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:45.899 for 00:29:45.899 --> 00:29:46.259 vessels 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:46.539 of 00:29:46.539 --> 00:29:46.920 mercy 00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:47.799 which 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:47.899 he 00:29:47.899 --> 00:29:48.019 has 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:48.420 prepared 00:29:48.420 --> 00:29:49.299 beforehand 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:49.700 for 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.220 glory. 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:52.759 So 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:54.740 again 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:55.139 like 00:29:55.139 --> 00:29:56.119 these are 00:29:56.119 --> 00:29:56.440 things I 00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:56.980 never read 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:57.339 most of 00:29:57.339 --> 00:29:57.960 my life 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:58.940 until it 00:29:58.940 --> 00:29:59.359 was shown 00:29:59.359 --> 00:29:59.720 to me 00:29:59.720 --> 00:29:59.940 and I 00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:00.240 was like 00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:00.480 this 00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:01.859 I don't 00:30:01.859 --> 00:30:02.099 like 00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:02.440 this 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:02.720 this 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:03.019 rubs 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:03.180 me 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:03.539 wrong. 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:05.960 But to 00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:06.240 clarify 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.519 the 00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:06.960 question 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:07.279 that's 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:07.480 being 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:07.859 asked 00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:08.000 they're 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:08.240 basically 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:08.680 saying 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:09.920 if salvation 00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:10.539 just only 00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:10.980 comes from 00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:11.299 God 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:11.660 and who 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:12.859 just has 00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:13.319 mercy 00:30:13.319 --> 00:30:13.720 on whom 00:30:13.720 --> 00:30:14.200 he wants 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:14.480 to 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:15.279 then how 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:15.579 can he 00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.000 hold any 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:16.299 of us 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:16.819 responsible? 00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:17.839 How can I 00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:18.500 be blamed 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:18.519 ! 00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:18.940 for my 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.339 sin 00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:19.799 if God 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:20.160 just 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:21.039 chooses 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:21.420 not 00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:22.639 to do 00:30:22.639 --> 00:30:22.980 anything 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.519 about it? 00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:25.119 I can't 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:25.920 resist him 00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:26.319 so 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:28.099 how can I 00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:28.420 be held 00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:28.899 responsible? 00:30:30.139 --> 00:30:30.399 And 00:30:30.399 --> 00:30:32.019 based on how 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:32.680 Paul answers 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:33.220 the question 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:33.839 in one way 00:30:33.839 --> 00:30:34.099 we can 00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:34.299 say 00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:34.720 yes 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.299 he can 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:35.720 and he 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.000 will 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:36.519 hold you 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:37.220 responsible 00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:38.619 hold me 00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:39.279 responsible 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:40.779 he'll hold us 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:41.179 to account 00:30:41.179 --> 00:30:41.500 for our 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:41.699 sins 00:30:41.699 --> 00:30:41.939 but 00:30:41.939 --> 00:30:42.659 Paul 00:30:42.659 --> 00:30:42.980 chooses 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.559 the answer 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.059 in a way 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:44.399 that 00:30:44.399 --> 00:30:46.279 is very 00:30:46.279 --> 00:30:46.799 humbling 00:30:46.799 --> 00:30:49.059 he doesn't 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:49.879 notice though 00:30:49.879 --> 00:30:50.480 he doesn't 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.639 start going 00:30:51.639 --> 00:30:52.319 outside the 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:52.599 Bible 00:30:52.599 --> 00:30:53.359 using extra 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:53.759 biblical 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:55.019 philosophical 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:55.740 arguments 00:30:55.740 --> 00:30:56.179 of free 00:30:56.179 --> 00:30:56.359 will 00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:56.740 or anything 00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.259 else 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:59.000 to resolve 00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.480 that problem 00:30:59.480 --> 00:30:59.879 rather 00:30:59.880 --> 00:31:00.900 he turns 00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:01.340 back 00:31:01.340 --> 00:31:02.500 to such 00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:02.920 and such 00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:03.340 a man 00:31:03.340 --> 00:31:04.100 or woman 00:31:04.100 --> 00:31:04.580 who would 00:31:04.580 --> 00:31:05.760 ask that 00:31:05.760 --> 00:31:06.160 kind of 00:31:06.160 --> 00:31:06.540 question 00:31:06.540 --> 00:31:06.820 so 00:31:06.820 --> 00:31:07.820 presumptuously 00:31:07.820 --> 00:31:09.660 and says 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.360 who are 00:31:10.360 --> 00:31:10.860 you 00:31:10.860 --> 00:31:11.940 to the 00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:12.580 contrary 00:31:12.580 --> 00:31:13.120 who are 00:31:13.120 --> 00:31:13.500 you 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:13.940 to answer 00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:14.360 back to 00:31:14.360 --> 00:31:14.800 God 00:31:14.800 --> 00:31:16.140 Paul 00:31:16.140 --> 00:31:16.780 rebukes 00:31:16.780 --> 00:31:17.080 any 00:31:17.080 --> 00:31:17.860 prideful 00:31:17.860 --> 00:31:18.660 challenge 00:31:18.660 --> 00:31:19.100 made to 00:31:19.100 --> 00:31:19.420 God 00:31:19.420 --> 00:31:20.480 by using 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:20.980 a warning 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:21.400 that God 00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:22.060 once gave 00:31:22.060 --> 00:31:22.720 to Israel 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:23.320 in Isaiah 00:31:23.320 --> 00:31:23.740 45 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.220 9 00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:25.019 woe 00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:25.380 to him 00:31:25.380 --> 00:31:25.579 who 00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:26.259 quarrels 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:27.299 with his 00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:27.660 maker 00:31:27.660 --> 00:31:28.700 so this 00:31:28.700 --> 00:31:28.940 isn't 00:31:28.940 --> 00:31:29.980 like a 00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:30.420 humble 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:31.360 God 00:31:31.360 --> 00:31:31.740 I just 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.319 would love 00:31:32.319 --> 00:31:33.539 to know 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.100 if you 00:31:34.100 --> 00:31:34.500 say no 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:34.759 that's 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:35.079 okay 00:31:35.079 --> 00:31:36.220 but help 00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:36.660 me see 00:31:36.660 --> 00:31:37.519 it's not 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:37.740 that 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.180 it's like 00:31:38.180 --> 00:31:38.519 well 00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:39.460 God 00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:40.259 how can 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:40.539 you hold 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:40.680 me 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:41.059 accountable 00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:41.420 then 00:31:41.420 --> 00:31:42.579 it's that 00:31:42.579 --> 00:31:42.980 kind of 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:44.660 person 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:45.019 he's 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:45.519 answering 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:46.740 so he's 00:31:46.740 --> 00:31:47.039 saying 00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:47.740 stop 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.700 no further 00:31:48.700 --> 00:31:49.319 cease 00:31:49.319 --> 00:31:50.360 and desist 00:31:50.360 --> 00:31:51.420 you go 00:31:51.420 --> 00:31:52.100 too far 00:31:52.100 --> 00:31:53.519 you puny 00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:53.960 mortal 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.360 man 00:31:54.360 --> 00:31:55.440 it is 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:56.180 blasphemy 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:57.100 to deny 00:31:57.100 --> 00:31:57.600 much less 00:31:57.600 --> 00:31:58.240 question 00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:59.279 God's 00:31:59.279 --> 00:31:59.640 right 00:31:59.640 --> 00:32:00.940 to hold 00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:01.600 rebellious 00:32:01.600 --> 00:32:02.059 mankind 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:02.940 accountable 00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:04.759 he insists 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:05.480 that fallen 00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:06.100 finite 00:32:06.100 --> 00:32:06.600 humans 00:32:06.600 --> 00:32:07.420 being blinded 00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:08.019 by sin 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:09.299 are in 00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:09.880 no position 00:32:09.880 --> 00:32:10.559 to question 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:11.039 God 00:32:11.039 --> 00:32:12.000 right 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.400 I mean 00:32:12.400 --> 00:32:12.960 think about 00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:13.220 this 00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:13.519 like 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:14.120 let me 00:32:14.120 --> 00:32:14.600 ask you 00:32:14.600 --> 00:32:15.140 personally 00:32:15.140 --> 00:32:16.340 who in 00:32:16.340 --> 00:32:16.519 this 00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:17.019 congregation 00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:17.380 feels 00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:17.980 confident 00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:18.420 enough 00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:18.960 and they're 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:20.200 good enough 00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:20.500 in their 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:20.880 walk with 00:32:20.880 --> 00:32:21.160 God 00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:21.720 to ascend 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.240 the mountain 00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:22.799 and stare 00:32:22.799 --> 00:32:23.200 God in 00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:23.539 the face 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:23.799 and go 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.099 like 00:32:24.099 --> 00:32:26.299 not me 00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:29.740 not me 00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:31.200 I will 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:31.740 not approach 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:32.119 the holy 00:32:32.119 --> 00:32:32.500 one 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:33.180 and question 00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:33.700 him 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.960 that has 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:35.200 not 00:32:35.200 --> 00:32:35.639 happened 00:32:35.639 --> 00:32:36.159 and worked 00:32:36.159 --> 00:32:36.680 out well 00:32:36.680 --> 00:32:37.200 for many 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:37.619 people 00:32:37.619 --> 00:32:38.000 in the 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:38.240 scripture 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:40.220 Job 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:41.220 most notably 00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:43.039 Job 38 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:43.579 1-3 00:32:43.579 --> 00:32:44.119 the Lord 00:32:44.119 --> 00:32:44.539 answered 00:32:44.539 --> 00:32:44.960 Job 00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:45.299 out of 00:32:45.299 --> 00:32:46.240 a whirlwind 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:48.059 who is 00:32:48.059 --> 00:32:48.519 this 00:32:48.519 --> 00:32:49.500 that darkens 00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:49.960 my 00:32:49.960 --> 00:32:50.640 counsel 00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:51.420 without 00:32:51.420 --> 00:32:52.099 knowledge 00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:54.519 now 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:55.019 gird up 00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:55.220 your 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:55.680 loins 00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:56.059 like a 00:32:56.059 --> 00:32:56.299 man 00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:56.640 and I 00:32:56.640 --> 00:32:56.799 will 00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:57.240 question 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:57.680 you 00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:58.279 that's 00:32:58.279 --> 00:32:58.400 what 00:32:58.400 --> 00:32:58.680 God 00:32:58.680 --> 00:32:59.019 says 00:32:59.019 --> 00:32:59.400 to him 00:32:59.400 --> 00:33:01.579 mind 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:01.940 blowing 00:33:01.940 --> 00:33:03.700 so then 00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.640 to reinforce 00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:05.420 this answer 00:33:05.420 --> 00:33:06.940 who are 00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:07.299 you oh 00:33:07.299 --> 00:33:07.579 man 00:33:07.579 --> 00:33:08.059 he gives 00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:08.319 this 00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:09.400 common 00:33:09.400 --> 00:33:10.160 illustration 00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:10.180 ! 00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:11.620 makes this 00:33:11.620 --> 00:33:12.539 indisputable 00:33:12.539 --> 00:33:13.400 declaration in 00:33:13.400 --> 00:33:13.960 the form of 00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:14.559 a rhetorical 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.000 question 00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:15.899 using that 00:33:15.899 --> 00:33:16.319 common 00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:16.759 biblical 00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.179 metaphor 00:33:17.179 --> 00:33:17.839 of 00:33:17.839 --> 00:33:19.099 a potter 00:33:19.099 --> 00:33:19.559 or a 00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:19.980 molder 00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:20.879 which is 00:33:20.879 --> 00:33:21.279 God 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:21.980 the creator 00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:23.079 molding 00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:23.440 the clay 00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:23.819 pot 00:33:23.819 --> 00:33:24.339 or vessel 00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:24.779 which is 00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.179 man 00:33:25.179 --> 00:33:25.839 humanity 00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:26.919 in verse 00:33:26.919 --> 00:33:27.319 20 00:33:27.319 --> 00:33:28.759 right 00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:29.179 see verse 00:33:29.179 --> 00:33:29.519 20 00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:30.679 well what 00:33:30.679 --> 00:33:31.220 is molded 00:33:31.220 --> 00:33:31.539 say to 00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:31.700 its 00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:32.159 molder 00:33:32.159 --> 00:33:33.099 why 00:33:33.099 --> 00:33:33.379 have 00:33:33.379 --> 00:33:33.519 you 00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:33.740 made 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:33.879 me 00:33:33.879 --> 00:33:34.119 like 00:33:34.119 --> 00:33:34.500 this 00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:36.119 so 00:33:36.119 --> 00:33:36.619 basically 00:33:36.619 --> 00:33:37.279 for us 00:33:37.279 --> 00:33:37.859 to question 00:33:37.859 --> 00:33:38.240 God 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:38.700 our maker 00:33:38.700 --> 00:33:38.960 is 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:39.819 presumptuous 00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:40.659 and ludicrous 00:33:40.659 --> 00:33:41.519 as a 00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:42.259 clay pot 00:33:42.259 --> 00:33:43.440 jumping off 00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:43.799 the table 00:33:43.799 --> 00:33:44.119 and 00:33:44.119 --> 00:33:45.079 arguing 00:33:45.079 --> 00:33:45.779 with 00:33:45.779 --> 00:33:46.379 the potter 00:33:46.379 --> 00:33:47.799 to fully 00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:48.379 understand 00:33:48.379 --> 00:33:48.759 God 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.039 we would 00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:49.199 need 00:33:49.199 --> 00:33:49.479 to be 00:33:49.479 --> 00:33:49.919 equal 00:33:49.919 --> 00:33:50.500 with 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:50.899 God 00:33:50.899 --> 00:33:52.019 who has 00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:52.279 made 00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:52.599 us 00:33:52.599 --> 00:33:53.719 and that's 00:33:53.719 --> 00:33:54.859 a notion 00:33:54.859 --> 00:33:55.679 more absurd 00:33:55.679 --> 00:33:56.759 than a clay pot 00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:57.399 being equal 00:33:57.399 --> 00:33:58.079 to the potter 00:33:58.079 --> 00:33:58.459 who made 00:33:58.459 --> 00:33:58.719 it 00:33:58.719 --> 00:34:01.059 so to 00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:01.899 presumptuous 00:34:01.899 --> 00:34:02.500 ! 00:34:03.319 --> 00:34:03.819 Isaiah 00:34:03.819 --> 00:34:04.339 29 00:34:04.339 --> 00:34:05.139 verse 16 00:34:05.139 --> 00:34:05.619 this is 00:34:05.619 --> 00:34:05.879 something 00:34:05.879 --> 00:34:06.279 Paul is 00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:06.519 thinking 00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:06.979 about 00:34:06.979 --> 00:34:08.839 he quotes 00:34:08.839 --> 00:34:09.139 that 00:34:09.139 --> 00:34:10.219 you turn 00:34:10.219 --> 00:34:10.699 things 00:34:10.699 --> 00:34:11.039 upside 00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:11.619 down 00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:11.839 shall 00:34:11.839 --> 00:34:12.420 the potter 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:13.059 be regarded 00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:13.539 as the 00:34:13.539 --> 00:34:13.940 clay 00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:15.019 that 00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:15.179 the 00:34:15.179 --> 00:34:15.420 thing 00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:15.980 made 00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:16.179 should 00:34:16.179 --> 00:34:16.480 save 00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:16.679 his 00:34:16.679 --> 00:34:17.059 maker 00:34:17.059 --> 00:34:17.280 he 00:34:17.280 --> 00:34:17.440 did 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:17.760 not 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:18.360 make 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:18.760 me 00:34:18.760 --> 00:34:19.619 or 00:34:19.619 --> 00:34:19.760 the 00:34:19.760 --> 00:34:19.940 thing 00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.500 formed 00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:20.880 say 00:34:20.880 --> 00:34:21.800 of 00:34:21.800 --> 00:34:21.980 him 00:34:21.980 --> 00:34:22.139 who 00:34:22.139 --> 00:34:22.519 formed 00:34:22.519 --> 00:34:22.679 it 00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:22.860 he 00:34:22.860 --> 00:34:23.079 has 00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:23.280 no 00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:24.019 understanding 00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:25.579 this is where 00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:26.099 Paul is getting 00:34:26.099 --> 00:34:26.679 this language 00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:27.099 from 00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:28.839 and 00:34:28.839 --> 00:34:29.179 so 00:34:29.179 --> 00:34:30.619 look at 00:34:30.619 --> 00:34:30.940 verse 00:34:30.940 --> 00:34:31.579 21 00:34:31.579 --> 00:34:32.219 24 00:34:32.219 --> 00:34:32.519 he 00:34:32.519 --> 00:34:33.019 continues 00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:33.339 this 00:34:33.339 --> 00:34:33.639 same 00:34:33.639 --> 00:34:34.179 illustration 00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:34.179 00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:35.339 He says 00:34:35.339 --> 00:34:36.699 can the potter 00:34:36.699 --> 00:34:37.099 do what he 00:34:37.099 --> 00:34:37.679 wants to 00:34:37.679 --> 00:34:37.980 over the 00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:38.279 clay 00:34:38.279 --> 00:34:39.679 to make 00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:40.079 out of 00:34:40.079 --> 00:34:40.699 the same 00:34:40.699 --> 00:34:41.299 lump? 00:34:41.300 --> 00:34:45.640 Now that lump in the metaphor is sinful human beings. 00:34:46.620 --> 00:34:47.680 It's all of us. 00:34:47.840 --> 00:34:51.120 It's a single lump of fallen humanity. 00:34:51.820 --> 00:34:55.780 That's the clay that God is using to shape and mold. 00:34:56.860 --> 00:35:03.180 And he says he can make one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use. 00:35:04.220 --> 00:35:05.960 So just hear me. 00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:12.960 That God has the perfect right to make different vessels for different purposes. 00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:16.559 In this case, you see it right before your eyes. 00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:20.599 He formed some vessels for honorable use and some for dishonorable. 00:35:21.179 --> 00:35:24.059 In this context, meaning some who will be saved and some who will not be. 00:35:24.720 --> 00:35:27.220 And let's connect the two categories together, alright? 00:35:28.119 --> 00:35:30.280 There are two categories of vessels. 00:35:31.240 --> 00:35:32.280 Dishonorable vessels. 00:35:33.220 --> 00:35:34.400 And I'm pulling it right out of the text. 00:35:34.400 --> 00:35:35.400 Dishonorable vessels. 00:35:35.400 --> 00:35:41.660 That God has prepared beforehand in order to display his wrath by bringing them to destruction. 00:35:43.500 --> 00:35:45.820 And then secondly, honorable vessels. 00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:53.639 That God has prepared beforehand in order to display his mercy by bringing them to glory. 00:35:54.220 --> 00:35:55.720 That's all right out of the verse. 00:35:56.380 --> 00:35:57.320 I didn't make it up. 00:35:57.320 --> 00:36:03.580 So God created a world in which both his wrath and his mercy would be put on display. 00:36:05.140 --> 00:36:05.660 Right? 00:36:06.420 --> 00:36:12.120 We freely and willingly choose sin every day. 00:36:13.460 --> 00:36:15.900 He did not zap us and make us this way. 00:36:16.019 --> 00:36:18.220 He can hold us to account. 00:36:18.720 --> 00:36:20.460 He can save who he wants to. 00:36:20.460 --> 00:36:24.920 Then going on in the next few verses, verse 22 and 23. 00:36:25.539 --> 00:36:27.720 And then Paul just sort of takes a shot at it. 00:36:28.559 --> 00:36:30.940 Like, I kind of think in one way, he's like, I don't know. 00:36:32.260 --> 00:36:33.360 I think this. 00:36:33.860 --> 00:36:35.240 I can tell you this at least. 00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:38.179 But I'm not going to give you an exhaustive answer. 00:36:38.179 --> 00:36:40.019 Here, he says in verse 22, 00:36:40.139 --> 00:36:44.480 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make his power known, 00:36:45.339 --> 00:36:48.779 has endured much patience vessels of wrath or prayer for destruction, 00:36:49.579 --> 00:36:53.879 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy? 00:36:53.960 --> 00:36:54.980 That's where I got that definition. 00:36:55.579 --> 00:36:57.819 Which he prepared beforehand for glory. 00:36:57.820 --> 00:37:04.640 Indeed, all that to say that God's mercy and God's grace 00:37:04.640 --> 00:37:10.420 shines the brightest against the backdrop of his wrath. 00:37:11.280 --> 00:37:17.300 When the end comes, we who are in Christ will be aware of it. 00:37:18.100 --> 00:37:21.620 We won't suffer his wrath because we are in Christ, 00:37:21.720 --> 00:37:23.480 but we will be aware of it when it happens. 00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:27.440 And in that moment, it will be like Noah being in the ark. 00:37:27.820 --> 00:37:31.580 And be like, look at what's going on around us. 00:37:31.640 --> 00:37:33.120 And yet, we are spared. 00:37:34.440 --> 00:37:34.580 Right? 00:37:35.740 --> 00:37:36.660 Indeed, right? 00:37:38.160 --> 00:37:43.340 We see here very clearly that those of us who are in Christ should understand. 00:37:43.460 --> 00:37:46.720 We should know that God has patiently endured. 00:37:46.880 --> 00:37:48.400 He has endured. 00:37:49.039 --> 00:37:52.059 Even today, men just spitting upon his name. 00:37:52.059 --> 00:37:55.039 He's endured it for thousands of years. 00:37:55.260 --> 00:37:56.180 Why did he do it? 00:37:56.179 --> 00:38:04.480 So that we may know and realize the great extent of his mercy and blessing towards us. 00:38:04.519 --> 00:38:05.099 You see that? 00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:12.339 So in summary of all this, Paul affirms all human beings, all of us, guilty before God. 00:38:13.599 --> 00:38:13.919 Right? 00:38:14.159 --> 00:38:15.179 We are all guilty. 00:38:15.639 --> 00:38:20.339 And he doesn't offer some kind of philosophical reasoning as to why all this comes together. 00:38:20.340 --> 00:38:24.120 He just simply insists that God ordains all that happens. 00:38:24.780 --> 00:38:27.400 That's Ephesians 1, 11. 00:38:27.920 --> 00:38:30.700 He works all things after the counsel of his will. 00:38:31.640 --> 00:38:37.320 Even though God himself does not sin, he is not responsible for our sin. 00:38:38.120 --> 00:38:39.760 He just insists that that is true. 00:38:40.760 --> 00:38:46.480 Therefore, we have to humbly see the salvation of any sinner is only due to his grace. 00:38:46.480 --> 00:38:48.119 And not because I deserve it. 00:38:48.920 --> 00:38:50.139 I don't deserve it. 00:38:51.539 --> 00:38:54.820 And so, the third question in the last few verses here. 00:38:57.780 --> 00:38:58.260 Alright? 00:38:58.900 --> 00:38:59.780 Third question. 00:39:00.780 --> 00:39:03.400 From where do God select people come? 00:39:04.039 --> 00:39:05.820 So meaning like, who are they? 00:39:06.860 --> 00:39:07.159 Alright? 00:39:07.159 --> 00:39:11.819 So, remember, Paul has used the scripture to give you his answer. 00:39:12.440 --> 00:39:14.000 Even though it was a hard one to swallow. 00:39:14.759 --> 00:39:17.920 And I want you to imagine Paul sitting there telling you this. 00:39:18.379 --> 00:39:20.119 He's not just sitting up on a stool going, 00:39:20.739 --> 00:39:23.059 Well, I have a great answer for you. 00:39:23.319 --> 00:39:28.259 He's doing it with tears in his eyes, according to verse 1-5. 00:39:29.119 --> 00:39:31.859 He feels it in his soul. 00:39:31.920 --> 00:39:33.440 And he's saying, this is still true. 00:39:33.440 --> 00:39:39.639 And so, he uses the Old Testament historical account in Exodus. 00:39:39.820 --> 00:39:43.039 And now, he jumps forward to prophetic revelation. 00:39:43.200 --> 00:39:44.960 Saying, hey, the prophets spoke of this. 00:39:45.700 --> 00:39:47.700 The prophets foretold this. 00:39:48.820 --> 00:39:53.820 He shows that God's election is consistent with prophetic revelation from Hosea and Isaiah. 00:39:54.619 --> 00:39:59.519 That God's mercy not only extends to a chosen remnant of Israel. 00:39:59.519 --> 00:40:04.219 But also, to elect Gentiles through faith. 00:40:05.759 --> 00:40:11.340 Most of us in here want to answer a prayer that was. 00:40:11.420 --> 00:40:12.179 That's awesome. 00:40:13.340 --> 00:40:14.340 Verse 24. 00:40:14.739 --> 00:40:15.079 He goes, 00:40:16.119 --> 00:40:18.619 Even us whom he has called, 00:40:19.420 --> 00:40:20.519 effectually calls. 00:40:20.559 --> 00:40:21.079 That means, 00:40:21.800 --> 00:40:22.880 now from the Jews, 00:40:23.139 --> 00:40:24.579 not from the Jews only, 00:40:24.739 --> 00:40:26.340 but also from the Gentiles. 00:40:26.340 --> 00:40:27.559 As indeed, 00:40:27.680 --> 00:40:28.640 he says in Hosea, 00:40:28.760 --> 00:40:30.900 those who are not my people, 00:40:31.000 --> 00:40:32.019 I will call my people. 00:40:33.620 --> 00:40:35.980 And her who is not beloved, 00:40:36.180 --> 00:40:37.380 I will call beloved. 00:40:38.500 --> 00:40:41.559 And in the very place where it is said to them, 00:40:41.700 --> 00:40:42.820 you are not my people, 00:40:43.840 --> 00:40:46.860 there they will be called sons of God. 00:40:47.980 --> 00:40:49.160 That's amazing. 00:40:49.159 --> 00:40:53.819 So these texts were originally meant for Jews, 00:40:54.000 --> 00:40:58.379 but Paul is applying them here to the salvation of the Gentiles. 00:40:59.219 --> 00:41:00.460 Israel had displayed, 00:41:00.559 --> 00:41:01.319 if you read Hosea, 00:41:01.379 --> 00:41:02.399 if you read Isaiah, 00:41:02.500 --> 00:41:03.099 any of the prophets, 00:41:03.259 --> 00:41:03.579 Amos, 00:41:04.460 --> 00:41:09.079 you'll see that God's people were in great rebellion against him. 00:41:09.159 --> 00:41:10.079 And God warned them. 00:41:10.139 --> 00:41:10.839 He warned them, 00:41:10.940 --> 00:41:11.339 stop, 00:41:11.579 --> 00:41:11.859 repent. 00:41:12.679 --> 00:41:13.920 He sent them prophets. 00:41:14.059 --> 00:41:15.179 He sent them messengers to say, 00:41:15.259 --> 00:41:15.460 hey, 00:41:16.079 --> 00:41:16.980 this idolatry, 00:41:17.099 --> 00:41:19.639 this wickedness that you are committing is not okay. 00:41:19.780 --> 00:41:20.139 Repent. 00:41:20.780 --> 00:41:21.659 And they didn't. 00:41:21.860 --> 00:41:24.940 And God judged them with Assyria and Babylon. 00:41:26.119 --> 00:41:27.780 And they were taken into captivity. 00:41:28.880 --> 00:41:29.699 Remember all this? 00:41:30.599 --> 00:41:31.159 And so they, 00:41:32.099 --> 00:41:34.659 by their own sin and disobedience toward God, 00:41:35.460 --> 00:41:35.760 they, 00:41:36.179 --> 00:41:36.980 in one way, 00:41:37.119 --> 00:41:39.519 forfeited their covenantal status. 00:41:40.240 --> 00:41:43.220 The Mosaic covenant was a conditional covenant, 00:41:43.219 --> 00:41:43.879 where God said, 00:41:43.959 --> 00:41:44.879 if you do this, 00:41:44.980 --> 00:41:45.879 I will do this. 00:41:46.500 --> 00:41:47.399 If you obey, 00:41:47.619 --> 00:41:48.339 then I will bless you. 00:41:48.419 --> 00:41:49.059 If you disobey, 00:41:49.199 --> 00:41:49.819 you will be cursed. 00:41:50.559 --> 00:41:51.859 And they were breaking that covenant. 00:41:53.579 --> 00:41:54.119 Thank God, 00:41:54.159 --> 00:41:55.919 the one that we live under is unconditional, 00:41:56.219 --> 00:41:57.000 where God says, 00:41:57.119 --> 00:41:58.399 I will do good to you, 00:41:59.139 --> 00:41:59.759 regardless. 00:42:00.939 --> 00:42:01.439 And so, 00:42:01.539 --> 00:42:02.539 what he's saying here, 00:42:03.199 --> 00:42:03.739 is that, 00:42:04.299 --> 00:42:06.859 God has promised, 00:42:07.639 --> 00:42:08.519 that outsiders, 00:42:08.879 --> 00:42:09.439 Gentiles, 00:42:09.559 --> 00:42:11.279 people outside the nation of Israel, 00:42:11.280 --> 00:42:13.140 will be brought into God's people, 00:42:13.620 --> 00:42:14.620 and united, 00:42:15.360 --> 00:42:16.500 along with, 00:42:16.560 --> 00:42:18.519 that restored remnant of Judah, 00:42:19.180 --> 00:42:20.340 calling them all, 00:42:20.519 --> 00:42:21.260 sons of God. 00:42:21.980 --> 00:42:22.260 Like, 00:42:22.300 --> 00:42:23.360 remember what Jesus said? 00:42:24.740 --> 00:42:26.019 I have many, 00:42:26.019 --> 00:42:26.060 many, 00:42:27.120 --> 00:42:27.620 sheep, 00:42:28.160 --> 00:42:29.740 who are not of this fold, 00:42:30.620 --> 00:42:31.000 Israel. 00:42:31.560 --> 00:42:32.680 I must go, 00:42:32.920 --> 00:42:33.920 and bring them in, 00:42:34.200 --> 00:42:34.540 also. 00:42:35.380 --> 00:42:35.940 So they will be, 00:42:36.940 --> 00:42:37.500 one sheep, 00:42:37.600 --> 00:42:37.840 but one, 00:42:39.560 --> 00:42:40.120 plug it out. 00:42:40.700 --> 00:42:40.900 Yep. 00:42:41.820 --> 00:42:42.180 Basically, 00:42:42.300 --> 00:42:42.840 one flock, 00:42:42.920 --> 00:42:43.440 with one shepherd. 00:42:43.540 --> 00:42:43.900 That's it. 00:42:44.420 --> 00:42:45.180 So this idea, 00:42:45.260 --> 00:42:45.960 that God has, 00:42:46.280 --> 00:42:47.480 people spread abroad, 00:42:47.640 --> 00:42:49.060 that he's going to bring into one, 00:42:49.580 --> 00:42:50.040 group, 00:42:50.340 --> 00:42:51.740 Jews and Gentiles alike. 00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:52.960 It goes back to Romans 1. 00:42:54.320 --> 00:42:54.600 Right? 00:42:54.740 --> 00:42:55.820 Not ashamed of the gospel, 00:42:56.000 --> 00:42:56.580 for it is the, 00:42:56.580 --> 00:42:57.680 power of God, 00:42:57.800 --> 00:42:58.240 salvation, 00:42:59.240 --> 00:43:00.160 for the Jews, 00:43:00.440 --> 00:43:01.380 and the Gentiles. 00:43:02.160 --> 00:43:03.180 Saul ties into this. 00:43:03.240 --> 00:43:03.660 So he is, 00:43:04.060 --> 00:43:05.000 bringing them all together, 00:43:05.060 --> 00:43:06.540 into one collective people, 00:43:06.620 --> 00:43:07.200 he will call, 00:43:07.300 --> 00:43:08.060 sons of God. 00:43:08.059 --> 00:43:10.480 And the prophets foretold this, 00:43:10.900 --> 00:43:12.059 the stunning grace of God, 00:43:12.179 --> 00:43:14.480 that there are people who will be called, 00:43:14.619 --> 00:43:16.320 sons of the living God, 00:43:16.900 --> 00:43:18.099 calling salvation, 00:43:18.900 --> 00:43:19.940 to the Gentiles. 00:43:20.820 --> 00:43:21.099 All right? 00:43:21.099 --> 00:43:22.239 So look at verse 14. 00:43:22.319 --> 00:43:23.619 This is where he quotes from Isaiah, 00:43:23.980 --> 00:43:24.360 or excuse me, 00:43:24.400 --> 00:43:25.000 verse 27. 00:43:25.699 --> 00:43:26.559 Quotes from Isaiah. 00:43:27.839 --> 00:43:29.259 And Isaiah cries out, 00:43:29.360 --> 00:43:30.299 concerning Israel, 00:43:31.039 --> 00:43:32.920 though the number of the sons of Israel, 00:43:32.920 --> 00:43:34.579 be as the sand of the sea. 00:43:35.279 --> 00:43:35.880 You see this? 00:43:35.880 --> 00:43:38.579 Only a remnant will be saved, 00:43:39.119 --> 00:43:42.180 for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth, 00:43:42.280 --> 00:43:43.599 fully and without delay. 00:43:44.480 --> 00:43:45.800 And as Isaiah predicted, 00:43:46.500 --> 00:43:49.820 if the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, 00:43:50.619 --> 00:43:52.420 we would have been like Sodom, 00:43:52.920 --> 00:43:54.360 and become like Gomorrah. 00:43:55.940 --> 00:43:56.619 Gosh. 00:43:57.340 --> 00:43:57.680 So, 00:43:58.059 --> 00:44:00.820 Paul ends that original premise, 00:44:01.340 --> 00:44:01.900 that no, 00:44:02.059 --> 00:44:02.960 God's word, 00:44:03.099 --> 00:44:05.099 God's promise to Israel has not failed, 00:44:05.880 --> 00:44:06.639 simply because, 00:44:06.759 --> 00:44:07.719 his promise was never, 00:44:07.860 --> 00:44:10.239 to save every single Jewish person. 00:44:11.079 --> 00:44:12.599 Most of Israel was judged, 00:44:12.679 --> 00:44:13.860 only that remnant was saved. 00:44:14.279 --> 00:44:15.039 And this was, 00:44:15.759 --> 00:44:18.239 due to the horribleness of their sin, 00:44:18.299 --> 00:44:19.039 that they had committed. 00:44:19.980 --> 00:44:20.639 And he says, 00:44:20.819 --> 00:44:21.380 like Israel, 00:44:22.099 --> 00:44:22.440 deserved, 00:44:22.579 --> 00:44:23.000 deserved, 00:44:23.819 --> 00:44:24.759 to be wiped out. 00:44:25.480 --> 00:44:26.539 Like Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:44:26.659 --> 00:44:27.059 But yet, 00:44:27.199 --> 00:44:27.559 God, 00:44:28.299 --> 00:44:29.099 showed mercy, 00:44:29.380 --> 00:44:30.739 and chose to spare some. 00:44:30.779 --> 00:44:31.199 You see that? 00:44:31.279 --> 00:44:31.440 I mean, 00:44:31.460 --> 00:44:32.039 it's just right, 00:44:32.579 --> 00:44:33.480 all here in the text. 00:44:33.480 --> 00:44:34.760 So, 00:44:34.820 --> 00:44:35.539 wrapping it up, 00:44:36.179 --> 00:44:37.179 I know your heads are spinning, 00:44:37.420 --> 00:44:37.960 so is mine. 00:44:38.960 --> 00:44:39.199 So, 00:44:39.260 --> 00:44:41.860 when we have this class in a couple weeks, 00:44:41.980 --> 00:44:42.199 like, 00:44:42.800 --> 00:44:44.179 come and bring it. 00:44:44.199 --> 00:44:46.139 Let's sit down and look at the scripture together, 00:44:46.820 --> 00:44:48.079 and wrestle with these things. 00:44:48.179 --> 00:44:48.340 But, 00:44:48.619 --> 00:44:50.780 I want to give you two quick applications, 00:44:51.039 --> 00:44:52.159 of what we see here. 00:44:52.699 --> 00:44:54.480 Because this isn't meant to frighten you, 00:44:54.480 --> 00:44:56.320 it's meant to give you hope. 00:44:57.320 --> 00:44:57.539 Alright? 00:44:59.760 --> 00:45:01.579 At least there are three things, 00:45:01.679 --> 00:45:03.659 I will try to spend time on just two of them. 00:45:04.500 --> 00:45:04.860 But, 00:45:04.980 --> 00:45:05.460 one, 00:45:05.740 --> 00:45:08.300 understanding election, 00:45:09.099 --> 00:45:12.119 will give you a deeper humility. 00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:13.579 Alright? 00:45:13.760 --> 00:45:14.480 And I'm not saying, 00:45:14.599 --> 00:45:15.260 if you don't believe it, 00:45:15.280 --> 00:45:15.900 that you're not humble. 00:45:16.019 --> 00:45:16.880 I'm just saying that, 00:45:17.519 --> 00:45:19.099 it'll give you a deeper humility. 00:45:19.699 --> 00:45:20.679 When we realize, 00:45:20.799 --> 00:45:21.559 that my sin, 00:45:21.599 --> 00:45:22.099 and your sin, 00:45:22.159 --> 00:45:22.839 our condition, 00:45:23.659 --> 00:45:25.119 how serious it is, 00:45:25.259 --> 00:45:26.099 before God, 00:45:26.980 --> 00:45:29.000 knowing that He graciously chose us, 00:45:29.019 --> 00:45:30.799 to be adopted into His family, 00:45:31.339 --> 00:45:32.400 it'll only leave us, 00:45:32.440 --> 00:45:33.619 like in awe and wonder. 00:45:34.880 --> 00:45:35.920 Rightly believed, 00:45:36.279 --> 00:45:37.619 pride is impossible. 00:45:39.019 --> 00:45:40.079 It blows my mind, 00:45:40.139 --> 00:45:40.559 that so many people, 00:45:40.679 --> 00:45:41.940 who claim to believe these things, 00:45:42.019 --> 00:45:42.839 just approach them, 00:45:42.880 --> 00:45:44.079 in such a pompous way. 00:45:45.059 --> 00:45:46.420 It should destroy, 00:45:46.539 --> 00:45:47.519 any kind of pride, 00:45:47.619 --> 00:45:48.380 you have left. 00:45:49.539 --> 00:45:49.940 And, 00:45:50.119 --> 00:45:50.880 in love, 00:45:50.980 --> 00:45:52.139 He predestined us, 00:45:52.219 --> 00:45:53.000 to adoption. 00:45:54.099 --> 00:45:55.460 1 Thessalonians 5, 00:45:55.539 --> 00:45:55.840 9. 00:45:55.980 --> 00:45:56.699 Check this out. 00:45:57.639 --> 00:45:58.239 For God, 00:45:58.440 --> 00:45:59.179 has not, 00:45:59.779 --> 00:46:00.759 destined us, 00:46:01.000 --> 00:46:01.579 to wrath, 00:46:02.400 --> 00:46:03.000 but, 00:46:03.360 --> 00:46:04.559 to obtain salvation, 00:46:05.519 --> 00:46:06.940 through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:46:07.099 --> 00:46:08.179 1 Thessalonians 5, 00:46:08.239 --> 00:46:08.519 9. 00:46:09.900 --> 00:46:10.579 As I mentioned, 00:46:10.579 --> 00:46:11.739 this is steeped in, 00:46:12.079 --> 00:46:12.579 Baptist history, 00:46:12.579 --> 00:46:13.139 history, 00:46:13.779 --> 00:46:14.400 as well. 00:46:14.599 --> 00:46:14.779 And, 00:46:15.759 --> 00:46:16.519 a Southern Baptist, 00:46:16.519 --> 00:46:18.420 pastor in 1842, 00:46:19.559 --> 00:46:20.279 C.D. Mallory, 00:46:20.360 --> 00:46:20.960 wrote this, 00:46:21.559 --> 00:46:23.179 Is this not a doctrine, 00:46:23.179 --> 00:46:25.179 that strikes at human pride, 00:46:26.059 --> 00:46:27.279 and brings the creature, 00:46:27.440 --> 00:46:28.960 low at the footstool, 00:46:29.119 --> 00:46:30.099 of great Jehovah? 00:46:31.279 --> 00:46:32.420 It strips him, 00:46:32.500 --> 00:46:33.420 of all boasting, 00:46:34.340 --> 00:46:35.659 nourishes a meek, 00:46:35.759 --> 00:46:36.860 and lowly sense, 00:46:36.880 --> 00:46:37.519 of dependence. 00:46:38.679 --> 00:46:39.340 While, 00:46:39.519 --> 00:46:39.980 the soul, 00:46:40.199 --> 00:46:41.659 with still adoring thoughts, 00:46:41.659 --> 00:46:42.819 of his matchless, 00:46:43.599 --> 00:46:43.940 sovereign, 00:46:44.099 --> 00:46:44.899 eternal love, 00:46:45.480 --> 00:46:46.579 when the believer, 00:46:46.839 --> 00:46:47.539 reflects, 00:46:48.399 --> 00:46:49.739 of how much he is blessed, 00:46:49.839 --> 00:46:50.480 he will melt, 00:46:50.559 --> 00:46:51.480 into tenderness, 00:46:52.219 --> 00:46:53.379 and grateful affection, 00:46:53.579 --> 00:46:54.699 as he dwells upon, 00:46:54.779 --> 00:46:56.199 the particular mercy, 00:46:56.920 --> 00:46:58.199 that rescued him, 00:46:58.259 --> 00:46:58.779 from death, 00:46:59.299 --> 00:47:00.579 and gave him a place, 00:47:00.579 --> 00:47:01.920 at the gospel feast. 00:47:02.619 --> 00:47:04.379 And he will only exclaim, 00:47:04.819 --> 00:47:05.239 why me? 00:47:06.239 --> 00:47:06.959 That is, 00:47:07.179 --> 00:47:08.459 our response. 00:47:08.639 --> 00:47:08.839 Like the, 00:47:09.659 --> 00:47:10.519 all you can say, 00:47:10.599 --> 00:47:11.439 it just puts you in a position, 00:47:11.539 --> 00:47:11.659 like, 00:47:11.699 --> 00:47:11.979 I don't know, 00:47:12.019 --> 00:47:12.539 why me? 00:47:13.399 --> 00:47:13.679 Like, 00:47:13.719 --> 00:47:14.279 what is there, 00:47:14.419 --> 00:47:14.939 about me? 00:47:14.959 --> 00:47:15.500 And the answer is, 00:47:15.659 --> 00:47:15.979 nothing. 00:47:16.579 --> 00:47:17.699 But you're just shocked. 00:47:17.919 --> 00:47:18.139 Like, 00:47:18.219 --> 00:47:19.239 why would God, 00:47:19.779 --> 00:47:20.299 choose, 00:47:20.439 --> 00:47:21.199 to show me, 00:47:21.679 --> 00:47:22.219 my sin? 00:47:22.279 --> 00:47:23.299 Why would he bring me, 00:47:23.399 --> 00:47:23.979 to Jesus? 00:47:25.199 --> 00:47:26.099 It gives you, 00:47:26.239 --> 00:47:27.059 a deeper humility. 00:47:27.359 --> 00:47:27.679 And then, 00:47:28.179 --> 00:47:28.699 and one, 00:47:29.639 --> 00:47:30.719 I wrestle with this one, 00:47:31.399 --> 00:47:31.939 it gives you, 00:47:32.000 --> 00:47:33.259 a stronger assurance. 00:47:33.260 --> 00:47:33.780 Okay? 00:47:34.860 --> 00:47:36.960 If salvation is begun by you, 00:47:37.140 --> 00:47:38.800 it can be finished by you too. 00:47:39.600 --> 00:47:40.600 Good luck with that. 00:47:41.500 --> 00:47:41.800 Our, 00:47:41.900 --> 00:47:43.360 our assurance of salvation, 00:47:43.360 --> 00:47:45.100 does not lie with us. 00:47:45.580 --> 00:47:45.920 Like, 00:47:45.960 --> 00:47:46.640 God saved us, 00:47:46.680 --> 00:47:47.620 but now we have to kind of, 00:47:48.540 --> 00:47:48.900 you know, 00:47:49.100 --> 00:47:49.460 and just, 00:47:49.960 --> 00:47:50.860 by some chance, 00:47:50.920 --> 00:47:51.560 we'll hold on. 00:47:52.460 --> 00:47:52.980 In fact, 00:47:53.020 --> 00:47:53.880 it actually says, 00:47:53.960 --> 00:47:54.840 he who began, 00:47:54.980 --> 00:47:55.900 a good work in you, 00:47:56.480 --> 00:47:57.440 will finish it. 00:47:58.640 --> 00:47:59.120 Right? 00:48:00.120 --> 00:48:01.020 As it says in, 00:48:01.060 --> 00:48:01.720 in John, 00:48:01.719 --> 00:48:03.659 chapter 10, 00:48:04.659 --> 00:48:06.059 a beautiful text here, 00:48:06.119 --> 00:48:06.639 I'll just read it, 00:48:06.699 --> 00:48:07.339 John 10, 00:48:08.019 --> 00:48:08.819 verse 27, 00:48:08.959 --> 00:48:09.439 Jesus says, 00:48:09.599 --> 00:48:10.419 my sheep, 00:48:11.219 --> 00:48:12.179 hear my voice. 00:48:13.759 --> 00:48:14.739 I know them, 00:48:14.779 --> 00:48:15.519 and they follow me, 00:48:15.539 --> 00:48:16.859 and I give them eternal life, 00:48:16.859 --> 00:48:18.539 and they will never perish, 00:48:19.219 --> 00:48:21.579 and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 00:48:22.639 --> 00:48:22.779 Now, 00:48:22.779 --> 00:48:23.399 check this out, 00:48:23.459 --> 00:48:24.099 my father, 00:48:24.239 --> 00:48:26.679 who has given them to me, 00:48:27.779 --> 00:48:28.379 the father, 00:48:28.380 --> 00:48:31.039 gave a people to the son, 00:48:31.920 --> 00:48:32.619 and elect people. 00:48:32.720 --> 00:48:33.260 My father, 00:48:33.340 --> 00:48:34.500 who has given them to me, 00:48:34.539 --> 00:48:35.500 is greater than all, 00:48:36.039 --> 00:48:39.380 and no one is able to snatch them out of my father's hand. 00:48:40.220 --> 00:48:41.820 The father and I are one. 00:48:41.880 --> 00:48:43.380 If this has begun in God, 00:48:44.160 --> 00:48:44.980 I can rest. 00:48:45.400 --> 00:48:45.460 Like, 00:48:45.920 --> 00:48:46.160 wow, 00:48:46.280 --> 00:48:46.519 okay. 00:48:47.059 --> 00:48:47.820 He started it, 00:48:47.860 --> 00:48:48.599 he's going to finish it. 00:48:48.599 --> 00:48:50.380 He's going to carry me all the way through to the end, 00:48:50.400 --> 00:48:51.680 and I will not fall. 00:48:51.679 --> 00:48:52.319 So, 00:48:53.519 --> 00:48:56.019 who can bring a charge against God's elect? 00:48:56.139 --> 00:48:56.719 No one. 00:48:57.539 --> 00:48:57.859 So, 00:48:58.019 --> 00:48:58.399 again, 00:48:59.319 --> 00:49:00.339 if you're wrestling with this, 00:49:00.379 --> 00:49:02.500 just to be familiar again, 00:49:02.679 --> 00:49:03.799 to encourage you, 00:49:04.659 --> 00:49:07.940 a lot of people have called this the doctrines of amazing grace. 00:49:08.059 --> 00:49:08.960 We just sang that hymn. 00:49:09.960 --> 00:49:10.519 John Newton, 00:49:10.699 --> 00:49:11.359 who wrote it, 00:49:11.940 --> 00:49:15.299 believed deeply in the doctrines of grace that we were talking about. 00:49:16.119 --> 00:49:16.839 And in closing, 00:49:17.019 --> 00:49:17.399 he said, 00:49:17.400 --> 00:49:23.280 the views that I have received of the doctrines of grace are essential to my peace. 00:49:23.880 --> 00:49:27.960 I could not live comfortably a day or an hour without them. 00:49:28.760 --> 00:49:32.340 I believe them to be friendly to holiness, 00:49:33.079 --> 00:49:37.660 and to have direct influence in producing and maintaining gospel conversation. 00:49:38.599 --> 00:49:39.139 And therefore, 00:49:39.340 --> 00:49:41.300 I must not be ashamed of them. 00:49:41.519 --> 00:49:43.300 That's what Newton said. 00:49:43.300 --> 00:49:49.539 a great awareness of the grace of God in his life and in our life. 00:49:50.560 --> 00:49:51.920 But these are hard words, 00:49:51.980 --> 00:49:52.800 but the goal is to be like, 00:49:52.900 --> 00:49:53.100 wow, 00:49:53.200 --> 00:49:55.700 why did God have mercy on me? 00:49:56.460 --> 00:50:00.720 It's supposed to just leave you struck with humility and awe. 00:50:00.860 --> 00:50:01.039 Like, 00:50:01.140 --> 00:50:01.580 why me? 00:50:02.000 --> 00:50:03.060 He could have chose not to. 00:50:04.420 --> 00:50:05.140 He did. 00:50:06.240 --> 00:50:07.460 If you are in Christ, 00:50:07.539 --> 00:50:11.500 you are a vessel of mercy prepared for glory. 00:50:11.500 --> 00:50:14.500 So I hope that that encourages your soul. 00:50:15.280 --> 00:50:20.579 And I could spend forever talking about how this has challenged me and encouraged me to go and reach the loss. 00:50:20.840 --> 00:50:20.960 Okay? 00:50:21.679 --> 00:50:22.059 Like, 00:50:22.400 --> 00:50:25.059 this does not nullify the Great Commission. 00:50:25.219 --> 00:50:25.519 In fact, 00:50:25.579 --> 00:50:28.480 it adds great fuel to the fire for it. 00:50:29.559 --> 00:50:31.000 Talk about that another time. 00:50:31.800 --> 00:50:32.119 But, 00:50:32.260 --> 00:50:33.000 let's pray together. 00:50:33.000 --> 00:50:33.099 Let's pray together. 00:50:33.099 --> 00:51:03.079 Let's pray together.