WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.400 Here are verses 4-6. One more time, our focus for today. Ephesians 1, 4-6. 00:00:09.120 --> 00:00:19.679 Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. 00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:29.019 In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, 00:00:29.019 --> 00:00:35.519 to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. 00:00:36.119 --> 00:00:41.019 The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. Please be seated. 00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:47.320 The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord stands forever. 00:00:49.399 --> 00:00:50.600 Please pray with me. 00:00:53.799 --> 00:00:57.920 Oh Lord, we praise You for revealing Yourself to us. 00:00:57.920 --> 00:01:03.320 We praise You for the ministry of the Holy Spirit through whom You breathed out these words, 00:01:03.520 --> 00:01:08.299 written down by the Apostle Paul, under divine inspiration. 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:16.280 And how You've preserved these words, Lord, for Your church, for our good, for our edification, 00:01:16.700 --> 00:01:21.480 so that You can cause our faith to grasp hold of the triune God. 00:01:21.480 --> 00:01:28.240 And even though our minds are limited, Lord, we can receive Your Word like a child, with childlike faith. 00:01:28.900 --> 00:01:34.200 What You have made so clear and so simple, we pray that You'll cause us to understand this now, Lord. 00:01:34.680 --> 00:01:38.320 I pray that as a minister of Your Word, I won't hinder Your people, 00:01:38.960 --> 00:01:41.620 that I won't make it more complicated than it is. 00:01:41.620 --> 00:01:47.500 I pray that You'll guide my words, Lord, through the preparation and now through the delivery, 00:01:47.780 --> 00:01:49.320 to build Your people up. 00:01:49.960 --> 00:01:53.800 But more than what may be visible, Lord, 00:01:53.840 --> 00:01:57.719 we pray especially that Your Holy Spirit will take Your Word, Your truth, 00:01:58.120 --> 00:02:01.540 that You've revealed and work it into our lives. 00:02:02.200 --> 00:02:03.980 Work Christ into us. 00:02:04.520 --> 00:02:07.500 Cause us to grasp You, Lord, 00:02:07.500 --> 00:02:12.300 through the faith that Christ has opened up for us and that the Spirit applies to us. 00:02:12.819 --> 00:02:15.159 Bring us, Lord, into the throne room of heaven. 00:02:16.340 --> 00:02:20.740 From Your presence, help us to behold better today who You are. 00:02:22.280 --> 00:02:23.800 And being in Your presence, Lord, 00:02:23.840 --> 00:02:28.639 there will be no response for Your people other than to fall down on our faces before You 00:02:28.639 --> 00:02:31.199 and praise You and glorify You. 00:02:32.020 --> 00:02:34.199 We ask that You do this work in us, Lord. 00:02:34.199 --> 00:02:38.439 Lord, maybe there are those who are lost in darkness still, Father. 00:02:38.979 --> 00:02:44.280 We pray that You'll open up their ears to hear the good news of salvation from God, 00:02:44.339 --> 00:02:47.239 our Creator, through Jesus Christ, His only Son. 00:02:48.639 --> 00:02:51.919 And that they won't stay far away, Lord, that the enemy won't deceive them, 00:02:52.199 --> 00:02:55.219 that You will draw them into Your presence, into Your kingdom, 00:02:55.719 --> 00:03:00.019 that they can know this precious adoption that we have in Christ. 00:03:00.020 --> 00:03:03.680 We ask all of this for the precious name of Jesus. 00:03:04.200 --> 00:03:04.540 Amen. 00:03:11.980 --> 00:03:14.840 It's the design of a clock to tell time. 00:03:15.900 --> 00:03:19.080 It's the design of a chair to bear weight, 00:03:19.340 --> 00:03:21.160 even that lawn chair that you're sitting in there. 00:03:21.159 --> 00:03:29.240 It's God's design for the sun to cast forth light and warmth so that there can be light. 00:03:30.539 --> 00:03:31.759 What's your design? 00:03:32.979 --> 00:03:34.960 For what did God design you and me? 00:03:36.300 --> 00:03:41.419 The Bible tells us it's the design of every person to give praise. 00:03:42.579 --> 00:03:46.099 Many will reject the words of the Bible, the words of the Creator, 00:03:46.099 --> 00:03:49.639 but we can also point out to the examples all around us. 00:03:50.599 --> 00:03:51.919 Evaluate if this is true. 00:03:53.219 --> 00:03:55.780 People can't help but praise. 00:03:56.439 --> 00:03:59.219 Probably right now there's someone praising that peach, 00:03:59.479 --> 00:04:01.659 that Palisade peach they got at the farmer's market. 00:04:02.180 --> 00:04:03.459 They're praising the creature. 00:04:04.620 --> 00:04:08.400 People love to flood into museums and praise artwork. 00:04:08.400 --> 00:04:16.180 We flood into theaters and halls where we have musicians in the sympathy. 00:04:16.620 --> 00:04:22.000 And what they're doing is they're praising the composer or the skill of the musicians. 00:04:22.459 --> 00:04:24.300 We praise the food at a restaurant. 00:04:24.899 --> 00:04:27.540 We praise athletes at a stadium. 00:04:28.920 --> 00:04:31.139 We're created as people to praise. 00:04:32.720 --> 00:04:35.019 I thought of one more example, and it's a fire hose. 00:04:35.019 --> 00:04:42.319 A fire hose is designed to gush out water that can be aimed at the right target to put out a fire. 00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:47.139 Every single human being, you and I, we look around, we're really like those fire hoses. 00:04:47.339 --> 00:04:49.959 We are designed to gush out praise. 00:04:50.459 --> 00:04:53.359 But these hoses are always pointed downward at earthly things. 00:04:53.819 --> 00:04:57.439 And the Holy Spirit causes that to be steered in the right direction. 00:04:58.959 --> 00:05:00.159 Here's one more example. 00:05:00.160 --> 00:05:05.300 This letter comes to us from a church in the city called Ephesus. 00:05:06.020 --> 00:05:09.200 And you remember what we read about the people of Ephesus. 00:05:09.420 --> 00:05:13.460 The whole city, one of the biggest cities in Asia Minor, had gathered. 00:05:13.980 --> 00:05:19.260 And they had erupted in the praise of a demon goddess named Artemis or Diana. 00:05:19.840 --> 00:05:21.540 They have to praise something. 00:05:21.540 --> 00:05:30.540 And here comes the gospel into a city like Ephesus, a city like Parker, Denver Metro, into lives like yours and mine. 00:05:31.400 --> 00:05:39.140 And God calls us to worship him, the only worthy object of our praise. 00:05:39.640 --> 00:05:41.060 This is how this letter begins. 00:05:41.180 --> 00:05:41.980 Look at verse three. 00:05:41.980 --> 00:05:48.600 Paul, writing to the church in Ephesus and to all churches who will receive this, including you and me. 00:05:48.680 --> 00:05:49.480 Look at verse three. 00:05:50.360 --> 00:05:51.700 Blessed be God. 00:05:52.620 --> 00:05:53.480 Praise God. 00:05:54.259 --> 00:05:57.500 And now he walks through each person of the Trinity. 00:05:58.500 --> 00:06:06.400 He says, first, praise the triune God with me, focused on God the Father, from whom all spiritual blessings flow. 00:06:06.900 --> 00:06:08.420 So that's our focus for today. 00:06:09.140 --> 00:06:11.720 Church, praise God the Father. 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:15.280 Oh, church, praise God the Father today. 00:06:15.700 --> 00:06:21.660 And I want to point out in verses four, five, and six, four reasons we should praise God the Father. 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:29.420 Number one, oh, church, praise God the Father, who, in verse four, look at the first few words. 00:06:30.520 --> 00:06:34.180 God the Father chose us in Christ. 00:06:34.880 --> 00:06:36.200 Praise God the Father. 00:06:36.940 --> 00:06:37.220 Why? 00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:38.220 Here's the first reason. 00:06:38.220 --> 00:06:41.140 Because he chose us in Christ. 00:06:41.720 --> 00:06:55.500 Verse four says that he, meaning God the Father, chose us, writing to a local church, in him, meaning God the Son, Jesus Christ. 00:06:55.500 --> 00:07:03.060 Someone pointed out how an accurate understanding begins with accurate grammar. 00:07:03.839 --> 00:07:06.399 So let's do some grammar for ourselves here. 00:07:06.399 --> 00:07:07.399 What's the subject of that statement? 00:07:07.399 --> 00:07:09.479 What's the subject of that statement? 00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:14.319 The subject means it's the active agent, and it's God the Father. 00:07:14.819 --> 00:07:15.819 What's the verb? 00:07:16.279 --> 00:07:17.799 The verb is the action. 00:07:18.439 --> 00:07:19.259 He chose. 00:07:19.639 --> 00:07:21.359 That word means he picked out. 00:07:21.599 --> 00:07:22.399 He selected. 00:07:22.899 --> 00:07:23.859 He elected. 00:07:23.860 --> 00:07:25.439 Who? 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:25.460 Who? 00:07:25.460 --> 00:07:25.460 00:07:25.460 --> 00:07:26.120 Us. 00:07:26.120 --> 00:07:27.060 The object. 00:07:27.560 --> 00:07:30.180 That's the person acted upon. 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:33.980 It's very clear and very simple, isn't it? 00:07:34.100 --> 00:07:36.480 God chose us in Christ. 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:50.000 Yet our flesh and our fallen minds, many throughout church history have tried to twist the clear words of Scripture to say that it's fallen man who chooses God first. 00:07:51.759 --> 00:07:55.920 That God chose those whom God knew would choose him. 00:07:55.920 --> 00:08:05.699 They've said that election is based on God foreseeing a faith that certain people would have in the future and that others would not have. 00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:11.720 The reason they give is because Jesus said, come unto me, whosoever will. 00:08:13.540 --> 00:08:19.520 Well, how do we respond to that way of thinking, that way of interpreting this very clear statement? 00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:23.500 Well, let's start with that reference to Scripture. 00:08:23.500 --> 00:08:28.540 The Bible says, in the words of Jesus, come to me, whosoever will. 00:08:29.480 --> 00:08:32.940 And our response is, yes, whosoever will. 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:38.159 But the question is, who does Jesus say will come to him? 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:49.059 Jesus said in John 6, 44, no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. 00:08:49.059 --> 00:09:04.859 John 15, verse 16, Jesus said, you did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain. 00:09:05.979 --> 00:09:07.159 You see, that's the problem. 00:09:07.939 --> 00:09:12.079 Under the curse of Adam, we will never choose God. 00:09:12.299 --> 00:09:14.759 We are imprisoned to our own sin. 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:25.799 That's why 1 Corinthians 2, 14 explains, the natural man born according to this fallen nature than Adam does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, 00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:32.759 for they are foolishness to him, nor can they know them because they are spiritually discerned. 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:40.600 God has to reveal to fallen man the mystery of salvation in Jesus Christ. 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:46.740 So the real question is, who does God draw to himself? 00:09:47.680 --> 00:09:53.720 And according to our passage in Ephesians 1, God draws to himself those God elected. 00:09:55.480 --> 00:10:04.399 Outside of time and space, before the history of planet Earth began, the Lamb of God, we're told in the Bible, 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:12.699 the Lamb that was slain before the foundations of the world, has a book of life with names written on it, 00:10:12.939 --> 00:10:21.579 not a hypothetical category, but names of those to whom he would give eternal life. 00:10:22.620 --> 00:10:30.340 Titus 1, 2 says that eternal life comes from God, who cannot lie promised before time began. 00:10:30.340 --> 00:10:41.080 Revelation 17, 8 says there are others whose names are not written in this book of life of the Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world, 00:10:41.200 --> 00:10:47.220 who will receive judgment from God, whose names are not written in the book of life. 00:10:48.560 --> 00:10:56.980 So the question is really, on what basis does God elect some sinners to be saved? 00:10:56.980 --> 00:11:02.539 In Romans 9, 15, the Holy Spirit answers this exact question. 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:10.300 God says, I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy. 00:11:10.800 --> 00:11:16.680 And I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion. 00:11:17.680 --> 00:11:19.860 Is this unjust of God? 00:11:21.300 --> 00:11:22.759 By no means. 00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:27.879 The Bible says, do not lean on your own understanding. 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:34.720 You and I will either receive God's grace in Jesus Christ, 00:11:35.100 --> 00:11:40.379 or we will receive God's justice outside of Jesus Christ. 00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:55.600 If election were based on God, forcing a future faith determined by a man, 00:11:56.059 --> 00:12:01.700 then the final basis for salvation would be the man's choice, not God's. 00:12:01.700 --> 00:12:10.460 Then at least part of the glory, in fact, the deciding part would rightly be claimed by the one who chose God. 00:12:10.800 --> 00:12:12.800 But the Bible says, look for yourself. 00:12:13.460 --> 00:12:14.100 Verse four. 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:18.220 We were chosen in him before the creation of the world. 00:12:18.920 --> 00:12:20.000 Now look at verse six. 00:12:20.140 --> 00:12:20.379 Why? 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:26.440 To the praise of his glorious grace, not for man's glory. 00:12:26.440 --> 00:12:56.420 The one who chose God's grace, not for man's glory. 00:12:56.419 --> 00:13:00.439 Loving this child based on something this child may or may not do in the future. 00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:03.759 It's simply an expression of their love. 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:07.939 Because this baby is the fruit of their good pleasure. 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:15.279 And that's how God chose you before the foundation of the world in Christ. 00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:19.899 You are the fruit of God's good pleasure in Christ. 00:13:19.899 --> 00:13:26.240 Your salvation does not depend on anything you have done or will do in the future. 00:13:27.319 --> 00:13:30.299 God loved you and picked you. 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:36.939 He elected you before you ever had a chance to earn even the smallest part of it. 00:13:36.940 --> 00:13:42.860 2 Timothy 2.19 presses this glorious truth on us. 00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:48.800 The solid foundation of God stands having this seal. 00:13:49.320 --> 00:13:53.220 The Lord knows those who are his. 00:13:53.900 --> 00:14:00.260 The Lord has known you who are his in Christ before the foundation of the world. 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:01.779 Why? 00:14:02.439 --> 00:14:09.700 So that you as his church would praise God the Father for choosing you in Christ. 00:14:12.139 --> 00:14:14.179 Here's the second reason to praise God. 00:14:15.220 --> 00:14:19.700 O church, praise God the Father who purposed, look at the rest of verse four, 00:14:19.700 --> 00:14:27.360 before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him. 00:14:28.400 --> 00:14:34.460 Church, praise God the Father who purposed that you and I would be holy before him. 00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:43.180 He's using a metaphor describing the cosmos, the whole world, being built like a big construction site. 00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:50.319 The first thing you do in laying out a big construction project is to pour out the foundation. 00:14:52.739 --> 00:14:55.219 Think about the church in Ephesus. 00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:59.239 They're thinking of this magnificent building, this huge construction. 00:14:59.439 --> 00:15:02.079 It's the temple to the goddess Diana. 00:15:03.459 --> 00:15:05.219 And think of how that came to be. 00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:08.719 All the work cutting the marble and laying the foundation and building it up. 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:14.399 The almighty God, way before that temple ever started to take shape. 00:15:15.040 --> 00:15:20.540 He is the one who stood as the master architect of all the creation. 00:15:21.080 --> 00:15:24.420 The entire world, including the spiritual realm. 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:28.779 And he pledged to build it from start to finish. 00:15:29.580 --> 00:15:31.080 Every single detail. 00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:33.200 Because he is God. 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:39.340 As we receive this glorious truth that God designed your salvation. 00:15:39.920 --> 00:15:42.200 That you would be before him, holy and blameless. 00:15:42.420 --> 00:15:43.680 From start to finish. 00:15:43.960 --> 00:15:44.840 All his plan. 00:15:45.820 --> 00:15:48.560 We need to remember which God it is that did this. 00:15:48.640 --> 00:15:51.379 Who is this great God of our salvation? 00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:53.960 I did a wonderful study. 00:15:54.680 --> 00:16:00.780 I looked up, where does the Bible talk about what it was like and what happened before the foundations of the world? 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:02.460 What else does the Bible say about that? 00:16:02.460 --> 00:16:05.660 That moment in eternity past, so to speak. 00:16:06.800 --> 00:16:09.900 And here's a few of the wonderful truths we know from the Bible. 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:10.940 Number one. 00:16:11.400 --> 00:16:15.600 Outside of time and space, before the history of planet Earth began, 00:16:16.180 --> 00:16:22.560 the triune God has always existed as sovereign Lord over all. 00:16:24.080 --> 00:16:25.360 Psalm 92 says, 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:44.120 God will do as God wills because he is the sovereign Lord. 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:57.740 God was, he is, and he forever shall be the almighty creator of all who reigns as absolute, undisputed Lord over all that is and all that ever shall be. 00:16:58.440 --> 00:16:59.000 What else? 00:16:59.460 --> 00:17:00.060 Number two. 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:04.440 Outside of time and space, before the history of planet Earth began, 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:12.380 God declared his wise counsel, his eternal decree to accomplish all that he pleased. 00:17:12.880 --> 00:17:14.440 Isaiah 46 10 says, 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:21.880 God declared the end from the beginning and from ancient times, things that were not yet done, saying, 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:29.180 My counsel shall stand and I will do my pleasure. 00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:32.480 This is the God who saves. 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:36.060 According to the counsel of his own infinite wisdom, 00:17:36.600 --> 00:17:41.520 God's eternal decree was set to accomplish his good will. 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:46.139 Because he is God, he will do as he pleases. 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:47.660 Why else? 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:48.879 Number three. 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:56.700 Before time and space, God the Father purposed that his grace would be put on his elect in Christ. 00:17:56.940 --> 00:18:03.559 In addition to verse four of our passage, 2 Timothy 1 9 and many other places testify to this. 00:18:04.139 --> 00:18:04.619 It says, 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:06.039 Who has saved us? 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:09.480 This is God who saved us and called us with a holy calling, 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:15.259 not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:20.720 which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:25.440 Before God said, let there be evening and let there be morning. 00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:33.400 The very first time God had already locked his love upon his people in Christ. 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:38.640 The hope of our salvation rests upon God's sovereign purpose, 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:47.700 upon his divine decree that he has covenanted in Christ Jesus for you and me before the world began. 00:18:50.860 --> 00:18:52.540 Our passage says, 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:56.740 God designed that we would be able to come before him. 00:18:57.560 --> 00:19:05.740 And we would be able to stand before God in Christ as blameless and holy. 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:09.339 That word before God, 00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:11.279 Corum Deo, 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.900 is the Latin. 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:18.099 And it means together with God or before the face of God, 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:20.579 in the presence of the holy God. 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:23.220 To be Corum God in that way. 00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:25.859 It means that you're not just standing in front of them, 00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:30.240 but that he is actively looking at you. 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:34.819 You're fully exposed before his holy gaze. 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:37.720 And that God foreordained that in Christ, 00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:42.279 that's how we would be positionally before God in Christ. 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:46.039 God is all-knowing, 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.579 and he is all-seeing, 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:49.660 and God is everywhere present. 00:19:50.639 --> 00:19:51.240 And still, 00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:54.139 people like you and me with remaining sin, 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:56.240 if we are in Christ, 00:19:56.359 --> 00:19:59.259 we already stand in his presence, 00:19:59.359 --> 00:20:00.519 before his face, 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:02.759 without any blame. 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:04.920 He sees us as blameless, 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:06.319 as holy. 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:09.259 We are already set apart. 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:14.359 We're already blood-sprinkled vessels for his sacred purposes. 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:20.819 We are being sanctified for this special purpose he has for his people. 00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:26.200 He causes us to live in accord with that purpose, 00:20:26.399 --> 00:20:27.980 to live for his glory. 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:32.380 This is what it means that God purposed before the world began 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:34.099 for his church, 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:34.839 in verse 4, 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:38.640 to be holy and without blame before him. 00:20:39.099 --> 00:20:40.299 We are set apart. 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:42.539 He considers us pure, 00:20:43.319 --> 00:20:44.000 consecrated. 00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:46.279 We're blameless. 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.099 He looks at us, 00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:50.660 and he sees us as he sees his own son, 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.519 Jesus Christ. 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:54.539 He sees us as unblemished, 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:56.059 faultless, 00:20:56.899 --> 00:20:58.240 unspotted before him. 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:02.839 It's very important that we, 00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:04.339 we put this together. 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:04.700 So, 00:21:05.859 --> 00:21:08.119 he chose us in Christ, 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:10.000 before the foundations of the world, 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:12.799 that we would be holy and blameless. 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:14.879 What's the relationship between him, 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:16.339 choosing us in Christ, 00:21:16.819 --> 00:21:18.500 and being holy and blameless? 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:21.859 John Gill helpfully, 00:21:21.859 --> 00:21:23.519 made the distinction. 00:21:24.959 --> 00:21:27.119 God does not elect men 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:28.899 because they will believe 00:21:28.899 --> 00:21:30.199 and be holy, 00:21:30.439 --> 00:21:32.639 but they believe 00:21:32.639 --> 00:21:34.139 and he makes them holy 00:21:34.139 --> 00:21:36.899 because he elected them. 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:38.519 That's the relationship. 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:40.699 Faith and holiness 00:21:40.699 --> 00:21:41.979 are the fruits 00:21:41.979 --> 00:21:43.539 and the effects 00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:45.399 of our being elected in Christ. 00:21:46.199 --> 00:21:46.799 Therefore, 00:21:46.939 --> 00:21:48.599 they cannot be the causes 00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:50.299 or the conditions 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.699 of our election. 00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:53.539 Would it be helpful 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:54.659 if I ran that one by you 00:21:54.659 --> 00:21:55.299 one more time, 00:21:55.379 --> 00:21:56.059 by John Gill? 00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:59.439 God does not elect men 00:21:59.439 --> 00:22:01.059 because they will believe 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:02.039 and be holy, 00:22:02.339 --> 00:22:04.219 but you and I believe 00:22:04.219 --> 00:22:06.019 and are made holy by God 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:07.879 because God elected us 00:22:07.879 --> 00:22:08.819 in Christ. 00:22:09.719 --> 00:22:10.639 Faith and holiness 00:22:10.639 --> 00:22:11.519 are fruits 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:13.719 and effects of election, 00:22:13.719 --> 00:22:16.059 and therefore cannot be 00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:17.319 the causes 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:18.679 or conditions 00:22:18.679 --> 00:22:19.679 of election. 00:22:19.899 --> 00:22:20.139 Amen? 00:22:20.139 --> 00:22:20.240 Amen? 00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:23.519 This is confirmed 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.319 in God's word. 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:25.679 Receive this 00:22:25.679 --> 00:22:26.519 as an encouragement 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.519 of your assurance 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:29.439 by God's grace alone. 00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:31.559 2 Thessalonians 2.13 00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:33.219 We are bound 00:22:33.219 --> 00:22:35.099 to give thanks to God 00:22:35.099 --> 00:22:36.879 always for you, 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:37.639 brethren, 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:39.259 beloved by the Lord, 00:22:39.659 --> 00:22:40.599 because God 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:42.159 from the beginning 00:22:42.159 --> 00:22:43.479 chose you 00:22:43.479 --> 00:22:44.839 for salvation 00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:46.379 through sanctification 00:22:46.379 --> 00:22:47.479 by the Spirit 00:22:47.479 --> 00:22:48.379 and belief 00:22:48.379 --> 00:22:49.500 in the truth. 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:51.220 All glory be to God. 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.660 So church, 00:22:53.160 --> 00:22:54.240 praise God the Father 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:55.420 who purposed 00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:56.859 before the foundation 00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:57.619 of the world 00:22:57.619 --> 00:22:59.319 that we should be holy 00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:01.000 and without blame 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:02.240 before Him. 00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:03.000 Amen? 00:23:04.160 --> 00:23:05.599 Here's our third reason 00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:06.859 to praise God the Father 00:23:06.859 --> 00:23:08.539 from our passage today. 00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:10.379 O church, 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:12.879 praise God the Father 00:23:12.879 --> 00:23:14.259 who loved 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.819 and predestined us 00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.500 for adoption 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.559 as sons 00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:19.379 by Jesus Christ 00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:20.500 to Himself. 00:23:21.139 --> 00:23:22.180 This is verse 5. 00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:23.180 Church, 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.119 praise God 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:25.259 who in love 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:26.599 predestined us 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:27.559 to adoption 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.399 as sons 00:23:28.399 --> 00:23:29.859 by Jesus Christ 00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:31.039 to Himself. 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:33.960 As we speak 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:35.279 of this glorious 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:36.059 doctrine 00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:38.079 of predestination 00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:38.960 and election 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:40.079 before the foundations 00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:40.859 of the world, 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.680 we need to be 00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:43.399 just as careful 00:23:43.399 --> 00:23:44.359 to be clear 00:23:44.359 --> 00:23:45.039 and accurate 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:46.539 as we do 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.519 with the way 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:48.259 in which we talk 00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:48.839 about this. 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:49.920 I love how our 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:50.740 confession of faith 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.879 actually warns us 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:52.819 that these are 00:23:52.819 --> 00:23:54.159 high truths, 00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:55.720 these are high mysteries 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.359 and doctrines 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:57.139 that must be handled 00:23:57.139 --> 00:23:59.639 with good pastoral care. 00:23:59.640 --> 00:24:02.280 they are to stir us 00:24:02.280 --> 00:24:03.340 up to worship God 00:24:03.340 --> 00:24:04.520 but never meant 00:24:04.520 --> 00:24:05.540 to be destructive 00:24:05.540 --> 00:24:06.480 or divisive 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.600 within the body. 00:24:09.340 --> 00:24:10.320 If you and I 00:24:10.320 --> 00:24:10.780 were brought 00:24:10.780 --> 00:24:12.240 to help restore 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:13.340 the stained glass 00:24:13.340 --> 00:24:14.720 inside of an old 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:16.100 beautiful church building, 00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:18.200 it would be wrong 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:18.820 for one of us 00:24:18.820 --> 00:24:19.420 to bring along 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.200 our sledgehammer 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:21.600 to do that delicate work, 00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:21.840 right? 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:24.280 Let's let ourselves 00:24:24.280 --> 00:24:25.140 meditate now 00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:25.680 and bask 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:27.200 on the tone 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:28.360 of how God 00:24:28.360 --> 00:24:29.200 describes this 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:30.120 wonderful doctrine 00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:31.600 of choosing us. 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.960 In love, 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:34.080 we read in verse 5 00:24:34.080 --> 00:24:35.420 at the end of verse 4, 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.759 it was in love 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:37.240 that God 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.819 predestined us, 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:40.700 that he chose us 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:41.279 in Christ 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:42.519 and he speaks of it 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.180 as being brought 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:44.220 into his family 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:45.000 as ones who were 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:46.220 orphaned, 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.500 alienated from God 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:48.880 but are now adopted 00:24:48.880 --> 00:24:50.400 as sons 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:51.539 by Christ Jesus 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:53.340 to God himself. 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.680 It's language 00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:55.460 of love 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:56.319 and family. 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:58.339 We must speak 00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:59.019 of these glorious 00:24:59.019 --> 00:24:59.539 truths 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.619 and we need 00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:01.259 the Holy Spirit 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.960 to train our minds 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:03.619 and our hearts 00:25:03.619 --> 00:25:04.399 and our attitudes 00:25:04.399 --> 00:25:06.139 and even our voices 00:25:06.139 --> 00:25:07.000 and our tone 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:08.399 as we do our best 00:25:08.399 --> 00:25:09.339 to put words 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:10.379 to the great mystery 00:25:10.379 --> 00:25:11.279 of our salvation. 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:13.319 It's a tone 00:25:13.319 --> 00:25:13.980 of love, 00:25:14.619 --> 00:25:15.319 of family, 00:25:15.939 --> 00:25:17.079 of a generous, 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:17.779 free offer 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.980 to all who will 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:20.220 come to Christ. 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:22.740 Think of how 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.960 the rest of Scripture 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:25.120 talks about this 00:25:25.120 --> 00:25:27.240 loving predestination 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:28.660 by God 00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:29.740 for all who will 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.980 be adopted in Christ. 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.740 In love, 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:33.900 God the Father 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:34.720 was pleased 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:35.299 in the words 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:36.360 of Galatians 4 00:25:36.360 --> 00:25:37.860 to send forth 00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:38.539 his Son 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:39.880 when the fullness 00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:40.819 of time had come 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:41.519 so that we might 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:43.160 receive adoption 00:25:43.160 --> 00:25:44.539 as sons. 00:25:45.100 --> 00:25:45.819 And because you 00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:46.460 are sons, 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:47.299 God has sent 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:48.059 his Spirit, 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:49.720 the Spirit of his Son, 00:25:49.720 --> 00:25:50.920 into your hearts 00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:51.920 crying, 00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:52.860 Abba, Father. 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:54.720 In love, 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.400 God the Father 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:56.200 is pleased 00:25:56.200 --> 00:25:57.420 in the words 00:25:57.420 --> 00:25:58.579 of John 1, 12 00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:59.299 to give you 00:25:59.299 --> 00:25:59.980 the right 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:01.039 to become 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:02.720 children of God 00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:03.640 to as many 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.759 as who will 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.480 receive him 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.279 who believe 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.019 in his name. 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:08.579 In love, 00:26:08.680 --> 00:26:09.259 God the Father 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:09.860 was pleased 00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:10.480 to call you 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:10.759 and me 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.519 his children. 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.700 Romans 8, 17 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.400 presses this 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.299 on us even more. 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:16.519 And if children, 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:17.680 then heirs, 00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:18.759 heirs of God 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.420 and joint heirs 00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:20.120 with Christ 00:26:20.120 --> 00:26:21.039 if indeed 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:21.539 we suffer 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.060 with him 00:26:22.060 --> 00:26:22.920 that we may 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:24.039 also be glorified 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:25.640 together with him. 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.820 In love, 00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:28.560 we have the words 00:26:28.560 --> 00:26:29.000 of God 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:31.240 from 2 Corinthians 6, 18. 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.880 I will be 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:34.039 a father to you 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:35.200 and you shall be 00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:36.340 my sons and daughters, 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.720 says the Lord 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.600 Almighty. 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.800 In love, 00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:41.500 God the Father 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.220 was pleased 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.800 to answer 00:26:42.800 --> 00:26:44.120 Christ's own prayer 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:46.399 in John 17, 24. 00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.159 Jesus prayed, 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:47.559 Father, 00:26:47.879 --> 00:26:48.919 I desire 00:26:48.919 --> 00:26:50.539 that they also 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:51.739 whom you gave 00:26:51.739 --> 00:26:52.199 me 00:26:52.199 --> 00:26:53.699 may be with me 00:26:53.699 --> 00:26:54.679 where I am 00:26:54.679 --> 00:26:56.019 that they may 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:57.839 behold my glory 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.759 which you have 00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.500 given me 00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:00.559 for you have 00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:01.539 loved me 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.859 before the 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:03.399 foundation 00:27:03.399 --> 00:27:04.659 of the world. 00:27:04.899 --> 00:27:05.539 And that's what 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.579 I want for my people, 00:27:06.919 --> 00:27:07.379 my church, 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.000 those you have 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.779 given to me. 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:11.700 Our second 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.599 London Confession 00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:13.019 of Faith, 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:13.799 chapter 3, 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:14.660 paragraph 7, 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:15.139 says, 00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:16.619 this glorious 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:17.240 doctrine 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:18.599 deserves one 00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:19.519 response from 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:20.200 God's people, 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:21.639 praise. 00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:23.680 This should 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:24.339 stir us up 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:25.119 to revere 00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:25.519 God, 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.839 to admire 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:28.059 our Savior, 00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:29.559 and it should 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:30.339 also cause us 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.399 to be humble, 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:34.059 to be diligent 00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:35.220 in studying 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:35.819 his word 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:36.299 and growing 00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:37.000 in the faith, 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:38.160 and then to 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:38.759 rest in the 00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:39.640 rich comfort 00:27:39.640 --> 00:27:41.200 of his promises 00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:42.140 to his church. 00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:43.480 So church, 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.619 praise God 00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:45.859 who in love 00:27:45.859 --> 00:27:46.940 predestined us 00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.579 for adoption 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:48.799 as sons 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:49.960 by Jesus Christ 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:51.200 to himself. 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:52.879 Here's the 00:27:52.879 --> 00:27:53.559 fourth and final 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.359 reason the church 00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:55.039 is called to 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:56.000 praise God 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.779 from our passage 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.259 today, 00:27:57.700 --> 00:27:58.559 focused on 00:27:58.559 --> 00:27:59.180 verse 6. 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.160 O church, 00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:01.839 praise God 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.400 the Father 00:28:02.400 --> 00:28:03.700 who authored 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.940 your salvation 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:07.859 according to 00:28:07.859 --> 00:28:08.279 the good 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:08.879 pleasure of 00:28:08.879 --> 00:28:08.879 00:28:08.879 --> 00:28:09.440 his will 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.259 to the 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:11.240 praise of 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:11.740 the glory 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.220 of his 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:13.399 grace with 00:28:13.399 --> 00:28:13.779 which he 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:14.200 has made 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:15.500 us accepted 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:16.420 in the 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:16.779 beloved. 00:28:17.379 --> 00:28:17.940 Church, 00:28:18.139 --> 00:28:18.619 praise God 00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:19.160 the Father 00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:20.639 who is the 00:28:20.639 --> 00:28:21.119 author and 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.619 finisher of 00:28:21.619 --> 00:28:22.240 your salvation 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:22.839 from start 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:23.460 to finish 00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:24.259 for his 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:24.740 praise. 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:28.000 The word 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.720 in focus 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.180 in verses 00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:30.240 5 and 6 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:32.059 is the 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.299 word 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:33.759 predestined, 00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:35.000 predestined. 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.440 This word 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.980 means there 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:39.339 is a 00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:39.980 destination, 00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:41.480 but that 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.299 destination is 00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:42.779 determined 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.920 beforehand, 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.960 in advance. 00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:47.359 You have 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:48.359 been appointed 00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:49.839 to end up 00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:50.839 at a final 00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:51.220 point, 00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:51.740 a final 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.420 destination, 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.680 and it was 00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:54.299 God the 00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:55.920 Father who 00:28:55.920 --> 00:28:56.799 predestined this 00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:57.639 for you in 00:28:57.639 --> 00:28:58.480 Jesus Christ. 00:29:00.399 --> 00:29:01.159 Some of you 00:29:01.159 --> 00:29:01.779 have gone to 00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:02.700 Central Station 00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:03.319 in Denver. 00:29:04.159 --> 00:29:04.740 You can catch 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.339 a train and 00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:06.339 go west, 00:29:06.399 --> 00:29:06.720 or you could 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.299 go east. 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:08.839 The destination 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:09.680 of one train 00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.079 is going to 00:29:10.079 --> 00:29:10.539 take you to 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:11.119 the Atlantic 00:29:11.119 --> 00:29:11.619 Ocean. 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:12.879 The destination 00:29:12.879 --> 00:29:13.799 of another train 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.200 is going to 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:14.680 take you to 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:15.319 the Pacific 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:15.779 Ocean. 00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.659 You are bound 00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:18.279 for one 00:29:18.279 --> 00:29:18.940 destination 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.880 or the 00:29:19.880 --> 00:29:20.120 other. 00:29:21.580 --> 00:29:22.540 Verses 5 and 00:29:22.540 --> 00:29:23.300 6 tell us 00:29:23.300 --> 00:29:23.820 that in 00:29:23.820 --> 00:29:24.259 love, 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:25.340 God has 00:29:25.340 --> 00:29:26.700 predestined 00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:26.980 you, 00:29:27.120 --> 00:29:27.380 church, 00:29:27.860 --> 00:29:28.740 to be bound 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.140 for the 00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:29.779 destination. 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:31.240 And the 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:31.740 final point 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:32.019 of this 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.460 destination 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.500 is you 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:34.900 belong in 00:29:34.900 --> 00:29:35.380 the family 00:29:35.380 --> 00:29:35.980 of God, 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.240 and you 00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:36.920 live before 00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:37.660 His face. 00:29:39.820 --> 00:29:40.620 The other 00:29:40.620 --> 00:29:42.200 destination is 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:42.880 you are 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:43.540 outside of 00:29:43.540 --> 00:29:43.940 Christ. 00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:45.759 You're 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:47.080 destined for 00:29:47.080 --> 00:29:47.580 a life 00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:49.079 now of 00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:50.439 misery and 00:29:50.439 --> 00:29:51.980 eternally for 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:53.119 judgment that 00:29:53.119 --> 00:29:54.439 you deserve and 00:29:54.439 --> 00:29:55.319 I deserve because 00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:55.960 of our sin. 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:58.819 God has 00:29:58.819 --> 00:30:01.740 predestined for 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:03.599 His people to 00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:04.279 be with Him 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:04.839 forever and 00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:05.059 ever, 00:30:05.139 --> 00:30:05.740 adopted in 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.319 His family, 00:30:06.859 --> 00:30:07.639 taken off of 00:30:07.639 --> 00:30:08.960 that train, 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:09.759 so to speak, 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:11.199 and instead of 00:30:11.199 --> 00:30:11.759 heading off of 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.319 a cliff of 00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:13.500 eternal judgment 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.019 and torment, 00:30:14.159 --> 00:30:14.879 you are put 00:30:14.879 --> 00:30:15.659 now in 00:30:15.659 --> 00:30:16.139 Christ. 00:30:16.740 --> 00:30:17.019 And the 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.879 destination is 00:30:17.879 --> 00:30:18.720 locked and 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:19.099 secure. 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.720 God 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.440 predestined 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:23.660 you, 00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:25.359 and He did 00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:25.819 all of this 00:30:25.819 --> 00:30:26.259 for His 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:26.720 glory. 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:30.319 Because the 00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:31.119 destination is 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:31.440 secure, 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.139 every step 00:30:32.139 --> 00:30:32.599 along the 00:30:32.599 --> 00:30:33.079 way to 00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:33.960 accomplish 00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:34.400 what He 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:34.559 has 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.200 predestined, 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:35.819 He also 00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:36.359 controls, 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:37.259 He also 00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:37.779 secures 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:38.279 forever. 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:39.240 Let your 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:39.700 eyes drop 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.079 down in 00:30:40.079 --> 00:30:41.180 the passage 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:41.900 to verse 00:30:41.900 --> 00:30:42.279 11. 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:42.720 Look at 00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:43.519 Ephesians 1 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:44.740 verse 11. 00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:45.799 Or this 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:46.200 word is 00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:46.639 picked up 00:30:46.639 --> 00:30:46.960 one more 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.420 time. 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.460 Ephesians 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.339 1 11 says 00:30:50.339 --> 00:30:50.859 that God 00:30:50.859 --> 00:30:51.759 predestined 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:53.000 you according 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.420 to the 00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:54.059 purpose of 00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:55.039 Him who 00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:55.900 works all 00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:56.819 things according 00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:57.279 to the 00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:58.299 counsel of 00:30:58.299 --> 00:30:58.660 His own 00:30:58.660 --> 00:30:58.920 will. 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:00.639 So the 00:31:00.639 --> 00:31:01.019 Lord is 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.960 working all 00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:03.259 things to 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:04.160 accomplish that 00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:04.779 for which He 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:06.319 has predestined 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:06.940 you. 00:31:09.160 --> 00:31:09.779 Think about 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.019 this. 00:31:10.099 --> 00:31:10.579 You know you 00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:11.139 are in Christ 00:31:11.139 --> 00:31:11.740 now, but how 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.220 did that come 00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:12.620 to be? 00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:13.339 You were 00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:13.980 born outside 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:14.600 of Christ, 00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:16.100 headed toward 00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:17.079 condemnation and 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:17.620 misery and 00:31:17.620 --> 00:31:17.960 judgment. 00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:20.480 How was it 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:20.740 that the 00:31:20.740 --> 00:31:21.559 Lord brought 00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.380 you now into 00:31:22.380 --> 00:31:22.920 Christ? 00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:24.559 In our flesh, 00:31:24.640 --> 00:31:25.140 in our worldly 00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:25.839 way of thinking, 00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:27.380 we can twist it 00:31:27.380 --> 00:31:27.720 this way. 00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:28.339 We can say, 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.460 I must have 00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:29.900 just gotten 00:31:29.900 --> 00:31:30.700 lucky enough 00:31:30.700 --> 00:31:31.880 to hear the 00:31:31.880 --> 00:31:32.539 gospel preached 00:31:32.539 --> 00:31:33.160 by a person 00:31:33.160 --> 00:31:33.539 who was 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.920 persuasive enough 00:31:34.920 --> 00:31:36.000 that I then 00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:36.680 chose God, 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:37.140 and that's why 00:31:37.140 --> 00:31:37.839 I'm in Christ. 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:39.400 That's not what 00:31:39.400 --> 00:31:39.860 these verses 00:31:39.860 --> 00:31:40.380 teach. 00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:43.600 You and I 00:31:43.600 --> 00:31:44.220 heard the 00:31:44.220 --> 00:31:44.620 gospel, 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:45.579 and we 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:46.880 believed this 00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:47.579 good news 00:31:47.579 --> 00:31:48.680 for us 00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:50.519 because God 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:52.039 works all 00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:53.759 things according 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:54.460 to the counsel 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.299 of His will. 00:31:56.160 --> 00:31:56.960 God was 00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:57.680 working all 00:31:57.680 --> 00:31:58.360 things so that 00:31:58.360 --> 00:31:59.220 you would hear 00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:00.100 the gospel. 00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:01.600 No matter how 00:32:01.600 --> 00:32:02.799 unclearly or 00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:03.839 unpersuasively it 00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:04.420 was preached, 00:32:04.920 --> 00:32:05.680 He was working 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:06.299 it so that you 00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:07.559 would believe in 00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:08.740 Him according to 00:32:08.740 --> 00:32:09.440 the counsel of 00:32:09.440 --> 00:32:10.100 His own will. 00:32:10.099 --> 00:32:11.919 And for what 00:32:11.919 --> 00:32:12.439 purpose? 00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:13.679 Why you? 00:32:14.679 --> 00:32:15.279 It's simply 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:15.980 because God 00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:16.539 the Father 00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:17.980 predestined you 00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:19.439 for adoption 00:32:19.439 --> 00:32:20.199 to Himself 00:32:20.199 --> 00:32:20.839 by Jesus 00:32:20.839 --> 00:32:21.399 Christ, 00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:22.879 that you 00:32:22.879 --> 00:32:23.199 would be 00:32:23.199 --> 00:32:23.659 considered 00:32:23.659 --> 00:32:25.139 accepted in 00:32:25.139 --> 00:32:25.779 the Beloved. 00:32:26.639 --> 00:32:27.500 That word 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:28.240 accepted in 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.819 the Beloved, 00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:30.299 it means God 00:32:30.299 --> 00:32:31.000 would show you 00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:32.039 His favor 00:32:32.039 --> 00:32:32.959 in Christ. 00:32:33.599 --> 00:32:34.119 God would 00:32:34.119 --> 00:32:34.879 bestow His 00:32:34.879 --> 00:32:35.659 grace upon 00:32:35.659 --> 00:32:36.699 you in 00:32:36.699 --> 00:32:37.119 Christ. 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:38.439 God would 00:32:38.439 --> 00:32:40.199 consider you 00:32:40.199 --> 00:32:41.339 one with 00:32:41.339 --> 00:32:42.259 His beloved 00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:42.819 one, His 00:32:42.819 --> 00:32:43.719 highly honored 00:32:43.719 --> 00:32:45.539 one, Jesus 00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:46.099 Christ. 00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:48.119 God holds 00:32:48.119 --> 00:32:49.359 Jesus Christ 00:32:49.359 --> 00:32:50.259 so dearly 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:51.859 in such 00:32:51.859 --> 00:32:52.619 high esteem. 00:32:53.699 --> 00:32:54.299 Jesus Christ 00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:55.059 is the object 00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:56.119 of divine 00:32:56.119 --> 00:32:57.819 love and God 00:32:57.819 --> 00:32:58.979 predestined you 00:32:58.979 --> 00:33:00.539 to receive that 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.319 same love and 00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:02.519 favor from 00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:03.319 God the Father 00:33:03.319 --> 00:33:04.799 in Jesus 00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:05.359 Christ. 00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:08.379 God is 00:33:08.379 --> 00:33:09.139 working all 00:33:09.139 --> 00:33:10.699 things so 00:33:10.699 --> 00:33:11.219 that your 00:33:11.219 --> 00:33:12.059 salvation and 00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:12.500 mine will 00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:13.019 come true. 00:33:14.939 --> 00:33:15.879 My prayer 00:33:15.879 --> 00:33:16.679 in preparing 00:33:16.679 --> 00:33:17.259 for today 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:17.759 has simply 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:18.479 been that God 00:33:18.479 --> 00:33:19.419 will stir us 00:33:19.419 --> 00:33:20.240 up with these 00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:21.099 simple truths 00:33:21.099 --> 00:33:22.819 as much as 00:33:22.819 --> 00:33:23.240 our minds 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:24.000 struggle to 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:25.500 receive it 00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:26.039 or understand 00:33:26.039 --> 00:33:27.039 it, that 00:33:27.039 --> 00:33:27.740 we'll grab 00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:28.279 hold of it 00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:29.679 truly, if 00:33:29.679 --> 00:33:30.339 not fully. 00:33:32.139 --> 00:33:32.559 May His 00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:33.079 grace stir 00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:33.619 you to 00:33:33.619 --> 00:33:34.219 praise Him 00:33:34.220 --> 00:33:36.779 and fully 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:38.000 aware there 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:38.680 may be some, 00:33:38.779 --> 00:33:39.339 very likely 00:33:39.339 --> 00:33:39.940 are some, 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:41.660 that in God's 00:33:41.660 --> 00:33:42.259 providence are 00:33:42.259 --> 00:33:42.720 hearing the 00:33:42.720 --> 00:33:43.500 gospel today 00:33:43.500 --> 00:33:44.980 who do not 00:33:44.980 --> 00:33:46.480 know salvation 00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:47.500 in Christ. 00:33:48.940 --> 00:33:49.940 If you're here 00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:50.500 today and you 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:51.200 don't know 00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:52.180 what is the 00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:53.100 destination of 00:33:53.100 --> 00:33:54.360 your life now 00:33:54.360 --> 00:33:54.880 and for all 00:33:54.880 --> 00:33:55.339 eternity, 00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:56.759 or if there's 00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:57.339 someone here 00:33:57.339 --> 00:33:58.339 who is very 00:33:58.339 --> 00:33:59.740 unsure of 00:33:59.740 --> 00:34:00.059 what their 00:34:00.059 --> 00:34:01.059 final destination 00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:02.180 will be, 00:34:02.180 --> 00:34:03.519 then we 00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:04.900 pray that 00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:05.320 the Lord 00:34:05.320 --> 00:34:06.220 will draw 00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:06.680 you to 00:34:06.680 --> 00:34:07.240 Himself, 00:34:07.660 --> 00:34:08.099 that you 00:34:08.099 --> 00:34:08.820 will receive 00:34:08.820 --> 00:34:09.680 Him by 00:34:09.680 --> 00:34:10.240 faith. 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.420 Run to 00:34:11.420 --> 00:34:12.380 Jesus Christ. 00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:14.200 If He's 00:34:14.200 --> 00:34:14.960 causing you to 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:15.559 believe this 00:34:15.559 --> 00:34:15.820 and to 00:34:15.820 --> 00:34:16.659 accept this, 00:34:17.180 --> 00:34:17.880 it's because 00:34:17.880 --> 00:34:18.400 His Spirit 00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:18.800 has already 00:34:18.800 --> 00:34:19.559 gone before 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:20.340 the word 00:34:20.340 --> 00:34:20.760 that's being 00:34:20.760 --> 00:34:21.440 preached today. 00:34:21.720 --> 00:34:22.340 His Spirit 00:34:22.340 --> 00:34:22.780 had already 00:34:22.780 --> 00:34:23.400 arranged that 00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:23.860 you would be 00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:24.420 here today, 00:34:24.740 --> 00:34:25.240 that this 00:34:25.240 --> 00:34:25.680 would be our 00:34:25.680 --> 00:34:26.500 sermon passage, 00:34:27.059 --> 00:34:28.079 that you 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:28.420 would take 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:29.300 time to hear 00:34:29.300 --> 00:34:30.120 this good 00:34:30.120 --> 00:34:30.860 news of 00:34:30.860 --> 00:34:31.680 your salvation 00:34:31.680 --> 00:34:33.180 because God 00:34:33.180 --> 00:34:33.620 is the one 00:34:33.620 --> 00:34:34.260 who is working 00:34:34.260 --> 00:34:35.440 all things 00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:36.780 according to 00:34:36.780 --> 00:34:37.420 the counsel 00:34:37.420 --> 00:34:38.500 of His 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:39.200 will. 00:34:40.940 --> 00:34:41.640 And to 00:34:41.640 --> 00:34:42.039 those who 00:34:42.039 --> 00:34:43.300 know this 00:34:43.300 --> 00:34:44.120 loving God 00:34:44.120 --> 00:34:44.600 the Father 00:34:44.600 --> 00:34:45.320 through Jesus 00:34:45.320 --> 00:34:45.920 Christ, 00:34:46.280 --> 00:34:47.640 you need to 00:34:47.640 --> 00:34:48.480 be reassured 00:34:48.480 --> 00:34:49.260 that God 00:34:49.260 --> 00:34:50.560 declares you 00:34:50.560 --> 00:34:51.240 already, 00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:52.060 right now, 00:34:52.160 --> 00:34:52.800 this moment, 00:34:53.180 --> 00:34:54.360 accepted in 00:34:54.360 --> 00:34:55.019 the Beloved. 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:56.240 He views you 00:34:56.240 --> 00:34:57.100 as blameless, 00:34:57.460 --> 00:34:58.640 as holy in 00:34:58.639 --> 00:34:59.219 His sight. 00:35:00.279 --> 00:35:00.719 You can 00:35:00.719 --> 00:35:01.839 praise the 00:35:01.839 --> 00:35:02.900 glory of 00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:03.519 God's grace 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:03.960 for your 00:35:03.960 --> 00:35:04.739 salvation from 00:35:04.739 --> 00:35:05.679 start to 00:35:05.679 --> 00:35:06.139 finish. 00:35:07.139 --> 00:35:07.679 That's the 00:35:07.679 --> 00:35:09.099 response that 00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:09.679 we owe Him. 00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:11.500 We will 00:35:11.500 --> 00:35:12.259 praise something. 00:35:12.460 --> 00:35:13.019 Give Him the 00:35:13.019 --> 00:35:13.779 praise today 00:35:13.779 --> 00:35:14.379 that He is 00:35:14.379 --> 00:35:14.639 due. 00:35:15.599 --> 00:35:15.980 God the 00:35:15.980 --> 00:35:17.039 Father adopts 00:35:17.039 --> 00:35:17.519 you in 00:35:17.519 --> 00:35:17.940 Christ. 00:35:18.539 --> 00:35:19.139 Praise the 00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:20.139 glory of 00:35:20.139 --> 00:35:20.839 God's grace 00:35:20.839 --> 00:35:21.219 for your 00:35:21.219 --> 00:35:21.679 adoption. 00:35:23.079 --> 00:35:23.819 Your salvation 00:35:23.819 --> 00:35:24.359 is sure 00:35:24.359 --> 00:35:25.019 because God 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:25.539 the Father 00:35:25.539 --> 00:35:26.639 has pledged 00:35:26.639 --> 00:35:27.739 Himself to 00:35:27.739 --> 00:35:28.199 fulfill 00:35:28.199 --> 00:35:29.000 your salvation 00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:30.000 by His 00:35:30.000 --> 00:35:31.099 unbreakable 00:35:31.099 --> 00:35:32.519 oath-bound 00:35:32.519 --> 00:35:33.279 covenant. 00:35:34.079 --> 00:35:35.279 Praise the 00:35:35.279 --> 00:35:36.299 glory of 00:35:36.299 --> 00:35:37.039 God's grace. 00:35:37.980 --> 00:35:38.439 God the 00:35:38.439 --> 00:35:39.099 Father so 00:35:39.099 --> 00:35:39.579 loves you 00:35:39.579 --> 00:35:39.899 that He 00:35:39.899 --> 00:35:40.439 sent His 00:35:40.439 --> 00:35:41.519 beloved Son 00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:42.779 to open up 00:35:42.779 --> 00:35:43.480 this way 00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:44.439 and bring you 00:35:44.439 --> 00:35:45.659 directly into 00:35:45.659 --> 00:35:46.819 the Holy of 00:35:46.819 --> 00:35:47.960 Holies so 00:35:47.960 --> 00:35:48.399 that there 00:35:48.399 --> 00:35:48.799 you will 00:35:48.799 --> 00:35:49.839 praise the 00:35:49.839 --> 00:35:50.819 glory of 00:35:50.819 --> 00:35:51.639 God's grace. 00:35:52.439 --> 00:35:53.239 God the 00:35:53.239 --> 00:35:54.519 Father unites 00:35:54.519 --> 00:35:55.519 you and me 00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:56.819 intimately to 00:35:56.820 --> 00:35:57.680 Jesus Christ 00:35:57.680 --> 00:35:58.320 and He 00:35:58.320 --> 00:35:58.760 makes us 00:35:58.760 --> 00:35:59.780 forever secure 00:35:59.780 --> 00:36:00.940 in Christ 00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:01.480 who is His 00:36:01.480 --> 00:36:02.000 beloved. 00:36:03.260 --> 00:36:03.780 Praise the 00:36:03.780 --> 00:36:04.360 glory of 00:36:04.360 --> 00:36:05.080 God's grace. 00:36:06.280 --> 00:36:06.880 God the 00:36:06.880 --> 00:36:07.880 Father actively 00:36:07.880 --> 00:36:08.780 orchestrates 00:36:08.780 --> 00:36:10.039 every detail 00:36:10.039 --> 00:36:10.620 of history 00:36:10.620 --> 00:36:11.740 to fulfill 00:36:11.740 --> 00:36:12.900 His purpose 00:36:12.900 --> 00:36:13.480 for you 00:36:13.480 --> 00:36:14.400 and for all 00:36:14.400 --> 00:36:14.820 those who 00:36:14.820 --> 00:36:15.500 will trust 00:36:15.500 --> 00:36:16.539 in Him 00:36:16.539 --> 00:36:17.200 for life 00:36:17.200 --> 00:36:18.260 to the 00:36:18.260 --> 00:36:18.800 praise of 00:36:18.800 --> 00:36:19.300 the glory 00:36:19.300 --> 00:36:19.900 of God's 00:36:19.900 --> 00:36:20.280 grace. 00:36:21.620 --> 00:36:22.320 Do you 00:36:22.320 --> 00:36:22.840 understand 00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:24.079 what the 00:36:24.079 --> 00:36:24.640 Bible says 00:36:24.640 --> 00:36:25.240 about God's 00:36:25.240 --> 00:36:26.039 great salvation? 00:36:27.140 --> 00:36:27.500 On what 00:36:27.500 --> 00:36:28.220 basis He 00:36:28.220 --> 00:36:28.940 has lavished 00:36:28.940 --> 00:36:29.559 this grace 00:36:29.559 --> 00:36:29.920 on you 00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:30.200 and me 00:36:30.200 --> 00:36:30.800 in Christ? 00:36:31.340 --> 00:36:31.600 It's 00:36:31.600 --> 00:36:32.240 according to 00:36:32.240 --> 00:36:32.660 the good 00:36:32.660 --> 00:36:33.079 pleasure 00:36:33.079 --> 00:36:34.039 of His 00:36:34.039 --> 00:36:34.420 will. 00:36:34.760 --> 00:36:35.000 Why? 00:36:35.360 --> 00:36:35.860 For what 00:36:35.860 --> 00:36:36.240 ultimate 00:36:36.240 --> 00:36:36.700 end? 00:36:37.360 --> 00:36:37.720 Look at 00:36:37.720 --> 00:36:38.180 verse 6 00:36:38.180 --> 00:36:38.559 to the 00:36:38.559 --> 00:36:39.039 praise 00:36:39.039 --> 00:36:39.820 of the 00:36:39.820 --> 00:36:40.220 glory 00:36:40.220 --> 00:36:41.180 of His 00:36:41.180 --> 00:36:41.680 grace. 00:36:42.800 --> 00:36:43.160 It is 00:36:43.160 --> 00:36:43.559 God the 00:36:43.559 --> 00:36:44.019 Father's 00:36:44.019 --> 00:36:44.500 design 00:36:44.500 --> 00:36:45.160 for us 00:36:45.160 --> 00:36:45.640 as human 00:36:45.640 --> 00:36:46.120 beings 00:36:46.120 --> 00:36:47.420 to praise 00:36:47.420 --> 00:36:48.280 Him. 00:36:49.400 --> 00:36:49.740 Praise 00:36:49.740 --> 00:36:50.400 His glorious 00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:50.860 name, 00:36:51.240 --> 00:36:51.660 the name 00:36:51.659 --> 00:36:51.960 above 00:36:51.960 --> 00:36:52.399 every 00:36:52.399 --> 00:36:52.799 name, 00:36:53.159 --> 00:36:53.500 the name 00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:53.920 of God 00:36:53.920 --> 00:36:54.440 the Father, 00:36:54.559 --> 00:36:55.019 the Son, 00:36:55.099 --> 00:36:55.539 and the Holy 00:36:55.539 --> 00:36:55.980 Spirit. 00:36:56.859 --> 00:36:57.339 Church, 00:36:57.639 --> 00:36:58.659 praise God 00:36:58.659 --> 00:36:59.500 for the 00:36:59.500 --> 00:37:00.019 glory of 00:37:00.019 --> 00:37:00.579 His grace. 00:37:01.399 --> 00:37:01.899 Let's 00:37:01.899 --> 00:37:02.139 pray. 00:37:02.799 --> 00:37:03.099 Lord, 00:37:03.179 --> 00:37:03.500 we give 00:37:03.500 --> 00:37:03.799 you all 00:37:03.799 --> 00:37:04.299 the glory. 00:37:05.559 --> 00:37:06.199 There is 00:37:06.199 --> 00:37:06.859 no glory 00:37:06.859 --> 00:37:07.940 that man 00:37:07.940 --> 00:37:08.539 can grab 00:37:08.539 --> 00:37:09.199 for ourselves. 00:37:09.339 --> 00:37:09.859 We repent 00:37:09.859 --> 00:37:10.279 of this, 00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:10.539 Lord. 00:37:11.920 --> 00:37:12.859 We confess, 00:37:13.059 --> 00:37:13.159 Lord, 00:37:13.259 --> 00:37:14.319 that we 00:37:14.319 --> 00:37:15.219 are lost 00:37:15.219 --> 00:37:15.659 without 00:37:15.659 --> 00:37:16.019 you. 00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:17.679 You alone 00:37:17.679 --> 00:37:18.259 are worthy 00:37:18.259 --> 00:37:18.839 of all 00:37:18.839 --> 00:37:19.359 praise. 00:37:20.539 --> 00:37:20.839 Our 00:37:20.839 --> 00:37:21.440 salvation, 00:37:21.659 --> 00:37:21.760 Lord, 00:37:21.820 --> 00:37:22.099 is your 00:37:22.099 --> 00:37:22.700 design. 00:37:23.280 --> 00:37:23.500 It's 00:37:23.500 --> 00:37:24.039 your purpose 00:37:24.039 --> 00:37:24.480 for your 00:37:24.480 --> 00:37:25.500 people who 00:37:25.500 --> 00:37:25.980 you chose 00:37:25.980 --> 00:37:26.659 in Christ. 00:37:27.320 --> 00:37:27.740 It's a 00:37:27.740 --> 00:37:28.619 truth that's 00:37:28.619 --> 00:37:29.240 too glorious 00:37:29.240 --> 00:37:29.860 for us to 00:37:29.860 --> 00:37:30.800 be able to 00:37:30.800 --> 00:37:31.760 make up or 00:37:31.760 --> 00:37:32.440 explain with 00:37:32.440 --> 00:37:33.039 other words 00:37:33.039 --> 00:37:33.700 beyond those 00:37:33.700 --> 00:37:34.159 words of 00:37:34.159 --> 00:37:34.579 the Bible. 00:37:35.079 --> 00:37:35.340 And we 00:37:35.340 --> 00:37:35.760 just pray, 00:37:36.019 --> 00:37:36.079 Father, 00:37:36.119 --> 00:37:36.460 that your 00:37:36.460 --> 00:37:36.880 word will 00:37:36.880 --> 00:37:37.760 run forth, 00:37:38.280 --> 00:37:38.740 that you'll 00:37:38.740 --> 00:37:39.240 press this 00:37:39.240 --> 00:37:39.679 onto the 00:37:39.679 --> 00:37:40.079 hearts and 00:37:40.079 --> 00:37:40.440 the minds 00:37:40.440 --> 00:37:40.740 of your 00:37:40.740 --> 00:37:41.079 people, 00:37:41.400 --> 00:37:41.800 that you 00:37:41.800 --> 00:37:42.320 will seal 00:37:42.320 --> 00:37:42.880 us again 00:37:42.880 --> 00:37:43.420 in Christ, 00:37:43.539 --> 00:37:43.679 Lord, 00:37:44.079 --> 00:37:44.639 trusting your 00:37:44.639 --> 00:37:45.099 promises, 00:37:45.539 --> 00:37:45.880 that your 00:37:45.880 --> 00:37:46.639 spirit will 00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:47.700 let us know 00:37:47.700 --> 00:37:48.420 we have this 00:37:48.420 --> 00:37:49.059 assurance. 00:37:49.059 --> 00:37:50.779 and I 00:37:50.779 --> 00:37:50.940 pray, 00:37:51.099 --> 00:37:51.159 Lord, 00:37:51.219 --> 00:37:51.659 that those 00:37:51.659 --> 00:37:52.279 who you 00:37:52.279 --> 00:37:52.840 are drawing 00:37:52.840 --> 00:37:53.539 to yourself, 00:37:53.940 --> 00:37:54.259 you will 00:37:54.259 --> 00:37:54.619 do that 00:37:54.619 --> 00:37:54.940 more and 00:37:54.940 --> 00:37:55.679 more powerfully. 00:37:56.460 --> 00:37:56.980 Make it 00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:58.119 so, 00:37:58.320 --> 00:37:58.400 Lord, 00:37:58.460 --> 00:37:58.699 that they 00:37:58.699 --> 00:37:59.159 will run 00:37:59.159 --> 00:37:59.559 to you 00:37:59.559 --> 00:37:59.840 now, 00:38:00.519 --> 00:38:01.239 that they 00:38:01.239 --> 00:38:01.579 will look 00:38:01.579 --> 00:38:02.079 back and 00:38:02.079 --> 00:38:02.360 see your 00:38:02.360 --> 00:38:02.940 good hand 00:38:02.940 --> 00:38:04.019 of providence 00:38:04.019 --> 00:38:04.619 leading them 00:38:04.619 --> 00:38:05.019 all the 00:38:05.019 --> 00:38:05.820 way and 00:38:05.820 --> 00:38:06.179 give you 00:38:06.179 --> 00:38:06.700 all the 00:38:06.700 --> 00:38:07.659 praise for 00:38:07.659 --> 00:38:08.079 this great 00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:08.579 salvation. 00:38:10.079 --> 00:38:10.679 Help us 00:38:10.679 --> 00:38:11.220 as a church, 00:38:11.360 --> 00:38:11.440 Lord, 00:38:11.500 --> 00:38:12.420 to live lives 00:38:12.420 --> 00:38:13.639 of humility 00:38:13.639 --> 00:38:14.420 before you, 00:38:14.820 --> 00:38:15.519 to speak of 00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:15.900 our great 00:38:15.900 --> 00:38:17.340 salvation with 00:38:17.340 --> 00:38:17.720 the same 00:38:17.720 --> 00:38:18.400 tone that you 00:38:18.400 --> 00:38:19.880 have of love 00:38:19.880 --> 00:38:20.300 for your 00:38:20.300 --> 00:38:20.679 family. 00:38:21.599 --> 00:38:21.900 And we 00:38:21.900 --> 00:38:22.099 pray, 00:38:22.240 --> 00:38:22.300 Lord, 00:38:22.340 --> 00:38:22.579 that we 00:38:22.579 --> 00:38:22.840 will get 00:38:22.840 --> 00:38:23.179 to see 00:38:23.179 --> 00:38:23.619 your family 00:38:23.619 --> 00:38:24.039 grow, 00:38:24.800 --> 00:38:25.320 one soul 00:38:25.320 --> 00:38:25.840 at a time, 00:38:26.240 --> 00:38:26.639 in a way 00:38:26.639 --> 00:38:27.019 that brings 00:38:27.019 --> 00:38:27.360 you all 00:38:27.360 --> 00:38:27.820 the glory. 00:38:28.659 --> 00:38:28.900 Amen.