WEBVTT 00:00:00.060 --> 00:00:07.879 Well, good evening, everyone. It's a great privilege and pleasure to be with you again on this cold winter's evening, but very warm inside. 00:00:09.179 --> 00:00:17.260 This evening I've been asked to consider the question, if God is sovereign in salvation, why bother with evangelism? 00:00:17.820 --> 00:00:24.660 And I'd like you to consider this question from two standpoints, because you can consider that question from the standpoint of a Christian. 00:00:24.660 --> 00:00:29.940 Because if we say that God is sovereign, why should I bother with evangelism? 00:00:29.940 --> 00:00:37.579 If he is going to bring to himself a people one way or another, come what may, then why should I bother telling other people? 00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:45.600 Maybe tonight you're not yet a Christian, and you might think, well, if God is sovereign in salvation, why do I need to bother with the gospel? 00:00:45.760 --> 00:00:51.840 Why do I need to respond to the gospel? Because if I'm one of God's people, well, he'll do his work. 00:00:51.879 --> 00:00:54.420 And if I'm not, well, that's just the way it is. 00:00:54.659 --> 00:01:01.019 So I'd like you to, I don't know your standpoint, but you can answer that question from one of two standpoints. 00:01:01.459 --> 00:01:04.920 Either the Christian, do I need to worry about telling other people? 00:01:05.299 --> 00:01:12.060 Or as someone who's not yet a Christian, well, if it's all fixed anyway, what does it matter how I respond personally? 00:01:13.379 --> 00:01:16.699 But as we begin, I'd like to just, to quote someone. 00:01:17.560 --> 00:01:22.079 It's always good when you're speaking to quote people who are brighter than you. 00:01:22.079 --> 00:01:27.799 There's a man called John Owen, and John Owen was a big brain in the 17th century. 00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:32.000 Now, you read in the Bible, the book of Hebrews has 13 chapters. 00:01:32.140 --> 00:01:35.539 Well, John Owen's commentary on Hebrews ran to seven volumes. 00:01:36.500 --> 00:01:41.219 But what John Owen says about God, I think, is a great reminder for us this evening. 00:01:41.759 --> 00:01:43.640 He said, we speak much of God. 00:01:43.640 --> 00:01:46.120 The truth is we know very little of him. 00:01:46.599 --> 00:01:50.819 And we know so little of God because it is God thus to be known. 00:01:51.480 --> 00:01:58.280 So the fact that we have questions that are not easily answered should not discourage us. 00:01:58.359 --> 00:01:59.299 Quite the opposite. 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:05.340 We should expect questions that don't come easily with answers. 00:02:05.340 --> 00:02:11.480 Because when we come into the presence of God, we come into the presence of the one who knows everything about everything. 00:02:11.860 --> 00:02:13.159 He knows everything about himself. 00:02:13.539 --> 00:02:14.879 He knows everything about us. 00:02:15.180 --> 00:02:16.560 He knows everything about the past. 00:02:16.659 --> 00:02:17.819 He knows everything about the present. 00:02:17.939 --> 00:02:19.300 He knows everything about the future. 00:02:19.879 --> 00:02:22.439 And we are finite. 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:23.039 We're limited. 00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:25.800 We know a little bit about a little bit. 00:02:25.800 --> 00:02:29.760 And that little that we know, we don't know completely, and we don't know perfectly. 00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:34.900 Because we are creatures of the dust, we are creatures of time, 00:02:35.320 --> 00:02:37.180 we are also affected by sin. 00:02:37.260 --> 00:02:41.740 Our minds, our hearts, and our lives, we don't think the way we should think. 00:02:41.820 --> 00:02:43.380 We don't learn the way we should learn. 00:02:43.480 --> 00:02:45.260 We don't understand the way we should understand. 00:02:45.620 --> 00:02:51.060 So the fact that we come in contact with questions like this should not bother us. 00:02:51.320 --> 00:02:52.240 Quite the opposite. 00:02:52.240 --> 00:03:00.879 If you have a faith where every loose knot is tied and where every frayed edge is nice and neat, 00:03:01.400 --> 00:03:06.020 I would wonder whether that faith connects with the God of the Bible. 00:03:06.500 --> 00:03:08.460 Because the God of the Bible is big. 00:03:08.960 --> 00:03:10.100 He's big in his character. 00:03:10.260 --> 00:03:11.140 He's big in his nature. 00:03:11.300 --> 00:03:12.219 He's big in his plan. 00:03:12.340 --> 00:03:13.240 He's big in his purpose. 00:03:13.480 --> 00:03:14.439 And we're small. 00:03:14.939 --> 00:03:17.020 And when we come into the presence of the big God, 00:03:17.020 --> 00:03:20.659 we should never be surprised that we find ourselves scratching our heads, 00:03:20.780 --> 00:03:25.080 wondering what it is, how it is, why it is. 00:03:26.100 --> 00:03:28.020 Let me quote another big brain. 00:03:28.480 --> 00:03:32.200 This man was in the 19th century, and he spent much of his life in London. 00:03:33.160 --> 00:03:35.680 He was called to preach at a church in London. 00:03:36.120 --> 00:03:38.360 It was a church that was kind of down on its fortunes. 00:03:38.420 --> 00:03:39.420 It had a great history. 00:03:39.419 --> 00:03:43.399 But at this particular point, it had about 200 people in its membership. 00:03:43.780 --> 00:03:46.719 And he was invited to be their preacher for six months. 00:03:47.060 --> 00:03:51.060 He responded that he would accept that invitation, but only for three months, 00:03:51.060 --> 00:03:54.239 because he didn't want to be a burden to them. 00:03:54.819 --> 00:03:56.919 He had a 37-year ministry. 00:03:57.619 --> 00:04:02.500 And during that ministry, the membership went from 200 to over 11,000. 00:04:03.099 --> 00:04:04.979 His name was Charles Haddon Spurgeon. 00:04:05.159 --> 00:04:06.019 You might have heard of him. 00:04:06.020 --> 00:04:09.700 Charles Spurgeon was a preacher of great renown. 00:04:10.100 --> 00:04:12.800 But Charles Spurgeon was a student of the Bible. 00:04:13.240 --> 00:04:14.600 You see, he never went to seminary. 00:04:14.660 --> 00:04:16.420 He never studied formally. 00:04:16.420 --> 00:04:18.360 But he had an encyclopedic mind. 00:04:19.160 --> 00:04:20.460 And he put it this way. 00:04:21.040 --> 00:04:25.180 He said that God predestines and that man is responsible 00:04:25.180 --> 00:04:27.300 are two things that few can see. 00:04:27.879 --> 00:04:32.139 They are believed to be inconsistent and contradictory, but they are not. 00:04:32.780 --> 00:04:35.259 It is just the fault of our weak judgment. 00:04:36.019 --> 00:04:39.740 Two truths cannot be contradictory to each other. 00:04:40.379 --> 00:04:43.159 Two truths cannot be contradictory to each other. 00:04:43.620 --> 00:04:48.519 If then I find taught in one place that everything is foreordained, that is true. 00:04:49.240 --> 00:04:53.579 And if I find in another place that man is responsible for all his actions, that is true. 00:04:53.579 --> 00:05:00.279 And it is my folly that leads me to imagine that two truths can ever contradict each other. 00:05:01.120 --> 00:05:09.639 So in answering this question tonight, I'd like to ask you three questions and to consider what those answers might be. 00:05:09.799 --> 00:05:13.399 I know it's not good manners to answer a question with a question. 00:05:13.399 --> 00:05:17.699 So I'm going to try to answer a question by asking three further questions. 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:21.599 And the first question is a question we should always ask. 00:05:22.239 --> 00:05:29.879 Because what you think is important, what I think is important, what Graham might think, Drew might think, Kat might think, 00:05:29.879 --> 00:05:31.099 all these things are important. 00:05:31.100 --> 00:05:35.900 But the question I want to ask first is, what does the Scripture say? 00:05:36.420 --> 00:05:42.140 Or if you're familiar with the old version of the Bible, Romans 4, verse 3, what saith the Scripture? 00:05:42.760 --> 00:05:45.720 Because the Scripture is our sure guide. 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:48.980 The Scripture is God's word, God's truth. 00:05:49.260 --> 00:05:53.260 So if God has an answer to the question, that's the answer. 00:05:53.259 --> 00:05:54.959 So why bother? 00:05:55.219 --> 00:05:58.159 If God is sovereign, why bother with evangelism? 00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:00.819 Let me just point you to a text. 00:06:00.899 --> 00:06:02.860 We're going to come to the prophet Ezekiel in a moment. 00:06:02.959 --> 00:06:04.860 We're going to come to the apostle Paul in a moment. 00:06:05.300 --> 00:06:08.560 But let's go to the source, the king, the head. 00:06:09.019 --> 00:06:16.759 Because if Jesus had something to say about a subject, we'd be encouraged and wise to hear what he has to say. 00:06:17.300 --> 00:06:22.899 Remember, in John's Gospel, he said seven times this phrase, I am. 00:06:23.259 --> 00:06:26.879 The first time he said it, he said, I am the bread of life. 00:06:27.539 --> 00:06:32.579 Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 00:06:32.719 --> 00:06:33.560 Familiar words. 00:06:34.019 --> 00:06:37.379 But as I told you, you have seen me, and still you do not believe. 00:06:38.500 --> 00:06:39.699 You see, that's the conflict. 00:06:40.599 --> 00:06:41.279 People saw. 00:06:41.620 --> 00:06:42.399 People heard. 00:06:42.639 --> 00:06:43.399 People witnessed. 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:45.120 They heard the sermons. 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:46.599 They witnessed the miracles. 00:06:46.599 --> 00:06:49.560 They were an audience for the parables. 00:06:49.759 --> 00:06:51.800 And he says, still you do not believe. 00:06:51.800 --> 00:06:56.400 He goes on in verse 37 of chapter 6 in John's Gospel. 00:06:56.920 --> 00:07:02.400 All those that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me, I will never drive away. 00:07:03.520 --> 00:07:05.080 Now, that's one verse. 00:07:06.420 --> 00:07:08.840 Almost, you know, there's a little comma there in the English. 00:07:09.139 --> 00:07:12.740 But Jesus said, all those the Father gives me will come to me. 00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:19.080 Now, that sounds to me like Jesus is speaking about the sovereignty of God and salvation. 00:07:19.079 --> 00:07:23.819 It sounds to me that Jesus is speaking there that there is a divine selection. 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:28.479 We might call that election, predestination, foreordination. 00:07:29.379 --> 00:07:31.360 And you might think, okay, well, Jesus now solves the problem. 00:07:31.459 --> 00:07:34.659 He says, salvation is all of God. 00:07:34.979 --> 00:07:37.060 All that the Father gives will come to me. 00:07:37.379 --> 00:07:39.680 But then after the comma, we read these words, 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:43.579 And whoever comes to me, I will never drive away. 00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:46.819 And you think, I understand the first half. 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:48.680 I understand the second half. 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:50.800 I have difficulty bringing them together. 00:07:51.360 --> 00:07:53.920 Well, Jesus doesn't have difficulty bringing them together. 00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:56.439 So if Jesus says it, he means it. 00:07:56.660 --> 00:07:58.860 And if Jesus says it and means it, it's true. 00:07:58.960 --> 00:07:59.780 It's authoritative. 00:07:59.779 --> 00:08:03.159 So as we ask that first question, what does the scripture say? 00:08:03.259 --> 00:08:04.359 What does Jesus say? 00:08:04.819 --> 00:08:08.659 Jesus said that salvation is completely down to God. 00:08:08.879 --> 00:08:12.359 And salvation is completely open to all. 00:08:13.179 --> 00:08:14.959 How can such a thing be? 00:08:15.279 --> 00:08:16.199 I don't know. 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:21.199 If you came here tonight to see if I could answer that question in 25 minutes, 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:25.000 I'd begin by saying, I can't answer how these two truths go together. 00:08:25.219 --> 00:08:27.379 But I can say that both are true. 00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:29.539 It'd be strange, wouldn't it? 00:08:29.779 --> 00:08:34.839 If God were sovereign in creation, and God were sovereign in providence, 00:08:35.319 --> 00:08:39.079 and that God were somehow sovereign in the future of bringing all things together, 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:46.500 but that God were somehow not sovereign or in charge with regard to your salvation or my salvation. 00:08:47.299 --> 00:08:52.100 Because really, when we come to salvation, we have to ask, what pronoun do we want to use? 00:08:52.819 --> 00:08:54.639 Do we want to use the pronoun I? 00:08:55.419 --> 00:08:57.240 You know, the Frank Sinatra way of salvation. 00:08:57.659 --> 00:08:58.659 I did it my way. 00:08:58.659 --> 00:09:04.059 Well, is that a way that we can ever describe as a path to heaven? 00:09:04.719 --> 00:09:05.559 I did it. 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:07.100 I achieved it. 00:09:07.319 --> 00:09:08.539 I secured it. 00:09:08.779 --> 00:09:10.240 I passed the test. 00:09:10.379 --> 00:09:11.600 I met the standard. 00:09:12.120 --> 00:09:13.919 Well, I can't say that. 00:09:14.439 --> 00:09:15.779 You can't say that. 00:09:16.459 --> 00:09:19.039 The next question is, well, can we use the pronoun we? 00:09:19.559 --> 00:09:20.559 We did it. 00:09:20.559 --> 00:09:22.439 Jesus, you and me together. 00:09:22.959 --> 00:09:23.959 We did it. 00:09:24.219 --> 00:09:25.619 We solved the problem. 00:09:25.619 --> 00:09:27.219 We put right what was wrong. 00:09:27.419 --> 00:09:28.239 You and I together. 00:09:28.299 --> 00:09:32.599 I'll give you the majority of the credit, but we were in this as a partnership. 00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:37.000 I'd feel very uncomfortable to use we in that sense. 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:40.120 So then we come to the next pronoun, he. 00:09:40.759 --> 00:09:41.759 He did it. 00:09:42.259 --> 00:09:43.680 God, it's all down to you. 00:09:43.960 --> 00:09:45.060 It's all down to Jesus. 00:09:45.180 --> 00:09:46.340 It's all down to the Holy Spirit. 00:09:46.639 --> 00:09:51.000 I'm going to give you the credit, and I'm going to say thank you for what you have done, 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:56.360 because I couldn't have done it, because the Bible says that we're dead, not just dying, 00:09:56.919 --> 00:10:01.240 not just in danger of death, but Paul says, I'm afraid you're dead in sins and transgressions. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:03.860 Dead people have very little capacity. 00:10:04.580 --> 00:10:09.759 Dead people have very little ability, and dead people cannot make themselves alive. 00:10:10.820 --> 00:10:11.600 Jesus can. 00:10:11.940 --> 00:10:13.019 The Holy Spirit can. 00:10:13.419 --> 00:10:16.039 God the Father can, and that's what he does through the gospel. 00:10:16.039 --> 00:10:21.459 So Jesus goes on to say, after he says, all that the Father gives me will come to me, 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:23.819 and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:28.339 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will, but to do the will of him who sent me. 00:10:28.679 --> 00:10:33.759 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those that he has given me, 00:10:33.819 --> 00:10:35.659 but raise them up at the last day. 00:10:36.079 --> 00:10:42.579 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, 00:10:42.579 --> 00:10:45.279 and I will raise them up at the last day. 00:10:45.279 --> 00:10:50.419 For me, everyone, everyone who looks to the Son, everyone who believes in Jesus, 00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:55.579 whoever comes to Jesus will never be cast away. 00:10:56.220 --> 00:11:02.819 How the offer of the gospel and the sovereignty of God fit together, I don't know. 00:11:03.220 --> 00:11:05.799 But that they do fit together, that I am sure, 00:11:06.100 --> 00:11:09.500 because Jesus tells me they fit together perfectly. 00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:11.960 He sees no need to explain. 00:11:12.179 --> 00:11:16.320 He sees no need to identify this conflict. 00:11:17.159 --> 00:11:20.940 So the Bible presents an answer to this question, 00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:26.399 that God indeed is in charge, and that we are responsible listeners. 00:11:27.159 --> 00:11:31.500 So tonight, if you're not yet a Christian, you hear the gospel message. 00:11:31.500 --> 00:11:36.039 Everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him has eternal life. 00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:39.139 Whoever comes to Jesus will never be driven away. 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:44.259 That is an invitation to you that you are responsible for replying to. 00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:49.399 And if you do not reply, the one person that you cannot blame is God himself. 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:54.399 Because God makes that which is crystal clear, saying there is a welcome mat out, 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:59.980 there is an offer, there is an invitation, and if you will have Jesus, he is yours for the asking. 00:12:01.079 --> 00:12:04.819 So we come to the two passages, and I'll start with the second passage first. 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:09.220 So the Apostle Paul is describing here a ministry. 00:12:09.779 --> 00:12:11.980 He says there's a ministry of reconciliation. 00:12:12.939 --> 00:12:17.100 And he says that we, Christians, are ambassadors of that ministry. 00:12:18.259 --> 00:12:23.019 But as we consider the text, we always have to consider the context. 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:28.720 So as we consider the great imperatives of 2 Corinthians 5, 00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:32.480 let me just read a few verses from 2 Corinthians 4. 00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:37.740 Because in 2 Corinthians 4, at the beginning of chapter 4, we read this. 00:12:38.579 --> 00:12:43.360 Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:47.759 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways we do not use deception, 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:49.939 nor do we distort the word of God. 00:12:49.940 --> 00:12:53.280 But on the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly, 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:57.500 we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 00:12:58.040 --> 00:13:02.260 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 00:13:03.140 --> 00:13:06.440 The God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, 00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:10.440 so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, 00:13:10.440 --> 00:13:11.840 who is the image of God. 00:13:14.260 --> 00:13:15.420 They can't see. 00:13:16.160 --> 00:13:18.140 We paint pictures that people can't see. 00:13:18.300 --> 00:13:20.900 We speak words that people can't hear. 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:26.500 We preach and plead and exhort people who cannot respond. 00:13:27.400 --> 00:13:28.500 And you think, well, why bother? 00:13:29.180 --> 00:13:31.360 Why paint a picture to somebody who can't see? 00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:33.360 Why speak words to somebody who can't hear? 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:36.300 Why give an invitation to someone who can't respond? 00:13:36.299 --> 00:13:38.500 The Apostle Paul continues, 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:41.500 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, 00:13:41.839 --> 00:13:45.599 and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake, for God, 00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:48.219 who said, let light shine out of darkness, 00:13:48.939 --> 00:13:51.019 made his light shine in our hearts 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:53.759 to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God 00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:55.439 in the face of Jesus Christ. 00:13:55.599 --> 00:13:56.519 Why do we do it? 00:13:56.559 --> 00:13:58.879 Because we know what God has done in us. 00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:01.840 Our blind eyes now open. 00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:04.600 Our hard hearts now transformed. 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:08.179 Our dead spirits now made alive. 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:11.519 So we can testify that this gospel works. 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:14.460 I don't know how it works, but I know that it works. 00:14:14.919 --> 00:14:18.899 I can't explain how that cross 2,000 years ago, 00:14:18.980 --> 00:14:21.740 that the perfect Son of God, the Savior of this world, 00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:26.799 died a death that transforms my eternal destiny. 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:32.039 I can't explain how the Holy Spirit quickens my mind, my heart, 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:35.459 and transforms me, but I can testify that he has. 00:14:36.599 --> 00:14:39.240 So the Apostle Paul has a personal testimony. 00:14:39.779 --> 00:14:43.859 The Apostle Paul has a testimony that he reminds the Corinthians of. 00:14:44.599 --> 00:14:47.120 And then he says, now you and I have a responsibility. 00:14:48.179 --> 00:14:53.299 He says, we have a responsibility now to bring this message to others. 00:14:53.299 --> 00:14:58.819 If anyone is in Christ, verse 17 of chapter 5, which we heard just a moment ago, 00:14:59.079 --> 00:15:01.899 he is a new creation, the old gone, the new has come. 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:06.359 All this is from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ 00:15:06.359 --> 00:15:08.620 and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 00:15:09.419 --> 00:15:12.740 That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, 00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:15.259 not counting man's sins against them. 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:18.059 And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 00:15:18.059 --> 00:15:24.239 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors as though God were making his appeal through us. 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:29.259 We implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 00:15:30.439 --> 00:15:34.519 This language is a very unusual combination of language 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:39.919 because an ambassador, there's an English term called plenipotentiary. 00:15:40.619 --> 00:15:45.279 An ambassador has the authority and the power of the one who sends them. 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:49.559 So the American ambassador who lives in Grosvenor Square in London 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:54.839 has plenipotentiary power to represent the president of the United States 00:15:54.839 --> 00:15:56.600 in the courts of Great Britain. 00:15:57.360 --> 00:16:01.259 And when the ambassador speaks, he speaks with authority, 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:04.740 he speaks with dignity, he speaks with honor, he speaks with power 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:08.379 because he represents an office or a nation. 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:15.179 The strange juxtaposition here is that we are Christ's ambassadors. 00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:17.679 We represent the king of kings. 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:20.399 We represent the most glorious, the most honorable. 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:24.960 But yet we're told that unlike earthly ambassadors, 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:28.439 that we are to plead and to beseech, 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:34.120 that we are to implore, almost beg people to be reconciled to God. 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:36.580 And you think, but why bother? 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:40.460 If we're blind and it takes God to open blind eyes, 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:43.299 if we're dead and it takes God to quicken dead spirits, 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:45.580 where does the ambassador come in? 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:48.519 And why does it matter what the ambassador says 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:50.100 or how the ambassador says it? 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:54.299 Well, you see, God not only foreordains the ends, 00:16:55.580 --> 00:16:57.620 he foreordains the means. 00:16:58.480 --> 00:17:00.580 And this is the strangest of things, isn't it? 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:03.460 That not only does God send his son into the world, 00:17:03.540 --> 00:17:06.319 which is remarkable, that he sends his son to live and to die, 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:10.900 he then pours out his Holy Spirit so that the dead could be quickened, 00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:14.180 but then he entrusts this work to you and me. 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:16.380 Why would he do such a thing? 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.700 We are fragile. 00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:18.920 We are flawed. 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:19.600 We are limited. 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:21.620 We so often get it wrong. 00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:25.160 We so often say the wrong things in the wrong way. 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:27.620 And yet he says, I want you to be my ambassadors. 00:17:27.619 --> 00:17:32.119 You see, God has a way of demonstrating his power through weakness. 00:17:32.439 --> 00:17:36.419 He has a way of demonstrating his grace through instruments such as us. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:39.659 So you see, God not only has the end in mind, 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:43.399 he has the means to get to his intended end. 00:17:43.819 --> 00:17:45.419 And that's where you and I come in, 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:48.259 that we become responsible to him. 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:51.819 We become responsible to his call on our lives. 00:17:51.899 --> 00:17:54.579 As Christians, we've responded to the gospel. 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:57.500 But as Christians, we respond to this commission, 00:17:57.639 --> 00:18:00.679 and we go because he tells us to go. 00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:02.859 What saith the scripture? 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:05.379 The scripture says God is sovereign. 00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:08.879 And the scripture says we are responsible moral agents, 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:10.919 that as we have received, we give. 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:14.899 We plead, we beseech, we implore you on Christ's behalf, 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:17.599 be reconciled to God. 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:21.419 I love that passage in Ezekiel. 00:18:22.139 --> 00:18:25.439 Because the prophet Ezekiel is a complex book, 00:18:25.899 --> 00:18:28.419 and there's much that is perplexing, 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:30.299 but there's also much that is crystal clear. 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:34.259 You see, there are popular proverbs 00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:37.359 that you'll be hard-pressed to find in the Bible. 00:18:38.219 --> 00:18:41.019 You know that proverb that God loves those who help themselves? 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:42.719 God helps those who help themselves? 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.819 You're not going to find that in the Bible 00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:46.799 because it's contrary to what the Bible teaches. 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:49.700 You see, God doesn't help those who help themselves. 00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:51.740 God helps those who can't help themselves. 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.399 That's the gospel. 00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:56.240 Now, self-help, you know, 00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:59.799 if you go into the self-help section at Amazon or Morderstons, 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:02.200 oh yes, there's a lot of self-help books. 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:04.359 But that's not, you won't find the gospel 00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:06.119 in that selection of books. 00:19:06.119 --> 00:19:09.799 Now, this proverb that Ezekiel is telling us 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:10.979 that God doesn't like 00:19:10.979 --> 00:19:14.139 is the proverbs that parents eat sour grapes 00:19:14.139 --> 00:19:16.579 and the children's teeth are set on edge. 00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:19.039 Well, you can get the idea is that 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:20.199 if you eat sour grapes, 00:19:20.479 --> 00:19:21.439 your teeth or your, 00:19:21.699 --> 00:19:23.639 it just causes your mouth to pucker. 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.339 It's sour. 00:19:24.479 --> 00:19:25.279 It's not pleasant. 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:29.000 But Ezekiel is saying there's a proverb going around Israel. 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:31.259 The parents are eating sour grapes 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:33.679 and the children are puckering their lips. 00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:36.000 God says, actually, I don't like that proverb 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:37.640 because what that does 00:19:37.640 --> 00:19:39.720 is it takes away the individual responsibility. 00:19:40.580 --> 00:19:42.700 The soul who sins is the one who dies. 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:45.259 If the parent sins, the parent will die. 00:19:45.340 --> 00:19:46.960 If the child sins, the child will die. 00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:50.220 The connection between sin and death is inextricable. 00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:53.279 If you don't believe me, read Genesis 1 and 2. 00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:54.960 Sin and death. 00:19:55.380 --> 00:19:58.220 And then when sin comes, death inevitably follows. 00:19:58.220 --> 00:20:00.019 Genesis 3 and the rest of the story. 00:20:00.320 --> 00:20:01.360 It's not my material. 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:02.539 It's what God says. 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:05.019 And the prophet Ezekiel is saying, 00:20:05.139 --> 00:20:08.079 look, let's stop quoting that proverb. 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:10.759 And he corrects their misunderstanding. 00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:13.539 And he says, look, it's quite possible 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:17.319 that a wicked parent might have a righteous child. 00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:19.159 It's quite possible that a righteous parent 00:20:19.159 --> 00:20:20.220 might have a wicked child. 00:20:21.159 --> 00:20:24.680 Ultimately, the individual will stand accountable before God 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:26.319 for their sin or for their righteousness. 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:28.740 And you might think, well, that's that then. 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:32.859 But Ezekiel tells us that God has a message. 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:36.839 And he says that God's message is it's never too late to change your mind. 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:39.660 If you find that you're in the category of the wicked, 00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:42.400 it's never too late to change your mind and repent. 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:45.039 It's never too late to change your ways. 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:49.980 It's never too late to turn from God, from your sin towards God. 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:55.819 And the passion that we saw in 2 Corinthians 5 00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:59.720 is repeated here many years earlier 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:02.299 when God says, 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:05.559 repent, turn from your offenses, 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:07.339 then sin will not be your downfall. 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:10.059 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:11.839 and get a new heart and a new spirit. 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:14.059 Why will you die, people of Israel? 00:21:14.059 --> 00:21:17.019 For I take no pleasure in the death of anything, 00:21:17.139 --> 00:21:18.379 declares the sovereign Lord. 00:21:18.819 --> 00:21:19.960 Repent and live. 00:21:20.419 --> 00:21:21.440 What does God do? 00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:25.440 He places the onus and responsibility on the part of the hearer. 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:28.639 Don't tell me about your parents, good or bad. 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:30.460 Don't tell me about your environment. 00:21:30.619 --> 00:21:31.940 Don't tell me about your upbringing. 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:34.259 Now you are given the gospel. 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:35.460 Repent and live. 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:37.659 Fail to repent and die. 00:21:38.379 --> 00:21:41.899 God places the responsibility now on the hearer squarely. 00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:44.580 So what does the scripture say? 00:21:45.400 --> 00:21:46.340 We are responsible. 00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:48.620 If you're not a Christian here tonight, 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:51.140 the gospel comes to you in the name of Jesus Christ, 00:21:51.300 --> 00:21:53.220 with all power, with all authority, 00:21:53.620 --> 00:21:55.720 believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:57.640 Sadly, the opposite is also true. 00:21:57.920 --> 00:22:00.600 Do not believe in the Lord Jesus and you won't be saved. 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:07.080 You are now responsible for your response to that invitation. 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:09.300 So what does the scripture say? 00:22:09.300 --> 00:22:11.500 The second question in these last two questions 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:13.079 will be much quicker, I promise, 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:16.920 is what are we meant to do with what the scripture says? 00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:20.660 Because this isn't just meant to be a talking shop 00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:22.700 where you hear one person talk and then you say, 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.980 I thought that was interesting. 00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:25.559 I thought that was unusual. 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:27.180 I thought that was compelling. 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:28.519 I thought that was nonsense. 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:31.480 But if it's God who speaks, 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:33.920 he speaks so that we do, 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:35.420 that we believe it, 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.460 we trust it, 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:37.259 we receive it, 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:41.220 and we then do something with what he has given to us. 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:43.140 The great text, 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:44.019 John 3.16, 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:46.579 for God so loved the world that he gave his only son 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:48.920 that whoever believes in him should not perish, 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:50.240 but have eternal life. 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:54.200 So the gospel message is not beyond the comprehension 00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:55.400 of the smallest child, 00:22:55.900 --> 00:22:56.880 the oldest adult, 00:22:57.380 --> 00:23:00.160 the highest educated person in this room, 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:02.039 and the least educated person in this room. 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:04.879 John 3.16 is within your grasp 00:23:04.879 --> 00:23:07.180 because God has made it within your grasp. 00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:09.599 And another large brain, 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:11.180 this time in the 16th century, 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:12.059 said this, 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:15.299 he has implored the universal term whosoever, 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:19.039 both to invite all indiscriminately to partake of life 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:21.720 and to cut off every excuse from unbelievers. 00:23:22.379 --> 00:23:24.680 Such is also the import of the term world, 00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:26.200 which he formerly used, 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:28.720 for though nothing will be found in the world 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:30.700 that is worthy of the favor of God, 00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:34.000 yet he shows himself to be reconciled to the whole world 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:35.420 when he invites all men, 00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:36.700 without exception, 00:23:36.840 --> 00:23:37.799 to faith of Christ, 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:40.840 which is nothing else than entrance into life. 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:44.700 We often associate John Calvin with election, 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.700 foreordination, predestination, 00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:49.700 but you will find no clearer exponent 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:52.559 of the free offer of the gospel than John Calvin, 00:23:53.120 --> 00:23:56.200 that now you have a responsibility to the gospel. 00:23:57.580 --> 00:23:59.380 What are we to do with this truth? 00:23:59.380 --> 00:24:03.420 Well, one thing I want you to do is to share it. 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:05.340 How are we to share it? 00:24:06.420 --> 00:24:08.140 Well, using some old-fashioned language, 00:24:08.280 --> 00:24:11.140 I want you to share this truth promiscuously. 00:24:11.760 --> 00:24:12.420 You heard it there. 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:15.140 You were told in church to be promiscuous. 00:24:15.600 --> 00:24:16.760 Let me explain what I mean. 00:24:17.600 --> 00:24:20.560 In 1619, there was a series of canons, 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:22.740 of church declarations, 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:24.160 the canons of Dort. 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:25.640 You can look it up if you like. 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:27.520 The fifth article, 00:24:28.080 --> 00:24:29.880 under the second point of doctrine, 00:24:30.020 --> 00:24:31.960 namely Christ's death and redemption, 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.660 puts it this way. 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:36.480 This is the old English translation of 1619, 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:39.100 roughly when the authorized version was translated. 00:24:40.100 --> 00:24:42.840 Furthermore, it is the promise of the gospel 00:24:42.840 --> 00:24:45.540 that whosoever believes in Christ crucified 00:24:45.540 --> 00:24:47.340 should not perish but have life everlasting. 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:50.659 So that's the guarantee to the respondent. 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:53.199 That whosoever believes in Christ, 00:24:53.639 --> 00:24:55.740 crucified should not perish but have life everlasting, 00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:58.439 which promise together with the injunction 00:24:58.439 --> 00:24:59.539 of repentance and faith, 00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:01.720 meaning the terms and conditions of the gospel, 00:25:01.919 --> 00:25:02.740 repent and believe, 00:25:03.699 --> 00:25:06.740 ought promiscuously and without distinction 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:09.179 be declared and published to all men and people 00:25:09.179 --> 00:25:12.759 to whom God in his good pleasure sends the gospel. 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:15.720 And the definition of promiscuous here 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:17.619 is demonstrating or implying 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:19.660 an unselective approach, 00:25:20.140 --> 00:25:21.799 indiscriminate or casual. 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:24.879 You see, the one thing we're not meant to do 00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:26.519 is we're not meant to think, 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:27.940 he is interested, 00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:29.420 he is suitable, 00:25:29.900 --> 00:25:30.960 she is likely, 00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:34.019 I think they might be interested. 00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:36.940 No, that has nothing to do with it. 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:38.400 What we think of them, 00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:40.039 what we think of their interest, 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.579 their level, 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.160 their knowledge, 00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:42.019 their understanding, 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.620 their appreciation means nothing. 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:46.019 If the gospel is for all people 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:47.460 and we are the people of God, 00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:49.759 we must do what he tells us to do, 00:25:49.820 --> 00:25:51.580 like the sower who scatters seed. 00:25:52.100 --> 00:25:52.680 You might think, 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:54.279 well, why did you scatter seed on the path 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:55.180 that's so wasteful? 00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:57.220 The sower went forth to sow. 00:25:57.820 --> 00:25:59.060 That's our responsibility. 00:25:59.400 --> 00:26:00.480 We sow the good seed. 00:26:00.580 --> 00:26:01.779 The good seed is the gospel. 00:26:02.300 --> 00:26:04.220 And we let God do his work. 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:07.360 And what we're told in these great reminders 00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:08.279 of the faith 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:10.599 and these great reminders 00:26:10.599 --> 00:26:12.019 in the history of God 00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:14.259 is that when we take seriously 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:16.359 that gospel injunction to go, 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:18.940 just wait and see what God does. 00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:21.079 And wait and see the most unusual 00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:22.420 and unlikely of people. 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:25.799 Because if it's down to your thinking, 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:28.859 you're going to make the wrong selection. 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.859 You're going to withhold the gospel 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:32.059 from people who respond 00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:33.319 and you're going to give the gospel 00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:34.460 to people who aren't interested. 00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:37.259 That's a huge responsibility to have, 00:26:37.340 --> 00:26:37.840 whereas God says, 00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:38.860 don't worry about that. 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:40.019 You leave that to me. 00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:41.759 You go and tell everyone. 00:26:42.380 --> 00:26:43.640 Man, woman, child, 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.819 from the east, from the north, 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:46.000 from the south, from the west, 00:26:46.380 --> 00:26:47.779 the educated, the illiterate, 00:26:47.840 --> 00:26:48.779 the rich, the poor, 00:26:49.120 --> 00:26:50.519 the interested, the disinterested, 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:52.759 the hostile, whoever. 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:54.680 Scatter this message 00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:56.759 and scatter it promiscuously. 00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:58.940 And if you're ever given 00:26:58.940 --> 00:27:00.519 the privilege of public speaking, 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:02.000 I want you to remember 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:03.579 the injunction of a man 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:04.639 called Thomas Chalmers. 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:07.079 Thomas Chalmers was a key figure 00:27:07.079 --> 00:27:08.980 in the early 19th century. 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:11.579 And Thomas Chalmers had a criticism 00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:13.379 of his evangelical brethren. 00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:16.859 He said that as far as he saw, 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:19.700 the majority of evangelical ministers 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:22.460 did not know how to lay down the gospel 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:24.539 so as a man of plain 00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:26.000 and ordinary understanding 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:28.200 should know how to take it up again. 00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:31.080 We make the gospel difficult. 00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:33.400 We make the gospel complicated. 00:27:33.840 --> 00:27:35.360 We make the gospel confusing. 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:37.440 Jesus doesn't do that. 00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:39.200 The apostle Paul doesn't do that. 00:27:39.600 --> 00:27:41.240 The prophet Ezekiel doesn't do that. 00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:42.779 The gospel message 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.799 at point of offer 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.819 should be simple. 00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:47.000 Believe in the Lord Jesus. 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.420 For God so loved the world 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:49.819 that he gave his only begotten son 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:50.960 that whoever believes in him 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:51.620 will not perish 00:27:51.620 --> 00:27:53.680 but have everlasting life. 00:27:54.580 --> 00:27:55.860 How this happens, 00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:58.240 how God can take this message 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:59.659 and transform the human heart, 00:27:59.779 --> 00:28:01.359 that has nothing to do with you. 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.639 It has everything to do with him. 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:05.059 But in terms of the terms and conditions, 00:28:05.939 --> 00:28:07.079 believe in Jesus 00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:08.259 and you'll be saved. 00:28:08.399 --> 00:28:09.240 Trust in him. 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:10.259 Repent and believe. 00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:12.279 That's the terms and conditions. 00:28:14.179 --> 00:28:15.139 The third question 00:28:15.139 --> 00:28:15.939 I want to leave with you. 00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:16.799 Well, first of all, 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.859 what does the scripture say? 00:28:18.359 --> 00:28:19.459 What are we meant to do 00:28:19.459 --> 00:28:20.779 with what the scripture says? 00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:22.339 And what difference 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:23.299 does it make anyway? 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:25.039 What difference does 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:26.839 words written on a page 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:28.899 2,000, 3,000 years ago, 00:28:29.319 --> 00:28:30.819 what difference does that make? 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.799 Well, it makes all the difference 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.399 in the world. 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:35.759 The gospel of Jesus Christ 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:36.879 makes all the difference. 00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:37.940 It's a difference 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:39.079 between life and death. 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:40.180 It's a difference 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:41.200 between hope and despair. 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.599 It's a difference 00:28:42.599 --> 00:28:44.399 between eternal life in heaven 00:28:44.399 --> 00:28:46.720 and eternal condemnation in hell. 00:28:47.519 --> 00:28:48.160 And I'm going to leave 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:48.940 the final words 00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:50.240 with my friend John Calvin. 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:52.160 He wrote a short preface 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:53.579 to an edition of the New Testament 00:28:53.579 --> 00:28:55.099 back in the 16th century. 00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.880 And he says this. 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:58.019 He says, 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.940 Without the gospel, 00:28:59.120 --> 00:29:00.519 everything is useless and vain. 00:29:01.120 --> 00:29:02.000 Without the gospel, 00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:03.079 we are not Christians. 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.759 Without the gospel, 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:06.200 all riches is poverty, 00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:08.240 all wisdom folly before God. 00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:09.720 Strength is weakness. 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:11.759 And all the justice of man 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:13.620 is under the condemnation of God. 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:15.880 But by the knowledge 00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:16.640 of the gospel, 00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:19.059 we are made children of God, 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:20.899 brothers of Jesus Christ, 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:22.740 fellow townsmen with the saints, 00:29:22.899 --> 00:29:24.259 citizens of the kingdom of heaven, 00:29:24.679 --> 00:29:26.500 heirs of God with Jesus Christ, 00:29:26.679 --> 00:29:28.980 by whom the poor are made rich, 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:30.539 the weak, strong, 00:29:30.659 --> 00:29:31.579 the fools, wise, 00:29:31.679 --> 00:29:32.639 the sinner justified, 00:29:33.139 --> 00:29:35.059 the desolate comforted, 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:36.000 the doubting sure, 00:29:36.179 --> 00:29:37.259 and slaves free. 00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:39.279 So why bother? 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:41.240 God's in charge. 00:29:41.339 --> 00:29:41.859 Why bother? 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:43.099 Well, he tells us to bother. 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:45.700 He tells us that it matters to him. 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:47.580 People matter to him. 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:50.440 The eternal destiny of people matter to him. 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:51.500 And if they matter to him, 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.660 he should matter to us. 00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:55.299 And if we have experienced this good gift, 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:57.440 we should share this good gift with others. 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:59.799 We can leave for ordination, 00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:01.720 predestination, election, 00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:03.900 God's sovereignty with God. 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:06.120 But when it comes to our responsibility, 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:07.299 when he commands, 00:30:07.580 --> 00:30:08.600 he authorizes, 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:09.299 he equips, 00:30:09.360 --> 00:30:09.960 and he enables. 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:14.460 And when preachers and pastors and Christians 00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:17.059 take seriously their responsibility, 00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:18.860 just watch out. 00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:20.960 Watch out what God can do. 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:22.319 It's interesting. 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:24.019 I've been a minister now for 20 years. 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:26.579 And it seems strange to me, 00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:28.620 but I can tell you that this is true. 00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:31.200 That those ministers of the gospel 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:33.279 that take seriously the Great Commission, 00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:35.259 those are the ministers, 00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:36.759 those are the pastors, 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.980 those are the preachers 00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:41.240 that God tends to bless with conversions. 00:30:42.140 --> 00:30:43.799 They seem to take his word seriously. 00:30:44.140 --> 00:30:46.140 They seem to take the gospel seriously. 00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:48.680 They seem to take the Great Commission seriously. 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:52.319 And when we take those great injunctions seriously, 00:30:52.980 --> 00:30:55.640 God is pleased to use weak instruments 00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:56.640 such as we are 00:30:56.640 --> 00:30:59.099 to accomplish his strong purposes. 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.359 Why bother? 00:31:00.879 --> 00:31:01.720 Jesus bothered. 00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:03.940 Jesus bothered for our salvation. 00:31:04.519 --> 00:31:05.400 He bothered so much, 00:31:05.400 --> 00:31:06.420 he came into this world 00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:07.620 to live a perfect life, 00:31:07.800 --> 00:31:09.560 to die a sacrificial death, 00:31:09.820 --> 00:31:12.200 to be raised triumphant from the grave. 00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:13.280 Why bother? 00:31:13.860 --> 00:31:15.780 He breathed life into dead bodies. 00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:17.320 He gives eternal life. 00:31:17.620 --> 00:31:19.040 And he wants us in turn 00:31:19.040 --> 00:31:20.920 to share these good gifts with others. 00:31:21.800 --> 00:31:22.440 Let's pray. 00:31:23.140 --> 00:31:24.019 Father, we thank you 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:25.420 for each one of us gathered here today. 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:26.920 And I pray that if there are any 00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:28.519 who are not yet following, 00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:29.860 believing, or trusting, 00:31:30.320 --> 00:31:32.140 that you might open eyes that are blind, 00:31:32.280 --> 00:31:34.120 that you might unlock ears that are deaf, 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:36.279 and that you might transform hearts that are dead. 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:38.439 And for those of us who are believing 00:31:38.439 --> 00:31:39.699 and trusting and following, 00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:41.859 that we might continue to trust, 00:31:42.079 --> 00:31:43.019 believe, and follow, 00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:47.099 and that we might see that in our limited ways, 00:31:47.659 --> 00:31:50.379 that we might see in our own limited sphere, 00:31:50.739 --> 00:31:53.759 that we might recognize with our own limited gifts, 00:31:54.479 --> 00:31:57.199 that we have been entrusted with this great message. 00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:58.259 We are treasures. 00:31:58.700 --> 00:32:01.360 We have this treasure in jars of clay, 00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:03.720 that we are to commend the Lord Jesus 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:05.059 in word and in action. 00:32:05.460 --> 00:32:08.120 And all these things we pray now in his name, 00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:09.940 so that he might have the praise, 00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:11.000 he might have the honor, 00:32:11.299 --> 00:32:12.360 he might have the glory, 00:32:12.360 --> 00:32:14.160 because he deserves all the credit. 00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:15.960 In Jesus we pray. 00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:16.779 Amen. 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.019 Amen. 00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:17.120 Amen. 00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:17.160 Amen. 00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:17.240 Amen. 00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:19.180 Amen. 00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:21.120 Amen. 00:32:21.120 --> 00:32:21.200 Amen. 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:21.960 Amen. 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:23.059 Amen. 00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:23.160 Amen. 00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:23.220 Amen. 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:25.220 Amen. 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:27.180 Amen.