WEBVTT

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 Morning, Christ family. I invite you to turn to the book of Hebrews, chapter 12, Hebrews chapter 12, Hebrews chapter 12 with me.

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 And I see a lot of new faces today, and for those of you who may not know me, my name is Jonathan Hoffman. I do go by John, either or works for me.

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 I am a member of this church body, and I am also a recent graduate of the apprenticeship program that Nathan leads, which is a program.

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 It's about a year apprenticeship for those who are interested and have a sense of calling to do ministry vocationally.

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 And Nathan asked me to preach this morning as he takes the week to do some planning and vision and goal setting.

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 And he told me I could preach on whatever topic I wanted to, which I told him hopefully he will not regret afterwards.

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 And so through prayer and conviction, I have decided to preach on a topic of much theological controversy.

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 And it has been controversial through the history of the church.

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 For most of you, this won't be anything new, and you have studied God's Word on the topic.

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 You are well informed and have come to a conclusion of what you believe to be the truth in accordance to Scripture.

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 For others of you, you have heard the terms, you know the controversies, you know what your parents or your friends have told you of the topic.

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 But that may be the extent of your knowledge, because you have not searched the Scriptures yourself.

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 And so you may not be well informed, but you might even be very one-sided on the topic.

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 And you may even be a little hostile in your thinking towards the opposite view.

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 And for others of you, you may have never heard of these theological views or terms, and it may be completely new to you.

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 But ultimately, regardless of where you stand in the spectrum of these three, it is your duty, Christian.

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 And it should be, hopefully, your joy, believer, to search out the Scriptures for truth concerning the very character of your God.

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 And so, especially for those of you who may be hostile to or uncomfortable with terms such as Calvinism,

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 predestination, election, doctrines of grace, total depravity, and the like.

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 I ask you, and I beg you to please put that aside and just listen to what I have to say this morning.

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 And weigh out what I have to say against the Scriptures.

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 And not against what others have told you concerning the matter at hand.

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 And after the fact, if you have questions or concerns, please ask.

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 There are many here who are well-educated on the topic.

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 And who have strong convictions firmly planted from Scriptural foundations.

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 And if you see me around, please ask.

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 I love to discuss theology.

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 I love it.

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 So please, ask somebody if you have questions.

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 Search out the Scriptures yourself for truth.

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 And I pray that in the end, regardless of what your beliefs are,

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 that we can love one another and serve our Lord side by side.

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 Because ultimately, this is not about us.

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 It is not about us.

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 And so there are two reasons why I want to share with you as to why I decided to preach on this topic this morning.

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 And first of all, it's because I firmly, firmly believe that the current status of the church in America,

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 the reason for a watered-down Christianity and the growing number of false converts,

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 people who call themselves Christian, who believe themselves to be Christian,

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 but are not Christian, comes from a lack of knowledge.

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 And yes, specifically from a lack of knowledge of these glorious doctrines.

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 And secondly, I chose this topic because in my own walk with Christ,

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 nothing has spearheaded me further into true piety.

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 Nothing has so inclined my heart towards the pursuit of God.

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 And nothing has brought me down lower on my knees in dependence, worship, and adoration

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 than these truths found in these old doctrines.

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 And this, to me, seems to be a pattern with other Calvinist brothers that I know.

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 That is the same experience that they have had.

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 And for me, it began with a little book that a man from my Sunday school class gave me

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 called Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer.

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 I was a new convert probably not even a year into my conversion.

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 I was pretty zealous at the time for street evangelism.

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 And knowing that, this guy gave me this book.

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 I was very excited to read the book, and that's why I first encountered the term Calvinism

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 and these doctrines of election.

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 And I actually remember stopping, putting the book down, and thinking to myself,

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 this cannot be right.

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 This is not true.

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 Now, before I became a believer, I was an atheist.

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 Most of my life, up until I was converted at the age of 21.

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 And in the process of being drawn to Christ, I set out to look for truth.

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 I knew that logically speaking, there could only be one source of ultimate truth.

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 And I wanted to be honest and unbiased in the pursuit of it.

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 And ever since, that has been my mentality when it comes to the things of God, such as theology.

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 I want nothing but logical, unbiased, scripturally drenched truth.

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 And so I searched the scriptures on the matter of Calvinism and was convinced of their truths.

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 And I stand before you now to proclaim them.

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 And so my prayer this morning is that you would give all this in unbiased consideration

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 and determine whether or not it's biblical.

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 But my ultimate goal this morning is that all of you would walk out of this place with a higher view of Christ.

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 His person, His work, His love, and His mercy.

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 As we read of Him and exposit on just the first half of verse 2 in Hebrews chapter 12.

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 Where we read,

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 Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.

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 Let's pray together.

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 Father, I just thank You for this time, Lord.

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 And I just pray that You would be at work in us, Father.

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 I pray that You would work it in us to desire to search for nothing but truth.

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 Lord, I just pray that You would work through me.

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 And Lord, that love would just overflow from this place after the fact.

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 Lord, that we would be zealous to work for You regardless of where we stand on theological differences.

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 Lord, we love You because You first loved us.

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 And we thank You for all that You have done for us.

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 In Jesus' name. Amen.

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 It was Charles Haddon Spurgeon, a British pastor of the 1800s,

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 who's also known as the Prince of Preachers,

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 who once stated, and I quote,

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 There is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified

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 unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism.

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 It is a nickname to call it Calvinism.

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 Calvinism is the gospel and nothing else.

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 I do not believe we can preach the gospel if we do not preach justification by faith without works,

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 nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace,

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 nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah,

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 nor do I think we can preach the gospel unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect

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 and chosen people with which Christ wrought out upon the cross.

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 Nor can I comprehend the gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called

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 and suffers the children of God to be turned in the fires of damnation after having once believed in Jesus.

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 Close quote.

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 It was Spurgeon's understanding of Calvinistic theology,

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 also termed the doctrines of grace,

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 that so magnified and lifted up the gospel in his mind

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 and so constrained his heart in an unquenchable zeal in the service of his God.

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 And in the history of the church,

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 there has been a long line of godly men who have held these truths.

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 Calvinism did not originate from John Calvin.

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 Calvin was but a preacher of these doctrinal truths.

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 Truths which giant contenders of the faith preached hundreds of years even before Calvin.

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 In his book, Pillars of Grace, A Long Line of Godly Men,

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 Dr. Stephen Lawson, who is professor of biblical and theological studies at Ligonier Ministries,

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 or Ligonier Academy,

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 and also professor of theology, or correction,

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 professor of preaching at the Master's Seminary

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 and founder of One Passion Ministries,

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 sets out to show how some of the most esteemed men of the faith

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 in the history of the church have upheld the doctrines of grace.

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 And through the careful study of the writings of the following list of men,

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 from the early church fathers to the reformers,

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 Lawson shows that these men would today be called Calvinists.

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 They being Clement of Rome,

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 Ignatius of Anioc,

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 Justin Martyr,

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 Irenaeus of Lyons,

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 Tertullian of Catheridge,

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 Cyprian of Catheridge,

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 Athanasius of Alexandria,

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 Basil of Cassaria,

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 Gregory of Nazianzus,

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 Ambrose of Milan,

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 Augustine of Hippo,

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 Isidore,

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 Gottschak,

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 Aslam of Canterbury,

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 Bernard of Claravaux,

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 Thomas Bradwaren,

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 John Wycliffe,

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 John Huss,

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 Martin Luther,

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 Ulrich Zwingli,

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 William Tyndale,

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 Heinrich Bullinger,

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 and John Calvin.

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 That was his list up to the reformers,

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 but we could add such names to that list,

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 such as Charles Spurgeon,

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 John Knox,

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 William Bradford,

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 George Whitefield,

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 Jonathan Edwards,

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 Robert Murray McShane.

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 The list goes on and on and on.

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 But there has been no greater preacher,

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 no greater proclaimer of the doctrines of grace,

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 than the very author of them,

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 the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 And this is what we will see this morning

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 as we look at Jesus

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 as the founder and perfecter of our faith.

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 And so I have divided this text

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 into two main headings

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 with two subheadings each,

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 in which we will draw out

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 the five points of Calvinism.

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 Those being total depravity,

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 unconditional election,

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 limited atonement,

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 irresistible grace,

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 and perseverance of the saints.

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 These are also known by its acronym form,

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 TULIP,

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 although we will not be going through them

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 in that particular order.

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 So our first heading this morning

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 is simply,

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 Founder of Our Faith,

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 under which we have two subheadings,

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 the first one being,

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 He created a way for lost sinners.

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 So Jesus Christ is the founder of our faith

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 in that He created a way for lost sinners.

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 The message of the Bible is that of redemption.

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 It is the message of a loving, powerful,

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 just, holy Creator,

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 who out of love,

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 from the foundation of the world,

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 from before the foundation of the world,

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 creates a plan to redeem lost sinners to Himself.

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 He created Adam and Eve,

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 the first humans,

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 in His image,

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 in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

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 They were in perfect contentment

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 and communion with God

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 until they willfully disobeyed God

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 and broke His commandment.

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 Therefore,

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 sin entered the world,

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 condemning the whole human race

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 and enslaving the freedom of the will

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 to the depravity of a sinful nature.

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 Romans 5, verses 18 and 19

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 reveal this truth to us

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 as it says,

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 St. Augustine writes,

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 and I quote,

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 From the bad use of free will,

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 there originated the whole train of evil,

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 which, with its continuation of misery,

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 convoys the human race

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 from its depraved origin

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 as from a corrupt root.

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 Close quote.

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 Herein lies the doctrine of total depravity.

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 And let's get a wider picture of this from Scripture

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 because I believe this doctrine to be vital

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 in order for the rest to stand.

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 So turn with me to Genesis chapter 6,

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 Genesis chapter 6,

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 and look at verses 5 through 7.

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 Genesis chapter 6, verses 5 through 7.

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 We read,

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 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man

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 was great in the earth,

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 and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart

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 was only evil continually.

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 And the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth,

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 and it grieved him to his heart.

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 So the Lord said,

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 I will blot out man whom I have created

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 from the face of the land,

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 man and animals,

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 and creeping things,

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 and birds of the heavens,

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 for I am sorry that I have made them.

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 Now listen to verse 5 again.

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 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man

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 was great in the earth,

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 and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart

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 was only evil continually.

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 Did you get that?

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 Every intention?

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 Every single intention.

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 Man could not even think

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 without the very inner foundations

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 of the intent being fundamentally evil.

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 But look even closer.

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 It says that they were only evil.

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 There was no trace whatsoever of goodness or righteousness.

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 And look even closer yet again.

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 The word continually,

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 meaning there was never any turning from this norm.

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 There was no repentance.

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 And this describes the entire human race to this day.

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 And so what did God do about it?

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 He wiped out the entire human race at that point.

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 But by grace,

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 only eight people were the exception.

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 Noah and his family along with a number of animals.

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 But were these eight also then

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 the exception to that description of depravity?

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 No.

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 Every one of those who were saved by the ark

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 was stained by the same sin nature

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 described in verse 5.

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 And through them it continued to be passed down to this day.

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 Now you might be thinking,

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 but that description in verse 5

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 is before the flood, not after.

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 Well then, let's go to chapter 8.

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 So turn a few pages with me to chapter 8

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 and see what it says after the flood.

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 Chapter 8 and verse 20.

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 The flood has subsided.

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 And then we read in chapter 8 verse 20.

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 Do you see that?

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 It doesn't say that the intentions of man's heart

00:18:34.900 --> 00:18:37.119
 was evil from his youth.

00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:39.240
 It says the intention of man's heart

00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:41.599
 is evil from his youth.

00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:43.119
 That's in the present tense.

00:18:43.379 --> 00:18:44.799
 And that's after the flood.

00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:47.420
 This is God declaring after the flood

00:18:47.420 --> 00:18:50.200
 the same pronouncement of depravity

00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:53.879
 in man as it was before the flood.

00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:59.260
 This is why David says in Psalm 51 5,

00:18:59.780 --> 00:19:02.260
 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity

00:19:02.260 --> 00:19:04.420
 and in sin did my mother conceive me.

00:19:05.080 --> 00:19:07.080
 This is why Psalm 58 3 says,

00:19:07.580 --> 00:19:10.260
 The wicked are estranged from the womb.

00:19:11.100 --> 00:19:14.000
 They go astray from birth.

00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:15.920
 And who are the wicked?

00:19:16.540 --> 00:19:17.700
 The human race.

00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:25.319
 That is what Jesus says in Mark 10 18

00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:27.220
 when he says,

00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:29.580
 No one is good except God alone.

00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:33.200
 That's why Romans 3 verses 9 through 12 says,

00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:37.059
 Both Jews and Greeks are under sin.

00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:38.340
 As it is written,

00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:39.799
 None is righteous.

00:19:40.380 --> 00:19:41.220
 No, not one.

00:19:41.840 --> 00:19:42.900
 No one understands.

00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:45.759
 No one seeks after God.

00:19:46.360 --> 00:19:47.480
 All have turned aside.

00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:50.259
 Together they have become worthless.

00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:52.900
 No one does good.

00:19:53.340 --> 00:19:54.980
 Not even one.

00:19:56.360 --> 00:19:58.000
 This is what Ephesians 2 means

00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.500
 when it says in verses 1 through 3,

00:19:59.800 --> 00:20:02.259
 You were dead in the trespasses and sins

00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.420
 in which you once walked,

00:20:03.860 --> 00:20:05.220
 following the course of this world,

00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:08.440
 following the prince of the power of the air,

00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:10.300
 the spirit that is now at work

00:20:10.300 --> 00:20:11.600
 and the sons of disobedience,

00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:14.219
 among whom we all once lived

00:20:14.219 --> 00:20:15.439
 in the passions of our flesh,

00:20:15.939 --> 00:20:18.279
 carrying out the desires of the body and the mind,

00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:19.859
 and were by nature,

00:20:20.659 --> 00:20:21.539
 by nature,

00:20:21.899 --> 00:20:23.279
 children of wrath,

00:20:23.919 --> 00:20:25.879
 like the rest of mankind.

00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:31.219
 This is why Romans 8 7 and 8 says,

00:20:31.219 --> 00:20:33.779
 For the mind that is set on the flesh

00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:36.199
 is hostile to God,

00:20:36.639 --> 00:20:39.879
 for it does not submit to God's law.

00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:41.580
 Indeed, it cannot.

00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:45.900
 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

00:20:46.760 --> 00:20:48.140
 That's what Romans says.

00:20:48.800 --> 00:20:49.600
 Do you see that?

00:20:50.800 --> 00:20:51.980
 And so based on that alone,

00:20:52.060 --> 00:20:52.920
 let me ask you this.

00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:55.180
 Is not repenting

00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:58.940
 and placing your trust in Christ

00:20:58.940 --> 00:21:02.940
 something that is pleasing to God?

00:21:03.860 --> 00:21:05.140
 Just that act alone.

00:21:05.260 --> 00:21:08.380
 Is that not something that is pleasing to God?

00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:10.820
 Yet how can anyone who is dead

00:21:10.820 --> 00:21:12.140
 in trespasses and sins,

00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:14.080
 and therefore with a mind

00:21:14.080 --> 00:21:15.600
 that is hostile to God,

00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:18.720
 and unable to please God,

00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:21.420
 repent and trust in Christ

00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:22.640
 of their own will,

00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:24.400
 and thereby pleasing God?

00:21:25.620 --> 00:21:26.340
 Do you see that?

00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:29.660
 It is against the very nature

00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:31.580
 of the natural man

00:21:31.580 --> 00:21:33.300
 to freely and willfully

00:21:33.300 --> 00:21:34.260
 come to Christ,

00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:36.940
 as it is against the very nature

00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:38.440
 of a loving,

00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:39.859
 pregnant woman

00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:42.240
 to plunge a steak knife

00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.180
 into her own abdomen.

00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:46.039
 Now this may sound harsh,

00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:47.279
 but I believe it to be true

00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:49.980
 based on what we have just looked at.

00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:52.359
 This is the true state

00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:54.720
 of the unregenerate man.

00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:57.279
 That's what the Bible teaches.

00:21:58.079 --> 00:21:59.799
 This is the true condition of the heart.

00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:01.240
 Like sheep,

00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:02.259
 we have all gone astray

00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:02.980
 in this condition,

00:22:03.919 --> 00:22:04.879
 and in this condition

00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:06.079
 even our greatest works

00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:07.779
 are but filthy rags.

00:22:10.899 --> 00:22:11.980
 In this state,

00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:13.339
 we are all slaves

00:22:13.339 --> 00:22:14.579
 to the ruler of this world,

00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.480
 the devil,

00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:18.980
 completely in bondage to sin,

00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:20.740
 totally depraved,

00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:22.379
 hostile towards God,

00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.839
 utterly unable

00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:24.759
 to freely choose

00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:26.639
 to do anything pleasing to God.

00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:29.180
 Is that not a scary thought?

00:22:30.680 --> 00:22:31.240
 Yet,

00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:32.259
 is this not what

00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:33.379
 these scriptures teach?

00:22:34.639 --> 00:22:35.919
 And this is why God

00:22:35.919 --> 00:22:37.359
 had to be the one to act

00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:38.899
 to make a way for sinners.

00:22:39.399 --> 00:22:40.440
 And this is why Jesus

00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:42.339
 is the founder of our faith

00:22:42.339 --> 00:22:43.480
 in this sense.

00:22:44.419 --> 00:22:45.379
 In John 8,

00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.619
 verse 34,

00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.319
 Jesus says,

00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:48.720
 Truly, truly,

00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:50.099
 I say to you,

00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:53.119
 everyone who practices sin

00:22:53.119 --> 00:22:54.740
 is a slave to sin.

00:22:55.399 --> 00:22:56.460
 And in verse 36,

00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:56.919
 He says,

00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.960
 So,

00:22:58.380 --> 00:23:00.300
 if the Son

00:23:00.300 --> 00:23:02.019
 sets you free,

00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:04.180
 you will be free

00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:04.880
 indeed.

00:23:06.380 --> 00:23:07.700
 If who sets you free?

00:23:08.560 --> 00:23:09.380
 The Son.

00:23:10.380 --> 00:23:11.000
 And who

00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:12.840
 initiates the freeing?

00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:14.440
 The Son.

00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:19.420
 In John 6,

00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:19.840
 44,

00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:20.600
 Jesus says,

00:23:20.599 --> 00:23:22.299
 No one can come to me

00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:23.659
 unless the Father

00:23:23.659 --> 00:23:25.119
 who sent me

00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:25.719
 draws him.

00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:28.019
 God had to be the one

00:23:28.019 --> 00:23:28.679
 to make a way

00:23:28.679 --> 00:23:31.399
 because what would we have here

00:23:31.399 --> 00:23:34.339
 if He were to have left it

00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:35.240
 at this?

00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:37.699
 We would have all of mankind

00:23:37.699 --> 00:23:39.240
 going to hell

00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.259
 and yes,

00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:41.500
 originally condemned

00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:42.599
 by the sin of Adam,

00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:43.919
 but by no means

00:23:43.919 --> 00:23:44.740
 just by it.

00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:46.899
 Every single person

00:23:46.899 --> 00:23:47.779
 is responsible

00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:49.240
 for His own sin.

00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:50.859
 And so here we have

00:23:50.859 --> 00:23:52.680
 a picture of a God-hating,

00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:53.940
 self-loving,

00:23:54.139 --> 00:23:55.180
 depraved humanity

00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:57.019
 who would rather go to hell

00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:58.119
 than repent

00:23:58.119 --> 00:23:59.460
 and turn from their wicked ways.

00:23:59.899 --> 00:24:00.680
 In John 3, 20,

00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.200
 Jesus says,

00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:02.519
 Everyone who does

00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:03.720
 wicked things

00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.980
 hates the light

00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:06.000
 and does not come

00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.720
 to the light,

00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.500
 lest his works

00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.420
 be exposed.

00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.759
 And so if God

00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:13.180
 would have stopped there

00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:15.259
 and not saved anyone

00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:17.779
 and not have acted at all,

00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:20.700
 would He be at fault

00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:22.140
 for allowing

00:24:22.140 --> 00:24:23.420
 all of humanity

00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:24.660
 to end up in hell

00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:25.960
 for all eternity?

00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.559
 No.

00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:29.500
 And He would be

00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:31.619
 completely just

00:24:31.619 --> 00:24:34.539
 and completely

00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:36.259
 righteous

00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:38.440
 in that act

00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:41.980
 because His justice

00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:43.299
 and His holiness

00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:45.059
 would be put on display.

00:24:46.119 --> 00:24:47.539
 But praise be

00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:48.640
 to God,

00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:49.799
 brothers and sisters,

00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:51.259
 that He did not

00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:51.960
 stop there

00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:53.400
 and that out of

00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:54.700
 love and kindness

00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.940
 and pure grace,

00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:56.879
 He became

00:24:56.879 --> 00:24:57.599
 the founder,

00:24:58.200 --> 00:24:58.759
 the author

00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.460
 of our faith

00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:00.559
 by creating a way

00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.460
 for lost sinners.

00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:04.579
 Depraved,

00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:05.920
 God-hating sinners.

00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:07.599
 And so here we affirm

00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:08.759
 the next doctrine of grace

00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.140
 called

00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:11.180
 unconditional election.

00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:13.700
 Turn with me

00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:15.160
 to 2 Thessalonians

00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:16.340
 chapter 2.

00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.960
 2 Thessalonians

00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.539
 chapter 2.

00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.980
 Verses 13 and 14.

00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:36.400
 It reads,

00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:38.259
 But we ought always

00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:39.339
 to give thanks to God

00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:40.140
 for you, brothers,

00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.759
 beloved by the Lord,

00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:43.960
 because God chose you

00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:45.259
 as the firstfruits

00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.140
 to be saved

00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:47.259
 through sanctification

00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:49.160
 by the Spirit

00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:50.259
 and belief

00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.559
 in the truth.

00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.920
 To this He called you

00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.960
 through our gospel

00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:56.980
 so that you may obtain

00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:58.420
 the glory of our Lord

00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:59.400
 Jesus Christ.

00:25:59.400 --> 00:25:59.460
 Christ.

00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:00.820
 Now,

00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.820
 we won't spend

00:26:01.820 --> 00:26:02.820
 much time on this one

00:26:02.820 --> 00:26:04.160
 because it's hard

00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:05.580
 to deny that Scripture

00:26:05.580 --> 00:26:07.019
 teaches election

00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:07.960
 and predestination.

00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.180
 That being,

00:26:09.320 --> 00:26:10.300
 that before the foundation

00:26:10.300 --> 00:26:10.940
 of the world,

00:26:11.080 --> 00:26:11.900
 out of a mass

00:26:11.900 --> 00:26:13.220
 of depraved humanity

00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:14.600
 to be,

00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.519
 without merit

00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.600
 or condition

00:26:16.600 --> 00:26:18.660
 or any future doing

00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:19.440
 on the part

00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.080
 of the sinner,

00:26:20.540 --> 00:26:21.480
 out of His grace

00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:22.160
 and love

00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:23.280
 and for His glory

00:26:23.280 --> 00:26:24.600
 and for His Son,

00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:26.320
 He chose a multitude

00:26:26.320 --> 00:26:26.860
 of them

00:26:26.859 --> 00:26:28.139
 to snatch them

00:26:28.139 --> 00:26:28.819
 out of the fire

00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:29.659
 of their own making

00:26:29.659 --> 00:26:31.079
 to demonstrate

00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.019
 His mercy

00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:33.079
 and His glory

00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:34.119
 and His grace

00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:35.099
 in them.

00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:37.240
 That's what Jesus means

00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:38.259
 when He tells His disciples

00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.559
 in John 15, 16,

00:26:40.439 --> 00:26:41.439
 You did not choose Me

00:26:41.439 --> 00:26:42.719
 but I chose you

00:26:42.719 --> 00:26:44.119
 and appointed you

00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:45.000
 that you should go

00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:45.839
 and bear fruit

00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:47.299
 and that your fruit

00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:48.579
 should abide.

00:26:49.979 --> 00:26:51.319
 And it's what He refers to

00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:51.879
 when He says

00:26:51.879 --> 00:26:53.639
 in Matthew 11, 27,

00:26:54.199 --> 00:26:55.659
 No one knows the Son

00:26:55.659 --> 00:26:56.479
 except the Father.

00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:58.399
 And no one knows the Father

00:26:58.399 --> 00:26:59.439
 except the Son

00:26:59.439 --> 00:27:00.699
 and anyone

00:27:00.699 --> 00:27:02.579
 whom the Son

00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:03.539
 chooses

00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:05.339
 to reveal Him.

00:27:05.979 --> 00:27:06.979
 This is what Paul

00:27:06.979 --> 00:27:09.139
 refers to in Romans 11, 5

00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:10.219
 when he says

00:27:10.219 --> 00:27:12.059
 that there is a remnant

00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:14.740
 chosen by grace.

00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:16.779
 And in Ephesians 1, 4

00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:17.859
 when he says

00:27:17.859 --> 00:27:20.179
 He chose us in Him

00:27:20.179 --> 00:27:22.619
 before the foundation

00:27:22.619 --> 00:27:23.859
 of the world.

00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.459
 And in verse 5,

00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:27.079
 He predestined us

00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:28.200
 for adoption

00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:29.400
 as sons

00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:30.900
 through Jesus Christ

00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:33.740
 according to the purpose

00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:34.360
 of His will

00:27:34.360 --> 00:27:35.420
 to the praise

00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.640
 of His glorious grace

00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:38.779
 with which He

00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.880
 has blessed us

00:27:39.880 --> 00:27:41.160
 in the Beloved.

00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:43.940
 That's why Peter

00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.500
 calls us

00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:46.200
 a chosen race,

00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:48.819
 a royal priesthood,

00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:50.000
 a people

00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:51.960
 for His own possession.

00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:54.940
 That is why Acts 13, 48,

00:27:55.380 --> 00:27:56.180
 as the gospel

00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:57.600
 is being preached,

00:27:58.360 --> 00:27:59.059
 it says,

00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.880
 And when the Gentiles

00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:01.620
 heard this,

00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:03.500
 they began rejoicing

00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:04.559
 and glorifying

00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.500
 the word of the Lord.

00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:07.400
 and as many

00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:08.480
 as were appointed

00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:10.220
 to eternal life

00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:11.480
 believed.

00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:13.519
 They believed

00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:15.299
 because they were

00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:15.960
 appointed

00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:19.000
 to eternal life.

00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:21.740
 They were unconditionally

00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:22.660
 elected

00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.980
 by a gracious

00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:25.079
 and merciful God.

00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:26.900
 And I want to,

00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:27.339
 once again,

00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:28.259
 just reiterate

00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:30.400
 that in electing,

00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:31.420
 God is merely,

00:28:31.880 --> 00:28:32.680
 by grace,

00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:34.240
 to give you

00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:34.799
 an illustration,

00:28:35.560 --> 00:28:36.759
 snatching people

00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:38.759
 out of a burning building

00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:40.000
 who actually

00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:41.480
 want to stay

00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:43.299
 in that burning building.

00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.740
 And when He does so

00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.600
 and snatches

00:28:46.600 --> 00:28:48.039
 the select few out,

00:28:48.340 --> 00:28:49.680
 He opens their eyes

00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:50.700
 and shows them

00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.640
 their foolishness.

00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:52.900
 And the ones

00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:53.440
 that stay

00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:54.700
 in the burning building

00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:56.980
 and were not

00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:57.860
 pulled out by God

00:28:57.860 --> 00:28:58.880
 do so

00:28:58.880 --> 00:28:59.460
 because they would

00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.759
 rather stay

00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.500
 in that building

00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.839
 than to come

00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:03.799
 to God.

00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:05.380
 Election

00:29:05.380 --> 00:29:06.559
 is unconditional.

00:29:07.900 --> 00:29:08.460
 Do you recall

00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:08.960
 the story

00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.960
 in Exodus

00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:11.579
 of the crossing

00:29:11.579 --> 00:29:12.380
 of the Red Sea?

00:29:12.859 --> 00:29:13.279
 God sends

00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:14.140
 a strong wind

00:29:14.140 --> 00:29:16.660
 parts the Red Sea.

00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:18.779
 The people of Israel

00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.779
 begin to cross

00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:21.200
 on dry land.

00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:21.740
 Pharaoh

00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:23.220
 and his Egyptian army

00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:24.940
 follow after,

00:29:25.180 --> 00:29:26.640
 pursue after Israel.

00:29:28.619 --> 00:29:30.119
 And if you could

00:29:30.119 --> 00:29:30.500
 just imagine

00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:31.160
 imagine

00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:34.180
 a bird's eye view

00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:35.440
 of this scene,

00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:37.460
 you have

00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:39.220
 both

00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:40.319
 the Egyptians

00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:42.059
 and Israel

00:29:42.059 --> 00:29:43.779
 on this dry land

00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:45.920
 and they are

00:29:45.920 --> 00:29:47.720
 perfectly paralleled

00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:49.579
 by massive

00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.240
 walls

00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:51.579
 of ocean

00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.920
 being held back

00:29:52.920 --> 00:29:53.500
 only

00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.480
 by the power

00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:54.960
 of God.

00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:55.920
 And let me ask

00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:56.380
 you this,

00:29:57.400 --> 00:29:58.079
 out of

00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:59.339
 all those

00:29:59.339 --> 00:30:00.019
 people

00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:02.079
 on that stretch

00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:02.639
 of land,

00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:03.960
 could any

00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:04.939
 one of them

00:30:04.939 --> 00:30:05.859
 stand

00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:06.740
 before

00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:08.059
 a holy God

00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:08.859
 and be considered

00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:09.879
 spotless

00:30:09.879 --> 00:30:10.679
 and righteous

00:30:10.679 --> 00:30:13.240
 out of their

00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:13.799
 own doing?

00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:15.399
 Of course not.

00:30:16.819 --> 00:30:17.679
 None of them.

00:30:18.139 --> 00:30:18.740
 Not one.

00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:20.139
 And so,

00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:21.199
 in this case,

00:30:21.319 --> 00:30:21.980
 God would have

00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:22.399
 been

00:30:22.399 --> 00:30:23.759
 just

00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.440
 in

00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:25.279
 even wiping

00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:26.220
 all of them

00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:26.980
 out.

00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:29.019
 But instead,

00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:30.700
 out of His grace,

00:30:31.299 --> 00:30:31.900
 He chose

00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:33.299
 to save the Israelites

00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:33.879
 not because

00:30:33.879 --> 00:30:34.200
 anything

00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:35.400
 that He saw

00:30:35.400 --> 00:30:36.220
 in them,

00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:37.119
 not because of

00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:37.700
 any goodness

00:30:37.700 --> 00:30:38.379
 in them

00:30:38.379 --> 00:30:39.279
 or any future

00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:40.279
 acts

00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:41.400
 on their behalf.

00:30:41.400 --> 00:30:41.460
 life.

00:30:43.300 --> 00:30:44.300
 But as we see

00:30:44.300 --> 00:30:45.240
 in Exodus 6,

00:30:45.800 --> 00:30:46.500
 it is God

00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:46.860
 who

00:30:46.860 --> 00:30:48.000
 unconditionally

00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:49.340
 elects.

00:30:49.840 --> 00:30:50.640
 It is God

00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:51.640
 who initiated

00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:52.420
 a covenant

00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:54.140
 with Israel

00:30:54.140 --> 00:30:55.220
 of His own

00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:55.620
 choosing.

00:30:56.540 --> 00:30:57.000
 And that's

00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.560
 the beauty

00:30:57.560 --> 00:30:58.460
 of election.

00:30:58.920 --> 00:30:59.340
 And that's

00:30:59.340 --> 00:30:59.920
 the beauty

00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:00.980
 and grace

00:31:00.980 --> 00:31:02.040
 of our Savior.

00:31:03.220 --> 00:31:03.860
 That though

00:31:03.860 --> 00:31:04.800
 we do not

00:31:04.800 --> 00:31:05.740
 deserve it,

00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:07.840
 and we cannot

00:31:07.840 --> 00:31:09.000
 in our own

00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:09.720
 ability

00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:11.140
 make the

00:31:11.140 --> 00:31:11.839
 massive

00:31:11.839 --> 00:31:12.660
 crushing

00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:13.180
 waves

00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:13.700
 of our

00:31:13.700 --> 00:31:14.019
 sin

00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:14.600
 part

00:31:14.600 --> 00:31:15.319
 so that

00:31:15.319 --> 00:31:15.640
 we may

00:31:15.640 --> 00:31:16.059
 make our

00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:16.420
 way to

00:31:16.420 --> 00:31:16.720
 the other

00:31:16.720 --> 00:31:17.180
 side,

00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.100
 Jesus,

00:31:18.600 --> 00:31:19.400
 the founder

00:31:19.400 --> 00:31:20.019
 of our

00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:20.440
 faith,

00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:21.480
 went before

00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:21.900
 us

00:31:21.900 --> 00:31:22.640
 and made

00:31:22.640 --> 00:31:23.140
 a way

00:31:23.140 --> 00:31:23.920
 so that

00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:24.339
 not one

00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:24.799
 drop

00:31:24.799 --> 00:31:25.420
 of that

00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:25.819
 ocean

00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:26.600
 would ever

00:31:26.600 --> 00:31:27.319
 touch

00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:28.279
 our heads.

00:31:29.660 --> 00:31:30.779
 Praise God

00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.640
 for His

00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:32.440
 electing

00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:32.839
 grace.

00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:34.660
 Spurgeon

00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:34.980
 put it

00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:35.360
 quite well

00:31:35.360 --> 00:31:35.660
 when he

00:31:35.660 --> 00:31:36.000
 says,

00:31:37.339 --> 00:31:38.539
 it's a good

00:31:38.539 --> 00:31:39.019
 thing

00:31:39.019 --> 00:31:39.900
 God chose

00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:40.220
 me

00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:41.319
 before I

00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:41.859
 was born

00:31:41.859 --> 00:31:42.980
 because He

00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.559
 surely would

00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:43.859
 not have

00:31:43.859 --> 00:31:44.359
 chosen me

00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:44.980
 afterwards.

00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:46.099
 Close quote.

00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:47.759
 What a

00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.119
 mighty

00:31:48.119 --> 00:31:48.839
 Savior,

00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:50.799
 a leader,

00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.139
 pioneer,

00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:53.579
 author,

00:31:54.359 --> 00:31:54.819
 founder of

00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:55.359
 our faith,

00:31:56.059 --> 00:31:56.480
 and that He

00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:57.119
 made a way

00:31:57.119 --> 00:31:57.700
 for sinners.

00:31:59.460 --> 00:32:00.180
 And this

00:32:00.180 --> 00:32:00.700
 leads us to

00:32:00.700 --> 00:32:01.099
 our second

00:32:01.099 --> 00:32:02.079
 subheading for

00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:02.660
 how Christ

00:32:02.660 --> 00:32:02.940
 is the

00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:03.279
 founder of

00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:03.740
 our faith,

00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:04.980
 that being

00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:05.480
 that Christ

00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:05.779
 is the

00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:06.500
 founder of

00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:07.019
 our faith

00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:07.680
 and that He

00:32:07.680 --> 00:32:08.180
 is the

00:32:08.180 --> 00:32:08.519
 giver

00:32:08.519 --> 00:32:10.099
 of the

00:32:10.099 --> 00:32:10.259
 new

00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:10.619
 birth.

00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:11.779
 He is

00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:11.960
 the

00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:12.279
 giver

00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:12.960
 of the

00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:13.119
 new

00:32:13.119 --> 00:32:13.440
 birth.

00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:18.359
 It is

00:32:18.359 --> 00:32:18.460
 the

00:32:18.460 --> 00:32:18.879
 emphatic

00:32:18.879 --> 00:32:19.660
 affirmation

00:32:19.660 --> 00:32:20.660
 of our

00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:21.079
 Lord Jesus

00:32:21.079 --> 00:32:21.680
 Christ in

00:32:21.680 --> 00:32:22.220
 John 3,

00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:22.619
 3,

00:32:22.859 --> 00:32:24.539
 that unless

00:32:24.539 --> 00:32:25.259
 one is

00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:26.119
 born again,

00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:26.740
 he cannot

00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:27.099
 see the

00:32:27.099 --> 00:32:27.480
 kingdom of

00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:27.779
 God.

00:32:28.180 --> 00:32:28.839
 And it

00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:29.200
 is the

00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:29.839
 unequivocal

00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:30.859
 teaching of

00:32:30.859 --> 00:32:31.220
 Scripture

00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:32.119
 that it

00:32:32.119 --> 00:32:32.920
 is God

00:32:32.920 --> 00:32:34.059
 that through

00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:34.339
 His

00:32:34.339 --> 00:32:34.759
 sovereign,

00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:35.440
 unconditional

00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:36.259
 election,

00:32:36.900 --> 00:32:37.860
 births within

00:32:37.860 --> 00:32:38.580
 those elect

00:32:38.580 --> 00:32:39.840
 repentance and

00:32:39.840 --> 00:32:40.920
 faith unto

00:32:40.920 --> 00:32:41.960
 everlasting life.

00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.460
 It is here

00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:44.519
 that we see

00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:44.960
 the doctrine

00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:45.380
 of grace

00:32:45.380 --> 00:32:45.960
 entitled

00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:47.279
 Irresistible

00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:47.960
 Grace.

00:32:48.920 --> 00:32:49.559
 Irresistible

00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:50.360
 Grace.

00:32:52.080 --> 00:32:52.980
 In John

00:32:52.980 --> 00:32:53.400
 3,

00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:55.380
 verses 3-8,

00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:56.100
 Jesus tells

00:32:56.100 --> 00:32:56.860
 Nicodemus,

00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.240
 a teacher

00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:58.559
 of the

00:32:58.559 --> 00:32:58.779
 law,

00:32:59.660 --> 00:33:00.000
 truly,

00:33:00.299 --> 00:33:00.640
 truly,

00:33:00.880 --> 00:33:01.580
 I say to

00:33:01.580 --> 00:33:01.880
 you,

00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:03.160
 unless one

00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:03.500
 is born

00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:03.799
 again,

00:33:03.900 --> 00:33:04.460
 he cannot

00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:04.900
 see the

00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:05.100
 kingdom

00:33:05.100 --> 00:33:05.620
 of God.

00:33:06.980 --> 00:33:07.400
 Nicodemus

00:33:07.400 --> 00:33:07.740
 said to

00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:07.980
 him,

00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:08.700
 how can

00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:09.000
 a man

00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:09.620
 be born

00:33:09.620 --> 00:33:10.060
 when he

00:33:10.060 --> 00:33:10.600
 is old?

00:33:11.080 --> 00:33:11.440
 Can he

00:33:11.440 --> 00:33:11.920
 enter a

00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:12.380
 second time

00:33:12.380 --> 00:33:12.660
 in his

00:33:12.660 --> 00:33:13.000
 mother's

00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:13.800
 womb and

00:33:13.800 --> 00:33:14.240
 be born?

00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:14.660
 Jesus

00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:15.160
 answered,

00:33:15.620 --> 00:33:15.860
 truly,

00:33:16.040 --> 00:33:16.259
 truly,

00:33:16.380 --> 00:33:16.660
 I say

00:33:16.660 --> 00:33:17.140
 to you,

00:33:17.580 --> 00:33:18.000
 unless

00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.380
 one is

00:33:18.380 --> 00:33:18.780
 born of

00:33:18.780 --> 00:33:19.160
 water

00:33:19.160 --> 00:33:19.759
 and the

00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.080
 spirit,

00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:21.380
 he cannot

00:33:21.380 --> 00:33:21.980
 enter the

00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:22.180
 kingdom

00:33:22.180 --> 00:33:22.720
 of God.

00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:23.860
 That which

00:33:23.860 --> 00:33:24.259
 is born

00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:24.700
 of flesh

00:33:24.700 --> 00:33:25.300
 is flesh,

00:33:25.580 --> 00:33:26.080
 and that

00:33:26.080 --> 00:33:26.420
 which is

00:33:26.420 --> 00:33:26.759
 born of

00:33:26.759 --> 00:33:27.320
 the spirit

00:33:27.320 --> 00:33:28.140
 is spirit.

00:33:29.360 --> 00:33:29.840
 Do not

00:33:29.840 --> 00:33:30.460
 marvel that

00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:30.780
 I said

00:33:30.780 --> 00:33:31.160
 to you,

00:33:31.300 --> 00:33:31.680
 you must

00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:32.040
 be born

00:33:32.040 --> 00:33:32.400
 again.

00:33:32.400 --> 00:33:33.820
 the wind

00:33:33.820 --> 00:33:35.080
 blows where

00:33:35.080 --> 00:33:36.160
 it wishes,

00:33:36.540 --> 00:33:37.040
 and you

00:33:37.040 --> 00:33:37.460
 hear its

00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:37.840
 sound,

00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:38.280
 but you

00:33:38.280 --> 00:33:38.640
 do not

00:33:38.640 --> 00:33:39.140
 know where

00:33:39.140 --> 00:33:39.540
 it comes

00:33:39.540 --> 00:33:40.480
 from or

00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:40.840
 where it

00:33:40.840 --> 00:33:41.220
 goes.

00:33:42.100 --> 00:33:42.680
 So it

00:33:42.680 --> 00:33:43.640
 is with

00:33:43.640 --> 00:33:44.259
 everyone who

00:33:44.259 --> 00:33:44.800
 is born

00:33:44.800 --> 00:33:46.000
 of the

00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:46.380
 spirit.

00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:48.540
 This shows

00:33:48.540 --> 00:33:49.340
 the utter

00:33:49.340 --> 00:33:50.500
 inability of

00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:51.000
 man to do

00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:51.620
 anything in

00:33:51.620 --> 00:33:51.980
 order to

00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:52.320
 enter the

00:33:52.320 --> 00:33:52.700
 kingdom of

00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:52.980
 God

00:33:52.980 --> 00:33:55.980
 on his

00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:56.220
 own.

00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:57.440
 Obviously,

00:33:57.440 --> 00:33:57.940
 you cannot

00:33:57.940 --> 00:33:58.480
 be born

00:33:58.480 --> 00:33:58.780
 when you

00:33:58.780 --> 00:33:59.240
 are old,

00:33:59.240 --> 00:33:59.859
 and you

00:33:59.859 --> 00:34:00.079
 cannot

00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:00.539
 enter your

00:34:00.539 --> 00:34:00.839
 mother's

00:34:00.839 --> 00:34:01.339
 womb again

00:34:01.339 --> 00:34:01.720
 and be

00:34:01.720 --> 00:34:02.220
 reborn.

00:34:04.019 --> 00:34:04.460
 There is

00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:04.920
 nothing in

00:34:04.920 --> 00:34:05.339
 your power

00:34:05.339 --> 00:34:06.079
 or ability

00:34:06.079 --> 00:34:07.039
 that you

00:34:07.039 --> 00:34:07.440
 can do

00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:07.799
 to be

00:34:07.799 --> 00:34:08.340
 born again.

00:34:09.059 --> 00:34:09.440
 There is

00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:10.139
 a reason

00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:11.480
 why Jesus

00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:12.500
 uses these

00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:13.280
 specific

00:34:13.280 --> 00:34:14.599
 words and

00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:15.940
 these specific

00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:17.699
 illustrations in

00:34:17.699 --> 00:34:18.480
 talking about

00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:19.139
 regeneration.

00:34:20.219 --> 00:34:20.460
 You had

00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.119
 nothing to do

00:34:21.119 --> 00:34:21.380
 with your

00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:22.079
 first birth,

00:34:22.260 --> 00:34:22.800
 and you

00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:23.559
 cannot have

00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:24.159
 anything to

00:34:24.159 --> 00:34:25.000
 do with

00:34:25.000 --> 00:34:25.960
 your second

00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:26.599
 birth from

00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:27.019
 above.

00:34:27.760 --> 00:34:28.219
 On this

00:34:28.219 --> 00:34:28.639
 effectual

00:34:28.639 --> 00:34:29.059
 calling,

00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:29.699
 which must

00:34:29.699 --> 00:34:30.639
 be initiated

00:34:30.639 --> 00:34:31.440
 by God,

00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:32.880
 Philip

00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:33.380
 Ryken,

00:34:33.579 --> 00:34:33.980
 the current

00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:35.460
 president of

00:34:35.460 --> 00:34:35.659
 Wheaton

00:34:35.659 --> 00:34:36.059
 College,

00:34:36.179 --> 00:34:36.480
 writes,

00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:38.299
 What makes

00:34:38.299 --> 00:34:39.099
 this illustration

00:34:39.099 --> 00:34:40.099
 especially

00:34:40.099 --> 00:34:41.239
 effective is

00:34:41.239 --> 00:34:41.960
 the fact

00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:42.779
 that in

00:34:42.779 --> 00:34:43.099
 the Greek

00:34:43.099 --> 00:34:43.759
 language,

00:34:44.199 --> 00:34:44.860
 wind and

00:34:44.860 --> 00:34:45.519
 breath and

00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.619
 spirit are

00:34:46.619 --> 00:34:47.320
 all the same

00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:47.699
 word,

00:34:48.000 --> 00:34:48.259
 pneuma.

00:34:49.159 --> 00:34:49.719
 The spirit

00:34:49.719 --> 00:34:50.219
 is the breath

00:34:50.219 --> 00:34:50.639
 of God,

00:34:50.679 --> 00:34:51.420
 whose influence

00:34:51.420 --> 00:34:52.000
 is like the

00:34:52.000 --> 00:34:52.299
 wind.

00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:53.559
 No one can

00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:54.039
 control the

00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:54.579
 wind or even

00:34:54.579 --> 00:34:55.139
 see it,

00:34:55.619 --> 00:34:56.019
 yet its

00:34:56.019 --> 00:34:56.759
 effects are

00:34:56.759 --> 00:34:58.119
 obvious wherever

00:34:58.119 --> 00:34:58.900
 it blows.

00:34:59.059 --> 00:35:00.239
 So it is

00:35:00.239 --> 00:35:00.559
 with the

00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:01.159
 Holy Spirit.

00:35:02.380 --> 00:35:02.840
 No one can

00:35:02.840 --> 00:35:03.380
 control his

00:35:03.380 --> 00:35:04.519
 gracious influences.

00:35:05.239 --> 00:35:05.719
 No one can

00:35:05.719 --> 00:35:06.400
 see when he

00:35:06.400 --> 00:35:07.039
 first slips

00:35:07.039 --> 00:35:07.440
 into a

00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:07.739
 sinner's

00:35:07.739 --> 00:35:08.099
 heart.

00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:09.460
 The

00:35:09.460 --> 00:35:10.320
 regenerating,

00:35:10.579 --> 00:35:11.019
 life-giving

00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:11.820
 work of the

00:35:11.820 --> 00:35:13.000
 spirit is

00:35:13.000 --> 00:35:13.719
 up to

00:35:13.719 --> 00:35:15.400
 the sovereignty

00:35:15.400 --> 00:35:16.759
 of God.

00:35:17.599 --> 00:35:18.320
 Close quote.

00:35:18.320 --> 00:35:19.780
 God

00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:20.059
 This

00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:20.780
 effectual

00:35:20.780 --> 00:35:21.460
 calling,

00:35:22.019 --> 00:35:22.220
 this

00:35:22.220 --> 00:35:23.200
 irresistible

00:35:23.200 --> 00:35:23.760
 grace,

00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:24.720
 is what

00:35:24.720 --> 00:35:25.920
 Acts 16,

00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:27.000
 14 alludes

00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:27.640
 to when it

00:35:27.640 --> 00:35:28.120
 tells of

00:35:28.120 --> 00:35:28.620
 Lydia's

00:35:28.620 --> 00:35:29.120
 conversion.

00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:30.260
 For it

00:35:30.260 --> 00:35:30.820
 says God

00:35:30.820 --> 00:35:31.420
 opened her

00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:32.559
 heart as

00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:33.019
 the gospel

00:35:33.019 --> 00:35:33.539
 was being

00:35:33.539 --> 00:35:34.080
 preached by

00:35:34.080 --> 00:35:34.440
 Paul.

00:35:35.019 --> 00:35:35.780
 Lydia didn't

00:35:35.780 --> 00:35:36.400
 open her

00:35:36.400 --> 00:35:37.120
 own heart.

00:35:38.120 --> 00:35:38.600
 It clearly

00:35:38.600 --> 00:35:39.680
 says God

00:35:39.680 --> 00:35:40.559
 opened her

00:35:40.559 --> 00:35:40.900
 heart.

00:35:41.380 --> 00:35:41.980
 She couldn't

00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:42.559
 have opened

00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:43.140
 her own

00:35:43.140 --> 00:35:43.420
 heart.

00:35:43.760 --> 00:35:44.120
 She was

00:35:44.120 --> 00:35:44.680
 dead in her

00:35:44.680 --> 00:35:45.440
 trespasses and

00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:45.780
 sins.

00:35:45.780 --> 00:35:46.420
 God

00:35:46.420 --> 00:35:47.100
 effectually

00:35:47.100 --> 00:35:47.860
 through the

00:35:47.860 --> 00:35:49.019
 gospel called

00:35:49.019 --> 00:35:49.980
 her, opened

00:35:49.980 --> 00:35:51.080
 her heart, and

00:35:51.080 --> 00:35:52.420
 gave her new

00:35:52.420 --> 00:35:53.040
 birth.

00:35:54.440 --> 00:35:54.960
 And it is

00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:55.340
 this that

00:35:55.340 --> 00:35:56.240
 John 1, 13

00:35:56.240 --> 00:35:57.060
 refers to when

00:35:57.060 --> 00:35:57.700
 speaking of the

00:35:57.700 --> 00:35:58.519
 children of God

00:35:58.519 --> 00:36:00.060
 where it says

00:36:00.060 --> 00:36:01.760
 they were born

00:36:01.760 --> 00:36:02.940
 not of blood

00:36:02.940 --> 00:36:03.940
 nor of the

00:36:03.940 --> 00:36:05.200
 will of man

00:36:05.200 --> 00:36:06.980
 or the

00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:08.700
 flesh but

00:36:08.700 --> 00:36:09.620
 of God.

00:36:11.100 --> 00:36:12.240
 Christ is

00:36:12.240 --> 00:36:12.780
 the founder

00:36:12.780 --> 00:36:14.040
 of our faith

00:36:14.040 --> 00:36:15.040
 because He

00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:16.820
 alone is

00:36:16.820 --> 00:36:17.300
 the giver

00:36:17.300 --> 00:36:17.840
 of the

00:36:17.840 --> 00:36:18.400
 new birth.

00:36:19.679 --> 00:36:20.259
 Now we

00:36:20.259 --> 00:36:20.599
 have reached

00:36:20.599 --> 00:36:21.159
 our second

00:36:21.159 --> 00:36:21.980
 main heading

00:36:21.980 --> 00:36:22.420
 for this

00:36:22.420 --> 00:36:24.019
 morning and

00:36:24.019 --> 00:36:24.519
 that is

00:36:24.519 --> 00:36:26.239
 perfecter of

00:36:26.239 --> 00:36:26.800
 our faith.

00:36:27.880 --> 00:36:28.519
 And for the

00:36:28.519 --> 00:36:29.019
 sake of time

00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:29.440
 I will give

00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:29.900
 you the two

00:36:29.900 --> 00:36:30.779
 subheadings and

00:36:30.779 --> 00:36:31.159
 try to move

00:36:31.159 --> 00:36:31.619
 quickly.

00:36:32.840 --> 00:36:33.279
 So Christ

00:36:33.279 --> 00:36:33.599
 is the

00:36:33.599 --> 00:36:34.579
 perfecter of

00:36:34.579 --> 00:36:35.699
 our faith in

00:36:35.699 --> 00:36:36.179
 that He has

00:36:36.179 --> 00:36:37.239
 perfectly

00:36:37.239 --> 00:36:38.279
 accomplished

00:36:38.279 --> 00:36:39.300
 His work.

00:36:40.300 --> 00:36:41.000
 He has

00:36:41.000 --> 00:36:41.559
 perfectly

00:36:41.559 --> 00:36:42.139
 accomplished

00:36:42.139 --> 00:36:42.860
 His work

00:36:42.860 --> 00:36:44.320
 and the

00:36:44.320 --> 00:36:44.539
 second

00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:45.120
 subheading

00:36:45.120 --> 00:36:45.920
 that He

00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:46.420
 will

00:36:46.420 --> 00:36:47.500
 complete

00:36:47.500 --> 00:36:48.360
 the work

00:36:48.360 --> 00:36:49.120
 He began

00:36:49.120 --> 00:36:50.120
 in us.

00:36:50.920 --> 00:36:51.340
 He will

00:36:51.340 --> 00:36:52.019
 complete the

00:36:52.019 --> 00:36:52.680
 work that

00:36:52.680 --> 00:36:53.320
 He began

00:36:53.320 --> 00:36:54.340
 in us.

00:36:55.480 --> 00:36:56.599
 Jesus came

00:36:56.599 --> 00:36:57.000
 to this

00:36:57.000 --> 00:36:58.180
 world with

00:36:58.180 --> 00:36:58.780
 a purpose.

00:36:59.640 --> 00:37:00.160
 He did

00:37:00.160 --> 00:37:00.900
 so to

00:37:00.900 --> 00:37:01.599
 accomplish

00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:02.579
 a work.

00:37:03.300 --> 00:37:04.000
 He came

00:37:04.000 --> 00:37:04.539
 to give

00:37:04.539 --> 00:37:05.280
 His life

00:37:05.280 --> 00:37:05.980
 a ransom

00:37:05.980 --> 00:37:07.240
 for many.

00:37:08.240 --> 00:37:08.760
 And it is

00:37:08.760 --> 00:37:09.240
 here that we

00:37:09.240 --> 00:37:09.900
 encounter the

00:37:09.900 --> 00:37:10.980
 doctrine of

00:37:10.980 --> 00:37:12.180
 grace called

00:37:12.180 --> 00:37:12.960
 limited

00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:13.780
 atonement

00:37:13.780 --> 00:37:15.559
 or particular

00:37:15.559 --> 00:37:16.320
 redemption.

00:37:17.940 --> 00:37:19.019
 It is the

00:37:19.019 --> 00:37:19.519
 belief of

00:37:19.519 --> 00:37:21.019
 some that

00:37:21.019 --> 00:37:21.880
 Christ died

00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:22.840
 to pay for

00:37:22.840 --> 00:37:23.800
 the sins of

00:37:23.800 --> 00:37:25.400
 every single

00:37:25.400 --> 00:37:26.960
 person who

00:37:26.960 --> 00:37:28.280
 has ever

00:37:28.280 --> 00:37:28.940
 and will

00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:29.780
 ever live.

00:37:30.780 --> 00:37:31.300
 That He has

00:37:31.300 --> 00:37:31.900
 bore the

00:37:31.900 --> 00:37:33.260
 wrath for

00:37:33.260 --> 00:37:33.900
 the sins of

00:37:33.900 --> 00:37:35.980
 Judas who

00:37:35.980 --> 00:37:36.800
 is now

00:37:36.800 --> 00:37:37.720
 spending

00:37:37.720 --> 00:37:38.840
 eternity in

00:37:38.840 --> 00:37:39.880
 hell as

00:37:39.880 --> 00:37:40.240
 He has

00:37:40.240 --> 00:37:40.960
 bore the

00:37:40.960 --> 00:37:42.240
 wrath for

00:37:42.240 --> 00:37:42.619
 the sins

00:37:42.619 --> 00:37:43.140
 of Peter

00:37:43.140 --> 00:37:43.599
 who is

00:37:43.599 --> 00:37:43.940
 now in

00:37:43.940 --> 00:37:45.059
 glory in

00:37:45.059 --> 00:37:45.559
 the presence

00:37:45.559 --> 00:37:46.180
 of the

00:37:46.180 --> 00:37:46.400
 Lord.

00:37:47.440 --> 00:37:47.720
 And though

00:37:47.720 --> 00:37:47.920
 I don't

00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:48.400
 have time

00:37:48.400 --> 00:37:48.700
 to get

00:37:48.700 --> 00:37:49.360
 into detail

00:37:49.360 --> 00:37:51.539
 about it,

00:37:52.400 --> 00:37:52.780
 I will

00:37:52.780 --> 00:37:53.099
 just say

00:37:53.099 --> 00:37:53.680
 this quickly

00:37:53.680 --> 00:37:54.860
 because some

00:37:54.860 --> 00:37:55.240
 of you may

00:37:55.240 --> 00:37:55.760
 be thinking,

00:37:55.980 --> 00:37:56.140
 well,

00:37:56.640 --> 00:37:57.260
 what about

00:37:57.260 --> 00:37:58.099
 those texts

00:37:58.099 --> 00:37:59.160
 that say

00:37:59.160 --> 00:37:59.619
 that He took

00:37:59.619 --> 00:38:00.019
 away the

00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:00.360
 sins of

00:38:00.360 --> 00:38:00.740
 the world,

00:38:01.300 --> 00:38:01.579
 of the

00:38:01.579 --> 00:38:02.059
 whole world?

00:38:02.860 --> 00:38:03.180
 Well,

00:38:03.240 --> 00:38:03.579
 those are

00:38:03.579 --> 00:38:03.880
 to be

00:38:03.880 --> 00:38:04.320
 understood

00:38:04.320 --> 00:38:05.280
 under their

00:38:05.280 --> 00:38:05.840
 particular

00:38:05.840 --> 00:38:06.539
 and respective

00:38:06.539 --> 00:38:07.240
 contexts,

00:38:07.800 --> 00:38:08.240
 which we

00:38:08.240 --> 00:38:08.539
 don't have

00:38:08.539 --> 00:38:08.940
 time to

00:38:08.940 --> 00:38:09.599
 examine this

00:38:09.599 --> 00:38:09.900
 morning.

00:38:10.539 --> 00:38:11.059
 So let me

00:38:11.059 --> 00:38:11.599
 just give you

00:38:11.599 --> 00:38:12.179
 quickly some

00:38:12.179 --> 00:38:12.820
 texts that I

00:38:12.820 --> 00:38:14.039
 believe help

00:38:14.039 --> 00:38:15.059
 repudiate those

00:38:15.059 --> 00:38:15.539
 notions.

00:38:17.220 --> 00:38:18.000
 Mark 10

00:38:18.000 --> 00:38:19.220
 45 says,

00:38:20.220 --> 00:38:20.780
 For even the

00:38:20.780 --> 00:38:21.500
 Son of Man

00:38:21.500 --> 00:38:22.679
 came not to

00:38:22.679 --> 00:38:23.440
 be served,

00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:25.139
 but to serve,

00:38:25.920 --> 00:38:26.780
 and to give

00:38:26.780 --> 00:38:27.800
 His life a

00:38:27.800 --> 00:38:29.360
 ransom for

00:38:29.360 --> 00:38:29.780
 many.

00:38:30.780 --> 00:38:31.420
 You see

00:38:31.420 --> 00:38:31.599
 that?

00:38:31.760 --> 00:38:32.720
 For many.

00:38:32.860 --> 00:38:33.539
 Not for all,

00:38:33.920 --> 00:38:34.579
 for many.

00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:36.239
 Matthew 22

00:38:36.239 --> 00:38:36.719
 14.

00:38:37.559 --> 00:38:37.940
 For many

00:38:37.940 --> 00:38:38.500
 are called,

00:38:38.619 --> 00:38:38.880
 but few

00:38:38.880 --> 00:38:39.460
 are chosen.

00:38:39.900 --> 00:38:40.440
 Hebrews 9

00:38:40.440 --> 00:38:42.400
 27 to 28.

00:38:43.319 --> 00:38:43.759
 And just

00:38:43.759 --> 00:38:44.239
 as it is

00:38:44.239 --> 00:38:45.059
 appointed for

00:38:45.059 --> 00:38:45.519
 men to

00:38:45.519 --> 00:38:46.299
 die once,

00:38:46.559 --> 00:38:47.000
 and after

00:38:47.000 --> 00:38:47.440
 that the

00:38:47.440 --> 00:38:47.860
 judgment,

00:38:48.900 --> 00:38:49.679
 so Christ,

00:38:50.480 --> 00:38:51.739
 having been

00:38:51.739 --> 00:38:52.699
 offered once

00:38:52.699 --> 00:38:53.480
 to bear the

00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:54.039
 sins of

00:38:54.039 --> 00:38:54.539
 many,

00:38:55.039 --> 00:38:55.639
 will appear

00:38:55.639 --> 00:38:56.400
 a second

00:38:56.400 --> 00:38:56.779
 time.

00:38:57.460 --> 00:38:58.259
 Once again,

00:38:58.539 --> 00:38:58.920
 many,

00:38:59.239 --> 00:38:59.719
 not all.

00:39:00.860 --> 00:39:01.179
 And one

00:39:01.179 --> 00:39:01.759
 last one.

00:39:01.760 --> 00:39:04.420
 Revelation 5

00:39:04.420 --> 00:39:05.760
 9 says,

00:39:06.540 --> 00:39:07.500
 Worthy are

00:39:07.500 --> 00:39:08.420
 you to

00:39:08.420 --> 00:39:08.820
 take the

00:39:08.820 --> 00:39:09.520
 scroll and

00:39:09.520 --> 00:39:09.980
 to open

00:39:09.980 --> 00:39:10.620
 its seals,

00:39:11.260 --> 00:39:12.640
 for you

00:39:12.640 --> 00:39:13.720
 were slain,

00:39:13.800 --> 00:39:14.420
 and by your

00:39:14.420 --> 00:39:15.720
 blood you

00:39:15.720 --> 00:39:16.300
 ransomed

00:39:16.300 --> 00:39:18.220
 people for

00:39:18.220 --> 00:39:19.580
 God from

00:39:19.580 --> 00:39:21.560
 every tribe

00:39:21.560 --> 00:39:22.460
 and language

00:39:22.460 --> 00:39:23.320
 and people

00:39:23.320 --> 00:39:24.540
 and nation.

00:39:25.320 --> 00:39:26.240
 This is

00:39:26.240 --> 00:39:26.740
 talking

00:39:26.740 --> 00:39:27.940
 particularly

00:39:27.940 --> 00:39:28.920
 about the

00:39:28.920 --> 00:39:29.360
 redemptive

00:39:29.360 --> 00:39:29.740
 work.

00:39:30.760 --> 00:39:31.100
 And it

00:39:31.099 --> 00:39:31.900
 speaks and

00:39:31.900 --> 00:39:32.599
 it says

00:39:32.599 --> 00:39:37.380
 that he

00:39:37.380 --> 00:39:37.940
 ransomed

00:39:37.940 --> 00:39:38.819
 people

00:39:38.819 --> 00:39:40.779
 from

00:39:40.779 --> 00:39:42.000
 every

00:39:42.000 --> 00:39:42.639
 tribe and

00:39:42.639 --> 00:39:43.219
 language and

00:39:43.219 --> 00:39:43.599
 people and

00:39:43.599 --> 00:39:43.940
 nation.

00:39:44.880 --> 00:39:45.860
 It does not

00:39:45.860 --> 00:39:47.679
 say that he

00:39:47.679 --> 00:39:48.779
 ransomed every

00:39:48.779 --> 00:39:50.239
 tribe and

00:39:50.239 --> 00:39:51.099
 people and

00:39:51.099 --> 00:39:51.900
 language and

00:39:51.900 --> 00:39:52.259
 nation.

00:39:52.960 --> 00:39:54.219
 We see that

00:39:54.219 --> 00:39:54.880
 the extent of

00:39:54.880 --> 00:39:55.339
 the atonement

00:39:55.339 --> 00:39:56.199
 here is

00:39:56.199 --> 00:39:57.360
 explicitly

00:39:57.360 --> 00:39:58.319
 limited.

00:39:58.659 --> 00:39:59.739
 Right here in

00:39:59.739 --> 00:40:00.239
 the pages of

00:40:00.239 --> 00:40:00.500
 Scripture.

00:40:01.099 --> 00:40:02.759
 Now those

00:40:02.759 --> 00:40:03.639
 who do not

00:40:03.639 --> 00:40:04.480
 hold to the

00:40:04.480 --> 00:40:05.420
 Calvinistic view

00:40:05.420 --> 00:40:06.960
 would have to

00:40:06.960 --> 00:40:07.599
 say and

00:40:07.599 --> 00:40:08.539
 believe that

00:40:08.539 --> 00:40:09.519
 Christ paid

00:40:09.519 --> 00:40:09.980
 the full

00:40:09.980 --> 00:40:12.079
 price for

00:40:12.079 --> 00:40:12.699
 the sense of

00:40:12.699 --> 00:40:13.579
 humanity

00:40:13.579 --> 00:40:15.339
 without actually

00:40:15.339 --> 00:40:16.599
 securing

00:40:16.599 --> 00:40:18.019
 anyone's

00:40:18.019 --> 00:40:19.019
 salvation

00:40:19.019 --> 00:40:19.940
 definitively.

00:40:21.940 --> 00:40:24.119
 Only a

00:40:24.119 --> 00:40:25.579
 possibility of

00:40:25.579 --> 00:40:26.099
 salvation.

00:40:26.099 --> 00:40:26.139
 salvation.

00:40:27.099 --> 00:40:27.420
 So you

00:40:27.420 --> 00:40:28.019
 see friends,

00:40:28.699 --> 00:40:29.480
 while Calvinism

00:40:29.480 --> 00:40:30.000
 limits the

00:40:30.000 --> 00:40:31.000
 extent of

00:40:31.000 --> 00:40:31.719
 the atonement

00:40:31.719 --> 00:40:32.759
 by saying

00:40:32.759 --> 00:40:33.199
 that Christ

00:40:33.199 --> 00:40:33.900
 died for a

00:40:33.900 --> 00:40:34.559
 specific people

00:40:34.559 --> 00:40:35.679
 only, those

00:40:35.679 --> 00:40:36.099
 being the

00:40:36.099 --> 00:40:37.059
 elect, and

00:40:37.059 --> 00:40:37.420
 paid an

00:40:37.420 --> 00:40:38.559
 actual price

00:40:38.559 --> 00:40:39.539
 for an

00:40:39.539 --> 00:40:40.360
 actual people,

00:40:41.360 --> 00:40:42.719
 the non-Calvinist

00:40:42.719 --> 00:40:44.519
 view limits the

00:40:44.519 --> 00:40:46.099
 effect of the

00:40:46.099 --> 00:40:46.579
 atonement.

00:40:46.579 --> 00:40:47.559
 Because they

00:40:47.559 --> 00:40:49.079
 cannot say that

00:40:49.079 --> 00:40:50.460
 Christ died to

00:40:50.460 --> 00:40:52.019
 perfectly secure

00:40:52.019 --> 00:40:53.960
 the salvation of

00:40:53.960 --> 00:40:54.519
 anybody.

00:40:55.940 --> 00:40:56.980
 But to the

00:40:56.980 --> 00:40:58.099
 Calvinist, in

00:40:58.099 --> 00:40:58.699
 regards to the

00:40:58.699 --> 00:41:00.039
 effect of the

00:41:00.039 --> 00:41:01.360
 atonement, the

00:41:01.360 --> 00:41:02.539
 accomplished work

00:41:02.539 --> 00:41:03.460
 of Christ on the

00:41:03.460 --> 00:41:05.000
 cross, we

00:41:05.000 --> 00:41:06.260
 believe this, as

00:41:06.260 --> 00:41:07.480
 John Flavel, a

00:41:07.480 --> 00:41:09.000
 1600s Puritan,

00:41:09.119 --> 00:41:10.220
 puts it, and I

00:41:10.219 --> 00:41:12.559
 quote, he

00:41:12.559 --> 00:41:13.299
 finished it

00:41:13.299 --> 00:41:14.480
 completely and

00:41:14.480 --> 00:41:14.939
 fully.

00:41:15.819 --> 00:41:16.679
 All that was to

00:41:16.679 --> 00:41:18.039
 be done by way

00:41:18.039 --> 00:41:19.000
 of meritorious

00:41:19.000 --> 00:41:20.259
 redemption is

00:41:20.259 --> 00:41:21.179
 fully done.

00:41:21.939 --> 00:41:23.099
 No hand can

00:41:23.099 --> 00:41:23.639
 come after

00:41:23.639 --> 00:41:24.059
 this.

00:41:24.739 --> 00:41:25.619
 His angels can

00:41:25.619 --> 00:41:26.779
 add nothing to

00:41:26.779 --> 00:41:27.019
 it.

00:41:27.599 --> 00:41:28.099
 That is

00:41:28.099 --> 00:41:28.980
 perfectly to

00:41:28.980 --> 00:41:29.939
 which nothing is

00:41:29.939 --> 00:41:31.319
 wanting and to

00:41:31.319 --> 00:41:32.279
 which nothing can

00:41:32.279 --> 00:41:32.759
 be added.

00:41:33.579 --> 00:41:34.459
 Such is the

00:41:34.459 --> 00:41:35.879
 work which

00:41:35.879 --> 00:41:36.819
 our Lord

00:41:36.819 --> 00:41:37.799
 Jesus Christ

00:41:37.799 --> 00:41:38.539
 finished.

00:41:38.539 --> 00:41:38.679
 finished.

00:41:39.639 --> 00:41:40.380
 Whatever the

00:41:40.380 --> 00:41:41.759
 law demanded is

00:41:41.759 --> 00:41:42.880
 perfectly paid.

00:41:43.739 --> 00:41:44.380
 Whatever a

00:41:44.380 --> 00:41:47.099
 sinner needs is

00:41:47.099 --> 00:41:48.460
 perfectly obtained

00:41:48.460 --> 00:41:49.719
 and purchased.

00:41:50.480 --> 00:41:51.659
 Nothing can be

00:41:51.659 --> 00:41:53.059
 added to what

00:41:53.059 --> 00:41:53.759
 he had done.

00:41:54.380 --> 00:41:55.099
 He put the

00:41:55.099 --> 00:41:56.039
 last hand to

00:41:56.039 --> 00:41:57.440
 it when he

00:41:57.440 --> 00:41:58.739
 said, it

00:41:58.739 --> 00:42:00.599
 is finished.

00:42:01.279 --> 00:42:01.940
 Close quote.

00:42:03.380 --> 00:42:04.480
 Which arrives

00:42:04.480 --> 00:42:04.960
 us at the

00:42:04.960 --> 00:42:05.900
 final and

00:42:05.900 --> 00:42:06.900
 glorious doctrine

00:42:06.900 --> 00:42:08.260
 of grace

00:42:08.260 --> 00:42:09.099
 called the

00:42:09.099 --> 00:42:10.320
 perseverance of

00:42:10.320 --> 00:42:10.860
 the saints.

00:42:11.340 --> 00:42:12.160
 The perseverance

00:42:12.160 --> 00:42:13.400
 of the saints.

00:42:14.420 --> 00:42:15.300
 Otherwise known

00:42:15.300 --> 00:42:16.760
 as preserving

00:42:16.760 --> 00:42:17.420
 grace.

00:42:18.900 --> 00:42:20.059
 The Calvinist

00:42:20.059 --> 00:42:21.240
 affirms that

00:42:21.240 --> 00:42:22.240
 once saved,

00:42:22.539 --> 00:42:23.539
 always saved.

00:42:24.099 --> 00:42:25.079
 Because he who

00:42:25.079 --> 00:42:25.940
 began a good

00:42:25.940 --> 00:42:26.860
 work in you

00:42:26.860 --> 00:42:27.940
 will bring it

00:42:27.940 --> 00:42:28.579
 to completion

00:42:28.579 --> 00:42:29.579
 at the day of

00:42:29.579 --> 00:42:30.380
 Jesus Christ.

00:42:30.780 --> 00:42:32.099
 As we are told

00:42:32.099 --> 00:42:33.240
 in Philippians

00:42:33.240 --> 00:42:34.860
 1, chapter 1,

00:42:34.920 --> 00:42:35.460
 verse 6.

00:42:35.460 --> 00:42:36.699
 And the Lord

00:42:36.699 --> 00:42:37.400
 tells us in

00:42:37.400 --> 00:42:38.460
 John 6, 39,

00:42:38.460 --> 00:42:40.260
 And this is the

00:42:40.260 --> 00:42:40.720
 will of him

00:42:40.720 --> 00:42:41.500
 who sent me,

00:42:42.039 --> 00:42:42.480
 that I should

00:42:42.480 --> 00:42:43.679
 lose nothing

00:42:43.679 --> 00:42:44.599
 of all that

00:42:44.599 --> 00:42:45.220
 he has given

00:42:45.220 --> 00:42:47.039
 me, but

00:42:47.039 --> 00:42:47.780
 raise it up

00:42:47.780 --> 00:42:48.539
 on the last

00:42:48.539 --> 00:42:48.860
 day.

00:42:49.860 --> 00:42:50.880
 We cannot

00:42:50.880 --> 00:42:52.039
 be plucked

00:42:52.039 --> 00:42:52.460
 out of his

00:42:52.460 --> 00:42:53.740
 hands, for

00:42:53.740 --> 00:42:54.519
 God is a

00:42:54.519 --> 00:42:55.639
 good father,

00:42:56.220 --> 00:42:56.740
 and our

00:42:56.740 --> 00:42:57.539
 Lord is a

00:42:57.539 --> 00:42:58.559
 good shepherd,

00:42:58.559 --> 00:42:59.880
 who will not

00:42:59.880 --> 00:43:00.820
 let one of

00:43:00.820 --> 00:43:01.380
 his sheep

00:43:01.380 --> 00:43:02.420
 go astray.

00:43:02.420 --> 00:43:03.980
 And because

00:43:03.980 --> 00:43:05.019
 Christ is

00:43:05.019 --> 00:43:05.480
 almighty,

00:43:06.000 --> 00:43:06.659
 who lives

00:43:06.659 --> 00:43:07.420
 to intercede

00:43:07.420 --> 00:43:08.280
 for us,

00:43:08.579 --> 00:43:08.940
 and as

00:43:08.940 --> 00:43:11.159
 Hebrews 7, 25

00:43:11.159 --> 00:43:12.519
 so powerfully

00:43:12.519 --> 00:43:13.220
 puts it,

00:43:14.360 --> 00:43:15.440
 he is able

00:43:15.440 --> 00:43:16.460
 to save to

00:43:16.460 --> 00:43:17.260
 the uttermost

00:43:17.260 --> 00:43:18.159
 those who

00:43:18.159 --> 00:43:19.039
 draw near to

00:43:19.039 --> 00:43:20.360
 God through

00:43:20.360 --> 00:43:21.460
 him, since

00:43:21.460 --> 00:43:22.340
 he always

00:43:22.340 --> 00:43:23.579
 lives to

00:43:23.579 --> 00:43:24.380
 make intercession

00:43:24.380 --> 00:43:25.559
 for them.

00:43:26.460 --> 00:43:27.460
 And my dear

00:43:27.460 --> 00:43:27.940
 friends,

00:43:27.940 --> 00:43:30.659
 Christ will

00:43:30.659 --> 00:43:31.960
 not and

00:43:31.960 --> 00:43:34.000
 cannot fail

00:43:34.000 --> 00:43:35.000
 at his

00:43:35.000 --> 00:43:35.760
 intercessory

00:43:35.760 --> 00:43:36.159
 prayer.

00:43:37.539 --> 00:43:37.900
 And as

00:43:37.900 --> 00:43:38.820
 J.I.

00:43:38.820 --> 00:43:39.260
 Packer

00:43:39.260 --> 00:43:39.780
 puts it,

00:43:40.760 --> 00:43:41.639
 your faith

00:43:41.639 --> 00:43:43.760
 will not

00:43:43.760 --> 00:43:45.480
 fail while

00:43:45.480 --> 00:43:46.280
 God sustains

00:43:46.280 --> 00:43:46.500
 it.

00:43:47.059 --> 00:43:47.920
 You are not

00:43:47.920 --> 00:43:48.780
 strong enough

00:43:48.780 --> 00:43:49.619
 to fall

00:43:49.619 --> 00:43:51.000
 away while

00:43:51.000 --> 00:43:51.960
 God is

00:43:51.960 --> 00:43:53.340
 resolved to

00:43:53.340 --> 00:43:53.980
 hold you.

00:43:54.440 --> 00:43:54.960
 Close quote.

00:43:56.380 --> 00:43:57.000
 And as to

00:43:57.000 --> 00:43:57.480
 the importance

00:43:57.480 --> 00:43:57.860
 of this

00:43:57.860 --> 00:43:58.420
 doctrine of

00:43:58.420 --> 00:43:58.800
 preserving

00:43:58.800 --> 00:43:59.320
 grace,

00:44:00.260 --> 00:44:00.619
 Spurgeon

00:44:00.619 --> 00:44:01.099
 so

00:44:01.099 --> 00:44:02.780
 determinedly

00:44:02.780 --> 00:44:03.320
 writes,

00:44:04.139 --> 00:44:04.579
 and this

00:44:04.579 --> 00:44:04.880
 should be

00:44:04.880 --> 00:44:05.179
 on the

00:44:05.179 --> 00:44:05.440
 front of

00:44:05.440 --> 00:44:05.579
 your

00:44:05.579 --> 00:44:06.119
 bulletin,

00:44:07.900 --> 00:44:08.280
 quote,

00:44:08.880 --> 00:44:09.340
 if one

00:44:09.340 --> 00:44:09.840
 dear saint

00:44:09.840 --> 00:44:10.460
 of God

00:44:10.460 --> 00:44:12.320
 had perished,

00:44:12.980 --> 00:44:13.880
 so might

00:44:13.880 --> 00:44:14.280
 all.

00:44:15.000 --> 00:44:15.460
 If one

00:44:15.460 --> 00:44:15.699
 of the

00:44:15.699 --> 00:44:16.039
 covenant

00:44:16.039 --> 00:44:16.820
 ones be

00:44:16.820 --> 00:44:17.380
 lost,

00:44:17.980 --> 00:44:18.860
 so may

00:44:18.860 --> 00:44:19.500
 all be.

00:44:20.380 --> 00:44:20.840
 And then

00:44:20.840 --> 00:44:21.199
 there is

00:44:21.199 --> 00:44:21.780
 no gospel

00:44:21.780 --> 00:44:22.219
 promise

00:44:22.219 --> 00:44:22.619
 true,

00:44:23.099 --> 00:44:23.659
 but the

00:44:23.659 --> 00:44:23.980
 Bible

00:44:23.980 --> 00:44:24.780
 is a

00:44:24.780 --> 00:44:25.079
 lie,

00:44:25.340 --> 00:44:25.880
 and there

00:44:25.880 --> 00:44:26.360
 is nothing

00:44:26.360 --> 00:44:26.840
 in it

00:44:26.840 --> 00:44:27.220
 worth

00:44:27.220 --> 00:44:27.720
 my

00:44:27.720 --> 00:44:28.180
 acceptance.

00:44:29.660 --> 00:44:30.460
 I will

00:44:30.460 --> 00:44:30.800
 be an

00:44:30.800 --> 00:44:31.200
 infidel

00:44:31.200 --> 00:44:31.880
 at once

00:44:31.880 --> 00:44:32.180
 when I

00:44:32.180 --> 00:44:32.840
 can believe

00:44:32.840 --> 00:44:33.559
 that a

00:44:33.559 --> 00:44:34.000
 saint of

00:44:34.000 --> 00:44:34.360
 God

00:44:34.360 --> 00:44:35.160
 can ever

00:44:35.160 --> 00:44:35.940
 finally

00:44:35.940 --> 00:44:36.579
 fall.

00:44:37.140 --> 00:44:37.700
 Close quote.

00:44:38.840 --> 00:44:39.519
 Jesus

00:44:39.519 --> 00:44:40.240
 Christ

00:44:40.240 --> 00:44:40.800
 is

00:44:40.800 --> 00:44:41.460
 preeminent.

00:44:42.320 --> 00:44:42.880
 He is

00:44:42.880 --> 00:44:43.480
 all and

00:44:43.480 --> 00:44:44.079
 in all.

00:44:44.640 --> 00:44:44.940
 He is

00:44:44.940 --> 00:44:45.860
 founder and

00:44:45.860 --> 00:44:46.840
 perfecter of

00:44:46.840 --> 00:44:47.400
 our faith.

00:44:48.220 --> 00:44:48.539
 Therefore,

00:44:49.340 --> 00:44:49.900
 let us lay

00:44:49.900 --> 00:44:50.579
 aside every

00:44:50.579 --> 00:44:51.200
 weight and

00:44:51.200 --> 00:44:52.260
 sin which

00:44:52.260 --> 00:44:53.120
 clings so

00:44:53.120 --> 00:44:53.660
 closely,

00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.900
 and let us

00:44:54.900 --> 00:44:55.340
 run with

00:44:55.340 --> 00:44:56.980
 endurance the

00:44:56.980 --> 00:44:57.620
 race that

00:44:57.620 --> 00:44:57.860
 is set

00:44:57.860 --> 00:44:58.519
 before us,

00:44:59.240 --> 00:45:00.039
 looking to

00:45:00.039 --> 00:45:00.420
 Jesus,

00:45:00.960 --> 00:45:01.579
 the founder

00:45:01.579 --> 00:45:02.500
 and perfecter

00:45:02.500 --> 00:45:02.760
 of our

00:45:02.760 --> 00:45:03.120
 faith.

00:45:04.280 --> 00:45:04.820
 Salvation

00:45:04.820 --> 00:45:06.019
 and glory

00:45:06.019 --> 00:45:07.300
 and power

00:45:07.300 --> 00:45:09.360
 belong to

00:45:09.360 --> 00:45:09.940
 our God.

00:45:11.280 --> 00:45:11.840
 And if you

00:45:11.840 --> 00:45:12.539
 have not yet

00:45:12.539 --> 00:45:13.480
 trusted in

00:45:13.480 --> 00:45:13.780
 him,

00:45:14.640 --> 00:45:15.960
 repent and

00:45:15.960 --> 00:45:17.420
 believe the

00:45:17.420 --> 00:45:19.180
 gospel of

00:45:19.180 --> 00:45:19.640
 our Lord and

00:45:19.640 --> 00:45:20.140
 Savior Jesus

00:45:20.140 --> 00:45:21.300
 Christ today.

00:45:22.019 --> 00:45:22.539
 Let's pray.

00:45:22.539 --> 00:45:22.600
 Amen.

00:45:22.600 --> 00:45:22.600


00:45:22.600 --> 00:45:22.600


00:45:22.600 --> 00:45:22.600


00:45:22.600 --> 00:45:22.600


00:45:22.600 --> 00:45:22.600


00:45:22.600 --> 00:45:22.600


00:45:22.600 --> 00:45:22.600


00:45:22.600 --> 00:45:22.600


00:45:22.600 --> 00:45:22.600


00:45:22.600 --> 00:45:22.600


00:45:22.600 --> 00:45:22.600