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4/3/2015

TheDoctrineofElection,Part2

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Weregoingtoreturnnowtothe,Itrust,refreshmentoftheWordofGod.Weretalking
aboutthedoctrineofelection,chosenbyGod,whochosewhom.Andthisisnotwithout
controversy,asyouwellknow.Thedoctrineofsovereignelection,thetruthofpredestinationis
muchdiscussedandmostdiscussionscandegenerateintosomethingveryheated.
Infact,tosaythattherearepeoplewhohatetheideaofpredestinationisnotanoverstatement.
Therearepeoplewhohatethethoughtofdivineelection,sovereignchoice.Infact,thereare
somepeoplewhosaythatthedoctrineisdemonic,thatthedoctrineitselfissatanic.Itissuchan
affronttotheirsenseoffairnessandsenseofwhattheythinkisright,thattherearepeoplewho
callthemselvesChristianswhowouldseethisastruththatcomesfromtheenemyofGodandnot
Godhimself.
Formanypeople,rationallyitseemsunfairthatGodchooseswhowillbesaved.Forotherpeople,
itisemotionallyhardtoacceptandendurethatGodwoulddecidewhohewouldsave.Toother
peopleandmaybetothesamepeopleasthefirsttwoitseemslikesomekindofassaultonfree
will,humanchoice,whichmanypeopleareconvincedissomekindofhumanright.
AndIunderstandthosefeelings.Itisaharddoctrinetoaccept.Allofuswhohavecometo
understandwhattheBibleteachesaboutthedoctrineofelectionhavehadtodealwiththerational
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argumentsthatsaythisdoesntseemfair,thisdoesntseemjust,thisdoesntseemequitable,this
cantbethewayitis.Weveallhadtodealwiththeemotionalissuesof,itstragic,itssadthat
Godpassesbysomesinners.Weveallhadtodealwiththefactthatwhilewehavevolition,and
wehavechoice,ultimatelyitisnotindependentofGod.
So,Iunderstandhowyoufeel.Iunderstandhowyouthink.Iunderstandallofthosethings,
becausenoonecomestoabiblicalunderstandingofthedoctrineofsovereignelectionwithout
workingthroughthoseissues.Butthenagain,whatsatisfiesmyreason,andwhatsatisfiesmy
emotion,andwhatsatisfiesmysenseoffreedomisnotthedetermineroftruth.
Andsowehavetocomebacktothatpoint.ImnotGod.Andwhilethingsmaynotmakesenseto
myreason,myreasonisfallen.Andwhilethingsmaynotmakesensetomyemotion,myemotion
isfallen.Andwhilethingsmightnotseemtosquareupwithmysenseoffreedom,myfreedomis
fallen,too.AndonethingIwillnotdo,andnoneofusreallywouldopenlywanttodo,wewillnot
createGodinourimage.WewillnotdesignGodtofitourreason,ouremotionandourfreedom.
WecannotdesignGodtobewhatwethinkheshouldbe.WecannotdesignGodtoacthowwe
thinkheshouldact.
Still,therearesomewhoappeartobeboldenoughtomaketheattempt.Theyseemtobe
undisturbedbythefactthatinrejectingthedoctrineofdivineelection,predestination,theyhave
createdaGodwhoisnottheGodoftheBible.TheGodoftheircreationmaybemorereasonable
tothem,hemaybemorecomfortabletothem.Hemayfittheirinstinctsbetter.Butthefactofthe
matteris,thatGodthattheyhavemadeisnotthetrueGod.
AmisrepresentationofGod,anycorruptionofGod,anydiminishingofGod,istothencreatea
GodinyourownmindthatisnotthetrueandlivingGod,andsuchmisrepresentationsinevitably
corruptourworship,theycorruptourservicetohim,andtheycanbeblasphemousaswellas
ignorant.
AnillustrationofthatfromanotherareathatdealswiththenatureofGodwouldbecreation.Ifyou
believeinevolution,ifyourejecttheideathatGodcreatedtheuniverseinsixdays,ifyouwillnot
acceptthatasfactbutyoubelievethattheresanevolutionaryprocessgoingon,youhavejust
stolensomeofGodsglory,right?BecauseheistobeglorifiedastheCreator.
Andthefactthattimeisbrokeninexplicablyreallyapartfromcreationintosevendayperiodsisa
constantreminderthatGodcreatedeverythinginsixdays.Theresnootherreasontobreak
thingsdownintosevendayperiods.Buthumanlifeitselfisaconstantreminderinthecyclesof
timethatGodistheCreatorandGodistobehonoredastheCreator.Andtoholdaviewthat
thereissomehowotherforcesortherearesomehowotherforcesoperatingincreationbeyond
whatscriptureattributestoGodistothentodiminishhisglory.Anycorruptionofthenatureof
GodthentakesyoutoalevelbelowtherealityofGod,andthereforecorruptsworshipbecauseit
corruptsyourunderstandingofwhoheis.
Wedohavereason.Reason,accordingtoRomans1allowsustoconcludethereisaGod.We
dohaveemotion.Emotiongivesusthefacultytorelatetoeachother,somethinganimalsand
plantsdonthave.AndemotionalsogivesustheprivilegeofrelatingtoGod.Andwedohave
will.Wedoactinsomewayswithameasureoffreedom.ButourreasonfellwhenAdamfell,and
ouremotionfellwhenAdamfell,andourfreedomfellwhenAdamfell.Andsoallourfaculties,
whiletheyareresidual,therearestillsomeresidualelementsofthosefacultiesgiventoAdam
beforethefall,allofourfacultiesare,toonedegreeoranother,corrupted.Ourreasonis
corruptedbytheflesh.Ouremotioniscorruptedbytheflesh.Andourwill,ourfreedomis
certainlycorruptedbytheflesh.
Therefore,inorderforreason,andemotion,andwilltofunctionasGodwantsthemtofunction,
theycannotbelefttothemselvesbecausetheyrefallen.Theymustbebroughtunderthe
authorityofwhat?scripture.Whatistrulyreasonableisnotwhatseemsreasonabletous.
Whatistrulysatisfyingmaynotbewhatissatisfyingtous.Whatistrulyanexpressionofourwill
maynotbewhatourfallenwillmostlongsfor.
TheonlywaywellevergetanuncorruptedviewofGodistogotoanuncorruptedsource.And
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whatisthat?ItstheWordofGod.AndsoineveryissuethatrelatestoGod,wegotoscripture.
AndIdounderstandthattheideathatGodchoosespeopleforsalvationisahardthingtoaccept.
Idounderstandthatitshardreasonablybecauseweresoconcernedwithwhatisfairbyour
understanding.AndIdounderstandthatitsadifficultthingemotionally,andcertainlywithregard
tothefreedomofthehumanwill.
Butdenyingthedoctrineofelectionordenyingthedoctrineofpredestinationdoesntchange
anything,becauseifIsaythatyoureabletogotoheavenbasedonyourchoice,notGods,that
yourethedeterminerofyourdestiny,youreternaldestiny,thatthisisuptoyoutodo,Godleaves
itcompletelytoyou,thenextquestionwouldbe,DoesGodknowwhatyoulldo?
Andtheanswertothatquestionhastobeyes,hedoesknowwhatyouaregoingtodobecause
heknowseverything.Andbecausehealreadyhasabookfrometernityinwhichthenamesofall
thepeoplewhowillbelievearealreadywrittendown,soGodalreadyknows,sothequestionisif
heknewyouwerentgoingtobelieve,thenwhydidhegoandcreateyouanyway?Imean,you
reallyneverescapethedilemma.
Andsomebodymightcomealongandsay,liketheopennesstheologianpeople,andsay,Well,
hedoesntknow.Well,ifhedoesntknowthenformercyssakewhydoesnthejustthrowthis
thingtothewindlikeabunchofdandelionsandletitfallwhereveritwould?Hecertainlymust
haveknownhowitwouldturnout,terribly.HecertainlyknewhehadthrownSatanoutofheaven.
Hecertainlyknewthatathirdoftheangelswentwithhim.Hecertainlyknewthattheyweredoing
whattheyweredoingintheGardenofEden.Hecertainlyknewallthat.Whywouldhedothis?
Whywouldhecreatetheraceiftherewaseventhepossibilityofhell?Youneverreallydoescape
theissue.
Intheend,onethingisclear.Godnever,everplannedtosaveeveryone.Yousay,Howdoyou
knowthat?Becausenoteveryoneissaved,thereforeGodcouldnthaveplannedtosave
everyone,oreveryonewouldbesaved,right?BecauseGodcandowhateverhepurposestodo.
Isthatnottrue?Sothequestionisthen,whydoesGodpassoversomeandchooseothers?And
theotheris,forhisownglory.Romans9,again,tellsusthatGodisglorifiedinhiswrathasheis
inhismercy.
Now,thisisahugeissue,butdenyingthedoctrineofpredestinationorthedoctrineofelection
doesntsolvetheproblem.Onethingisclear.Goddidnotdeterminetosaveeveryone.Thatis
clear.Jesussaidthatwhenhesaid,Manyareonthebroadroadthatleadstodestruction.And
sothequestionthenis,ifGodinhisperfectlyjust,andholy,sovereignpurposedeterminedto
savesome,bywhatmeansdidhedeterminetodothat?
Didhedeterminetodoitsimplywillynillyonthepartofthepeoplemakingthechoice,ordidhe
himselfmakethechoice?First,hedetermined,weknow,nottosaveall,ortherewouldntbean
eternalhell,andtherewouldntbefewthatfindthewaytolifeeverlasting.So,theonlyquestion
remainingiswhochosewhom?DopeoplechooseGodordoesGodchoosepeople?Andthe
answerisfoundwhere?IntheBible.IntheBible.
Lasttime,Igaveyoualonglistofscripturetextsbecauseitssoveryimportanttohelpyou
understandthisdoctrine.Itsnotisolated.Letmegiveyouafewmore,okay?Deuteronomy
10:1415.Deuteronomy10:1415.IwanttoshowyouthatwhereveryougointheBible,yourun
intothissametruth.Thisiswhatitsays.
SpeakingofIsrael,Godsaid,Behold,totheLordyourGodbelongheavenandthehighest
heavens,theearthandallthatisinit.Nowthereisastatementastothesupremeauthorityof
God.Hecontrolsthewholeuniverse.YetonyourfathersdidtheLordsetHisaffectiontolove
them,andhechosetheirdescendantsafterthem,evenyouoverallpeople.
Now,whatMosesiswritingthereinDeuteronomychapter10istheLordownseverything.
Everythinginheavenandthehighestheaven,everythinginearth,allthatthereisbelongstoGod.
AndoutofitallGodchoseyou,theseedofAbraham,andyourdescendants,andsethisaffection
toloveyouaboveallpeople.Hemadeachoice.Andhepassedbyalltheothernations.Thisis
notsomethingextraordinaryforGodtodointheNewTestamentera.Thisishowhesalways
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operated.HeevenchoseAbraham.
IntheNewTestamentinMatthew11:27,Jesussays,Allthingshavebeenhandedovertomeby
myFatherandthenthisimportantline,andnooneknowstheSonexcepttheFather,nor
doesanyoneknowtheFatherexcepttheSonlistenandanyonetowhomtheSonwillsto
revealhim.TheonlywayyoulleverknowGodtheFatherisiftheSonwillstorevealhimtoyou.
AlltheprerogativesbelongtotheTrinity.AlltheprerogativesbelongtoGod.Nooneknowsthe
FatherexcepttheSonandwhoevertheSonwillstoknowhim.
InMatthewchapter22:14weread,Manyarecalledbutfewarewhat?arechosen.Idont
knowhowmuchmoreclearthatcouldbe.Manyarecalled.Thereisawide,broadgospelcall,
fewarechosen.InMarkchapter13anditsimportantthatwecoverthesebecausetheyre
criticalinspreadingthisteachingacrossthewholeofscripture.Mark13:20.Jesusisspeaking
aboutthefuturetimeofthetribulation,andhesays,UnlesstheLordhadshortenedthosedays,
nolifewouldhavebeensaved,butforthesakeoftheelectbutforthesakeofthechosen
whomhechose.
Thereitis.Whochosewhom?Hechoseus.Heshortenedthedays.Inthetimeofthe
tribulation,therewillbehorrificthingsgoingon,judgmentsallovertheworld.Andthetimeis
condensed.Itsshort.Itsveryshortortheelectcouldntevensurvive.Forthesakeofnot
everybody,notthewholeworld,butforthesakeofthechosenwhomhechose.
Inthe11thchapterofRomansandImnotgivingyouallthescripturesthatIvewrittendown.
Buttheseareimportantones.InRomans11:4.Whatisthedivineresponsetohim?Talking
aboutElijahandtheprophetsofBaal.Ihavekeptformyself7,000menwhohavenotbowedthe
kneetoBaal.
WhatdoesGodsay?Youknow,ElijahinhislifegoesoutandheconfrontstheprophetsofBaal
andthenhebeginstofeellikehestheonlyoneleftandtheresnobodyfaithfultotheLord.Verse
3.Ialoneamleftandtheyreseekingmylife.Youremember,thepeoplestartedchasinghim,
Jezebel.Andhesrunningoutoftown,andrunningoutintothedesert,andaskingGodtotakehis
lifebecausesomebodyisgoingtokillhim.Andhethinkshestheonlyoneleft.Andthedivine
responseinverse4is,Ihavekeptformyself7,000whohavenotbowedthekneetoBaal.I
chosethem.Ikeptthem.
Verse5explainsthat,Inthesamewaythentherehasalsocometobeatthepresenttime,a
remnantaccordingtoGod'sgraciouschoice.Therewere7,000peoplewhoweretruetoGod,
whowerebelievinginthetimeofElijahthatGodhadchosenandkept,andthereisinthepresent
timewhenPaulwritesthis,andineverytime,andtoday,aremnantaccordingtoGodsgracious
choice.Itsachoice.Verse7.Whatthen?ThatwhichIsraelisseekingforandhasnot
obtained,butthosewhowerechosenobtainedit,andtherestwerehardened.Thosewhowere
chosenobtainedit.Thosewhowerentchosenwerehardened.Godactuallygavethemaspiritof
stupor,eyestoseenot,earstohearnot,downtothisveryday.Stronglanguageaboutsovereign
choice.
2Timothy2:10.2Timothy2:10.Paulsays,understandingthisdoctrine,believingitwithallhis
heart,Paulsaid,Iendure.HewrotethatRomanepistle.Hesaysin2Timothy2:10.Forthis
reason,Iendureallthingsforthesakeofthosewhoarechosenthattheyalsomayobtainthe
salvationwhichisinChristJesus.
Whydoyougothroughwhatyougothrough,Paul?My,lifewassohardforhim.Talksabout
sufferinghardshiplikeagoodsoldierofJesusChrist.Hecompetesinverse5likeanathlete,
strenuously.Heworksinverse6likeahardworkingfarmer.Imean,itsallsacrificial.Inverse9
hetalksaboutsufferinghardship,eventoimprisonmentasacriminal.Whydoyoudothat?
Whydoyoudoit?ForthisreasonIendureallthings,forthesakeofthosewhoarechosen.Its
unmistakable.Godhashischosenandtheirchoosinghastobeconfirmedbythehearingofthe
gospel.
InJames1:18.James1:18.Well,letslookatverse17,thisisagoodverse,youknowitwell.
James1:17.Everygoodthingbestowedandeveryperfectgiftisfromwhere?Nowwhatsthe
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bestgiftthatcouldcomedownfromheaven?Salvation.Everygoodthing,thebestthingwould
besalvation,theperfectgiftthegiftofspiritualperfectionisfromabove,everything,
comingdownfromtheFatheroflightswithwhomthereisnovariationorshiftingshadow.
EverythingthatsgoodandsalvationwouldbeatthetopofthelistisfromGod.Andsoinverse
18itsays,IntheexerciseofhiswillhebroughtusforthbytheWordofTruththatwemightbe,as
itwere,thefirstfruitsamonghiscreatures.Hedidit.Itcamedownfromheaven.Asanexercise
ofhiswill,hebroughtusforthandhediditbytheWordofTruth,thatisthroughthegospel.
James2:5.James2:5.Listen,mybelovedbrethren.DidnotGodchoosethepoorofthisworld
toberichinfaithandheirsoftheKingdomwhichhepromisedtothosewholovehim?Whyare
mostofthepeoplewhoarebelieverspoor?Becausewhat?Godchosethepoor.Thatswhatit
says.Godchosethepoor.DidnotGodchoosethepoorofthisworld?
AndtheninRevelation13:8,17:8,itsaystheirnameswerewrittendownintheLamb'sBookof
Lifebeforethefoundationoftheworld,byadecisionthatGodhimselfmade.Lookat2Timothy
2:19.Andthisisjustintroduction.2Timothy2:19.Hereisthefirmfoundationofyoursalvation.
Butbackingup,thereareinverse18peoplewhohavegoneastrayfromthetruth,upsetthefaith
ofsome.Nevertheless,thefirmfoundationofGodstands.Godhasmadeafoundationthatwill
notmove.
Andwhatisonthatfoundation?Hereswhatsonit.Itslikeagreatfoundationforthechurch,and
whatisonthatfoundation?Thesewords,TheLordknowsthosewhoarehis.TheLordknows
thosewhoarehis.Heknowswhobelongstohim.
BackinJohnchapter3whichisveryfamiliargroundforanystudentofthegospelandtheBible
wereadthis.JesusinJohn3:3,Truly,trulyIsaytoyou,unlessoneisbornagain,hecantsee
theKingdomofGod.Nicodemussaid,Thenhowcanamanbebornwhenhesold?Hecant
enterasecondtimeinhismotherswombandbeborn,canhe?Hesfollowingthemetaphor.He
understandsJesusistalkingspiritually.Heknowsthat.Hesjustsaying,Howcanithappen?
Andherestheansweramazinganswer.Jesusdoesntsay,Well,youvegottopraythisprayer
anddothisandthat.Hesaid,Truly,trulyIsaytoyou,unlessoneisbornofwaterandtheSpirit,
hecantentertheKingdomofGod.SoitsnotgoingtohappenapartfromtheHolySpirit.That
whichisbornofthefleshisflesh,andthatwhichisbornoftheSpiritisSpirit.DonotmarvelthatI
saidtoyou,youmustbebornagain.
Whateverwheneverthishappens,whereverithappens,towhomeverithappens,ithappensby
theworkoftheHolySpirit.Itisabirthfromabove.Inverse8hesays,Thewindblowswhereit
wishesandyouhearthesoundofit,youdontknowwhereitcomesfrom,youdontknowwhere
itsgoing,soiseveryonewhoisbornoftheSpirit.Isntthatamazing?Thewindgoeswherethe
windwantstogo.
Youdonttellthewindwheretogo.Wevebeenwatchingallthoselittlelines,haventwe,down
thereintheGulf,allthosehurricanes,nobodystellingthatthingwheretogo.Itgoeswhereverit
wantstogo.AndsoitiswiththeSpirit,hegoeswhereverhewantstogo.Heblowswhereverhe
wantstoblow.Hesovereignlydoeswhateverhewantstodoinwhateverlifehewantstodoitin.
Andintheend,hegetsalltheglory.Imean,hegetsalltheglory.
Letmehaveyouturnto1Corinthianschapter1,andIcanillustratethisforyou.Ithinkifyoure
dealingwithsomeonewhodoesntlikethedoctrineofelection,ifyouredealingwithsomeonewho
doesntlikethedoctrineofpredestination,ifyouredealingwithsomeonewhois,whatisknownas
PelagianorArminianfromArminiuswhodeniedthisdoctrine,ifyouredealingwiththosepeople,
heresapassagethatreallystopsthemcoldintheirtracks.
1Corinthians1:26.Forconsideryourcalling,brethren,thattherewerenotmanywise,according
tothefleshnotmanymighty,notmanynoble.Justtakealookatthecongregation.Allright,
youresittingthereinthechurchatCorinth,lookaround.Lookaround.Seetheoneswhohave
beencalledeffectuallyintosalvation.Howmanyoftheworldswisearethere?Howmanyofthe
worldsmightyarethere?Howmanyofthenoblesarethere?Howmuchroyalbloodistherein
yourchurch?
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Verse27.ButGodhaschosenthefoolishoftheworldtoshamethewise,Godhaschosenthe
weakthingsoftheworldtoshamethethingswhicharestrong,andthebasethingsoftheworld
andthedespised.Godhaschosenthethingsarenotthathemightnullifythethingsthatarein
orderthatnomanshouldwhat?boastbeforeGod.
Imtellingyouwhat,folks,Arminiansareupacreekwithoutapaddleinthispassage.Thissays
Godwantedtobeglorified.Godwantedtoreceivealltheglory.Nopersonwhoissavedcould
everboastabouthisownsalvationanditservedGodsglorybestforhimtochoosethefoolish,
andtheweak,andthebase,andthedespised,andthenothings,andthenobodies.
Nowlisten,iftheweakandthefoolishchoseGod,thispassagedoesntmakeanysense.Ifthe
weakandthefoolishchoseGod,thenwhogetsthecredit?Theweakandthefoolish.Sohow
doesthisendhumanboasting?Itturnsthewholepassageintononsense.Andverse30hesays,
ButbyhisdoinghisbeingGodyouareinChristJesus.YoureinChristJesusbecause
Goddidit,sothatverse31says,Ifyouregoingtoboast,boastwhere?boastintheLord.
Imean,itsallovertheBible.Thispassageisntaboutmanschoice,thisisntanythingtodowith
manschoice.ThisisaboutGodschoice.Andifitsaboutmanschoice,thenhowdoesitend
humanboasting?Itturnsthewholepassageintoutternonsense.
Well,whileImonthesubject,gobacktoRomans9.Romans9.Now,thisisjustobviousstuff.
Inverses8through13,ittalksaboutJacobandEsau.Anddowninverse13itsays,JacobI
loved,EsauIhated.JacobIloved,EsauIhated.Backinverse11itsays,Thoughthetwins
werenotyetbornJacobandEsauhadntdoneanythinggoodorbad,inorderthatGods
purposeaccordingtohischoicemightstand.GodchoseJacobnotbecauseofanythingtheyhad
done,notbecauseofanymerit,notbecauseofanygoodwork,purelybecauseofHisown
purpose.
ItdoesntsayanythingaboutJacobchoosingGod.Andverse14sealsit.Lookatverse14.
Whatshallwesaythen?ThereisnoinjusticewithGod,isthere?Mayitneverbe.Doyou
understandtheimportanceofthatissue?IfJacobwaschoosingandifpeoplewerechoosing,and
ifanybodycouldchoose,andifitwasuptous,whythenwouldyouhavetodefendthejusticeof
God?Right?Whywouldyoueverhavetosay,WelltheresnoinjusticewithGod.Imean,ifits
uschoosinghim,thenwhyisPaulworriedthatwemightthinkthatGodisunjustifitsjustour
choice?
IfPaulissayingGodjustchoosesthosewhochoosehim,wellthatsnotunjust,nobodyneedsto
defendGodsjustice.Imean,nobodywouldaccuseGodofbeingunjustifhejustchooses
whoeverchooseshim.ButPaulknowsthatpeoplewillaccuseGodofinjusticebecauseitgoes
againstthegrainofourfallenreasonwhenwehearthatGodmakesthechoiceaccordingtohis
ownpurpose.
Andthendowninverse20,hesays,Whoareyou,Oman,whoanswersbacktoGod?Why
wouldanybodytalkbacktoGod?TheywouldntbetalkingbacktoGodifGodjustchosewhoever
chosehim.ItsthattherearepeoplewhoaresooffendedbythefactthatGodchoosesthatthey
answerbacktoGod.AndhesaysYourelikeathingmoldedsayingtothemolder,Whydidyou
makemelikethis?Whichmakesthepoint?IfGodhadntbeentheonewhomadeyouwhat
youare,thenyouwouldntbeansweringbacktohimaboutthat.
Thewholeargumentherewouldbeutternonsenseifitwerentcrystalclearthatthisisadivine
choice.AnditdoesraisethequestionofGodsjustice,anditdoesraisethequestionoftherights
ofthepotinthehandsofthepotter.Ifitisahumanchoice,theresnoneedtoobject.Ifitsa
humanchoiceandGodjustchooseswhoeverchooseshim,theresnoneedtodefenddivine
justice.TheresnoneedtodefendGodssovereignauthoritytodowhateverhewantswith
whoever.Yousee,ifyoudenysovereignchoice,ifyoudenythedoctrineofelection,youturnall
thesetextseitherintononsenseoroutrightdeception.
NowinRomans11,thereisadoxologythatputsitwhereitshouldbe.Verse33,greatdoxology.
Andthisiswhereyoujusthavetorest,folks.Othedepthoftherichesbothofthewisdomand
knowledgeofGod.DoyouunderstandthatyoucantplumbthedepthsofGodsknowledgeand
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wisdom?Doyouunderstandthat?Dontoverestimateyourself.Whatmightnotseem
reasonabletoyou,mightnotseememotionallysatisfactorytoyou,mightnotseemfairtohuman
willandfreedom,youjustunderstandthatyoucantevenbegintochallengewithyourmindthe
depthsofwisdomandknowledgethatbelongstoGod.Anddoyounotknowhowunsearchable
arehisjudgmentsandunfathomablehisways?Donteverputyourselfinapositiontobe
questioningGod.
Verse34,ForwhohasknownthemindoftheLord,orwhobecameHiscounselor?Imean,that
isoutrageous.YouregoingtotellGodwhathecanorcannotdo?Andwhattoyouseems
reasonable,emotionallysatisfying,andfairtothehumanwill?Haveyouforgottenverse36that
fromhimandthroughhimandtohimareallthings.Tohimbethegloryforever,amen.?
Nowevensomeofyouwhoareevenalittlebityourealittlebitsqueamishaboutthisdoctrine
stillIunderstandthat,Ireallydo.Imean,ittakestimetoworkthisthroughandwhenweget
done,youllseeitdifferently.But,youknow,evenyouthatarehavingalittletoughtimewiththis,
doyouevercongratulateyourselfonyoursalvation?Haveyoueverdonethat?Haveyouever
justlookeduptoheavenandsaid,God,youmustbereallyproudofme,thechoicesImade,the
wayIdecidedtoturnfromsinandbelievethegospel?Imean,hadthatthoughteverentered
yourmind?Haveyoueverthought,Youknow,lookatallthesestupidpeoplearoundmewho
rejectthegospel.Imsmartenoughtoseeitforwhatitis.Ibuythewholething?
Haveyoueverthought,Lookatalltheriffraff.Itellyou,IfoundsomeholylongingsandI
pursuedthegospel?Youdontthinklikethat.Andwhatdoyousaytosomeoneyoulovethats
outsideofChrist?Doyousay,Comeon,man,getsmart.Comeon,reachdowndeep,man,use
yourfaculties?Youdonttalklikethat.Whatdoyoudowhenyouwanttoseesomebodysaved?
Whatdoyoudo?Youpray.Why?OhyourehopingGodwillchoosethemiftheychoosehim?
Andwhenanybodyissaved,whodoyouthank?
See,youreallclosetCalvinists.Youunderstandyouweredrowningandhesavedyou.Youwere
deadandhegaveyoulife.Youwereblindandhegaveyousight.Youweredeafandhegave
youhearing.Youunderstandthat.ThatswhyTitus3:5says,Hesavedus.Itwasbyhispower,
byhiswill,accordingtohispurpose.Wecamebecausehedrewus.Itisntapartfromourwill,he
movedourwill.
And,youknow,whenyouheardthesetestimoniestonight,youheardaboutguilt,didntyou?You
heardthemtalkaboutguilt,conviction,sensingtheirsin,wantingtobeclean,wantingtobe
forgiven,wantingsalvation,sure.Youheardabouthumblingyourheart.Youheardabouta
willingnesstogiveupyourlife,adesiretoloveChristwithallyourheart.
Hechoseyou.Hesavedyou.ButnotapartfromtheHolySpiritactivatingallthosetruespiritual
responses:Penitence,humility,love,hungerforrighteousness.No,youchosehimbecausehe
choseyou.WelltoputitinthewordsofJohn,welovehimbecausehefirstlovedus.Itis
inescapableintheWordofGod,absolutelyinescapable.Itdoesntviolateyourpersonalfreedom,
itactivatesyourfreedom.AndwhenwewantsomebodytocometotheLord,wepray,wepray,
wepray,wepraythattheHolySpiritwouldturntheirheartstoChrist,thatthehurricaneoftheHoly
Spiritwouldcomethroughtheirsoul.WepraythattheSpiritwouldmakethemwillingtorepent
andwillingtobelieve.
Neverwhenwepraythatdowethinkwereviolatingtheirwill.Youwouldntpraylikethis,Lord,
itsgottobetheirdeal.Itsgottobetheirdeal.Sodontyoubemessingaroundwiththem.Its
gottobetheirdeal.Theyvegottodoitfromtheirownhearts.Thatsabsolutelyabsurd.You
knowthatnosinnerisgoingtodothatunlesstheSpiritmoves.
SothefactthatGodchoseusisallovertheBible.Itisntthathechoseusbecauseheknewwed
choosehim.Becauseifhehadntchosenus,wedneverhavechosenhim.Itoldyouwhenwe
talkedaboutthedoctrineofperseverance,orpreservationoreternalsecurity,ifIcouldlosemy
salvation,Idloseit.WellIlltellyouthis,ifIcouldlosemysalvation,Idloseittentimesaday,
everyday.Icantsavemyselforkeepmyselfsaved.Godchoseme,heawakenedmyheartand
mywill,heactivatedthemallthatImightembracehim.
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NowIwanttogobacktothisoneideaandImIlltwoweeksfromnowIllhavemoretosay,the
goodpart,becausetheresananswerforthisthatsrisingonthehorizon.ImentionedthatIwant
totalkaboutopennesstheology.SomesayGodcantchoosebecausehedoesntknow.Okay?
Reallyimportantdoctrinefloatingaroundoutthere.Godcantchoose.Goddoesntknow.The
reasonGoddoesntknowistheresnothingtoknowbecausenothingshappened.Youcantknow
whathasnthappened,theysay.Itstheiropinion.Theyhavethereforecreatedotherthanthe
trueandlivingGod.Butanyway,forthesakeofargument,hecantknowwhathasnthappened
sincewhathasnthappenedhasnthappened,itdoesntexistsohowcouldyouknowit?
Thatstheirlittleargument.ItscalledOpenTheism,Godisopenlikeeverybodyelse.Heneeds
toreadthemorningpaperjustlikeeverybodyelsetofindoutwhatsgoingon.Sotheysay.God
theirwayoutofthisemotionaltraumathatthedoctrineofelectionproducesinthemistosayhe
cantchooseanybodybecausehedoesntknowwhattheyregoingtodountiltheydoit.Really?
SoGoddoesntknowthefuture.ThatshowtheygetGodoffthehook.
HowisitthatIsaiah46:10says,Heknowstheendfromthebeginning,whatdoesthatmean?
Well,howisitthatIsaiah41:2122,Isaiah44:78sayhisknowledgeofthefutureiswhat
distinguisheshimfromfalsegods?OrhowisitthatthroughtheBibleheforetellseventscenturies
beforetheyeverhappen?Howisit,forexample,inIsaiah44:28thathenamesCyrusastheruler
whowillbuildupJerusalem,yetthenameofCyrus,andevenhisexistenceasahumanbeing,
dependedonanunimaginablylongandcomplexseriesofhumandecisionsseparatingthe
prophecyfromitsfulfillment?HowdidGodknowthat?
In1Kings13:2,GodpredictsthebirthofJosiah300yearsbeforetheevent.Howdidheknow
that?And2Kings19:25,hestatesexplicitlythathehadordainedandplannedthemilitary
victoriesoftheAssyrianslongbeforetheyevertookplace.GodforetellstheEgyptiansvoluntary
oppressionofIsraelinGenesis15:13.HeforetellsPharaohshardeningofhisheartagainst
MosesinExodus3:19.HeforetellstherejectionofIsaiahsmessagebytheIsraelitesinIsaiah
6:9.HeforetellstherebellionoftheIsraelitesafterMosesdeath,Deuteronomy31:16.He
foretellsJudasvoluntarybetrayalofChrist,John6:7071.Andsoon,andsoon,andsoon.
Now,theseOpenTheistssay,Well,youknow,Godsreallysharp.Hesreallygoodatanalyzing
trends.Andhesgoodatsortofpredictingwithaccuracywhatmighthappenbecausehekindof
getstheflow.Itsabsurd.Thisdoesntwork.Youretalkingaboutpropheticeventsthatarethe
endofmillionsofhumanchoices.Ridiculous.ButIlltellyouwhatmakesthewholethingmost
ridiculous.IfGoddoesntknowthefutureareyoureadyforthis?IfGoddoesntknowthefuture,
hedoesntknowJesusisgoingtodie.Thatsaproblem.
Thisiswherethewholeopennessthinggoesdowntheproverbialdrain.Acts2:23says,Jesus
washandedovertohisenemiesaccordingtothedefiniteplan,determinedplanand
foreknowledgeofGod.DidGodplanJesusarrest?DidGodplanJesuscrucifixion?DidGod
planthatindetail?Theydidtohim,accordingtoActs4:28whatGodshandandplanhad
predestinedtotakeplace,thatswhatitsaysinActs4:28.
Comeon,youdontbelievethatGodwasjustreactingtowhatwashappeningtoJesusasit
happened.Ithinkhewasalambslainfrombeforethefoundationoftheworld,dontyou?Thats
whattheBiblesays.NowifGoddoesnotlistentome.IfGoddoesnotexercisepower,control
overhumanbeingsandtheiractions,andifGoddoesnotcontrolthoseactionsorworkthose
actionsintothefulfillmentofhisplan,andifGoddoesntevenhaveaplanbecausehedoesnt
knowwhatsgoingtohappen,thenhowdidheknowJesuswouldenduponacross?
Ifhedoesntknowthefuture,howdidheknowtheJewswouldcooperate?Howdidheknowthe
Phariseeswouldcooperate?HowdidheknowPilatewouldcooperate?HowdidheknowJudas
wouldcooperate?HowdidheknowJudaswouldntbailouttwoyearsintothedealandsplit?
HowdidheknowJudaswouldhangaroundlongenoughtobetrayhim?HowdidheknowJudas
wouldthrowthemoneyonthefloor?Howdidheknowthat?Howdidheknowanyofthat?How
didheknowthatJesuswouldberaiseduplikeaserpentinthewilderness?Howdidheknowany
ofthatifhedoesntknowthefuture?
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Henotonlyknowsthefuture,heordainsthefuture.Andifheordainsthefuture,hemakesthe
futurehappen.Ifhedidntknowthefuture,hedidntknowtheRomansoldierswouldevencrucify
Jesus.HowdidheknowPilatewouldntsay,Ah,Idontwanttodealwiththisjustman,lethim
go?GivehimaRomanescort,takehimoutoftown,lethimshuffleofftoGreece,getlostina
crowd.
IfGoddoesntknowthefuture,thenGoddoesntknowthatHisSonisgoingtodieforyoursins.
Thatsridiculous.Henotonlyknowsthefuture,heordainsthefuture.AndthecrucifixionofJesus
Christ,onewriterputsitthisway.ThecrucifixionofJesusChrist,thehingepinofhistory,andthe
indispensableconditionofoursalvationwasmostcertainlynotleftuptothevagariesofhuman
decision.Itwasordainedfromthefoundationoftheearth,anditisimpossiblethatitmightnot
haveoccurred.TheBiblenowheresuggestsorevenpermitstheinterpretationthatJudas,
Caiaphas,PilateandthesoldierswereunwillingpawnsforcedbyGodintothecommissionofa
horriblecrime.Theyactedfreelyandinaccordancewiththeirownmotivesandpurposes,yetthey
didexactlywhatGodshandandplanhadpredestinedwouldhappen.Greatstatement.
Godordainsitall.Heknowsthefuturebecauseheswrittenit.Allthechoicesarehis.Certainly
thechoiceofsalvationforlost,dead,blindsinners.AndagainIsaywhatJohnsaid,Welovehim
becausesayithefirstlovedus.Okay,thatstheintroduction.Twoweeksfromnowwere
nottothemessageyet,butweregettingcloser.Praywithme.IvegottowritedownwhereI
endedbecausetwoweeksfromnowImaynotremember.
Father,whatajoyitistocelebratethegloriesofthisimmensedoctrine.Itsnotjustaboutyou
sovereignlydeterminingoursalvation,itsaboutyoubeingsovereignanddeterminingeverything.
Thisisjustonecomponentbuthowrichitistounderstandthis.Youdowhatyoudoforyour
glory.Wedontquestionyou.Wewouldnevereverhaveathoughtthatyoumightbeunjustor
unloving,butyouareGodandwecannotplumbyourknowledge,wecantgoasdeepasyour
wisdom.Yourwaysarepastfindingout,theyareunsearchable,andwerecontenttoleaveyour
decisionswithyouforyourownglory.
Butwedoknowthatevenwiththiswondrousdoctrineofsovereignelection,youalsohavesaid,
Whosoeverwillmaycome,andhimthatcomestomeIwillnotturnaway.Wedontunderstand
thesecretdecree.Wedontunderstandhistoryuntilitallunfolds.Wedonthavethatability.But
wedoknowthatthegospelhascometous,andthatwehavebeentoldtobelieve.Andforsome
ofus,theSpiritofGodismovinginourhearts,andweneedtobeobedient,andrespondinfaith,
knowingthatyouwillhearandyouwillsaveallwhocometoyou.
Wethankyouforthatpromise.Wedontneedtoworryaboutthethingswecantunderstand.We
justneedtorespondtothegospel.Andifwedont,asmysteriousasitis,yourWordsaysitsour
fault,itsourresponsibility,itsourguilt,itsourrejection,itsourunbeliefthatwilldoomus.How
thatfitswithyoursovereignwillandgloryisforusperhapsineternitytounderstand,butfornowto
cryouttoyouformercyandsalvationwhilewecan.
Wethankyou,Lord,forthegracethathascometousinChristandshallcometoothersuntilall
thechurchisredeemedandweenteryourpresenceforever.Welookforwardtothatwithjoyin
Christsname.Amen.

RelatedResources(free):
DieLehrederAuserwhlung,Tiel2(German)
DieLehrederAuserwhlung,Tiel3(German)
DieLehrederAuserwhlung,Teil1(German)
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