1 Peter 1:2 (verse-by-verse)

Passage: 1 Peter 1:2

Title: Elect According to the Foreknowledge of God

Summary: We start our study with the word, “Elect”. God starts this Epistle with that word, so that when hard times come, when doubts flood in, we have a word that is immoveable and unshakable by the God who speaks it concerning us who believe. Join us as we look into one of the greatest words in all the Bible and see what it means concerning you.

Peter’s Credentials / Still Feeding

Written by the Apostle Peter, whose credentials have been challenged because of his lack of education and training; but Peter walked with the Lord, the second Apostle called, and all could see that his power and boldness came because he had been with the Lord. For 3 years he walked with Jesus step-by-step, and now it is 30 years since the resurrection and Peter is still faithfully doing what the Lord commissioned him to do, “feeding His sheep”.

The Dispersed

He is writing to the Believers that have been spread out, dispersed form their homeland, thrown into foreign countries. Many of them are struggling and suffering; but their greatest struggle is yet to come, for in just several months Roman Empire Nero is going to launch and all-out attack and persecution against Christians, and over the next 2 centuries over 6 million Christians will die for their faith.

Why Peter Writes / Remember

Peter tells us in the Second Epistle why he writes to them (and us), to stir us up, to remind us, that we hang on to the things we have been taught in the Old Testament, the Epistles of the Apostles, and the teachings in the Gospels. He says remember these things, hold on to them, no matter how hard life may get.

(2 Peter 3:1 NKJV) Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),

(2 Peter 3:2 NKJV) that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,

Doctrine – Duty – Declaration

Peter pretty much breaks this letter into 3 areas. Doctrine, Duty, and Declaration; this book takes on the framework of Ephesians, except Peter adds on the Declaration – The Lord is Returning – Remember that! Doctrine, what we believe and why. Duty, doctrine in action, living it out. Declaration, soon and very soon we are going to see the King, Hold-fast until then.

Doctrine: Remember Our Great Salvation (1:2 - 2:10)

The Certainty of Our Salvation (1:1 - 1:12)

The Calling with Our Salvation (1:13 - 2:3)

The Chosen of Salvation (2:4 - 10)

Duty: Remember Our Example Before Men (2:11 - 4:6)

Honorable Living Before Unbelievers (2:11 - 3:7)

Submission to the Government (2:11-17)

Submission to Masters (2:18 - 25)

Submission in the Family (3:1- 7)

Honorable Living Before Believers (3:8 - 12)

Submission to One Another (3:8 - 12)

Honorable Living in the Midst of Suffering (3:13 - 4:6)

The Principle of Suffering for Righteousness (3:13 - 17)

The Perfection of Suffering for Righteousness (3:18- 22)

The Purpose of Suffering for Righteousness (4:1 - 6)

Declaration: Remember Our Lord Will Return (4:7 - 5:14)

The Responsibility of Christian Living (4:7 - 11)

The Rewards of Christian Suffering (4:12 - 19)

The Requirements for Christian Leadership (5:1 - 4)

The Realization of Christian Victory (5:5 - 14)

Theme

He tells us to remember because of the theme of this book. The theme of this book is given to us in chapter 5:

(1 Peter 5:10 NKJV) But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

The word suffering is used 16 times, glory 12, and grace 8. Peter unties these 3 words to write a letter of encouragement to those who are struggling and suffering, that their suffering will one day be transformed into glory.

Perfect / Establish / Strengthen / Settled

He writes to us so that we may be:

· Perfect -(mature) which means to mend (what has been broken or rent), to repair, to complete, to fit out, equip, put in order, arrange, adjust, to fit or frame for one’s self, prepare;

· Established – to set fast, confirm one’s mind;

· Strengthen– to make one strong;

· Settle– to lay a foundation.

Starts with Doctrine / Foreknowledge of God / Stand Firm in the Trials & Failures

Peter starts with Doctrine, the certainty of our salvation. He is going to say we are elected according to the foreknowledge of God. He starts with this, because it is the foundation from which we build on, back to our theme. God builds this foundation so that when the trials of life rage against us, when our failures are before us, we will go and stand on our foundation, we are elected and secured in the Lord.

(1 Peter 1:1 NKJV) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

(1 Peter 1:2 NKJV) elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

Paul / Ephesians / More Meat

Paul spoke on this back in Ephesians, and as we said these two epistles are laid our very much the same. Let’s turn back to Ephesians 1:3-6. Ephesians gives us a little more meat to chew on in terms of this doctrine of election and predestination.

Ephesians / New Heights / Into the Heavenlies

Ephesians has been called the Swiss Alps of the New Testament. We climb to see who we are in Christ, and we see that we are seated in the heavenly. 5 times in this book is the reference made…in the heavenly. Ephesians takes the Believer to heights they have never been before. Verse 1:3 is the Key verse to the Book,

(Eph 1:3 KJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. This is where Ephesians wants to take us, into heavenly places with Christ; to show us the treasure of riches and blessings that are for every believer.

(Ephesians 1:3 NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

(Ephesians 1:4 NKJV) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

(Ephesians 1:5 NKJV) having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

(Ephesians 1:6 NKJV) to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.

Into the Heavenlies / View from where He Sits / Our Position / Can’t Claim

Today, if you will, God wants to take you up into the heavenlies, and show you things from where He sits. He wants to show us our position in Christ, adopted as sons, and He guarantees the believers position with the word…predestined. Predestined, pre-determined, God planned these things before you were even born. He shows we are guaranteed to receive His spiritual blessings…..and His guarantees are spiritual blessings in themselves. God right from the start of this epistle wants to establish in us the security of our salvation. If you struggle with your salvation, then you’ll never have the power to seize all your spiritual blessings god has for you until you resolve this issue. Today He says to you if you are feeling down, depressed, dry………….then let these words lift your soul, let them be Living Water that refresh your spirit, let them be a reminder to you.

4 Promises

Today we will see 4 promises for us as God shows us things from where He sits. 4 promises that will refresh your spirit, and show you your salvation is secure.

Before the foundation of the world you were pre-determined

· Promise 1: To be Chosen in Love (1:4)

· Promise 2: To be Holy and Without Blame (1:4)

· Promise 3: To be Adopted as His Child. (1:5)

· Promise 4: To be the Praise of His Glory (1:6)

Words So Big / Flags that Wave

God is making a promise to us today, He is given us a word here in Ephesians, “predestined”, and in 1 Peter “elected”, a word that when hard times comes, when we struggle with our salvation, that we look at these words and they are so big to us, that we will have no problem seeing them and remembering them for what they mean to us. They are flags that wave and we see them and remember.

Sept 13 1814 / British Navy

The day was September 13, 1814, from the embankments of Fort McHenry looking out into the entrance to Baltimore harbor one would see British war ships determined to bring the infant nation to its knees. Although America had only recently miraculously won her independence from royal tyranny that sought to enslave the colonists into a world controlled by a hot-headed monarch determined to quash freedom of religious expression, Great Britain still controlled the seas with the largest, most powerfully Navy on earth - a Navy she used regularly to interdict American shipping, pillaging cargo and forcing sailors into involuntary sea duty aboard brutal frigates owned by the crown. Britain never imagined the infant America would dare to declare war to stop the oppression, but we did - boldly and justly, but with no real hope of victory.

France / Wash DC / Ft McHenry / The Flag / 42 by 30

Preoccupied by war with France, Britain paid little heed until, in 1814, having settled matters in Europe, she turned her attention and naval wrath on her former colonies, sailing with a mighty irresistible armada up the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River, landing in Washington, where citizens fled in terror (including the Madisons), leaving the Brits to burn the White House and Treasury buildings to the ground. The armada then sailed back out to the Bay and north to Baltimore, planning a devastating crush that would bring the states to their knees and make them subject to the king once again. However, the Baltimoreans did not run; instead, embarrassed by their Washingtonian fellow citizens, they dug in and determined to fight valiantly to the last man if necessary. In preparation (in those days, people knew for weeks an invasion was on its way, and America had no Navy to stop the British armada) the commander of Fort McHenry, which guards the entrance to Baltimore harbor, ordered the largest American flag ever made sown for him - it measured 42 feet by 30 feet and was finished in a near-by warehouse by a team of seamstresses. Maj George Armistead, commander of the Fort, said I want Ft McHenry’s flag to be large enough that the British will have no difficulty in seeing it from a distance

1800 / Black Sky / The Flag Still There

When the British armada opened fire on the helpless fort - the range of the ships' guns was far greater than that of the fort's - with a barrage of nearly 1,800 heavy rounds, the smoke blocked out the light of day, but, as you know the song, when it cleared, the giant fifteen stared banner was still waving in defiance. Meanwhile, a British invasion by land was met with the fierce determined opposition of the Baltimoreans and turned back. Each time the ships sailed closer to the fort; McHenry's guns drove them back. Finally, they gave up and sailed home, freedom was preserved, and British sea-going piracy ceased. The infant nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal, not only survived, but also triumphed.

The Flag to us / Freedom / Sacrifice

FT McHenry ----a great battle fought to take back this nation, but victory was America’s. As we look at this flag we are reminded we are free because the battle won there. For America, this flag is a daily reminder of the freedom we enjoy, and has lasted for over 200 years.

God’s Flag / These Words / Victory on Calvary / Security / No Problem Seeing It

God gives us a flag, in a sense, one that has lasted for over 2000 years and will never fade or tatter, He gives us this word – predestined, pre-determined, elected– he spoke it before the foundation of the world. He says when you hear this word, remember this word, let it be a reminder to you of the battle that was won on Calvary, and the promise of your freedom, and your destiny, forever. Maj George Armistead, commander of the Fort, said I want Ft McHenry’s flag to be large enough that the British will have no difficulty in seeing it from a distance. God says I'm giving you a word large enough that you will have no difficulty seeing it from a distance. When the enemy and this world attack. When all seems hopeless, when the day seems like night, and the attack seems like it will never end, when you question if you are saved, may we remember this word….predestined, pre-determined….guaranteed we are adopted.

Chosen In Love

Promise 1: Before the foundation of the world you were pre-determined to be chosen in love

Ephesians 1:4 NKJV) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

Before Spoke the Earth / Said I love You

Before the foundation of the world, before the earth was without form or void, before He created out of nothing, Before God said let there be……..He said I love you Ray, I've chosen you.

Love cannot live alone; true love has to be shared. Love must have an object of affection…..and you are the object (person) of His affection.

Chosen In Love / Emotion tied To It / Black White Pages

"Chose us, ..In Love" We were chosen in love, there was an emotion tied to this action by God. When we say we love someone, there is something in our heart that stirs, it is from that stirring in our heart that make us say these words. And if we could step away from the black and white pages, and just hear the heart of God, hear Him saying because my deep love for you, I want you to be with me forever, come live with me

Instead Love Story – Argument / Debate / Lost Emotional Connection / A PROMISE

Sadly, instead of predestination being a love story, many men in the church have removed the emotional tie, and turned it into an argument. For 100’s of years men have argued If God chose, then can I reject or am I forced to receive, this is the great Calvinism vs Armianism debate. When I was in Bible college students would argue over it, the church I came from had a split over it. Arguing over such foolishness, their minds took over for their hearts, and they lost the emotional connection behind it. It is not a Debate, but a Promise.

Ephesians 5

You have to read Ephesians 5 to gain a feel for the emotion tied here:

(Eph 5:25 KJV) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

(Eph 5:26 KJV) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

(Eph 5:27 KJV) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

God Chooses His Bride / Something Happens In My Heart / Brush Hair – Walk – Hold You

God says I’m choosing you like a man chooses his bride. He says when I see you something happens in my heart. When we are away from each other my heart longs for you, things just are not right when we are apart. You were meant to be with me. We are meant to say goodnight and good morning. Rest in my arms, let me brush the hair off your face so I can see you, let my arms hold you. Let me tell you how much I love you, let us walk together side by side.

Verse 4 / I see Perfection – Not Your Faults

Verse 4…..that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, When I look at you, I see perfection. The scriptures say love covers a multitude of sins. When God looks at you he doesn’t see all you faults and failures, all he sees is his bride, the one who makes his heart move.

1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV)8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

Verse 6 / Accepted – Fully Embrace / No Makeup Needed / Considers it Victory

Verse 6 says we are "accepted in the beloved" The word accepted here means embraced. This word is "full gathering in". When God accepts us, He accepts all that comes with us. He accepts my shame and sin - fully. It is amazing to think, that someone would fight for that, and consider it victory when He got it. Why does God embrace us? Because we are in the beloved. It is not only that I am in Christ, but Christ is in me, when God looks at me, he sees me in the beloved. Jesus is lovely, without spot or blemish, there is no make-up needed.

Grasp It / Spiritual Thermometer

If people could just grasp this truth, they would run to, not from, when they fall. I like this, I think I'll use while I'm witnessing on the streets. When it finally sinks in, we will enjoy our relationship with the Father. God is saying I will never divorce you, I will never leave you, turn my back on you. Yes what you may do sometimes will hurt me, but come to me and we will work through this together.

You will throw away your spiritual thermometer on how you are gauging yourself, and enjoy your relationship with God, which in turn will take you into a deeper spiritual growth and walk.

· God says when you see this word Predestined…remember I pre-determined before you were born that you would be chosen in Love.

Holy Without Blame

Promise 2: Before the foundation of the world you were pre-determined to be Holy and without blame

Ephesians 1:4 NKJV) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

(Ephesians 1:5 NKJV) having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Can’t Explain – Explain Away / Family Secret

Predestined…..You can't explain predestination, but people will try to explain it away. If you try to explain it away you lose your heart. Predestination is a family secret.

Pro-Horizon / Destiny Is Past Tense

Predestined - Greek word pro-horizon. God knows our horizon before we do. Predestined, our destiny is already planned. We are destined for greatness, is a phrase so often used today in the world, but for the believer, it is past tense, our destiny is a done deal, and we live it daily.

Remove the Comma / God the Performer

God chose us first. This verse could also read, “in love having predestined us”. Man put the commas in, so it could read both way, and either way it is beautiful. I rest in that because the alternative is me choosing God. I don't like that because that leaves me as the performer, and I can't perform at a level to be accepted by Him

2 Peter 3:9 / Rev 3

Let me point out; No where in the Scriptures does it say that God predestined anyone to Hell. God wishes that none should perish, and all seek repentance. In Revelation 3 everybody starts out with their name in the Lambs book of Life. It says their name was blotted out of the book:

(2 Peter 3:9 NKJV) Is for those who chose not to believe: The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Revelation 3:5 (NKJV)5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Romans 8 / God Knows – Doesn’t Pick Losers

(Romans 8:29-30 NKJV) Is for those who chose to believe:

(Romans 8:28 NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

(Romans 8:29 NKJV) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

(Romans 8:30 NKJV) Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

(Romans 8:31 NKJV) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

God doesn't pick losers. He foreknew: God knows who will respond to His love. And He knows who will reject His love. God will not force His love upon anyone. Why is the person who rejects Jesus Christ allowed to live? Because you have to play it out. They will be given every opportunity to respond.

Entrance to Heaven / Let Theologians Wrestle – It’s a A Promise

The entrance to the gates to heaven read 'For whosoever will', and then after you enter you read the back of the sign, 'Chosen before the foundation of the world.' Let the theologians wrestle this out, but as for me, it is a promise to believe, I'm His, and He is mine.

When We Blow It

But what happens when we blow it? Remember Verse 4 says we shall be holy and without blame; This is a done deal, a given, God is making a statement here, not a command. We are blessed in Christ, chosen, destined to be like Him, holy without blame:

(Philippians 1:6 NKJV) being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Claim Your Inheritance / Roll Away the Stone

Verse 4 - We shall be, - sadly we don't seize this promise now, we go the long hard way. God has predestined us for greatness, for glory, for all spiritual blessings in the heavenly, don’t cheapen it, claim your family inheritance. Don't live like a pauper, constantly being brought down by the same sins, claim your inheritance……….Roll away the stone and live. Live like the Kings kid. I came that they may have life and that more abundantly. You can't enjoy the mountain view, when your down in the valley stuck in the mud.

British Nobleman / Fall Back On / Bought on Strength of Estate / News Reporter

Some years ago a British nobleman died, leaving an estate which, as he had no children, would go to the nearest heir. This man living far away was the nearest heir, living in poverty, and just eking out a struggling existence when they found him and gave him the news that the estate was his. It was his all the time but he didn't know it. What did he do when he found out? Did he say that’s good, I'll have something to fall back on and someday I'll go look into it. No, he went downtown, and on the strength of the estate bought a new suit and a ticket, and started to Great Britain. The news reporter asked him where he was going? He answered, to take possession of my estate.

· God says when you see this word Predestined…remember I pre-determined before you were born that you would be Holy and without Blame

Adopted as His Child

Promise 3: Before the foundation of the world you were pre-determined to Adopted as my child.

(Ephesians 1:5 NKJV) having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Enter By Regeneration – Born Again / Adoption Our Position

We enter into God's family by regeneration, that is by being born-again. Adoption shows not how we enter in, but how we are involved in the family. The word adoption in the Greek means, "adult standing."

In regeneration a Christian becomes a child of God; in adoption he receives the position of a son of God.

(John 1:12-13 NKJV) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God

Roman Law / Lost Old Family / Old Debts Cancelled / Could Not Disown

In Roman law, "When the adoption was complete it was complete indeed. The person who had been adopted had all the rights of a legitimate son in his new family and completely lost all rights in his old family. In the eyes of the law he was a new person. So new was he that even all debts and obligations connected with his previous family were abolished as if they had never existed." And, you could not disown an adopted child, only a child naturally born.

Son of Prostitute / Go Claim Your Inheritance / 2 Time Governor

In old times a master would adopt a slave and make them joint heirs in ownership. A true story from way back. A man grew up as the son of the town prostitute. The town joke was him; they would say, "who does he look like? They would not allow him in the stores or on the walkway. He started to go to go to church, and he met the Pastor. The Pastor said, "you know who you look like? And the man thought to himself, the last person I expected it from was the Pastor. Pastor said, "you look like the son of God, go claim your inheritance." He was two times elected governor of his state.

Family Resemblance

We are all created in God’s image, but it is not until we are adopted will there be a family resemblance.

Verse 5 - According to the good pleasures of His will,.. God’s determination to save us and make us Holy delights Him; it pleases God to bless us.

As adopted children we have an inheritance that we are called to claim. The whole Book of Ephesians elaborates on what we are heirs to.

(Ephesians 1:3 NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

· God says when you see this word Predestined…remember I pre-determined before you were born that you would be Adopted as my child

Praise of His Glory

Promise 4: Before the foundation of the world you were pre-determined to be the Praise of His Glory

(Ephesians 1:5 NKJV) having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

(Ephesians 1:6 NKJV) to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.

For His Good Pleasure / People Can Only Praise Him

Why has God blessed us, predestined us, chosen us, and adopted us? For His good pleasure and so there is no bragging on our behalf, It's all God's Grace. When people look at us they can only praise God. God’s determination to save us and make us holy delights Him; it pleases God to bless us ------God is always for us, never doubt that.

praise of the glory- Now this word glory isn't the bright-light glory, rather it means recognition. When we recognize the grace He has shown us, we marvel, we are blown away that the Creator of the Universe loves us that much. As we sit and reflect on that, we can't help but to break out in praise.

Praise of the Glory / Applauding Praise / Standing Ovation

praise of the glory- This word praise isn't the singing praise, rather it is the applauding praise. The standing ovation. The, "Lets give up for the Lord" praise. I think the reason the marriage supper of the Lamb is so long will be because of the applause. We will all be sitting at the banquet table talking, and then Jesus is going to walk out to the head table, and then we are all going to stand to our feet and give a thunderous applause that will just go on and on, as we are in out new bodies, looking about heaven, we won't be able to stop. We will know why we are there, because of His grace. To the praise of the glory of His grace.

· God says when you see this word Predestined…remember I pre-determined before you were born that you would be the Praise of my Glory

Conclusion:

How do I apply all this to my life….dwell on it meditate on it until it becomes a part of your very being. No matter what you are going through today or tomorrow, we have a most awesome promise from God. When we consider these things, and grasp just a piece of it, we can't help but praise our Lord, and a revival starts in our heart, and overflows to our family, friends and the world around us.

We are adopted sons and daughters, we have a home in heaven and here on earth. We have been given the opportunity to touch heaven, and change earth. I see it happening here in this church, people are excited about Jesus, and people around us are noticing,

Before the foundation of the world you were pre-determined

· Promise 1: To be Chosen in Love (1:4)

· Promise 2: To be Holy and Without Blame (1:4)

· Promise 3: To be Adopted as His Child. (1:5)

· Promise 4: To be the Praise of His Glory (1:6)

The Gospel:

How can you know if you are the Elect and Called? By knowing you answered the call, His call to you to come unto Him.

John 3:16, a verse that declares the gospel (good news).

John 3:16 (NKJV)16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

We see that God gives (supplies the means for salvation – His Son), and man “believes” (receives – the gift).

What does “believe” means in reference to the gospel? It can be summarized in three words, Recognize, Repent, and Receive.

· Recognize you are guilty and need a Savior

· Repent, be willing to turn from sin that offends God, and follow Him

· Receive, ask Him to be your Lord (master) and Savior (rescuer from breaking His Law).

Recognize

Recognize you are guilty and need a Savior

When Jesus was on the cross, He cried out and said His last words, people thought He was calling Elijah, and they were mistaken for He was calling out to God (not Elijah but Elohim). People miss the Kingdom of God and salvation because they come with preconceived ideas of what they think they heard, what religion says, why they think Jesus went to the cross, rather than listening closely to what Jesus said and why He said it. Jesus said why have You forsaken Me, because God did forsake Jesus on the cross, because at that moment in time Jesus was taking on the sin of the world, and God is holy (uncommon) and cannot look upon sin. Man is guilty, and needs a Savior, someone to pay a fine he is unable to pay himself for the wages of sin is death, for someone has to die. Jesus traded places with us, and if we accept His trade, He will die for us, and pay our penalty for us. But, like those not hearing clearly at the cross what Jesus said, same today, as man thinks there is many ways to God, but man must hear clearly, John 14:6, there is only one way to God, through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice.

Matthew 27:45–50 (NKJV)45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” 48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. 49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

Habakkuk 1:13 (NKJV)13 You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, And hold Your tongue when the wicked devours A personmore righteous than he?

Isaiah 59:1–2 (NKJV)1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

Romans 3:23 (NKJV)23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 (NKJV)23 For the wages of sin isdeath, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 14:6 (NKJV)6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Repent

· Repent, be willing to turn from sin that offends God, and follow Him. Remember, God is Holy (uncommon), and His forgiveness of sin is not a license to sin, but an offer to forgive and then overcome sin. Repent means to turn and follow, and we are making a life decision to turn away from a life of sin, and a turning to a life of following Him, His Word, and His Will. That is what “Lord” means, master!

Acts 3:17–20 (NKJV)17 “Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,

Matthew 4:17 (NKJV)17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Receive

· Receive, ask Him to be your Lord (master) and Savior (rescuer from breaking His Law). The power of this trade is that Jesus has the power to raise from the dead, and that is the power of the Gospel, the resurrection!

Romans 10:8–13 (NKJV)8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

John 6:37 (NKJV)37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

Once you do this, then you can rest in “Elected”, because you answered the calling.

Before the foundation of the world you were pre-determined

· Promise 1: To be Chosen in Love (1:4)

· Promise 2: To be Holy and Without Blame (1:4)

· Promise 3: To be Adopted as His Child. (1:5)

· Promise 4: To be the Praise of His Glory (1:6)