The Gift of God
Notes
Transcript
Opening Illustration
Opening Illustration
I would like to share the following that I came across in the MacArthur New Testament Commentary of Ephesians:
“The story is told of a man who came eagerly but very late to a revival meeting and found the workmen tearing down the tent in which the meetings had been held.
Frantic at missing the evangelist, he decided to ask one of the workers what he could do to be saved.
The workman, who was a Christian, replied, “You can’t do anything. It’s too late.”
Horrified, the man said, “What do you mean? How can it be too late?”
“The work has already been accomplished,” he was told.
“There is nothing you need to do but believe it.”
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Every person lives by faith.
When we open a can of food or drink a glass of water we trust that it is not contaminated.
When we go across a bridge we trust it to support us.
When we put our money in the bank we trust it will be safe.
Life is a constant series of acts of faith.
No human being, no matter how skeptical and self-reliant, could live a day without exercising faith.
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Church membership, baptism, confirmation, giving to charity, and being a good neighbor have no power to bring salvation.
Nor does taking Communion, keeping the Ten Commandments, or living by the Sermon on the Mount.
The only thing a person can do that will have any part in salvation is to exercise faith in what Jesus Christ has done for him.
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When we accept the finished work of Christ on our behalf, we act by the faith supplied by God’s grace.
That is the supreme act of human faith, the act which, though it is ours, is primarily God’s—His gift to us out of His grace.
When a person chokes or drowns and stops breathing, there is nothing he can do.
If he ever breathes again it will be because someone else starts him breathing.
A person who is spiritually dead cannot even make a decision of faith unless God first breathes into him the breath of spiritual life.
Faith is simply breathing the breath that God’s grace supplies.
Yet, the paradox is that we must exercise it and bear the responsibility if we do not.”
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So, please turn your Bibles to Ephesians.
We will conduct our study in Chapter 2 and focus on verses 8 through 10.
Our message this morning is called, “The Gift of God”
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As you are finding your place in God’s Word...
I would like to share that this message today is about salvation...
And we have four main points that will be covered:
Salvation is by Grace...
Salvation is a Gift...
Salvation is Not by Works..
And...
Salvation Produces Good Works.
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Opening Prayer
Opening Prayer
Before we consider our text, please join me in prayer...
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Heavenly Father and the one true God of all creation...
Open our eyes to see your truth....
Your truth that is found exclusively in your Word.
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Soften our hearts...
Remove our horse blinders...
Give our minds understanding.
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Thank You for your patience w ith us...
Thank you for your love and kindness...
And thank you for your grace and mercy...
We don’t deserve it.
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Help us to follow you in this world that hates us...
Help us to do right while the world celebrates wrong...
Help us to be more like your Son...
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And it is in Jesus’s name we pray all these things...
Amen.
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Let’s turn to our text for today:
Reading of the Text
Reading of the Text
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
So, let’s look at our first point...
1) Salvation is by Grace
1) Salvation is by Grace
Verse 8 (a): For by grace you have been saved through faith.
So, consider this, Beloved...
John MacArthur says:
“Although men are required to believe for salvation, even that faith is part of the gift of God which saves and cannot be exercised by one’s own power.
God’s grace is preeminent in every aspect of salvation.”
So, we must realize that faith itself is a gift of God and not see it as some kind of human achievement...
For if it was it would be something one could brag about.
Additionally, this note from the Reformation Study Bible presents a clear understanding of salvation:
“Salvation is a completed action that has a present effect.
In his earlier letters, Paul speaks of salvation either as a future event (Romans 5:9-10) or as a present process (1 Corinthians 1:18 and 2 Corinthians 2:15).
One exception is Romans 8:24, where Paul puts salvation in the past, but qualifies it as needing completion at Christ’s return: “in this hope we were saved.”
Because salvation ultimately encompasses several realities—
Including predestination, regeneration, justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification—
The apostle can speak of it as a past event (predestination, regeneration, justification, adoption), present process (sanctification), and a future reality (glorification).
No matter the emphasis in any one passage, all who truly experience one of the aspects of salvation will certainly experience all of them as it says in Romans 8:28–30:
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Salvation is a completed action with a present effect because it is accomplished by God and sure to be consummated in all of its fullness.
All who have true faith, having been justified, will certainly be glorified.”
So, we can conclude from the Scriptural evidence that God’s grace not only offers salvation to His elect but God’s grace also secures our salvation.
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When our passage uses the word “saved” it refers to deliverance from God’s wrath at the final judgment...
That is what is meant when we say we are saved...
We can’t forget that.
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When our passage uses the word “faith” we need to keep in mind the original ancient Greek...
The word “faith” is “pistis” and it can refer to belief, trust, faith, loyalty and faithfulness.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary on Ephesians had this great note about faith:
“The most likely sense of faith here is within the “allegiance” field of meaning.
This means that faith is much more than mere mental assent, as though a believer is simply someone who agrees with the notion that God exists—even the demons believe this, and they shudder.
Allegiance differs from mere mental assent in that it conveys a level of commitment—a person with allegiance to Christ offers his or her devotion and obedience, while also trusting him.
In this sense, faith in the Lord Jesus is not genuine faith if the “believer” has not switched allegiances from self and the forces of evil to Christ.
Since Jesus is presented as the “Lord,” genuine faith in him can involve nothing less than genuine devotion and allegiance.”
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Additionally, faith is not something we can produce within ourselves...
As The Expositor’s Bible Commentary on Ephesians says:
“Faith, however, is not a quality, a virtue, or a faculty.
It is not something man can produce.
It is simply a trustful response that is itself evoked by the Holy Spirit.”
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So, we must seriously heed the warning in passages like John 3:36 which says:
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Jesus Himself said in John 5:24:
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
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This is a message that every living person needs to hear...
For nobody can escape it.
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The Gospel message is not just adding a little Jesus in your life!
The Gospel message is not something that is just “good for you” as some people foolishly say!
Everyone has a death sentence already...
Everyone has been already judged to be lacking...
Some people think they can avoid this reality when they tell others “only God can judge me”...
That is not a good thing for we are all wicked!
There is no distinction...
There is no get out of Hell card you can play...
No life line to call in.
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Our only hope is Jesus!
As Romans 3:22–26 says:
22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
So, have hope in the truth found in Romans 10:8–10:
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
We are saved by grace alone!
And this happens through faith alone!
You simply can’t do enough “good” to earn your way into heaven...
Romans 11:6 is clear when it says:
6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
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So, although we deserve death...
God in His mercy gives His elect the gift of salvation...
The gift of grace...
And this takes us to our next point.
2) Salvation is a Gift
2) Salvation is a Gift
Verse 8 (b): And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
This verse...
Completely destroys the narrative of every other religion out there...
This is what makes Christianity so different.
I don’t care if it is Islam or Jehovah's Witness...
I don’t care if it is Mormons or Hinduism...
I don’t care if it is Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy...
They all vary in levels of heresy but the same thing is true for all of them...
You have to earn your way into heaven.
However, that is not the case with true Christianity!
For Salvation is a gift...
And a gift is not earned...
It is given!
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As Acts 13:38–39 says:
38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,
39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.
Even the law of Moses can’t save anyone!
Why, because no one can keep it perfectly...
No one that is except for Christ!
Because Jesus did not just die for us...
He first lived for us!
As Ephesians 2:4–5 says:
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
If you are true genuine believer in Christ...
It is not due to how awesome you are!
Its not like God look down and saw how much of a rock star you are and then gave you salvation!
No, Church!
We...
Were...
God’s...
Enemies!
But despite us...
He saved us!
Romans 5:6–8 further confirms this:
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
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So, in no way can we ever see salvation as a produce of our good works...
In fact, it is only Christ’s perfect work on the cross that saves us!
Again I will tell you...
We are not saved by our works!
And this takes us to our third point.
3) Salvation is Not by Works
3) Salvation is Not by Works
Verse 9: Not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Scripture is filled with this fact reiterated again and again...
Further proving how central this doctrine is toy our biblical worldview.
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Romans 3:20 says plainly:
20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
And let us not pass over what Titus 3:4–5 says:
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
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Paul made it clear that this truth is equally relevant for both Jew and Gentile...
One’s background and family doesn’t give you any privileges...
For our God is no respecter of persons.
Galatians 2:15–16 says:
15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners;
16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
And look with me at Galatians 3:10–14:
10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”
12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
This is all by God’s perfect design.
For God making salvation a gift means no one has the right to boast about it.
You see...
God hates pride...
So, He was not going to make salvation something you could brag about like some how you are better than other people.
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Let me make this clear...
In this room right now...
I don’t have to be God or a mind reader to tell you everyone here is a sinner.
That includes me too.
So, I don’t care how vile or evil another person may seem...
You and I don’t get to boast about how awesome we are for choosing God...
For in reality...
It was God who choose us first...
And it had nothing to do with what we did or would do.
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Keep 1 Corinthians 1:28–31 in mind:
28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
The only thing you should be boasting about...
Is to boast in the Lord...
And to boast in the cross...
For it is Christ alone that saves us!
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Paul had to remind the Gentiles not to have a proud attitude since they believed when many of the Jews rejected Christ...
The Apostle did not hold back when he said this in Romans 11:17-20:
17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree,
18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.
19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”
20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.
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Jesus too confronted the religious elite who thought they were better than other sinners...
Just look with me at Luke 18:9–14:
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:
10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
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So, as Romans 3:27 says:
27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.
Likewise Romans 4:1–8 says:
1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”
4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
So take to heart what Paul say in Galatians 6:14:
14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
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Finally, we must make something very clear...
Good works can’t save you...
But true believer who was transformed by God when they were justified always produces good works after they are saved.
And this takes us to our final point.
4) Salvation Produces Good Works
4) Salvation Produces Good Works
Verse 10: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
John MacArthur again provides a valid exposition of this verse when he says:
“Like his salvation, a believer’s sanctification and good works were ordained before time began.”
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The word “workmanship” is rendered in other English translations as “creation,” “handiwork,” and “masterpiece.”
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Now pay attention to what Paul says next...
He says we are created for good works...
As the Pillar New Testament Commentary on Ephesians says:
“It is only after establishing salvation by grace, apart from works, that human works are called “good.”
Prior to their salvation, human works cannot be regarded as good, since their subjects remain dead to God.
No matter what the spiritually dead may do, they are unable to please God because they are still cut off from him.
Their works are therefore incapable of being received as good by God.
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This suggests the likelihood that good works were prepared by God even before the creation of the world.
Thus, there is a double God-dependence for good works.
First, believers are only capable of doing “good” works because God has mercifully saved them.
Second, the good works themselves have been prepared by God for believers to execute.
Thus, even our good works are a product of God’s grace.
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Finally, believers will execute these God-ordained good works by walking in them.
Though often hidden in translation, Ephesians 2:10 uses the language of walking rather than doing.
This then creates an inclusio with Ephesians 2:1–2, where we saw that the spiritually dead walked according to the ways of the world and the devil.
Now walking appears again, but this time believers are able to walk according to God’s ways, according to the deeds he has preordained for them to walk in.
Thus, God’s salvation not only produces new creations in Christ, but completely reorients believers’ activity.
They are no longer subjected to life under the authority of sin, death, and the devil; they are now free to please God in their actions as they conduct themselves in line with his intentions for them.
Their conduct has been reoriented, along with their direction and destination.
They have been transformed by the grace of God in Christ.”
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Jesus makes it clear that the only people who can perform good works are true Christians through Him...
Anyone outside of Jesus can do nothing that would truly be considered a good work.
Just look at what it says in John 15:1–8 as Jesus says:
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
As we have said before...
We are saved by grace alone through faith alone...
But that faith is never alone.
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Let me put it this way...
When we are justified...
It is by faith alone...
They is when we are first saved and become in right standing with God...
That is an single one time event in a person’s life who is a believer.
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It is at that time that one receives the gift of the Holy Spirit...
And through the power of the Holy Spirit believers are able for the first time in their life able to produce good works.
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That is why is you claim to follow Christ but have no good works to show for it you are in fact a liar...
The faith you claim to have is false and non existant.
This is what James, the brother our our Lord was stressing in James 2:17–26 which says:
17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.
24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
This fits perfectly with the whole council of the Word of God...
Just look at what 2 Corinthians 5:17 says:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
And it is those who are new creations that God calls to use for His purpose...
Or as it says in Romans 8:28–29:
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
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Do not forget what Jesus said to the disciples in John 15:16...
For the truth in that verse is just as applicable to all believers:
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
We also know that this truth applies to us when we see what it says in passages like Ephesians 1:4 which records Paul saysing:
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
Before the foundation of the world...
Before all of creation...
God choose us...
And He choose us simply for His purpose!
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Again...
We were not chosen based on what we would do...
We could not earn or merit salvation.
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This may make some feel uncomfortable but that would be one’s pride getting in the way.
For this narrative is found throughout the Scriptures.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 says:
13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
Did you see that...
It says God chose...
Meaning if you are a believer then God had mercy on you and you should be thankful and not boasting about something you did...
For one’s salvation is the work of God alone!
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2 Timothy 1:9 makes it clear too:
9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
God did not have mercy on you because of some good works He foresaw you doing!
That is arrogant to say something like that!
What Scripture says...
And it couldn’t be clearer is that He called us to salvation “because of His own purpose and grace!”
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In Christ's High priestly prayer...
In John 17:6 Jesus even explains how the Father gave Him those who are the elect to be saved...
And again we see no merit or earning of being chosen by God...
Jesus says:
6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.
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I could go on and on but I will leave you with one more example of this...
Look with me at Romans 9:15–24 which says:
15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?”
20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”
21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?
22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—
24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
Closing Illustration
Closing Illustration
So, as this message comes to a close...
I would like to share this that I came across in my study this week:
Three men, John Newton (not the Hymn writer), Louis Weatherford, and Samuel Preston, were out to find the best that this life had to offer.
Willing to try anything, they were now on their way to New York City to “paint the town red.”
With a whole week ahead of them, they were anticipating some high times.
They had money, position and culture. The only thing they wanted was action and they were now ready to get it.
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As the “Silver Star” glided to a stop at Grand Central, three men, full of excitement and frivolity, stepped off the train into a busy world.
Amidst the confusion the three jovial men were able to hail a cab and direct the driver to the Ambassador Hotel where they wanted to board.
The cabby promptly took them to their destination, received his tip and disappeared into the throng of cars.
As the cab drove off, the three men just stood on the pavement staring up the side of this twenty-nine floor building.
They were amazed at the sight of such a tall structure.
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Upon entering the hotel, they were greeted by a bellhop who took their bags and led them to the main desk.
At the desk the clerk asked them what type of room they wanted and the three men replied, “Give us the best you have!”
The clerk looked at the register and then told the men that the only one of this type left was on the top floor.
It had a TV, two cushioned chairs, four beds with innermen said a few words to each other and quickly decided to take it.
The key was handed over and the bellhop led them to the elevator.
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After arranging their belongings in the proper order, the three men put on their tweed suits, left the key at the desk and were off to see New York City’s high spots. Hours went by and the three began to get weary; so they headed back to the hotel. At the lobby desk they were told the elevator had developed some complications and was not able to take them upstairs. They were given the alternative of either walking up twenty-nine flights of steps or sleeping in a small, less luxurious room on the second floor. The three huddled together and decided to take the long walk upstairs and enjoy the comforts of their own room; so up they started.
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The first few flights went quickly and easily and the three companions were joking and having a good time.
Each flight seemed a little bit longer but the men kept pressing on.
Five, six, seven floors were passed and each one meant that they were one flight closer to the top.
The men, already weary from a hard night, began to slow down and the floors dragged by slower each time.
The eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth floor was passed.
“Almost halfway there,” said Louis.
The other just grunted and they pushed on.
Seventeen, eighteen.… they wondered if they would ever reach the top.
On the twentieth floor Sam sat down and said he couldn’t go on.
After resting a few moments the others finally persuaded him to try it.…
After all only nine floors left and then those nice, soft mattresses, and fried chicken.…
So, on they went.
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Each flight seemed like a mile and it seemed as if it took an eternity to get there.
All three men were now on their knees, crawling step by step in hopes of reaching the twenty-ninth floor.
Just one more to go.
Slowly they proceeded, inch by inch until John shouted out that he could see the room, only eight more steps and then about fifteen feet down the hall.
With his added inspiration each fellow put all the energy into it that he had and to their relief they were all on the last floor.
They had reached their goal now.
As soon as the door would be opened, they would enjoy all the luxuries which had spurred them on during their climb.
.......
Sam was the first to come to the door; so he reached down into his pocket for the key.
To Sam’s amazement the key wasn’t there.
He asked John if he had it but John said that Louis must have it.
They both looked at Louis but all he had were several empty pockets.
Here they were on the twenty-ninth floor just inches from what they considered “Heaven” and yet they could not get in.
They had forgotten to get the key.
.......
The key to Salvation is Jesus Christ...
And one can only have a relationship with Christ if they repent and believe with both their mind and heart.
.......
So, ask yourselves today...
At this very moment...
Do you have the key?
Or have you forgotten to get it?
.......
To God be all the glory.
Amen.
.......
Please join us for one more song from the Praise Band.