The Application of Redemption
The Work of the Holy Spirit in Salvation
We must come to the realization that salvation is a multi-faceted process that has been the culmination of the will and plan of God from before the foundations of the world. From out of the good pleasure of His will, he purposed from eternity past to redeem an unworthy multitude to be his chosen people. Throughout the history of the world God has providentially directed the affairs of man that in the fullness of time Christ would die in our place to redeem those that the heart of God has in awe-inspiring free grace loved from eternity. It was that same divine providence that, in the fullness of time in the life of the sinner, sent the Holy Spirit to apply the salvation to the heart of those whom Christ redeemed.
It was God the Father that has appropriated our redemption. He has done the work of setting us aside. God, the Son, has accomplished our redemption. He was the ransom payment and the satisfaction for our sin to reconcile us to God. It was God, the Holy Spirit, which applied the redemption wrought in Christ to our hearts. A part of the work of the Holy Ghost in the application of redemption is that which we experience in the new birth and our being brought to faith in Christ. It is upon this subject that we will embark upon its understanding.
The question, which lies at the center of our study, is how the sinner is to partake of the accomplished work of Christ. To properly address this question, we must discern that it is not a single isolated act but a compilation of unified workings of the Holy Ghost. It was the great theologian and Christian writer, John Murray that said:
When we think of the application of redemption we must not think of it as one simple and indivisible act. It comprises a series of acts and processes. To mention some, we have calling, regeneration, justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification. These are all distinct, and not one of these can be defined in terms of the other. Each has its own distinct meaning, function, and purpose in the action and grace of God. [1]
Therefore, let us examine these works progressively as experienced by the believer.
As the farmer must first plough the field in order that fruit may grow, the Holy Spirit begins by convicting hearts of sin, righteousness, and judgment[2]. Conviction is the act of the Holy Spirit convincing the sinner of his sin, the righteousness that is found in Christ, and the judgment that is to come. Yet, conviction, in and of itself, is inadequate to be left to stand alone.
Not all those, who are convicted of the Holy Ghost, will turn in faith and repentance to Christ. For those vessels of wrath, who have fitted themselves for destruction[3], the process of conviction only adds to their offence. They, instead of becoming tender to the revelation of the Sprit, become further hardened in their stony hearts.
Even through the general call of the gospel, combined with the Spirit’s conviction, man, in his natural condition, is unable to come to faith due to his total depravity. Christ describes the condition of man outside of the grace of God in John 3:19-20:
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Notice that we, because to our love for sin and hate of righteousness, would not come to the light. What a pitiful condition of the man outside of Christ!
Paul goes further saying that man is, “dead in trespasses and sins.”[4] There is no spiritual life. Spiritually, natural man is dead! In another passage, Paul brings another indictment against man that “there is none that seeketh after God.”[5]
Nevertheless, for those whom God has covenanted with Christ to save conviction is a stepping stone in the path of the effectual call. We have already stated that not all men, who are convicted, will respond. To state it more clearly, outside of grace and left in the freedom of our will to choose that which we love, namely sin, we would never choose him. The Holy Spirit must overcome our natural resistance in our hearts to God if we are ever to respond in faith and repentance through his drawing[6].
Therefore, all men that are drawn will respond in repentance and faith. For Christ said in John 6:44 that “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” In this verse we see man’s inability to come and the drawing that must happen which will result in the resurrection at the last day.
He accomplishes this through what many theologians have titled the effectual call. To overcome our deadness in sin he has quickened us. [7] To overcome our love for the darkness, but He “commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.[8]” Since we would not seek Him He sought us. This is the ministry the prophet Hosea spoke of when he said, “I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.”[9]
Being brought to life in Christ through the Holy Ghost enables us to turn from our sin in repentance and to Christ in faith[10]. This process of the effectual call will necessarily result in the conversion just as Christ said that “all that the Father giveth me shall come to me.”[11] Also, the need for the Holy Spirit to regenerate is found in His words in John 3:7, “Ye must be born again.” This new birth will result in the calling out in faith. It was the great advocate for the supremacy of God, John Piper, who said, “The cry of a new born babe in Christ is faith.” Of faith, we know that it is said to be given[12] and of repentance granted,[13] which is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Let us note that we are not implying that you can separate these events chronologically, but logically and that they are distinct in function. The most clear teaching of this is found in Paul’s letter to the Romans where he outlines what is known as the golden chain of redemption.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.[14]
In closing, we must be careful to give God the glory for the whole of salvation; the work of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost. Let us not fail to praise Him for the Spirit’s portion in the application of what the Father has appropriated, and the Son has accomplished. Rather let us rejoice in the fullness of our salvation wrought by the fullness of our triune God.
Promiscuous Pergamos (Rev 2:12-17)
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Revelation 2:12-17
In this hour in which we live we are being taught more and more to be tolerant. The world is trying to force us to give and take. It is trying to deceive us into compromise. How are we as Christians going to withstand compromise? By following the 3 truths we find in this text. Before we look at how to overcome compromise, let us look at the details of how the church at Pergamos faced compromise. Its very name spoke of compromise, it meaning marriage. The church at Pergamos had started to fall in love with the world. Let us notice first:
The Openness to Compromise: Our Danger
We see that the church was open to attack and open to the danger of compromise. The city itself was an area of compromise, especially when it came to religion. There religion was marked by compromise.
There Religion Accepted all Faiths. It didn't matter what you believed in Pergamos. It treated religion like a Wal-Mart, you just picked and chose what you liked, and mixed and matched as it pleased you. Nothing was absolute in Pergamos. It had a multitude of religion. There was any and every kind of religion you can image. Christianity was viewed by them as just another religion to incorporate in to its systems. This desire of mingling religion led them to be highly anti-exclusive. Don't you dare say there is only one way. Don't exclude, include was the motto. Sound like the world we live in? "Don't tell me there is only one way, I am a Christian Buddhist"or"The Mohammedans worship the same God that we do." They accepted all faiths and mixed and matched.
Not only did they accept all faiths, but There Religion was About being Friends. It was completely social. It wasn't as much about being devout, but about socializing. Most major buildings were reserved for public use. Even in the temples, religion came of lesser importance. It was a social Athens. Today many churches are more concerned about social gatherings and pleasure than hearing sound gospel and it's power! It's all about programs, and plays. "Make us feel good." "Don't offend us." Religion has become about being friends.
They accepted all faiths, and thought religion was about being friends, but also There Religion Abounded in Fables. Multitudes of superstitions and fables were propagated. Many different idols were worshiped, and a multitude of temples for the false gods. Temples to Dionysus, Athena, Demeter and Zeus were here along with three temples dedicated to emperor worship. They held the snake in high regard, and thought it would heal if it touched you. They practice immoral and pagan practices. Today too, our society has bowed down to many idols. They may not be made of stone or gold, but they are just as real. Many bow down to the idol of Self Esteem and Positive Attitudes. Many bow down to the idol of Pleasure, doing what ever it takes for them to feel good. The taking of drugs, drinking, affairs and fornication or The Idol of Entertainment and the idol of covetness which says, "I want more, more, more." We also seem to abound in fables. Our land is fool of lies passed off as truth. Our land is full of false hopes in false religions. We have a religion for every thing, and there are some people foolish enough to be taken away with the silliest of religions and thoughts. It is a stench in the nostrils of God. I'm good enough to get to heaven. The church is full of hypocrites so I will worship my god in the woods. There is no god. We have become so educated, we are learned stupid.
We have seen that Pergamos was an area of compromise; likewise it contained the author of compromise, Satan. This place was over-run with satanic activity, and for a couple of very good reasons. First of all It was where Satan Reigned. In verse 13 it mentions, "Satan's seat." That word means a seat of power or a throne. It was where Satan had set-up camp and was operating out of. Too often we get the false idea that Satan is confined to hell, but he is active in this world and in Pergamos he was in control. There has been many theories as to what is meant by Satan's throne (or seat.) It has reference to a certain system of belief found here in Pergamos. Before Pergamos this was established and founded in Babylon. Remember Nimrod? He set himself up to be God. Pergamos was the center of emperor worship for Rome. The title Pontifex Maximus comes from this. His wife, Semeramis, after his death propagated the myth that her pregnancy was by the spirit of Nimrod, and her son was part God. She can be directly traced to Athena, the patron goddess of Pergamos. Satan was behind this false system operation and spreading from Pergamos.
So we see it is where Satan reigned, even the more it is where Satan Resided. It was bad enough the area was said to be under satanic control, but the bible states that it was where he "dwelleth." It is where he had residence. It is where he settled and stayed. Satan hung his hat in Pergamos. What an awful testimony for a city to have. Mark that word "dwelleth," we will see it again. Pergamos was the lion's den.
Not only was Pergamos the area of compromise, and that the author of compromise dwelt there, but it also contained The Advocates of Compromise. There were those who taught false doctrine, and sought to influence the church with such lies.
The first thing we can learn about them is that They Advocated Casting. They sought to cause people to fall. They sought to cast a stumbling block. They were laying a trap or a snare before them. They wanted to influence people and cause them to trip-up. Just like Balaam who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel. Balaam tried to get the children of Israel to worship Baal and compromise their covenant with God. Again, we see a reference to Nimrod and Babylon. As the Nimrod myth progressed and mutated, he became Baal. We see Satan's evil influence in his advocates.
Not only did they advocate casting but also They Advocated Compromising. That is they were seeking to influence the church to be more like the world. They wanted it to forsake its purity and join in pagan rituals and rites. One which included eating meats scarified unto idols. The practice of the pagan priest was to sacrifice the heart and organs, but the majority of the animal was not harmed. Therefore they would sell the meat, which do to the restrictions on what was acceptable as a sacrifice, was normally higher quality meat than that of the meat markets. The proceeds of this as well as the prostitution went to fund the temple. The meat itself had been on the altar of a pagan god, and had been dedicated to him, and when you ate the meat it was to the glory of that pagan god.
More over They Advocated Committing, another influence was that of fornication. It was prevalent at home and in the temples. They had prostitutes at the temple, and some had personal ones at the house. One religion said you must commit an act of fornication at least once a year with a stranger as a sign of hospitality. It was an immoral time. We are living in such times.
Not only did they advocate Casting, Compromising and Committing, They Advocated Corruption as well. The doctrine of the Nicolaitans seemed most likely to have been Gnostic in nature. They felt as if the spirit was good, and the flesh evil. Since the flesh is evil, the deed done in the flesh don't matter and since the spirit is good, redemption is inevitable… why therefore should I not use my flesh? It was corrupt! It changed Christian liberty into license. Moreover it affected our Lord, as if the flesh is evil, Christ couldn't have come in the flesh, thus taking away his humanity. Today, we see the same, people using grace to sin, and denying truths about our Lord. His Deity being the target more attacked today than that of his humanity.
While the fact that the area was one of compromise, the author of compromise was present, and his advocates of compromise were active is disturbing, yet what really concerns me is The Action of Compromise. First, The Church Left their Passion for their First-Love, notice that in verse 6 Christ speaks of the deeds of the Nicolaitans, in Pergamos it has developed into doctrine. The Ephesian church had left its first love, and so that is often how demise begins. We loose our passion for Christ. We loose that devotion to only doing his will. We forget the zeal of doing his will and the power of it. We start to settle for dead religion. O, how we need to keep the love of Christ, and love for Christ burning uncontrollably in our hearts.
First they left their passion for their First-Love, next The Church Let in the People of Falsehoods. My what a state our churches are in when we start letting people come in who practice immoral practices, who teach damnable doctrines, and who try to lead others astray. Notice that the church in the text is always referred to as "thee, thou, or thy," yet on the other hand, Christ always refers to the deceivers as "them." Christ makes a clear distinction of who was a member of the true church and who wasn't. We need to be mindful of whom we let in our numbers; the church has enough wolves as it is.
By leaving their passion for their First-Love, and letting in the people of falsehoods, The Church Lost their Point of Focus! They got their eyes off heaven! They quit sojourning and settled, notice again that little word, dwelleth. Christ says, "I know where thou dwelleth," again the idea is that they are staying there, they are residing there, they have become like Lot who pitched towards Sodom. This is not the word that normally describes the believer's relation to the world. Normal we are strangers, or pilgrims. Normally we sojourn, not settle. We need to keep our eyes on home and not this world. In Pergamos they had begin to flirt with the world. They had begun to allow it to influence them. We need look to heaven and desire it, and not the filth of this world. We need to keep our eyes on Christ, keep our First-love in first place. We need to cast out the people of falsehoods, and their evil deeds and doctrine. We need to fix our eyes on heaven, and keep traveling on, keep our focus.
We have looked at The Openness to Compromise and our Danger, now let us look at:
The Overcoming of Compromise: Our Deliverance.
When the church is facing such times of compromise, how do we stay strong and keep the faith pure? What is our help in this area of Compromise? How do we keep our first-love, keep our point of focus, and keep out the false? There are certain truths outlined in this passage that help us to stand fast in the face of compromise.
The first truth that I'd like to point out is Our Commander's Power. When we get our eyes on Christ, all our problems seem to pail in their importance. When we see how big he is, we know we can overcome! Notice The Authority to his Power. He is in control and has certain rights and abilities. Isn't it great to know that he is the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings. That he has all authority and power. He has the sovereign right to do whatever pleases him!
We see His Authority to Speak. The word "saith" in verse one has the idea of, speaking a command. Listen to him! When the world speaks, don't listen to the world, Listen to him! He has the authority! When Satan speaks, don't listen to Satan, Listen to Him! He has the Authority! When you can't figure out what to do, and your friends are telling you one thing, the world the opposite, and your wife to quit, just listen for the one who has the authority to speak! There are too many who exercise their ability to speak, when they don't have the right to do it. He never has to worry about that, his word is always one of authority. In view of that, if they tell you to compromise, you can just point to him, and inform them that your orders are otherwise.
Mentioned briefly earlier was the thought of emperor worship, which was prevalent in Pergamos. It was the center of emperor worship for Rome. And the governors of Pergamos held what was called, "the right of the sword." They had the power to execute at will. Mix this with the belief that anyone who wouldn't call Caesar Lord, and you have a problem for the Christian. Preacher, shouldn't I listen to what the governor says? Shouldn't I call Caesar Lord? Am I not better to Christ alive than I am dead? NO! Don't compromise; listen to the one who has the Authority to Speak, and His Authority of the Sword. Don't worry about that old roman governor that may be able to destroy your body if God allows it, but fall to your feet in awe of him who has the authority to destroy your soul! Just as the governor wielded the broad double-blade Roman sword issuing the decrees of the governor, so my Lord wields his sharp two-edged sword upholding the decrees of God. He has the Authority of the Sword! How that should comfort us, to know it's in his hands. We are invincible, until he says otherwise. He controls life and death not the roman governor. It's in his hands, do not compromise! It is two-edged; it cuts both ways, salvation or judgment. Moreover it can keep us separated from the world.
My! What Authority he has, but notice too The Awareness from his Power. Not only does he have the divine right of all things, he has divine knowledge of all things. Notice what he mentions he is aware of. First, He mentions His Awareness of their Works. What a sublime yet scary thought. On the one hand, if you have been doing godly things, this is a great comfort to know he has paid attention. On the flipside, it could mean he has seen things you hoped no one would. His eye is in every place, and he knows your works. He even knows the motivation of your works. He knows the very reason you are doing what you do. We need to be doing that which is right and well pleasing to our Lord, and we need to have the right reasons for doing it. Compromise, in the spiritual realm, is cowardice and is highly disfavored in the sight of God Almighty.
His Awareness of their Works might have brought mixed emotions, but His Awareness of their Whereabouts should bring comfort to them. He knew the problems that they were facing, and he knew that they could overcome them! He had placed them there, and had called each and every one of them for a divine purpose. Let us not hinder the working of God with compromise. How will we ever overcome without changing it a bit here and a tad there? Christ knows where we are, he put us here. He doesn't want us to change from the truth that he gave us! Will we be able to stand in this city of compromise? Yes, Christ wouldn't have put you there if you couldn't have.
He knew their works, and their whereabouts! We see also His Awareness of their Witness. They were commended for holding fast his name. He knew that they had been resisting compromise and holding fast his name. How are we going to resist compromise? The same way we have been doing! Let's just keep being a witness for His Glory! Let's keep shining forth the light of the gospel. Let's not water it down with compromise, but keep it the pure milk of the word! Let us not cease to hold fast his name! Why must we live in an area of so much compromise? To be a witness, to show others the truth!
He knew their works and their whereabouts, and commended them for their witness. His Awareness of their Withstanding brought them a commendation as well. He mentions that they held fast his name, and didn't deny his faith. How that ought to have encouraged them to continue in the path on which they had begun; to finish the course as well as they started. What are we going to do? How can we withstand? The same ways as you have been! Don't change!
Don't compromise, not only because of his authority, and his awareness, but also The Ability of his Power. He is the Mighty God, full of power! He has all power and is able to see us through the day! He is able to keep us from compromise with the assurance that he is greater than the forces against him! He is the Lord of Host!
We see The Ability of Speed! Aren't you glad he can be there when needed? But he can also quickly rebuke us! He does say he would come quickly if the church wouldn't repent, but there is a hint of rebuke in the word "come". Come against one like a military commander would come against his enemy. Remember Luke 14:31, "Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?" If we fall into compromise it will put us on the wrong side of the battle lines and Christ may have to use drastic measures to purify his church. Let us repent, change our attitude that they will be like his, especially about compromise. Let us hate it. Let us flee from unholy unions with the world.
Not only is he able to come to us quick, which is the ability of his speed, he is able to war against them strong, which is The Ability of Strength. He has the sharp two-edged sword from his mouth and knows how to wield it! It represents his word. What is more appropriate to combat false doctrine but his perfect word? You'd almost think God wrote the Bible. Christ will war against them and destroy them! We will prevail, so let us not compromise! He is in control and has the power needed and the tools needed to get the job accomplished! All power is and all ability is his! How can we compromise in view of who he is and his power?
Not only will his power help us in these times of ungodly compromise, and Our Comrade's Path will as well. It helps us to know that we are not traveling down a road unknown and uncertain, but down one that the end is seen and has been attained. When we look to those who have suffered and fought for what we have, how shall we compromise in sight of what they have paid for?
Antipas had done just that for the Pergamos church and because of it He has a Wonderful Title. Notice in Revelation 1:5 "Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness", this is the same title given to Antipas. The word witness and martyr is the same Greek word, "martus." It is surprising that Christ would give Antipas his own title. These are not words thrown around lightly. Antipas had proved that he was authentic and accurate, Have we done the same? We may take the name of Christ- Christians, but will he give us his name? Not if we compromise! Not if we neglect what our forefathers have fought for or what Christ has ordained. From 1609 to 1970 the Catholic's used the same translation, Douay-Rhiems. In 1970 they introduced the New American Bible. Why the change? It reads more like an NIV, why is that preacher? It has the same Greek text! The purity of the KJV was thrown out for a corrupt catholic bible? Why? Compromise! Men died for our KJV and to provide believers with an accurate English translation, and what does the majority of churches do? They speak evil saying, "Throw it out, we need something new, something better, something easier!" Don't Compromise men! More over, look at the rising Pentecostalism and non-denominationalism even amongst formally tried and true churches! Look at women in the pulpit and pastors married 3 times, it is Compromise! Let us not fall in the same trap! Let us look to the ones who walked uprightly before us, and look to the one who has all power, Christ himself! Dare we compromise? Christ approved it; let us seek to be like Antipas!
He was given his title because He was Worthy of Trust. Christ called him a faithful witness. What a contrast to the false witnesses that was present at Pergamos. The idea behind faithful is one who has proved themselves worthy of trust. Could the Lord call us faithful? The word martyr conveys the idea of defending the truth. Antipas stood against all for Christ. We need to do the same! In spite of the cost, let us stand and defend the purity of the faith! Is it attainable? Ask Antipas. Will Christ consider us worthy of trust? Not if we compromise!
The Lord gave him a wonderful title, he said he was worthy of trust and Christ even said He was a Witness of Truth! Not only defending the truth only the idea now evolves and expresses the thought of dying for the truth. It is told of Antipas he was accused of disloyalty to Caesar. He was condemned to death. Here is where we see he truly lived the meaning of his name. Anti meaning against, and Pas is the word all. He stood against all for and he was executed for it. They placed him in a copper bull, and it set a fire underneath. It was heated until it was red hot with Antipas inside. Yet in all and through all, he pointed to the light, even with his life. Are we that kind of witness? Imagine the impact that it would have on some yellow-bellied pagan to watch Antipas suffer and not deny the truth! It would cause him to consider the strength of his convictions. It might even have got him interested in learning a little bit about a faith worth dying for. Or imagine the impact it had on the Christian brethren watching. It would have served as a reminder of the value of the Gospel. It would have strengthened his faith to be able to stand against all. It would have been a mighty witness to the pagan or to the Christian. So why do we compromise? Is it so that the world may like us? Do we skimp on the parts that are not pleasing? Do we compromise to make it easier? How we need to stand fast against compromise that have been defended by those who have died for it. Let us walk the path that has already been cut before us.
How are we to overcome compromise? Look to him! Look to the Commander and all his power! Look at Antipas, and the martyrs, our comrades! Look at how they defended the truth in the roughest of situations, how Christ helped them. Finally, let us examine Our Comforting Promises! When we see what he has promised us we will be motivated to resist all compromise.
We have The Promise of the Sustainer. What is this about manna? What can manna do for me? What is that referring to? How is that going to protect me from compromise? Manna was providence based on obedience. Remember the story? They went out every morning and had to gather the manna. If they didn't gather when it was out they didn't eat. The Lord had giving the providence needed, his sustaining provision, but they had to obey to get it. How are we going to face compromise? With the provisions of Almighty God! How are we going to get the provisions? Through Obedience! We need to obey him and we will have his provision and his sustaining when we need them. Moreover, we will have a touch of God on us to understand the hidden things of God. During the night the dew would fall on the ground. Then the manna would fall on top of the first dew. Then more dew fell and would rest on the manna. Manna was sandwiched in dew and it was the dew the next morning that revealed the manna. It was the Holy Ghost that one day revealed his word to me! Showed me what my need, and showed me my need-filler. It was the Holy Ghost that opens this book up to me so I can understand it. No dew, no manna. You can't have any manna without any dew. Going further, you remember what did Jesus say manna was? He said that he is the manna, that he is the bread that comes down from heaven! You can take the provision if you want, I will take the provider! You take the supply if you want, he didn't promise me the supply, he promised me the supplier. You take the sustaining if you want, I got the sustainer! How am I going to get through this thing of Compromise? With Him! Who needs meat sacrificed unto idols, when I have true and living bread that comes down from heaven!
Upon the same lines we have not only the promise of the Sustainer, but also The Promise of the Stone. It has been highly speculated as to what this white stone is referring to. I'm just going to tell you like I see it. Stones are a picture of strength and stability. How are we going to overcome compromise? We can with His strength and by building on his foundation. We can by tapping in to his stability. Where as the stone of the false prophets cause you to stumble, his stone is a stone of stability. It is a white stone; white is the color of purity. That word isn't dull white, but dazzling white, a brilliant white. There has been no compromise in this stone. It is pure and unadulterated, unlike that of the compromisers which is black with corruption. The stone has a new name on it, known only to them that receive it. A new name often signifies a new nature. We see it time and time again through out the Word of God. No more a nature prone to compromise with the world, but of the perfection of character which we are being molded in to. Let me give you the TSV, TJ Singleton version. One evening, during a Friday night service at Camp meeting, I slipped something on to the finger of Emily, my wife. She turned to her cousin and with joy showed off her dazzling white stone. A few months later she got a new name, and she is trying to give me a new nature! There is coming a day, when the bride will stand before the Bridegroom and a marriage will take place that was founded and established before the foundations of the world! O, "What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see, when I look upon his face, the one who saved me by his grace, when he takes me by the hand, leads me to the promise land! What a day, glorious day that will be!" Don't seek a union with this old world, but stay true to our union with Christ! Don't flirt with the world for we are already engaged to Christ!
How are we going to stand against these days of compromise? LOOK TO HIM! See his power, see how he has worked in the lives of our forefathers in the faith, see his promises that he has given us. They will get us through. He is greater than the area and its situations! He is greater than Satan and his power. He is greater than the false prophets, and their message! He can cleanse his church and purify its actions. Look to him. Allow him to work! How are we ever going to overcome compromise? Jesus is our only hope. If we are to overcome compromise, it will take Christ. Do you doubt his power? Do you doubt his promises? Then do not compromise. Remember he said if we don't reject compromise, and it's evil influence he would come against us. Stand in awe of him and allow his majesty to rekindle you love and devotion to him. As in all things, it is all about him.
The Doctrine of Election
As Found in Eph 1
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace," - Eph 1:3-6b
WE ARE BLESSED: AN INTRODUCTION
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" - Eph 1:3
Paul begins a discourse of doctrines by beginning to thank God for his blessings, namely all spiritual blessings. The doctrine of election, which is the first part of his discourse and the focus of our study, is part of that, God's blessings on his children. It magnifies the sovereign will of God and the depravity of man. It should comfort us and encourage us that a self-sufficient God save sinners, unworthy as they are. It should also humble us, for it was nothing that we deserved, or earned. It was nothing that we could do or would have done. It was totally God and him that deserve all our worship and praise for it. Let us look further at what God has revealed about this blessings focusing namely on it's relation to his election.
The Disposition of God's Blessings
God has blessed us "with all spiritual blessings" describes the disposition or nature of our blessings. It stands in stark contrast to the typical notion blessings, that of the material or the physical character. We need to thank God not only what he has done for us physically and materially but also what he does for us spiritually. We get it backwards most of the time, but we need to major on the spiritual and minor on the others. Paul said all, which we can understand as every sort of or every kind of. There is no need in our spiritual life that God cannot meet. There is no want that God cannot fill. There is no lack God cannot supply. He has given us every spiritual benefit. Moreover, the entirety of the Godhead had blessed us. It was the Father that selected us, the Son that saved us, and the Holy Ghost that secures us.
The Department of God's Blessings
Next, we see the realm of these blessings that they are "in heavenly places", and to understand this more fully we would have to look at how Paul uses this phrase. It is found only in this epistle and only 5 times (1:3,20,2:6,3:10,6:12). It has to do with the idea that we are "made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Eph 2:6). We may not be physically in heaven, but spiritually we are already there. We are citizens of heaven, we may live in this world but it is not our home.
The Derivation of God's Blessings
All our blessings are "in Christ", and are from our relationship in him. He contains them all and they all come from him. Notice in the first fourteen verses how many times the thought of "in Christ" or "in Him" occurs. It is only due to Christ that we are blessed. We are not blessed in ourselves, but we are blessed in him in spite of ourselves. All we are and have should be tied up "in him." Christ is the source of blessings. It is this thought of our blessing and union with Christ that leads Paul on to reveal that we are elected, redeemed, and secure.
THE DOCTRINE OF ELECTION: WE ARE CHOSEN
"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," - Eph 1:4-6a
The Details of Election
Election is God's divine and sovereign choice of individuals to salvation. That is what Paul is saying here when he says, "he hath chosen us". It is "in Christ". Election took place in eternity past, "before the foundation of the world". It intention is for us to be consecrated, or "holy and without blame".
Person of our Election - It's Author
Christ Jesus is the Head of our Election. It is in Christ that we are elected and it is our election that we are in Christ. We are "chosen in him". We are elected into him. We were in ourselves but now we are called out of ourselves by the Grace of God and called in to Christ. In ourselves, we were wicked and depraved in darkness and sin. In ourselves we had no desire for God or the things of God. But now we are in Him. Now we have his righteousness. Now we have his desire for God and the things of God. Notice also the,
Place of our Election - It's Advent
Our Election was established "before the foundations of the world". It happened before the sin was conceived, before man, before Christ, and before the gospel. God doesn't just to things by chance. Things didn't just end up this way by happenstance, but God is his infinite wisdom and foreknowledge saw what would be needed and made provisions.
Purpose of our Election - It's Aim
We were chosen that we "should be holy and without blame before him in love". "Holy" conveys the thought of being different and being separate. We should be different from other men, and we should be separate. "Without blame" refers to the sacrificial animals that were without blemish or defect. We are called to live a spotless life. Since the aim of election is us being holy and without blame it is not the cause of it. For it is not in anything God saw in us that we are elected, but that he might make us holy who were before sinners.
The Design of Election
Now Paul focuses on God's basis in our election, "Having predestinated us". First it is the God wanted a people for himself. Secondly that God is pleased to do his will. And thirdly, that God's grace is glorified in it.
People for himself - His Assembly
God desires to bring sinners into a relationship with himself through Christ. This is the idea of "unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself". Adoption implies a legal relationship.
Pleasure of his will - His Authority
Election is "according to the good pleasure of his will" or his own benevolent sovereignty. It is wrapped up in the character of God. What he did, he did because it seemed good and right for him to do.
Praise of his grace - His Attribute
And he did it "to the praise of the glory of his grace". When we look into election, we can't help but marvel at his grace. Election so magnificently manifests his grace that it is praised and extolled. We should celebrate his electing-grace.
Doctrine of Total Depravity
What is Total Depravity
John Piper defines it as, "man's natural condition apart from any grace exerted by God to restrain or transform man." J. William Kanoy said, "Depravity does not mean that a man is as bad as he can be, but that a man is as bad off (spiritually) as he can be (dead). Depravity is the description of our nature and it effects on our lives. To fully understand Depravity one must study the Doctrine of "Original Sin." Summed up it is the teaching that the Adam acted as our covenant head, when he sinned we sinned in him, therefore we inherit his guilt and it's consequences. With that in view we realize that we are born depraved that we are so "by nature". It was also universal, meaning all are depraved.
Why should I study it?
This doctrine's importance cannot be overstated. We will never be able to appreciate so great a salvation until we understand depravity. We will never realize our need for redemption until we see our total lost-ness. We will never see the depths of God's love for us until we realize how wicked we were. We will never understand the workings of life until we realize that all men are evil. We will never be zealous in sound evangelism until we come to the understanding of this vital doctrine.
Moreover, when we fully realize these things we will see our devotion grow. It will drive us to worship when we see what Christ did for us as unworthy as we were. It will help us to be humble and give us zeal to witness to others. The knowledge of depravity will help our understanding and rightly dividing of the Scriptures.
Disclaimer: This is written to the Christian. If you are not saved, you are still in this condition and need to seek God now for your salvation.
Eph 2:1-3:
"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."
Our Condition Was Dead
Paul here calls us "dead." He did not say that we are dying. He said dead. Completely, utterly, without any life, we were dead. Martyn Lloyd-Jones phrased it like this, "Life for the non-Christian is a living death." What is man without Christ and his power? DEAD. The word has the idea of a corpse. Man is spiritually dead.
What is this thing of spiritual death? It is the opposite of spiritual life. Spiritual death is separation from God. Death in this sense is to not know God. It is to have no fellowship with him. If life is "that they might know thee, the only one true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent," (John 17:3) death then is the contrary.
There is no knowledge of God in death. We could not understand the things of God. We had no grasp of spiritual truth. Nor do we have a desire for them. Our separation in death means that we were without anything that makes life worth living. We had no love for God in death. We had no ability in death. We were totally reprobates without any means in which to instill life into ourselves. We were corrupting in death. We were decomposing, and growing to be worse than we were. In summary, A. W. Pink powerfully stated, "Natural death divests man of all those characteristics which are proper to him as a man; but spiritual death makes him worse, without any comeliness in the sight of God, and a stench in His nostrils." We were dead.
We have seen that our condition was dead. Now let us notice:
Our Condition Was Dominated
Our death brought us under dominion. We were controlled not by the Spirit of God but the spirit of the world. We were not serving the Lord of Lord and Kings of Kings, but the prince of the power of the air. We were not walking on the narrow way, namely the way of Christ, but we walked according to the broad way, the course of the world.
Verse One expresses our Death while verse two expresses our domination. The word walked means to conduct one's self and order one's behavior. It signifies the whole of the activities of life. "According to" adds the thought of being by. We ordered our behavior as controlled by external influences. We put ourselves under theses influences.
First notice that:
We Were Dominated By The World's System
The "course of the world" is view and frame of mind of this present world. Trench states on the use of the word "course" that it is "all that floating mass of thoughts, opinions, maxims, speculations, hopes, impulses, aims, aspirations, at any time current in the world, which is impossible to seize and accurately define, but which constitutes a most real and effective power..." It is the urrent philosophy of the world. The course is its system. The word kosmos in Greek / world in English is used in several different ways always discernable by it's context, in this passage it refers to man living in alienation from God. It is his outlook and his attitude apart from God.
The whole of anything cannot be any superior to its parts.
If the parts are evil, the whole is evil. The nature of those who make up the world determines the course of the world. The course of this world is what other people think or say or do. We were controlled by the opinions of others. We were dominated by the fashions of this world, with the desire to fit in, to be part of the group. We were controlled by conformity. What the world said, we echoed. What the world did, we mimicked.
Not only were we controlled by the world's system but also because of its influence of the world's system:
We Were Dominated By The World's Sovereign
The "prince of the power of the air" controls the world system and he controls us thereby. He orders the things of the world, and continues to mold it and shape it contrary to the delight of God. Satan is the God of this world. He is the one setting up false religions, dictating false viewpoints, and working accord to his evil ways. It is him that is so subtle and so sneaky that most people are unknowingly moved. They think that they are in total control of their self and don't realize that Satan is dominating their thoughts, and deeds. He is in control of the powers of evil. More over His is in control of "the spirit which now worketh in the children of disobedience".
We are dominated by the world's system, by the world's sovereign, and by:
We Were Dominated By The World's Spirit
There is an evil principle that in working in this world. It is this principle, this power that which we were controlled by. Satan is its prince. It is operative, and effectual as expressed in that word "worketh". In some places it is even translated effectual and mighty in some places. And it is by that which is active in the "Children of Disobedience".
Not only are condition was dead and our condition was dominated, but we see also:
Our Condition Was Disobedient
"Children of Disobedience" is an idiom. It falls along the same lines of "Sons of Belial". It refers to the nature as that of disobedience. We were in total rebellion to God and everything we did was against God. It is a common falsehood that men without grace in their natural state seek God genuinely. They may call on him in a pinch, but they don't seek him as he is. Even outward compliance is not true righteousness. It is not done in submission to His authority and reliance on Him.
We see our disobedience in two areas. First notice that:
We Were Disobedient In Our Actions
We were "in trespasses and sins". These were our actions, which were disobedient. Our very deeds were evil and wicked.
"Trespasses" is the idea of trespassing. If we were to walk through the woods we might come across a sign that says "NO TRESSPASSING." If we moved into the area marked off as off limits we'd be in violation of the law, and we'd be worthy of punishment. God set up boundaries and we marched right past them in open defiance and disobedience.
"Sins" comes from the thought of a Greek spearman when he missed the target at which he aimed at. It carries the idea of failing in one's purpose and to miss the mark. Even if we try to living pleasing to God we will always fall short; we will always miss the mark.
Our actions are disobedient, and:
We Were Disobedient In Our Attitudes
Without the right attitudes we will never have the right actions. Our actions express our attitude. We are told that our mode of living, tenor of life, or our "conversation" was "in the lust of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind". We lived not to please God, but to please ourselves. The lusts of the flesh are seen in two areas, "the desires of the flesh" and "the desires of the mind". It is these in these area's we see the inward principle that is articulated in our actions.
What is a desire in contrast to a lust? The lust of the flesh is it's strong, ungodly cravings while the desire carries the idea of a command. Desire has the idea of a will. It has the idea of an urging to action, the driving force to action.
We see that we fulfilled the "desires of the flesh", such as hunger, thirst, pleasure, contentment, sleep, sex, happiness, etc. These in themselves are healthy and good, but what is expressed here is that they have taken control and we are being commanded and driven by these desires of the flesh. We begin to live to eat, or live to seek pleasure, or live to sex. God never intended us to be controlled by these things.
We also fulfilled the "desires of the mind". The mind is his process of thought, including emotions. These are the things that controlled our attention. These include envy, pride, jealousy, bitterness, as well as the being controlled by the attainment of wealth or success, power or social status. Moreover, you can add a lust for learning or knowledge. These things may be good things in themselves, but not when they drive you. Not when they become your life.
We have looked at the truth that our condition was dead, that we were dominated, and that we were disobedient. Now let us focus on the fact that:
Our Condition Was Damned
We were "children of wrath". We were totally deserving of eternal punishment. We were deserving of hell. The intensity of the punishment is a indicator as to the intensity of our transgressions. Since Hell is a total sentence of condemnation, we can see that we were totally deserving of eternal punishment. Since we are totally dead, totally dominated, totally disobedient, we are totally blameworthy. Many today say that God is a God of Love and therefore there is not hell, but wrath is not uncontrolled anger. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, "Wrath is a demonstration of indignation based on justice." It isn't against the Love of God, but it is the other side of God's love. The world we be judged in righteousness, and we were totally deserving of the wrath of God. God's loathing of sin is manifested in his wrath.
He pays attention to details (Matt10:29-31)
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Title: "He pays attention to detail"
Text: Matt 10:29-31
Subject: God's Providence
Theme: Comfort from Providence
Proposition: Every Christian can find comfort in God's Providence.
Proposition Interrogative: How can every Christian find comfort in God's Providence?
Keyword: Truths
Transitional Sentence: Once we realize these truths, we can find comfort God's Providence. The first of these is the truth that...
1. God's hand of providence reaches the seemingly frivolous.
2. God's hand of providence reveals his care as our Father.
3. God's hand of providence relinquishes our greatest fears.
