The Effectual Call
1689 London Baptist Confession – Chapter 10

1. What Is the Effectual Call?
   Definition:
   The effectual call is the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit whereby He:
   • Convicts of sin and misery, Enlightens the mind in the knowledge of Christ, Renews the will, Persuades and enables the sinner to freely embrace Christ. This call always succeeds in bringing the elect to salvation.
2. Paragraph 1 – God’s Sovereign Decree and the Order of Salvation
   Terms: Predestination: God’s eternal decree ordering all things, whereas Election: God’s choosing of specific individuals unto salvation. Man, in his natural state: Dead in sin. Enslaved to corruption, Hostile toward God
   The Ordo Salutis (Order of Salvation) This is a logical order, not strictly chronological, and implied but not explicitly stated here: 1. Election / Predestination 2. Effectual Calling 3. Regeneration 4. Conversion (Faith & Repentance) 5. Justification 6. Adoption 7. Sanctification 8. Perseverance 9. Glorification
   Free Will and Sovereignty – God does not violate the will, He renews it. The sinner is not coerced. The sinner is made willing. The heart is transformed from stone to flesh. The elect come to Christ freely, because grace has made them willing.
   Divine Concurrence – God works through all things as the primary cause, while creatures act as secondary causes. God works 100%, man acts 100%. Actions are simultaneous. Human responsibility remains intact. God’s purposes are always accomplished
3. Paragraph 2 – Man’s Inability and God’s Initiative
   Total Inability: Man cannot come to Christ because he is: Spiritually dead. Unable to respond apart from grace
   Biblical Illustrations – Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37): Life comes only when God breathes, Lazarus (John 11): Christ calls the dead to life
   The call of Christ is life-giving. The sinner must be made alive before he can respond.
4. Paragraph 3 – The Question of Infants and the Incapable
   Confessional Statement: Elect infants dying in infancy are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit.
   Salvation is always grounded in election. God works apart from ordinary means when necessary. Applies also to those incapable of understanding the gospel. Theological Positions: Elect Infants Only (Confessional View), All Infants Saved (e.g., John MacArthur), Some Infants Reprobate (e.g., Gerstner), Universalism (Rejected): “The secret things belong unto the Lord…” (Deut. 29:29)
5. Paragraph 4 – The Non-Elect and the External Call
   • The non-elect may hear the gospel. They may experience conviction. They may appear religious, yet, without the effectual calling, they cannot be saved
   Warnings in Scripture – Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25): Religious but unprepared. Sheep and Goats: Final separation is certain
   Truth – Morality ? Salvation. Religion ? Regeneration. Exposure to truth ? Conversion
   Summary of the Doctrine – Salvation is entirely a work of God. The sinner is passive in regeneration. The call of God is irresistible and effective. The elect will certainly be saved. God remains just, sovereign, and merciful.
   Consider this: The doctrine of the effectual call does not make men robots, it reveals them as resurrected sinners, brought willingly to Christ by divine grace.

What are “Practical Applications” from Chapter 10 (Effectual Calling)?

1. Cultivate Humility Before God. You did not awaken yourself spiritually, God called you. Begin each day acknowledging that your faith is not your achievement, but God’s mercy. Pride has no place in the heart that remembers it was once dead in sin.
2. Rest in Assurance, Not Anxiety. If God has effectually called you, His work is not fragile. When doubts arise, do not look inward first, but upward. Your salvation rests not on the strength of your will, but on God’s unchanging purpose.
3. Pray with Confidence for Others. Since calling is God’s work, even the hardest heart is not beyond hope. Pray earnestly for unbelievers, trusting that the same God who called you can call them. This fuels persistence in prayer rather than despair.
4. Respond Actively to the Gospel. Though God calls sovereignly, He calls through means… the Word especially. Attend diligently to Scripture. When you hear or read it, do not remain passive. Ask: “Is God calling me to repent, to obey, to trust more deeply?”
5. Walk in New Obedience. Effectual calling does not leave a man unchanged… it transforms his will. Examine your life. Are you pursuing holiness? Not to earn salvation, but because you have been made willing by grace. Are you further in your walk than you were __ months, years ago?
6. Be Patient with Spiritual Growth. The Confession acknowledges that some are called in ways mysterious, even those unable to outwardly hear the Word. Do not measure all believers by identical experiences. God works diversely, yet completely, in all His elect.
7. Reject Self-Reliance in Evangelism. You are not the one who converts souls… God is. Share the gospel faithfully, but leave the results to God. This frees you from both pride in success and despair in rejection.

Key Doctrinal Themes in Chapter 6

• Historical Adam, Federal Headship, Original Sin, Total Depravity, Imputed Guilt, Corruption of Nature, Necessity of Regeneration, Sovereignty of God in the Fall, Christ as Second Adam

Paragraph 1 – The Historical Fall

1. Man Created Upright

• God created Adam righteous and without sin
• God gave a clear law in Book of Genesis 2:16–17: “Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat…”
• Only one prohibition in all creation.
• Death was warned of before it was ever witnessed.

2. The Temptation

• The serpent (Satan) deceived Eve.
• Satan’s fall is alluded to in Book of Ezekiel 28 and affirmed in Gospel of Luke 10:18.
• Eve added to God’s command (“neither shall ye touch it”), venturing beyond what God said. Lesson: Adding to Scripture leads to error.

3. The Nature of the Sin

• Willful disobedience. / Not ignorance. / Not coercion. / A violation of clear, simple law.

4. God’s Sovereign Decree

• The fall was not outside God’s will. / By His permissive decree, He allowed it. / Why? Ultimately for His glory and redemptive purpose.

Paragraph 2 – The Consequences of the Fall

1. Immediate Spiritual Death

• Loss of righteousness. / Loss of intimate communion with God. / Fear replaced fellowship.

2. Total Catastrophe

• Adam was the head of creation. / The ground was cursed. / Labor became toil. / All creation fell under corruption (Rom. 8:20–22).

3. Physical Death Began

• Banished from the tree of life. / Began the slow process of dying. / Adam lived 930 years—long enough to witness the spread of wickedness.

4. Total Corruption

• Both body and soul corrupted. / Not as evil as possible in degree, but corrupted in every faculty. / Without God’s restraining grace, mankind is capable of great wickedness.

Paragraph 3 – Federal Headship & Original Sin

1. Adam as Federal Head

Adam represented all humanity. As Calvin wrote in his Institutes: “Adam, therefore, being corrupted by sin, has infected all his posterity with the contagion.” / All humanity was in Adam covenantally and naturally.

The principle is illustrated in Epistle to the Hebrews 7:9–10 — Levi paying tithes in Abraham.

2. Imago Dei Corrupted

• Adam and Eve were created in the image of God. / That image was marred, not destroyed. / Every human conceived by ordinary generation is born in sin.

3. The Exception – Christ

• Promised in Book of Genesis 3:15. / Conceived by the Holy Spirit. / Not born of Adam’s corrupted seed. / The Second Adam.

4. The State of All Men

• Born in sin. / Children of wrath. / Deserving eternal punishment apart from Christ. / Judgment is eternal and conscious.

5. The Only Hope – The Gospel

Christ’s call in Gospel of Mark 1:15: “Repent and believe the gospel.”

The Gospel:

• Man is sinful. / Christ lived perfectly. / Christ died substitutionarily. / Salvation comes through repentance and faith alone.

Paragraph 4 – The Natural Man

1. Sin from Conception

• Psalm 51:5 – conceived in iniquity. / Romans 3:23 – all have sinned. / No neutrality. / No moral innocence.

2. No “Age of Accountability”

• Scripture gives: / No stated age of moral exemption. / No transition from innocence to guilt. / Judgments in Scripture (Flood, Sodom, Amalek) show: Guilt and corruption extend to all born of Adam. / Sin is inherited before it is practiced.

Paragraph 5 – The Believer and Remaining Sin

1. Regeneration Changes the Heart

• The believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. / Now sensitive to sin.

2. Yet Sin Remains

• Not free from practical sin. / The enemy seeks to sift believers. / Growth in holiness increases awareness of remaining corruption.

3. Final Hope – Glorification

• At death: / Freed from the presence of sin. / Freed from the corruption of nature. / Perfected in holiness. / This is the believer’s rest.

Text: Luke 16:20-31 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”(ESV).

Considerations:

1. What is meant by “endless punishment”?

2. What makes it necessary and why?

3. God’s justice? Why?

4. Is endless punishment fair?

5. What are the characteristics of “endless punishment”?

What makes endless punishment necessary?

I. The Nature of Sin and the Holiness of God:

Sin- being not merely a transgression of law but an affront against the infinite majesty of God, bears a guilt of infinite weight. The heinousness of sin lies in the dignity and office of the one offended. Thus, to sin against the Holy, Holy, Holy God is to commit a crime of such that finite punishment would be altogether insufficient. Scripture declares:

Habakkuk 1:13 – “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity”.

Man is born in ruined condition, and apart from regeneration, he will stay ruined. God is Holy. Unsaved man is not holy. Therefore, the Holy cannot have the unholy draw near, therefore God created a place for them with a chasm between them – making it impossible for each to visit the other place

II. The Justice of God Requires it:

2 Thessalonians 1:6 “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”

• God Permits Sin but Ordains Judgment Romans 1:24, 26, 28
  • “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts… For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections… God gave them over to a reprobate mind…” Here, the apostle Paul makes clear: God does not infuse sin into man’s heart, but removes His restraining grace, allowing men to plunge deeper into their sin. This is not a passive ignorance on God’s part, but a deliberate act of judicial abandonment.
• The Decree of Judgment is Active Romans 2:5-6
  • “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds…” Here is God’s active decree: His judgment and punishment is not merely the natural consequence of sin, but a righteous and deliberate act of divine justice.
• Proverbs 16:4 “The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.”
  • This verse declares that even the wicked, though left to themselves, are nonetheless part of God’s sovereign decree, which includes the day of destruction. Yet note: He does not create them wicked, but ordains their end in His perfect justice.
• Exodus 9:16 (on Pharaoh) “And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.”
  • Pharaoh’s heart was hardened – first by his own pride, and then judicially by God. This shows the interplay of man’s sin and God’s sovereign judgment.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
  • This reveals a positive judicial act of God: sending delusion upon those already bent on evil, that they might receive the just reward of their rebellion. These can be considered “offences” or “stumbling blocks”. God presents the stumbling block, the reprobate stumbles – yet God does not make the wicked stumble who are perfectly able to stumble of their own sinful ways.

III. The Testimony of Christ Himself:

“And these (reprobate sinners / non-elect) shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matthew 25:46)

IV. The Finality of the Divine Judgment:

“And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” (Luke 16:26)

V. The Glory of God is Manifest in His Justice:

Romans 9:22 “What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,”

VI. Is this fair?

Some complain that the decree of eternal punishment, and God passing over those not chosen to election is unfair. Upon whose standard is this judged unfair? Is there unfairness with Holy God? Is it fair to send anyone to hell forever? The real question should be “since man is ruined, why are any saved at all?” Do we “deserve” Christ? If so, upon what merit? What did you do in your life to merit the escape of hell? Take caution in this area as not to charge God with unrighteousness in your own heart. God is always fair.

VII. There will be degrees of punishment:

Matthew 5:21 “Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”

Matthew 10:15 – Christ describes those citizens of hell rejecting the Gospel when it was preached – that it would be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah than for those cities in the judgment. This shows again degrees of punishment. Again in Matthew 11:21-22 in the denunciations of the those cities that rejected Christ, 21 “Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.”

VIII. Characteristics of endless punishment:

London Baptist Confession Chapter 3:1 “The bodies of men after death return to dust, and see corruption; but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous being then made perfect in holiness, are received into paradise, where they are with Christ, and behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies; and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell; where they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day; besides these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.”

And LBC 3:3 “The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonour; the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honour,

and be made conformable to his own glorious body” Romans 9:22-23 states the vessels of wrath are being prepared for destruction, meaning that the bodies they lived with are unsuitable for eternal punishment, and God is preparing them a body that is not consumed immediately, but will be capable of eternal punishment for the reprobate so they are tormented eternally in body and soul together, thus making their punishment complete. Isaiah 66:22-24 also states the smoke of the torment of the wicked goes up eternally and their worm never sleeps.

• Darkness –
  • “But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:12)
  • “These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.” (2 Peter 2:17)
• Fire –
  • “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” (Mark 9:44, repeated vv. 46, 48)
  • “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)
• Pain –
  • “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night.” (Revelation 14:11)
  • “And shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10)
• Memory –
  • “But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.” (Luke 16:25)
  • The damned will recall every sermon, every reproof, every kindness of God despised. They will know their damnation is just. Their conscience, like an undying worm, will gnaw ceaselessly.
• Torment –
  • “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone… and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10)
  • “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” (Mark 9:48)
  • “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God… and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.” (Revelation 14:10)
• Presence of an Angry God –
  • “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation.” (Revelation 14:10)
  • “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31)
  • “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” (2 Thessalonians 1:9)

Opening – Review of prophecies, probabilities, what this means to us.

Text: Luke 2:1-14 “Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis”

Prophecy:

When we examine the prophecies of the Old Testament that find fulfillment in the person and life of Jesus Christ, we are confronted not only with theological depth but also with statistical improbability, if viewed merely through our human understanding.

To give you a sense of prophecies, let us consider just a few examples:

• Birthplace (Micah 5:2), that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
• Manner of death (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53), crucifixion, described centuries before Rome employed it.
• Betrayal for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12–13), an explicit detail.
• Piercing of hands and feet (Psalm 22:16), again, long before such executions were practiced.
• Burial among the rich (Isaiah 53:9), fulfilled when Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man, provided his own tomb.

Why is this important?

Either Jesus Christ is who He said He is or He is not. Either the prophecies of His birth are true or they’re not.

Let’s look first at a few non-scriptural comments on if Jesus existed at all:

1. Tacitus (Roman historian, c. AD 56–120)

In his Annals (Book 15, chapter 44), Tacitus speaks of “Christus,” who suffered under Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius. He also testifies to the spread of the Christian movement in Rome. These words come from a man known for his disdain toward the Christians, thus unlikely to invent such a figure – negative testimony about a person or situation is often the hallmark of truth.

2. Flavius Josephus (Jewish historian, c. AD 37–100)

In Antiquities of the Jews (Book 20), Josephus mentions “James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ.” Though debates persist over another passage (the Testimonium Flavianum), this reference to James is widely accepted by historians as authentic. A Jew would likely not have a positive testimony of Jesus Christ.

3. Pliny the Younger (Roman governor, c. AD 61–113)

In a letter to Emperor Trajan, Pliny reports that Christians gathered to sing hymns “to Christ as to a god.” Though not describing Christ directly, Pliny confirms that early Christians worshiped Him as a real historical person, not a mythic invention. A Roman would not have reason to testify to this unless he was giving a historical account in his region.

4. Suetonius (Roman historian, c. AD 69–122)

In his Life of Claudius, Suetonius mentions disturbances in Rome caused by “Chrestus,” which many interpret as a confused reference to Christ or His followers. Though vague, it reflects Roman awareness of the Christian movement early in the first century.

5. The Babylonian Talmud (Jewish rabbinic text)

Compilations from later centuries preserve earlier traditions noting a man named Yeshu who was executed, though described with hostility. Such references, even when antagonistic, show that Jesus was acknowledged by Jewish tradition as an historical person. They hated Him – not love Him, but they acknowledged His existence.

Eight Major Old Testament Prophecies Concerning Christ’s Birth

Prophecy	Scripture	Fulfillment in Christ	Approx. Date Written	Probability (estimated by modern statisticians)
1. Messiah born in Bethlehem	Micah 5:2	Matthew 2:1	~700 B.C.	1 in 100,000
2. Born of a virgin	Isaiah 7:14	Matthew 1:22–23	~700 B.C.	1 in 1,000,000
3. Descendant of Abraham	Genesis 12:3	Matthew 1:1	~2000 B.C.	1 in 100
4. Of the tribe of Judah	Genesis 49:10	Luke 3:33	~1400 B.C.	1 in 1,000
5. From the line of David	2 Samuel 7:12–13	Luke 1:32–33	~1000 B.C.	1 in 10,000
6. Slaughter of infants after His birth	Jeremiah 31:15	Matthew 2:16–18	~600 B.C.	1 in 100,000
7. Flight into Egypt	Hosea 11:1	Matthew 2:14–15	~750 B.C.	1 in 10,000
8. Time of His birth linked to the Roman census (Daniel’s prophecy)	Daniel 9:24–26	Luke 2:1–2	~500 B.C.	1 in 1,000,000

The chance of all 8 being fulfilled at the right time by the same person is 1028. A 1 with 28 zeros. One in 100 Quadrillion. There are 300 prophecies concerning Jesus Christ in the Old Testament:

1. The Number of all 300 prophecies coming true at their specific times:

10200 means: 1 followed by 200 zeros

That is:
100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

This number is so large that:

• The total number of atoms in the observable universe is estimated around 10??.

• Thus, 10200 is 10120 times greater than the total atoms in all stars, planets, gas, and dust in existence.

So to speak of a 1 in 10200 chance is to describe something so improbable that, for all practical purposes, it is impossible by random occurrence.

So – what does this mean for me today?

• The LORD God – the same one who condescended and stooped in Eden into the dirt to breathe into the nostrils of Adam (Genesis 2), condescended AGAIN to leave heaven and become a human man.
• That a Redeemer is spoken of in the chapter 3 of Genesis, means that not only is God’s creation special, but so is His special redemption plan.
• Secular history reveals Jesus Christ is a real person.
• Biblical history not only reveals Jesus Christ as a real person, but dozens of prophecies speak of a Redeemer and other historical minute details thousands of years before His birth!
• The statistical probability of Christ being a random happening is impossible.
• Since these things are true (and they are), what does that mean to me – here today? Repent and believe the Gospel. Afterwards, don’t I owe Him my love and obedience?

Verses in the Old Testament Order Concerning the Birth and Office of Jesus Christ:

1. Genesis 3:15 “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

2. Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

3. Genesis 17:19 “God said, ‘No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.’”

4. Genesis 17:21 “But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.”

5. Genesis 26:4 “I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.”

6. Genesis 28:14 “Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.”

7. Genesis 49:10 “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”

8. Genesis 49:8–12 “Judah, your brothers shall praise you… The scepter shall not depart from Judah…”

9. Numbers 24:17 “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel…”

10. Deuteronomy 18:15 “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen.”

11. Psalm 2:7 “I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you.’ ”

12. Psalm 72:10–11 “May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute… May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!”

13. Hosea 11:1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”

14. Isaiah 7:14 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

15. Isaiah 9:2 “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…”

16. Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born… and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God…”

17. Isaiah 9:6–7 “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end…”

18. Isaiah 9:7 Included above “to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness…”

19. Isaiah 11:1 “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse…”

20. Isaiah 11:10 “In that day the root of Jesse… of him shall the nations inquire…”

21. Isaiah 42:1–4 “Behold my servant… he will bring forth justice to the nations…”

22. Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me… to bring good news to the poor…”

23. Jeremiah 23:5 “I will raise up for David a righteous Branch…”

24. Jeremiah 31:15 “A voice is heard in Ramah… Rachel is weeping for her children…”

25. Micah 5:2 “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah… from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel…”

26. Malachi 3:1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me…”

Acts 26:28- “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”

Background of Paul:

• Before he was a Christian: Expert in the law. A pharisee zealous for his “faith”
• Becoming a Christian: Unexpected and caused by God entirely
• After Paul was converted: Complete change of heart, action, purpose

The Text:

Agrippa was an expert in the law and customs of the Jews. Paul makes his case to Agrippa of his careful observance of every law, and zeal to follow traditions to the point of persecuting this new “Way” – chasing them down and imprisoning them.

King Agrippa understood every reason why Paul was careful to follow law and tradition, and why he would persecute the new Church – until that day going to Damascus he was changed by Christ. Paul’s testimony was convincing to Agrippa, yet Festus listening to Paul deemed him mad from learning. Paul answers Festus, yet focuses on Agrippa, who seems to be moved by Paul’s testimony.

The King hears and understands. As an expert in the law and tradition, he agrees with Paul in every point, as he understands Paul’s reasoning, his conversion, and sees his changed life. Yet – Agrippa’s testimony and understanding falls short – he is “almost persuaded” to be a Christian.

How far may one go in a profession and not be a Christian?

• A person may have great and spiritual gifts, and yet not be a Christian
  • Judas was a great preacher, and yet himself cast out. Those that came to Christ claiming they prophesied in His name, yet Christ never knew them.
  • Balaam even prophesied of Christ, yet he himself was cast out.
  • Saul lay down and prophesied all day, yet was was rejected of God.
• One may have every appearance outwardly of faith – even attending to the Lord, yet be cast out as the five foolish virgins whom Christ never knew. In Matthew 25:
  • They were called “virgins” – they were serious about their religion
  • They had some oil in their lamps – they had some convictions and some faith, but not unti salvation
  • They went forth- they were performing religious works and were with the wise virgins – who themselves were unable to distinguish them until their lamps went out and they asked for oil
  • They heard the call of the Bridegroom as they were waiting and watching along with the five wise virgins
  • They obeyed the command of the five wise to find oil – they earnest thought they had a solid profession, but in the end they were kept out
• A man may be convinced of sin and even mourn over it, yet not be a Christian.
  • Consider Esau who sold his own birthright – understood his gross error – then sought his birthright carefully with tears, yet God hated him. They may even confess sin as Saul confessed to David, yet be reprobate.
• Many a person makes a vow in desperate straits to the Lord; “if you spare me from such and such, I vow to…”. These empty vows, promises, and pleadings do not gain heaven as they are vain and without the Holy Spirit.
• One may join himself to a body of believers, take classes, be a member in good standing outwardly, yet be a whited sepulchre – full of dead men’s bones, as his enjoinment is for every wrong reason.
  • The may participate in ordinances, yet be an outcast drinking damnation unto themselves in communion
  • The Hebrews left Egypt with a multitude, yet Egypt was still in their heart at the base of Sinai while Moses was meeting God. Not all Israel are of Israel
  • Demas traveled with the disciples, yet forsook Paul at the end as he was more in love with the world than the Gospel
• A man may have faith, and yet not be a Christian.
  • The devils believe and have been to the throne of Almighty God, yet cannot be redeemed – yes, they have been in the presence of Holy God, and sang together for joy at creation – yet will be destroyed in the lake of fire.
  • Simon Magus believed and had more believers than Peter, yet was in the gall of bitterness and perished with his money.
  • The seventy went out from Christ, healed sicknesses and cast out evil spirits, yet some walked with Christ no more John 6:66. Even Judas the devil stayed after many left Christ
• One may exercise all of the outward signs of “Christianity” in prayer and good works, yet not be a Christian.
  • In Daniel 4:34-37, Nebuchadnezzar blessed the Most High God being through trials, yet was interested in having his kingdom restored and majesty added to him

What causes a man to go thus far and no further?

Being born again / born from above is a change internally that manifests inwardly and outwardly. Regeneration begins with the Holy Spirit making alive a spiritually dead man; afterwards the gift of the new birth is given, then the new believer is adopted and justified in Christ. They are brought into the body of Christ and declared “not guilty” by Christ before His Father. In time, the fruits of the new birth is the act of working out sanctification in the believer unto the eventual day of glorification when this life has concluded.

Consider:

• God can and does work on the conscience of man. King Agrippa’s conscience with with Paul in his understanding of his testimony and carefulness of life, yet when it came to his “moment of truth”, Agrippa testifies that he is only “almost a Christian” and not a Christian altogether. He suppresses his conscience.
• Man can hear true testimonies so much that they are physically affected. Felix had a deep knowledge of “The Way”, even so when Paul reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come – Felix trembles. He is affected physically by Paul’s testimony, yet not unto salvation – suppressing his conscience.
• Pontius Pilate’s wife (Matthew 27:19) warns Pilate to have nothing to do with Christ. God permits her to dream – even warning her husband to avoid prosecuting Christ, yet he valued the voice of the crowd more than his conscience.

In each of these cases, these men were pricked in their conscience, yet never closed with Christ.

Scriptures tell us to not have concord with the unfruitful works of darkness.

There may be strongholds the enemy has built into the life of a professor. One cannot faithfully profess Christ and have mixed allegiances.

• The almost Christian claims to follow scripture yet lack the relationship with its author. If one is to follow Christ, then follow Christ without mixture
• The almost Christian cannot claim Christ and have one foot into the world. The love of the world and its systems is what kept the rich young ruler from Christ
• The almost Christian has oaths sworn to fraternities, organizations, secret societies. He will have two masters. One cannot pledge or be an adept in an organization with mixed allegiances itself
• The almost Christian permits their children to be a part of unchristian activities while appearing to be orthodox themselves. Promoting Halloween, Job’s Daughters, Demolay are all gateways to deeper involvements, and build a stronghold the enemy takes advantage of.
• The almost Christian claims Christ, yet still has interest in the dark works of the Chaldeans – this includes astrology, palmistry, tarot, spiritism, and other unfruitful works of darkness
• The almost Christian loves the world and its systems, yet claim orthodox love for Christ. When the devil takes Christ onto the pinnacle of the temple and offers Him kingdoms, Christ never disputed the enemy’s ownership of those kingdoms – telling the devil that only God alone is to be worshiped. Many false professors love the world and have divided interest, trying to love power and Christ – yet miscarry because their love of the world is greater than their love for Christ. They admire Christ and see much that is lovely in Him, yet never close with Christ.

Exhortation:

So how then, is one to be altogether a Christian as Paul implores Agrippa? As we see in a world filled with cheap and easy belief, and shallow appearances done before men, There certainly is a way that appears right unto a man, but the end thereof is death.

• The gate is narrow and strait. The eye of the needle does not permit a camel to pass – only a thread. Either the eye of the needle is made larger, or the rope needs to be untwisted. This is the same with your own life – you can only pass through that narrow gate / eye of the needle unencumbered. The entire rope can eventually pass through: only if it is entirely unwound.
  • Your faith and gifts must be of God and Him alone. There is no room for pride, self, ego, to pass through that needle with you.
  • Your faith must be that of the wise virgins – being careful in every command and ordinance – yet having the oil of the Holy Ghost indwelling you. The “Light of the World” cannot burn brightly in your life without the Holy Ghost as the oil – which was the problem of the foolish virgins.
  • Your sin enlarges, you making passage through that needle impossible. We must confess our sins to Christ and Him alone, asking Him to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Unrighteous alliances, fraternities, groups, sinful binding vows made in darkness must be renounced, as they will not pass through the narrow gate, and are an affront to Christ.
  • There are no solo Christians. God has seen fit to give His children the Church, its fellowships, it’s ordinances, it’s teaching. It is of Him and cannot be forsaken, and those that do not love the body of Christ are not of the body of Christ.
  • It takes faith to pass through the narrow gate. There are plenty of poseurs in churches, yet unredeemed and not owned of Christ – even though they may partake in much and have every appearance toward Christ, yet miscarry. True faith can pass the test as it is also accompanied by fruit.
  • True good works done from a heart right with Christ are also an evidence of conversion, but false works will not pass.

Perseverance of the Saints

When you are saved, will it hold? Is there any danger of losing my salvation? Is it possible for me to “unsave” myself? How about on days I am not feeling particularly saved? Has something changed?

There are believers on differing sides of this issue. Today we present the reformed (Augustinian) position. Also of note, this is the position of Cornerstone Community Church.

Introduction:

So – what do we mean by the “Perseverance of the Saints”? This is a position of reformed theology that is a summary of what we see in scripture. The concept was defined well by Augustine (bef. 430AD) in his “Treatise on the Gift of Perseverance”, Thomas Aquinas (bef. 1270), Martin Luther (bef. 1549), John Calvin (bef. 1564), then shows up in the Synod of Dort (1619), the Westminster Confession of Faith (1644), and the 1689 London Baptist Confession. In the counter to the Remonstrance during the Dutch Reformation, the reply in the Canon of Dort summarized with the acrostic “TULIP”, total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints. Calvin gets much of the blame, but the concept predates him by more than 1000 years.

The “Perseverance of the Saints”. What does this mean?

This term as I have it written out is not stated explicitly in the Bible, but the concept as used in the Bible is ubiquitous and clearly defined. There are many other words used within the context like patience, endurance, continuing in faith, pressing, strive, etc. The concept as used, works alongside sanctification and holiness, and should be displayed as a progress into a particular direction – in this case becoming more like Christ as your life continues until that final day when we are glorified at our death, and our faith becomes sight.

This is often described as the doctrine of eternal security or once saved always saved, but it is more. Those doctrines are often maligned because they are misunderstood by both the person saying it and the person hearing it, and wrongly applied. Eternal security is true because our anchor is Christ, and once saved always saved is true for the same reason, but in popular application, many who use – or hear this – believe that salvation is some cheap thing that once attained is akin to touching the bases in a ball game, and it’s a stage or achievement or award. These uses – when misused cheapen salvation. I avoid them because they are so easily misunderstood. Were I to use the term “rapture” (initially coined by Margaret Macdonald in 1830 and codified by John Nelson Darby after meeting 16 year old Macdonald and made a part of the Scofield bible by Cyrus Scofield in 1909), one conjures many ideas – most of which are inconsistent and often based on works like Tim Lehaye’s fiction series surrounding that topic – which is not consistent with what is taught from our pulpit.

So what is perseverance?

In Revelation 14:12 during great tribulation and at the fall of Babylon, John writes this: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” It is placed on display – not just in this instance – but in one sentence describes what a follower of Christ should exhibit. This word “hupomone” appears 32 times in the New Testament, and in nearly every case it appears with steadfastness, constancy, endurance: it’s the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and holiness by even the greatest trials and sufferings. The free Blue Letter Bible is available for free online – look this verse and word up in Greek, and you can see the different occurrances. It is highly interesting to someone who is fascinated with these things like me…

What about Jesus Christ? Did Jesus refer to this anywhere? Are there places where we find this in scripture? Is there a prevalent passage we can refer to? Yes. In Matthew 13, we see Jesus’ parable of the sower. This same parable appears in Mark 4 and Luke 8, and Jesus interprets the parable there as well. There are precious few places in scripture where we have parables given then interpreted, and Matthew 13 is a fine place to go.

The Parable of the Sower – lets read the Text from Matthew 13. Here are thoughts:

• 1. The “seed” is the Word of God delivered to the listener. Where it is sown by the wayside and picked up by fowls. In Mark 4, the fowls of the are are described as the devil taking the seed immediately. The hearer does not understand, and the wicked one catches away what was sown in his heart. This person is not a Christian.
• 2. Seed sown in stony places. There was no deepness of earth. They hear the Word and it is received with joy. He endures for a while, but when tribulation comes, he is offended. For a time, they have all of the actions of a Christian – they show outward signs, but there is no change in the heart because tribulation is the true test of the Christian. In the end, they are not a true Christian.
• 3. Seed sown among thorns and choked out. These hearers also have an appearance of a Christian. And here is the test: The cares of the world, deceitfulness of riches, choke out the Word, and he becomes unfruitful. In the end, they were not a true Christian.
• 4. Seed fell onto good ground and grew / multiplied because he hears and understands the Word, receiving it with joy. This one will always endure to the end because he is rooted in Christ, and Christ causes him to endure until the end.
• There is only the responsibility of sowing the seed by believers. The preparation of the soil is the exclusive work of God. One may think that the ground may be fertile, but it is God Whom prepares the soil and gives forth increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6 “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” As a Christian, you have a part, but the results are God’s alone.

Why does that last seed thrive? It falls on good soil. What makes this soil better than the others? It is prepared by God Himself. How and why is it prepared by God? Did God see something in my soil He thought was worthy enough to get saved? By no means, as I was born in sin. Wasn’t there some little “spark of goodness” in me? No – by no means.

God has chosen this particular soil before the foundation of the world -Ephesians 1. One who has been accepted in the beloved, regenerated by the Holy Ghost, effectually called unto salvation, and is in the process of being sanctified by the Spirit can neither totally nor finally fall away from a state of grace, but will be made to persevere as a saint, glorified at death, and eternally saved. Furthermore, it is Christ Himself that has said this seed will bear fruit.

“Will be made”. Doesn’t this negate my “free will”? Am I forced in some way?

No. In Ezekiel 36:26 and 27 we see this: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” A new spirit. A converted person should be just that – converted. A new spirit able to love and obey God. A new spirit that God causes you to walk in a different way than you used to walk, and keep the judgments of God AND do them.

Doesn’t Christ Himself say they will “indeed bear fruit and bring forth”? Some to differing levels and so on, but there will be fruit present. What is this fruit? Firstly, Galatians 5:22-23 says “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” This is the first fruit. This is necessary fruit. Other fruit? Yes, certainly. Rev 2:19 – “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.” The last – growing in faith. Growing in charity. Growing in service. Growing in patience. All of these becoming greater in “volume” than before. The Christian that is bringing forth fruit should be in a pattern of good works increasing. Are you more faithful than you were last year? Five years ago? A decade ago? Is it noticeable? By you? By others?

It is God Whom makes you willing to be obedient. Willing to love God. Willing to walk in His statutes.

More scriptures to validate this:

John 6:37-40 – “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

John 10:27-29 – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”

1 Thessalonians 5:9-24 – “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”

Will I persevere perfectly?

This answer has two parts. The first part are those whom quote unquote accepted Jesus. It’s one more thing they needed to do to avoid the flame of hell. They tick it off as a job done, so they can get to the next thing. The parable of the second and third seeds make this clear – those people were never saved at all. They had a confession but no conversion. They’re no different at all, and not concerned about holiness. They wanted to confess Jesus as Savior, but would not have Him as Lord. This is why we should take caution when we speak about eternal security with those that fall into those two categories – they are not part of the “body of Christ”, the invisible Church.

The second part – will I persevere perfectly? No. By no means. Paul is explicit in his description about carrying around this body of death, and the flesh that is constantly at war with my renewed spirit. The 1689 London Baptist Confession says this, that we “may, through the temptation of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them (us), and the neglect of means of their (our) preservation, fall into grievous sins, and for a time continue therein, whereby they (we) incur God’s displeasure and grieve his Holy Spirit, come to have their (our) graces and comforts impaired, have their (our) hearts hardened, and their (our) consciences wounded, hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves (ourselves), yet shall they (we) renew their (our) repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end.”

Matthew 26:70 and following, we see the denial of Christ by Peter. He walked with Christ for three years daily. He saw the miracles. He is the one whom Christ asked “who to you say I am” Matthew 16:18 and Peter replies that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. A damsel comes to him and identifies him as being with Christ, and Peter denies this. Does this mean he “fell from grace”? Did he unsave himself? No – by no means. While a serious error, it lasts a few hours, and he goes out and weeps bitterly. It didn’t last a year or a decade because the Holy Ghost pricked his heart, and he repents. This is the same Apostle Peter that stands on Pentecost and preaches Christ and Him crucified, and 3000 people are saved and baptized that day at his preaching.

King David sins a grievous sin with Bathsheba and sends Uriah the Hittite to the front line in battle to die, yet when confronted by Nathan the prophet, David repents greatly. 2 Samuel 12:7. In Acts 13:22, David is still referred to as a man after God’s Own heart – even 1000 years after his death. Even with his shortcomings. This is the opinion of God about David. Did he sin? Yes. Did he fall? Yes, but never finally and completely. He persevered to his end.

John MacArthur states this – that “a believer may sin seriously, may sin repeatedly, but he will not abandon himself to sin. He will not come again under the utter domination of sin. He will not lose faith in Christ, and he will not deny his Lord and the Gospel. No true believer will shun holiness and embrace sin altogether”. 1 John 3:10 – “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” Not sinless perfection, but perseverance and repentance. Those that do not repent do not know God.

So now what? What do I do now?

This doctrine of perseverance is this: “at salvation, you are given a supernatural faith from God to believe the Gospel, to believe the testimonies of the Holy Ghost concerning Christ, and therefore to believe in Christ. Having now come to Christ, you have come to know the true and living God. This faith is a supernatural gift from God – a gift of both faith and a gift of mercy. It is a gift freely given of God to you.” Ephesians 2:8-10 – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

He (God) has ordained. He has ordained that we should walk. He ordained that we should walk in them. When did He do this? Before the foundation of the world. You are His special creation made for His purpose. This is not some passing thing.

Consider these saints: Stephen testified Christ and was the first martyr. Paul was beheaded for his faith. Peter was crucified upside down because he felt he was not worthy to be crucified as Christ was. Polycarp of Smyrna would not deny Christ and burned at the stake. Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley were burned at the stake, with Latimer telling his friend to “play the man, we shall this day light such a candle by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out”. William Tyndale was burned for translating the Bible into English. John Hus. Nigerian Christians recently meeting for church being slaughtered by Moslems. The list goes on and on. They all persevered unto the end and died with a good testimony before the Lord.

All of these died in faith. It was not some passing thing for them. What does scripture say of these men?

Revelation 6:9-11 – “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”

They all finished well. They all persevered unto the end. While we may not be called to the same end as them, we are still commanded to endure until the end.

Luke 16:16 – “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.” Pressing implies effort – the narrow gate will not permit encumbrances to go with you, you mush shed everything that weighs you down.

Matthew 11:12 – “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” This holy violence is done to ones self (not to others), or not some self-flagellation, but a putting to death the sin that besets us and running with patience the course set before us.

Luke 13:24 – “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” That word for “strive” is “ag?nizomai”, which is where the English word Agony finds it’s origin. 1 Timothy 6:12 – “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” When Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:7 that he has “fought the good fight”, this is the same Greek word in both instances.

God Whom has called you unto salvation, has called you to persevere unto the end. May we find ourselves in Him at that last day.

1689 LBC CHAPTER 17; OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE  SAINTS

Paragraph 1. Those whom God has accepted in the beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his elect unto, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved, seeing the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, from which source he still begets and nourishes in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit unto immortality;1and though many storms and floods arise and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock which by faith they are fastened upon; notwithstanding, through unbelief and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of the light and love of God may for a time be clouded and obscured from them,2 yet he is still the same, and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of God unto salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being engraved upon the palm of his hands, and their names having been written in the book of life from all eternity.3

1 John 10:28,29; Phil. 1:6; 2 Tim. 2:19; 1 John 2:19 
2 Ps. 89:31,32; 1 Cor. 11:32 
3 Mal. 3:6

Paragraph 2. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election,4 flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father, upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ and union with him,5 the oath of God,6 the abiding of his Spirit, and the seed of God within them,7 and the nature of the covenant of grace;8 from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.

4 Rom. 8:30, 9:11,16 
5 Rom. 5:9, 10; John 14:19 
6 Heb. 6:17,18 
7 1 John 3:9 
8 Jer. 32:40

Paragraph 3. And though they may, through the temptation of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins, and for a time continue therein,9whereby they incur God’s displeasure and grieve his Holy Spirit,10 come to have their graces and comforts impaired,11 have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded,12 hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves,13 yet shall they renew their repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end.14

9 Matt. 26:70,72,74 
10 Isa. 64:5,9; Eph. 4:30 
11 Ps. 51:10,12 
12 Ps. 32:3,4 
13 2 Sam. 12:14 
14 Luke 22:32,61,62

The Decree of God

We will deal with high points, look briefly at the 1689 Confession, and summarize by “what does this mean to me?”

Description: The “Decree of God” / Will of God / Counsel of God / is often referred to in the plural from the human perspective; but as God is not bound by our humanity, He has decreed all things singularly in His Omniscience and Omnipotence. The Divine Decree contains more than can be covered here. The Counsel of God did not require time to create, think through – but was in the mind of God in eternity. If God is Omniscient (and He is) and Omnipotent (and He is), this could have been Decreed in a single moment. We see the outflow and manifestation of His Decree working through time as we are bound by those hours which God is not bound to.

This is the backdrop of our time today: Isaiah 46:9-11 “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” Also – Psalm 119:89 “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.”

My plan is to discuss some of what we can understand the Decree of God to be, and how it should affect us. There are also things of Himself that God has not revealed, so we need to trust His wisdom where Scripture isn’t explicit. There is enough in the Bible that is plain to live our lives by.

I will begin with several ideas and their implementations, what has been decreed (far as we know), and what has been permitted (again, as far as we can know). The underlying idea behind this study is Deuteronomy 29:29 “the secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” There certainly are things not yet revealed concerning God’s Decree, election, reprobation, evil, and such. There certainly are things that are unknowable, which is why the 1698 London Baptist Confession 3.7 states: “The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care”. We are peering into the most secret recesses and into eternity with these nuggets, therefore special grace is needed for both the presenter and the listener.

Some of my guidance is coming from Wilhelmus a’Brakel, Louis Berkhof, and missionary Roger Smalling (on Theodicy).

Louis Berkhof “Systematic Theology”:

1. The Decretive and Perceptive Decree / Will of God. The first is always completed, and the second is often disobeyed

2. The Hidden Will and the Revealed Will. The secret things belong to God, but He reveals what He wants us to know in His Word.

The goal is the Glory of God, and your assurance of the absolute sovereignty of the One Whom sits on the Throne of Heaven.

Louis Berkhof also:

“Reformed theology stresses the sovereignty of God in virtue of which He has sovereignly determined from all eternity whatsoever will come to pass, and works His sovereign will in His entire creation, both natural and spiritual, according to His pre-determined plan. It is in full agreement with Paul when he says that God “worketh all things after the counsel of His will,” Eph. 1:11. For that reason it is but natural that, in passing from the discussion of the Being of God to that of the works of God, it should begin with a study of the divine decrees. This is the only proper theological method.”

In the Divine Decree, the entire result adheres to the predestinated Will of God. The “use of means” is also decreed, and any / every contingent action and all potential contingencies are set from eternity.

The “means” can include the standard means of grace, the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God in the elect, and any / all external means to execute the Divine Will. The establishment of secondary causes and those matters that are used to implement them – so as not to wrongly charge God with evil, as He is Holy and separate from all evil – those agents being used as means can be angels, men, nature.

The natural man (and plenty of Christians) has issue with this from his finite mind – he doesn’t think that there is not one rogue molecule in all the universe that isn’t directly under the command and review of God.

Confessional Support

“1689 London Baptist Confession, Chapter 3; Of God’s Decree:

Paragraph 1. God hath decreed in himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoever comes to pass;1 yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein;2 nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established;3 in which appears His wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in accomplishing His decree.4

1 Isa. 46:10; Eph. 1:11; Heb. 6:17; Rom. 9:15,18
2 James 1:13; 1 John 1:5
3 Acts 4:27,28; John 19:11
4 Num. 23:19; Eph. 1:3-5

Paragraph 2. Although God knoweth whatsoever may or can come to pass, upon all supposed conditions,5 yet hath He not decreed anything, because He foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.6

5 Acts 15:18 
6 Rom. 9:11,13,16,18

Paragraph 3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestinated, or foreordained to eternal life through Jesus Christ,7 to the praise of His glorious grace;8 others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of His glorious justice.9

7 I Tim. 5:21; Matt. 25:34
8 Eph. 1:5,6
9 Rom. 9:22,23; Jude 4

Paragraph 4. These angels and men thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.10

10 2 Tim. 2:19; John 13:18

Paragraph 5. Those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love,11 without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving Him thereunto.12

11 Eph. 1:4, 9, 11; Rom. 8:30; 2 Tim. 1:9; I Thess. 5:9 
12 Rom. 9:13,16; Eph. 2:5,12

Paragraph 6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so He hath, by the eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto;13 wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ,14 are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by His Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified,15 and kept by His power through faith unto salvation;16 neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.17

13 1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Thess. 2:13
14 1 Thess. 5:9, 10
15 Rom. 8:30; 2 Thess. 2:13
16 1 Pet. 1:5
17 John 10:26, 17:9, 6:64

Paragraph 7. The doctrine of the high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men attending the will of God revealed in His Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election;18 so shall this doctrine afford matter of praise,19 reverence, and admiration of God, and of humility,20 diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel.21

18 1 Thess. 1:4,5; 2 Pet. 1:10 
19 Eph. 1:6; Rom. 11:33 
20 Rom. 11:5,6,20 
21 Luke 10:20”

Decrees of a Positive / Active Type (a few examples for illustration):

There are generally two areas of decree – those that God positively and actively decreed, and those things that God permitted / allowed to happen. Here are a few positive decrees:

1. Creation
   1. Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
      Psalm 148:5 – “For he commanded, and they were created.”
   1. Psalm 33:8 Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. 10 The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. 11 The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

God commanded the universe from nothing, by His own command, without need or assistance. His act of creation was not reactionary but decreed before time began and Decreed “ex nihilo” (from nothing).

• Providence
  • God’s Word. We can know some of God’s mind, will, decree, counsel through His Word. There is not enough time to cover all of the verses needed to establish this!!
  • Hebrews 1:3 – “…upholding all things by the word of his power…”
    Proverbs 16:9 – “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”
  • 1 Samuel 23 David’s inquiry regarding Saul at Keilah- God providentially has every contingent covered and under control

Providence is God’s execution of His decree in time. It is the unfolding of His will, moment by moment, ruling over nature, nations, and individuals. God has not “wound things up” to sit idly by and watch them happen or unwind. There is not a single thing that has happened or could happen that God has not been either actively or passively involved in providentially. For the elect, all of those things are manifestly good per Romans 8:28. Our view into events may appear to be negative, but this is our own estimation and viewpoint – and God has a different view.

That said, God has also given man a will constrained by his election. The sinner sins as it’s his nature, and does do freely. The regenerated is given a new heart and will that has the ability to please God – and does so under the control of the Holy Ghost – albeit imperfectly.

• Stumbling Blocks / Offences
  • In scripture, stumbling blocks, stumbling stones, “offences” are providentially laid by God. As a positive decree, they are manifestly good and to the benefit of the believer. For the wicked, they cause them to stumble to their ultimate demise.
    • There are 16 occurrences of the idea of a “stumbling block” and 6 of “offences”.  As used in the KJV.
    • Strong’s Number G4625 matches the Greek ????????? (skandalon), which occurs 15 times in 13 verses in the Greek. A trap, snare , a movable trigger or a trap stickAny impediment placed in the way and causing one to stumble or fall, (a stumbling block, occasion of stumbling) i.e. a rock which is a cause of stumbling The idea applied to Jesus Christ, whose person and career were so contrary to the expectations of the Jews concerning the Messiah, that they rejected him and by their obstinacy made shipwreck of their salvation any person or thing by which one is (entrapped) drawn into error or sin
• The Sending of Christ
  • Acts 2:23 – ” Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain”

The plan of salvation was determined and decreed in eternity, including the means and every possible contingent action of those involved – all to include the specific men and women which played a role in the final outcome; from Mary, the scribes and Pharisees, Judas Iscariot, Herod, Pontius Pilate, etc. Every action, reaction, date, time, season, were all determined from eternity as well as every means used of God to implement them. More on that later.

• Election and Redemption
  • Ephesians 1:4–5  – “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…”
    2 Timothy 1:9  – “Who hath saved us… not according to our works, but… before the world began.”

God’s Will / Decree / Counsel determine the outcome; they are not contingent on human action or will, though they may work through means, such as preaching or human actions. God has also Decreed every means beginning at Christ to any sermon you have ever heard and its content – all to include any and all circumstances to bring you to those sermons, and the preparation of the one writing the sermon. The regression of all these activities of all involved people and actions brings glory to God.

Romans 8:28-30 : “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 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.”

God has this under control from the moment you were conceived to the first time you heard the Gospel, unto today, and to the day you die and are glorified.

Permissive / Passive Decree (a few examples for illustration):

Again, not exhaustive but directionally giving thought to areas where God has permitted things to happen. The use of secondary causes, stumbling blocks, the hardness of men’s hearts are used as means to perform God’s Decree / Counsel.

• The Hardening of Pharaoh’s heart
  • Exodus 8:15 (Pharaoh hardened his heart), Exodus 9:12 (the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart).
    God withheld / withdrew restraining grace – and Pharaoh’s heart was made hard both by his own sin, and God’s permission allowing him to harden what was already a wicked hard heart. God let it happen, and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened – not because God was the active agent in the hardening – but because God permitted Pharaoh to harden his own heart after Moses’ unwelcome command to let the Hebrews go.
  • This hardening of the heart of Pharaoh (per Exodus 9:12) is considered “judicial hardening” because God willed it using secondary means, just like Job’s family and goods in the first chapters of the book.
  • Romans 9:18  – “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” Again, the heart of wicked men is hardened because God is left out of their lives. Scripture does not teach strict determinism; 1698 LBC does not support it either, but scripture does teach God leaving sinners to their sin.
• The Betrayal of Christ
  • Luke 22:22  – “And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!”
    God’s purpose was fulfilled, but Judas acted freely and sinfully, and God did no violence to the will of Judas. As for the “determining”, Judas was prophesied about 1000 years before his birth that he would betray Christ.
  • Acts 4:27-28 “For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.” The disciples did not fight against the sovereign hand of God in this verse, but agreed that God’s plan was determined to include every nuance of the trial and Christ’s crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and ascension. The Apostles not only had no problem with the sovereignty of God in the Decree, but entirely agreed with it’s execution to the last detail. To further elucidate this as a note and my own comment and opinion; every action in the life of Pontius Pilate from his birth, education, political aspirations – all brought him up to that moment when he met Christ, and washed his hands of the matter.
• The Fall of Man
  • God permitted Adam to sin without being the author of that sin.
    Romans 5:12  – ” Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned”. Every mechanism of the fall of Adam and Eve was permitted / allowed. Man became evil, yet God was not the One that was the “active agent” in the fall.
  • We will not cover Supralapsarianism or Infralapsarianism here. In both cases, the sending of Christ is concomitant to the determination of the elect. This is a secondary doctrinal issue.
    • Supralapsarianism is election a priori the fall of man. Those in this position generally have God’s sovereignty in view
    • Infralapsarianism is election res simul or a posteriori the fall of man Those in this position generally have God’s mercy in view
• The Judgment of the Wicked
  • In many places in the Bible, God allows the wicked to be destroyed:
    • God exercises patience with sinners, permitting reprobate sinners to fill up their vessels of wrath against a day of wrath.
    • There is a fullness measure of wickedness that God knows, yet permits until He causes wrath to cease and judgment to begin:
      • Amorites (Genesis 15:16), “But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full”. All on their own.
      • Pharaoh (Romans 9:17), “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” All on his own.
      • The “transgressors coming to the full” (Daniel 8:23), “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.” All on their own.
      • The “measure of your fathers” (Matthew 23:32), “Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” “Ye” – all on their own.
      • “Filling up their sins” (1 Thessalonians 2:16), “Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.” “Their sins” – all on their own.
      • “Vessels of wrath” in Romans 9:22 “What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:” All on their own.
    • In every case, the sin of man carries him to hell and destruction without any effort needed by God; only the withdrawing of His grace and allowing those circumstances to happen on their own exactly because He wasn’t involved by a positive Decree.
• Eternal Punishment of the Wicked
  • Unlike the vessels being filled to capacity by permissive decree, their final judgment is a positive decree based on God’s Holiness, requiring final judgment and it’s execution eternally. As God is eternally Holy, so judgment and torment is, of a necessity eternal. Habakkuk 1:13 “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil..”
    • God’s act of judging and punishing the wicked is an active and just execution of His will by a positive decree.
    • The final torment of the wicked manifests God’s Holiness and divine justice in alignment with God’s positive decree
    • God permits evil (permissively), but He decrees its punishment (positively and righteously).
    • The purpose of eternal punishment displays the glory of His justice, as mercy displays the glory of His grace – also as a positive decree.
    • Since the vessels of mercy enjoy the positive decree of God’s mercy, they also enjoy the positive decree of God’s judgment on the wicked, as the elect are finally and eternally cleansed and vindicated against all enemies physical and spiritual.
    • The eternal punishment of the wicked glorifies God as well as the believer, and is an element of future worship in the new heavens and Earth. (Isaiah 66:22-24)

What Does This Mean to Me?

1. Creation was in the mind of God. We can rest that He has it under control, and nothing happens without His permission.

2. The Providence of God is still in operation. Not only is what we see under His dominion, but that which we cannot see. There is nothing in the past that ever happened to you, happening today, or will happen in the future, that God does not know about and that God isn’t intimately involved in.

3. If you are in Christ, then you were elected from the foundation of the world – furthermore, the substitution of Christ as the penalty for your sin was also determined in eternity. This means your salvation is on solid rock and unshakable. It can be lost.

4. You can act with complete assurance that any presentation of the Gospel is the work of God, and that God is the active agent in every salvation. If a person is unresponsive, that is not your failure, but God’s allowance for that person to either a. get saved later, or b. for that person to act on their own sin unto eventual destruction. Either way, salvation is God’s business, and we are commanded to play a role, but not in the result. We certainly will be shocked at who is in heaven once we get there.

5. Those that perish eternally do so by acting on their own sin as God has left them to it. He did not intervene. There is no second chance. While a difficult thought, we are to be grateful to God for His faithfulness to us – and our heaven would not be as wonderful if they had not gone there: ultimately God does all things for His Glory.

Summary:

The Decree / Will / Counsel of God from eternity sets in order all things, and not one of those things is out of order, or acting independent from Him and His Divine guidance: and though sinful men act contrary to the Holiness of God, their reprobation is permitted by the lack of a positive / active decree, and they act on their own sin. This ultimately brings glory to God, satisfies His justice, and glorifies the elect.

Description: A description used by John Macarthur is simple: “The doctrine of election simply means that God – uninfluenced and before creation, predetermined certain people to be saved.” Let’s look closer:

What is / Isn’t Election?

1. Election is not salvation itself, but is unto salvation and a work of God:
   1. Election is a positive decree from Almighty God. A “positive decree” is a defined action from God in contrast to something He leaves alone or takes no action on. For example, God did not intervene with the heart of Pharaoh, therefore allowing him to harden what was already a hard heart. Pharaoh’s hard heart was the lack of the positive decree from God. Romans 9:18 – “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” Exodus 9:12 – “And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh…” Here, God’s judicial hardening is not the creating of evil (we will deal with this shortly), but the withdrawing of restraining grace, and the absence of God’s grace creates hardness.
   2. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth”. Again, God positively decreeing salvation to the elect by His grace.
   3. Men are not saved when they are elected, but when they believe on Christ. Election takes place in eternity, but comes to fruition when the Father draws the sinner, and the Holy Spirit then regenerates (makes alive from spiritual death) the sinner. Then the elect are given obedience to respond in faith, and are granted repentance. This faith results from an external call (preaching) with the Holy Spirit creating the inward call (conversion). Justification and Adoption are works of God, and Sanctification is the cooperation of the believer being made able to be conformed to the image of Christ throughout their life. Glorification happens to the elect at death, then Sanctification ceases. Ephesians 1:4-5 – “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world… Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” John 6:44 – “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him…” Titus 3:5 – “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
   4. The London Baptist Confession – Chapter 10.1- “Those whom God hath predestinated unto life, he is pleased in his appointed and accepted time, effectually to call, by his Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God; taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them a heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and by his almighty power determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ; yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by his grace. God does not violate your will, but makes you willing by His grace. Romans 8:30 — “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.” Philippians 2:12-13 — “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
   5. An example (not great but it makes a point), would be November 8, 1960. John F. Kennedy was elected to be the 35^th President of the United States. He was chosen that day to be the president. He was inaugurated January 20, 1961, and actually became the president on that day at Noon Eastern Time. He was not the president after winning the election, but only at inauguration. Again, not a perfect illustration, but shows the difference between election and the moment of salvation.

2. Election is not the cause of anybody going to hell, – election is unto salvation:
   1. The lack of election to the reprobate is not a positive decree in itself, but the lack of a positive decree. The 1689 London Baptist Confession is careful to refuse strict double predestination, meaning that God does not declare the reprobate as damned from eternity. The Confessions refuse this interpretation, because double predestination implies that God is the cause of evil. The London Baptist Confession rightly resists the extreme view of “equal ultimacy” – or that God predestines some actively to eternal life and others actively to damnation in the same equal way. Rather, the reprobate is “passed over” – left to the just punishment of their sin. God does not place wickedness into them. Romans 9:22-23 – “What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which He hath prepared beforehand for glory…” The preparation of those vessels of wrath, is the sinful filling by the wicked and their own effort – God permits it, but they are their own active agent in their destruction all the while filling the capacity of wrath in themselves. James 1:13-14 – “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” God does not choose the reprobate to damnation by a positive decree, just as God does not tempt man, or do violence to his will.
   2. Men go to hell because of their sin. That is what sends them there, as all men are born into sin, and freely practice sin by their nature – and if they die in that unsaved condition, they are eternally damned. Sin is the efficient cause of damnation, not a negative election. Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” John 3:18-19 – “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already… And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
   3. LBC Chapter 3.3 “By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated, or foreordained to eternal life through Jesus Christ, to the praise of his glorious grace; others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of his glorious justice.” This confessional statement mirrors Proverbs 16:4 – “The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” AndPsalm 76:10 – “Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.” God’s justice is magnified, not because He creates evil in the heart of man, but because He righteously judges men for the evil they freely do.
3. Election belongs to the system of grace:
   1. LBC Chapter 3.6 “As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so he hath, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto; wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power through faith unto salvation; neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.”

4. Election does not prevent the salvation of anybody who wants to be saved
   1. Fallen man in his natural condition does not / cannot want Christ until the Holy Spirit works. Natural man does not perceive the things of God, because they are spiritually discerned. Once God changes the will of the man in regeneration, he is willing to come to Christ, and does so freely of his own regenerated will.
   2. The natural man, left to himself, cannot and will not choose Christ. His mind is darkened, his will is enslaved to sin, and his affections are set on earthly things. 1 Corinthians 2:14 – “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” Romans 3:10-11 – “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.”
   3. Once God changes the will of the man in regeneration, he is willing to come to Christ, and will do so of his own accord, and not in violation of his will. Ezekiel 36:26-27 – “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you… and I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes.” John 6:37 – “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:44 – “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.”
   4. We see the harmony of divine sovereignty and human responsibility: God works in the heart so that the man comes willingly. Psalm 110:3 – “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power…” Philippians 2:13 – “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
5. Election stands or falls with the doctrine of God’s sovereignty and man’s depravity
   1. If God is Holy (and He is), and sovereign (and He is), and if man is depraved (and he is), then all these matters are in God’s sovereign control
   2. If man is depraved and God is sovereign, then it stands to reason that either all will be saved, none will be saved, or some will be saved. We know that some are saved. Those that are saved are the elect sovereignly chosen by God.
   3. Matthew 20:28– “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Doesn’t say “all”. There will be many out of every tribe, tongue, and age to be redeemed. Not “all” – again, God’s sovereign choosing.
   4. As the number of elect angels is known to God, so is the total number of elect persons. Revelation 7:9 – “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;”
   5. There are no final numbers referenced in holy writ: Revelation 20:11– “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
6. The elect are manifest in repentance, faith, and good works
   1. Graces wrought in man are not the causes of election, but the evidence of election. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 – “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” The works of those believers testified to the truth of their election.
   2. 2 Peter 1:5 – “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall”

Who, When, Why:

1. Who does the electing? Who chooses the persons to be saved?
   1. If men are chosen as the recipients of mercy unto salvation, who is the Chooser? Scripture speaks plainly – it is God.God is the Chooser, His people are the chosen. John 15:16 – “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you…” 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.”
   2. The theology that says “God votes, Satan votes, you cast the deciding ballot” is wrong. This idea negates God’s sovereignty and magnifies man’s will and is contrary to Scripture. Ephesians 1:4-5 – “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world… Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” There is no “deciding ballot”, as this would make salvation a work of man: predestination is outside the effort of man.
2. When was electing done?
   1. The prior point 1B -Ephesians 1:4 “ before the foundation of the world…”
   2. Election and the foreordination of the salvific work of Christ happened long ago: John 17:24 – “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am… for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” 1 Peter 1:20 – “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” And again – election was before the foundation of the world as was the work of Christ to secure it: Revelation 13:8 – “…the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” 2 Timothy 1:9 – “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling… according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”
3. Why was electing done? Was it because of something good in the sinner?
   1. No. None would have been elected, for none are good. Romans 3:10-12 – “There is none righteous, no, not one… There is none that doeth good, no, not one.” There is nothing good or holy in the sinner, as holiness is the result, of election. Ephesians 1:4 –“…that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” No progress toward holiness – no change – no election.
   2. Election is the cause of repentance and faith, not the result. Acts 13:48 – “…and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” To say God chose the elect based on foreseen faith is to undermine His sovereignty. Romans 9:11 – “(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.)” No repentance and faith in the person – no change – no election.
   3. To say that God chose men to salvation because He looked down the corridors of time and foresaw that they would repent and believe and be saved, is to attribute foolishness to the infinitely wise God. The Arminian is in error here as he minimizes the sovereignty of Omnipotent Omniscient God.

The 1698 London Baptist Confession can be found here: https://chapellibrary.org:8443/pdf/books/lbco.pdf

 Text: Matthew 25:1–13

Mt 25:1 ESV “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed (kosme? – root of cosmetic) their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out (sbennymi – extinguished). 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch (gr?gore? – pay careful attention to – Also Rev. 3:2 to the church as Sardis – “be watchful”) therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

We are looking at a solemn text concerning the state of the church visible – hence the term “kingdom of heaven” which is used elsewhere. In fact, Matthew uses this term 32 times – in some cases it describes the future kingdom, but here it describes the church visible. In the future state there are no fools in heaven.

I could dwell on the potential eschatological (end times) implications, but I will not spend but a moment there. God’s Word is calling for a singular return of Christ which I see evidenced here unlike doctrine of dispensationalists, and that is where I leave it today.

The parable of the ten virgins is a mirror held up to the end-time church since we now live in the end times. The puritan pastor Thomas Shepard in 1600 felt the parable was so important, he preached four years on it, and the short sermon notes are found in his book “The Parable of the Ten Virgins”.

1. A Visible Church with an Invisible Reality

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins…” v1

The first words “then shall the kingdom be likened” critically links chapter 25 back to chapter 24, so we need to understand the parable in context. In Chapter 24 of Matthew, the disciples asked a number of questions, one of which would be signs of the end. There are many indicators of end times which I will not concern myself with here. The first thing in chapter 24 Jesus says to His disciples is: “Take heed that no man deceive you” in verse 4. As the world grows old and the return of Christ draws nearer, deception will grow worse, and the deceivers will become more adept at their craft of deception – and the worst deception is the deception of one’s self.

These ten virgins represent “professing” believers. Those in the parable are church people. Our own church is a microcosm of the kingdom of heaven. They show up every Sunday, sing the songs, raise their hands in “worship”, give to the work of church, they’re cordial and nice to everyone. In that culture, a virgin’s effort was very particular – actions, dress, activity, company they kept. They wanted to be pleasing both to the bridegroom and to their peers. They were not unconcerned about their lives. The people you want as next door neighbors.

They all went forth to meet the bridegroom. All awaited His coming. All had lamps – symbols of their visible religion, of their professed desire to welcome the bridegroom. These were not people just “playing church” – they were serious about their religion, yet you can’t tell one from the other. They were not drunk, coarse or rude, scoffers / athiests, but they were “virgins” – symbols of purity, separated from the world. And yet, five were wise, and five were foolish. This is Christ’s division – not man’s. What was the difference?

The wise took oil with them – the foolish did not. V3.

Clearly the “lamp” represents “Christian profession”; the “oil”, possession of an internal change / salvation. One is outward; the other, inward just like the “call of God” – one is external (preaching, etc.) and the other is internal (from the Holy Spirit). The foolish had no oil – no true grace, no Spirit of God, no abiding life within. I cannot see your oil, but God does. Make certain you are not deceived – that you think you have oil – when you don’t.

Those with no “oil” had religion but not regeneration / no new birth. Activity without anointing. Doctrine without deliverance. Church attendance, but no change of heart. They looked the part. If you saw them at church, you wouldn’t know the difference between those virgins. They all looked good and righteous. But God knew. And midnight revealed it. Consider that Judas Iscariot was a “religious” person according to scripture. Let’s look at Judas for a moment:

• In Matthew 10, Jesus sends out His disciples. All of His disciples. Including Judas Iscariot. What is stunning is what was not mentioned in scripture. No doubt Judas had great spiritual gifts, for he was a preacher of the gospel in Matthew 10, sent out from Christ – and our Lord Jesus Christ would not have put him to work and not prepare him for that work – yet we know “Judas is gone to his own place”. Judas was sent out with the others to preach the Gospel saying the “kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Healed the sick. Cleansed the lepers. Cast out devils. Raised the dead. Yes – Judas Iscariot was indistinguishable from the others in his profession and his actions – even in the success of his works. If Judas miscarried in his efforts, scripture would have called it out, but it doesn’t. He was in with the rest of the disciples and active.
• Judas was so good at is act that in John 13:25, John the disciple asked Jesus who the betrayer was – and even after Jesus giving the clue of the sop in the dish, yet John didn’t understand. When Jesus told Iscariot to do what he had to do quickly, it says “no man at the table knew” (John 13:28). Judas was so similar to the others, he fit in without question.
• Man may go to great lengths to deceive others even as well as himself, yet – be as much a child of hell as Judas Iscariot; that is what we see in churches everywhere.

You are not saved by proximity. You are not saved by your works. Being part of the ten virgins (the complete visible body of Christ), does not mean being redeemed. Jesus said, “Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of My Father.” (Mt. 7:21).

Also as a note: the Bible says that the gate is narrow and few find it. Eight were saved in the ark. Three were saved from Sodom. Two entered the Promised Land. The original seventy disciples sent by Christ were reduced to 12 as the rest “walked with Him no more” John 6:66.

**A Note on the Number TEN as a number of completion in Scripture if time permits – just a quick mention:

• The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 5:6-21) Given by God to Moses, they form the complete moral law for Israel.
• The Ten Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12) The full judgment of God on Pharaoh and Egypt, leading to Israel’s release.
• The Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) A parable illustrating the completion of preparation for Christ’s return—five wise, five foolish.
• The Tithe (Genesis 14:20, Malachi 3:10) A tenth of income given to God, symbolizing complete financial dedication.
• The Ten Generations from Adam to Noah (Genesis 5) Represents the completion of an era, leading to judgment through the Flood.
• The Ten Generations from Shem to Abraham (Genesis 11:10-26) Marks the transition from Noah to the covenant with Abraham.
• The Ten Days of Testing (Daniel 1:12-15, Revelation 2:10) Daniel and his friends were tested for ten days with a strict diet—proving God’s faithfulness.
• The Church of Smyrna in Revelation faced ten days of persecution, symbolizing a complete trial.
• The Ten Toes of Nebuchadnezzar’s Statue (Daniel 2:41-42) Symbolic of the completion of world kingdoms before Christ’s ultimate reign.
• The Ten Horns on the Beast (Daniel 7:7, Revelation 13:1, Revelation 17:12) Represents complete political power of end-time rulers before God’s final judgment.
• The Ten Lepers Healed (Luke 17:11-19) A full representation of God’s grace and healing, though only one showed gratitude.

2. Delay Tests the Soul  

“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.” V5

Delay – the long period of waiting. The Lord is not asleep or forgetful but has decreed the beginning from the end, and does not lack mercy. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise… but is longsuffering to us-ward.” (2 Peter 3:9).

When delay comes, we see the test. When the darkness of midnight arrives, we see more clearly.

They all slumbered and slept. Both wise and foolish. Even the most watchful saints know seasons of spiritual dullness. But note this: the wise had oil before they slept. Their prepa ration preceded the delay. Here is a truth: a sudden return will not permit sudden preparation.

When the call is made and the trumpet sounds, the time for buying oil is past. Distractions are over. Time has run out.

3. The Midnight Cry – Final Separation  

“And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh!” v6

Midnight – the darkest and least expected hour. As with the Parable of the Midnight Friend, the occurrence here is midnight when it is darkest and man is least prepared. This is the sudden return of Christ. “As lightning cometh out of the east… so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.” Mt 24:27.

All ten virgins rise. All ten trim their lamps as they are all still careful and attending to their duty. But then the crisis: the foolish cry, “Our lamps are gone out!” v8. They don’t ask for light. They ask for oil. They had the appearance, but no substance. Now, in panic, they beg from the wise. Reality hits them that they lack what is necessary. They see clearly that their schemes and mechanizations don’t hold.

But grace is not transferable. You cannot rely on your parents’ salvation, your pastor’s prayers, your own church membership.

The wise say, “Not so… go and buy.” v9.  There is a right time for salvation – and it is now. 2 Corinthians 6:2b “behold, now is the day of salvation.” Not later. Not tomorrow. Giving attention to the necessary at an hour that’s too late, buying too late, praying too late, repenting too late – the bridegroom came and many were unprepared.

4. The Shut Door    

“And the door was shut.” v10

Finality. Fearfulness. Isaiah 33:14 “The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites.” The door of salvation was closed for those living to see that day. How many have had the door of mortal life closed, and were yet unprepared?

It is the very door of salvation, of heaven, of life eternal. And it is shut by the hand of the King. You cannot reopen it.

The foolish return. They cry with intensity, “Lord, Lord!” – the same cry as in Matthew 7. They do not deny Him. They do not curse Him. They plead with Him. But He says, “I know you not.” Same as these verses: Luke 13:24-27 “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.”

He doesn’t say, “I knew you once and you fell.” He says, “I never knew you.” They were never His. They were near the church, but far from Christ.

 “The door was shut.” That door, once closed, cannot be opened by man or angel – it has been closed by the hand of God as He has a determined day / hour / limit of judgment until He acts. John 7:6 – “Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.”

Genesis 15 details a conversation between Christ and Abraham regarding the promises where Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness. We also see in Genesis 15:16 where Christ makes an interesting comment not possessing the land until the iniquity of the Amorites not being full. Now contrast this against Romans 9:23, where God is patiently waiting for the vessels of wrath to be filled to capacity. Daniel 8:23 states “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full”. Matthew 23:31-33 ”Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers”. , 1 Thessalonians 2:16 “to fill up their sins” . There is a measured amount that only God knows, where His extreme patience has been exhausted and judgment begins on those souls prepared for wrath.

In our present “kingdom of heaven, we cannot see as God does. There can be relationships, allegiances, commitments that are not of God – yet go to fill up that measure mentioned in scripture.

4a. What Else? Depending on something other than Christ

Many cry, “Peace, peace,” but they don’t want the peace that passes all understanding. They only want a worldly peace. They want “Jesus”, but not His cross. They want “the kingdom”, but not the King’s Law and Decrees. They want heaven, but they want to get there on the world’s method. A promise of a false religion will not gain heaven.

These are the foolish virgins — outwardly waiting, inwardly spiritually blind and wandering.

They have made a treaty with the Gods of Egypt. They are still in secret love with their idols. Secret loyalties polluting them. False friends, forbidden unions and oaths, and fleshly indulgences are the alliances they think are hidden — but they will be brought to light when the cry is made, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh!” v6

If you are a friend of the world, you are at war with Christ. “Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” — James 4:4

4b. What Else? Spiritual Adultery: They have Two Loves

The foolish virgins say, “Lord, Lord,” but their hearts are divided. Their affection is not singular. They would have Christ — but also keep their favorite sin. They would walk with God — but also dine with devils. They would serve the Lord — but keep an idol on the shelf.

The Lord will not have a double-minded bride.

Elijah cried out on Mt. Carmel “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.” — 1 Kings 18:21. The crowd was silent, as they knew this was the moment of truth for them. They were uncommitted to God.

Their spiritual adultery shows itself in their associations — those who love their secret things more than the Lord’s house; those who entertain the world while professing to love the Bridegroom. Spiritual adultery brings spiritual death.

To be very clear: the Bridegroom is coming for a pure virgin — one not only clothed in His righteousness, but also loosed from sins of this age.

Oil in the lamp is the work of the Spirit — not merely light, but life. Not merely form, but true fire. Not strange fire like Nadab and Abihu offered – and were destroyed for in Numbers 26:61.

4c. What Else? The Cry at Midnight Will Expose All Hidden Associations

When the cry calls out — “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh!” — it is too late to break your alliances. The soul that spent its effort in worldly secret places will not make the marriage feast.

The foolish virgins will knock in desperation, but the door is shut. Why? Because the Bridegroom never knew them. Their outward show of religion was betrayed by inward alliances with falsehood.

Let every man examine his heart. What oaths are binding on you? What ropes of association draw your soul toward the gates of Sodom? What secrets, what unspoken allegiance, blindfolded vows, what hidden desire has placed itself between you and the Lord?

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” — Psalm 66:18

4d. Come Out and Be Separate

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” — 2 Corinthians 6:17

This is the call to the wise virgins — to be free from any and all rival allegiances. To renounce the hidden works of darkness. To forsake unclean fellowships and uneven yokes of darkness. Now is the day to stand openly, wholly, visibly with Christ.

The person who would have the Bridegroom feast must forsake the world’s banquet.

5. The Call to Watchfulness and Readiness 

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour…” v13

This is Christ’s conclusion. Not to speculate on dates. Not to sleep because of delay. But to watch. To watch is to live ready. To watch is to keep your vessel full. Be ye filled with the Holy Spirit as we discussed in the Parable of the Midnight Friend. To watch is to abide in Christ, to confess sin quickly, to walk in the Spirit, to keep oil in your lamp.

Be prepared for the midnight cry.

Revelation 3:1-3  “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.”

The Bridegroom cometh.

Luke 11:5-13

“The Parable of the Midnight Friend & the Sovereignty of God in Prayer”

I. Introduction

• Context: This passage follows Jesus’ teaching of the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1-4). It continues the theme of prayer, emphasizing persistence, trust, and God’s sovereignty in answering prayers. A note on the Lord’s Prayer as the KJV begins with “Our Father, which art in heaven” and it is omitted from the ESV:
  • The Lord’s Prayer precedes the text we study here. There is a difference between the ESV and other versions as ESV omits parts of said in Matthew 6.
  • As a note, The 1563 Reformed Heidelberg Catechism, the King James, Martin Luther’s “Shorter Catechism”, an the 1662 “Book of Common Prayer” from the English Reformation all read more like the Matthew 6 passage. The LXX reads like the ESV using “?????” or “Father” where “which art in heaven” would be understood by the context.
  • In the Matthew 6 Olivet Discourse, many of the same parables appear, was Dr. Luke is paraphrasing Mt 6? Possibly, but the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray the way John the Baptist prayed, and Matthew 6 is more a public setting.

II. The Parable of the Midnight Friend (Luke 11:5-8)

A. The Context of the Parable (v. 5-6)

• This is written from the first person listener (those hearing Jesus) being the one who goes to his friend at night. We are the ones without bread. We are the ones with a traveler that is hungry, and we are the one with nothing to offer. Jesus is speaking to you / me. We are in a panic with nothing to offer because first the visitor is unexpected, and I am unprepared. I go to my friend’s house asking for three loaves because I’ve lacked in my own preparation.
• Thought: How often are we unprepared when prayer is needed, and we are taken unawares – just like the man seeking bread, we have left off being prepared. Jesus JUST said “give us our daily bread”, and the person in the parable has no bread. Not petitioning God daily? What is the message to us? In John 6:35, Jesus is called the “bread of life” – providing our sustenance as daily manna as was provided in the desert for 40 years to the Hebrews – and that bread only lasted for a day – and God provided again the next day. For 40 years daily. In the preceding verses, Jesus mentions “our daily bread”

• Spiritual poverty is the result of a lack of prayer. Christ is sufficient for all needs, but are we do we pray? Does just being a Christian enough? As the man in the parable went to his friend empty-handed, so we come to Christ with nothing to offer – and how much more is Christ able to provide?

• Daily bread! Asked for daily. Matthew 6:34- “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Daily bread lasts for today. God rained bread daily on the Hebrews to cause them to depend on Him.

B. The Reluctance of the “Friend” (v. 7)

• The friend initially refuses, as it was inconvenient to rise. He answers, but does not immediately rise to respond. The “friend” responds with “Don’t bother me”.
• Thought: Friends are willing to help when the time is right, but often not when it’s inconvenient. God’s readiness to hear our prayers – the contrast between the human and divine. God delights in hearing from His own children and responding to His elect in accordance with His divine will “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24). God is not reluctant like our human friends.

C. The Power of Persistence (v. 8)

• The friend gives in because of the man’s importunity (persistent asking). The Greek word translated as importunity implies shameless persistence. “Importunity” (???????? – Anaídeia – Ah-‘Ny-Day-Uh) – Luke 11:8 “I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.” (KJV) Your friend is only willing to wake and help you not because you are his friend, but because you are beating his door down. This word is only used once in the entire New Testament. It is also translated as “importunity” (KJV) or “persistence” (NIV) or “impudence” (ESV).
• Luke 18:1-6 – the Parable of the Unjust Judge who did not regard God. Similar idea “lest by her continual coming she weary me”. Christ summarizes in Verse 8: “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”
• Jesus Christ in Gethsemane. Luke 22:40-44 – “ And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” “If you be willing”. “Not my will”. Agony. And He went along further. Are we going further??
• As this word only occurs once, the implication of this word is not a singular thought in scripture at all. Persistence in “means” is not a rare thing. The puritans spoke often about the “use of means of grace”. Are we using the means of grace available to us?
• And this: Matthew 11:12 – “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” What does this mean? Heaven suffereth violence? Puritan pastor Thomas Watson in the 1600’s said that “while the meek inherit the earth, the violent inherit heaven.” How does heaven suffer violence? It is violence to flesh so we can positionally be prepared to approach God in prayer:
  • Do violence to our sins – Romans 6:6 – “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him (that is, with Christ), that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” So long as we live, we will be dealing with our flesh that would like to rise up.

• Do violence to our actions – Ephesians 4:22 – “That ye put off concerning the former conversation (life / lifestyle) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts”.
• Do violence to our priorities. It takes effort to put off things of the world and distractions to read God’s Word. Everything else wants to intrude and become a priority. God God’s word the priority.
• Do violence to our thoughts – Meditate on Holy things, God’s severity against sin and His holy hatred of sin, uncoupling ourselves from this world. We should be meditating on heaven, and offer violence to heaven with our prayers.
• Thought: Perseverance / importunity is a mark of genuine faith. Unbelievers do not have this, as the unbeliever only sees sanctification as a waste of time. This does not mean we can force God’s hand because His will is determined, but it illustrates God’s ordained means — He commands us to persist in prayer as part of His sovereign plan – it is commanded.
  • Prayer does not change God’s mind, but aligns us with His will (1 John 5:14-15) “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
  • *With Abraham on the Plains of Mamre in Genesis 28, God’s mind was settled, but Abraham left off his persistence under the assumption that there would be ten righteous in Sodom. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was settled, but had Abraham continued to ask, he could have learned the full intention of God.*
• Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:55-58 “I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the low dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not. O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.” Jeremiah gives thanks even from his lowest despair.

• Jonah 2: 2-9 “And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God. When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.” Jonah gives thanks even from his lowest despair.

III. The Call to Prayer: Ask, Seek, Knock (Luke 11:9-10)

A. Threefold Command (v. 9)

• Ask – Demonstrates humility, acknowledging our dependence on God. ????? (aite?)
• Seek – Implies diligence in pursuing God’s will. ????? (z?te?)
• Knock – Requires perseverance in faith. ????? (krou?)
• “Ask, Seek, Knock” (A Continuous Action) – Luke 11:9-10 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”  These verbs are in the present active imperative tense, meaning continuous action:  “Keep on asking” “Keep on seeking” “Keep on knocking”.
• Thought: These verbs’ tense are emphasizing ongoing, consistent, urgent prayer. However, only the elect will persist in true prayer, because God has first drawn them to Himself (John 6:44) as no one comes to Christ unless the Father has drawn him in. James 4:8 – “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” The use of means (prayer) and method (importunity) are declared in scripture. Those not regenerated by God may speak and speak much, but will not be heard.

B. The Certainty of God’s Answer (v. 10)  “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

• Persistence brings us into alignment with God’s will. Why? Because Jesus has said so in the text.
• God hears the prayers of His children, though He may not always answer as we expect. It can be yes, no, or later – hence the need for importunity. An answer of “Yes” is always a blessing and reveals we are in alignment with the will of God, and often the answer of No is also a blessing – we may not now see what was avoided or what we may have been saved from or we may have been asking for a lesser blessing when God wants to answer with His best. Not our best.
• An example of “later importunity” would be Revelation 6:9-11 “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” Later for these saints was yet in heaven / yet they were still importune toward the throne of grace. God will eventually answer.
• Often we fail because of our lack of faith and perseverance.
• Thought: Prayer is not a blank check for receiving whatever we want. God answers prayers according to His will, not ours (James 4:2b-3 “ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts., Romans 8:27 “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” The elect will ultimately seek spiritual rather than carnal blessings (Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”). Let us not continue to pray in the give me, give me, give me attitude, but in “whatever you deem to be the best for me, Lord” attitude.

IV. The Father’s Goodness in Answered Prayer (Luke 11:11-13)

A. Earthly Fathers and Their Gifts (v. 11-12) – Let me develop a thought:

• “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone?” Some translations (ESV) uses the ask of a fish and giving a serpent. The idea is the same. God will not give His child something harmful – He is a good God Whom loves His children. We want God’s will and His best. God wants to give us His best.
• Thomas Watson, “Heaven Taken my Storm” – In the Book of Esther, she stands before the King Asashuerus with his golden scepter and tells Esther:  5:3 “Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.” We have a Heavenly Father Whom loves us and tells His children: Luke 12:32 – “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Not a half kingdom, but the entire kingdom. That is the goodness of our Heavenly Father. We want God’s will and His best. God wants to give us His best.
• 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 “Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” There is not one single thing that God is not willing to give you in accordance with His will. Not one thing. If there was one single thing that was held back, then scripture would be wrong when it says “all things”. (The End of the Wicked Contemplated by the Righteous – Jonathan Edwards). We want God’s will and His best. God wants to give us His best.
• The partition between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was a curtain and not a door, and at the death of Christ, the veil was torn in twain from the top to the bottom giving us the same access as the priest. We can ask God our heart’s delight because we now have access. Mark 15:38. ?????????? – it is finished and forever stands complete. And we can ask. We want God’s will and His best. God wants to give us His best.
• Even sinful parents give good gifts to their children, and the general graces of God are also shed on the ungodly to reinforce the goodness of God generally to mankind, but He will not hear their prayer regardless of importunity.
• Thought: If sinful fathers provide for their children, how much more will the perfectly sovereign and good God provide for His elect? Are we asking amiss for lesser or lower things? If the cattle on a thousand hills belong to Him, too often we come to God as a pauper forgetting the knowledge that we approach the One Whom spoke the worlds into existence and sustains them with the Word of His power. We want God’s will and His best. God wants to give us His best. This leads us to this:

B. Here is the BEST AND THE GOAL OF ASKING – The Gift of the Holy Spirit (v. 13)

• After going this far in the study, I am sorry to disappoint you to say God’s best for you isn’t a new car, new house, perfect health, new clothes. New job. God’s best is the presence of His Holy Spirit.
• “How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” “How Much More”: ???? ?????? (pos? mallon). A rhetorical formula used in Jewish argumentation with Jesus arguing from the lesser to the greater:
• This passage parallels Matthew 7:11, where Jesus speaks of giving good gifts. Here we see the “Divine Passive” – it shall be given, you shall find, it shall be opened. This is akin to digging for a buried treasure. Not forced on you, but given freely to those that are willing to ask persistently.
• Here, the ultimate gift is the Holy Spirit—the greatest blessing a believer can receive.
• Thought:  The Spirit’s presence in a believer’s life is proof of election (Ephesians 1:13-14 “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”). The unsaved pray for material things, but only the elect hunger for the Spirit (Psalm 42:1-2 “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”) God grants the Holy Spirit to those whom He has chosen  – Acts 2:39 “For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself”. That is, only His elect.
• The Holy Spirit will assist you in “seeing God”. We cannot apprehend God without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We cannot apprehend God without His Word – which is illuminated by the Holy Spirit. When we properly apprehend God through the Holy Spirit, many things will happen to us.
  • We will purify our hearts
  • We will highly esteem His Word
  • We will become humble before Him

V. Application: The Proper Approach to Prayer

1. The Sovereignty of God in Prayer

• God has decreed all things from eternity past (Ephesians 1:11 “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will”). Yet, He commands us to pray because prayer is His ordained means to accomplish His will. Prayer does not change God’s plan, but it changes our hearts to align with His purposes. We are His children. We May not see His complete outcome as He does, but He still implores us to pray with importunity to seek His will for our lives.

2. Praying According to God’s Will

• True, effectual prayer is not about manipulating God (because you can’t), but about seeking His will (1 John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us”). Where can see find God’s will? From God’s Word. You will not find it in the newspapers or on TV or the internet. God has chosen to reveal Himself in one place, and that is in His Word. Luke 16:17 – “And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.” Is there freedom in asking? Yes, so long as it agrees with His will – period.
• The Holy Spirit intercedes for believers when they do not know what to pray for (Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words”). When we lack words, He takes over. If you let Him.
• Sometimes, those praying are left empty. There may be reasons:
  • Are you seeking in pride and not in humility?
  • Are you seeking diligently? Too many are lazily seeking in prayer. The one in the Song of Solomon desired her love, but only looked in bed first – it required her to search more earnestly in the city and broader ways – Song of Solomon 3:1-2.
  • We are not searching with all our heart: Jeremiah 29:13 “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

3. The Greatest Gift: The Holy Spirit

• Many seek earthly blessings, but the greatest request we can make is for more of God Himself. The Holy Spirit is the seal of our salvation and the power for sanctification (Ephesians 1:13-14), and like the Greeks at the feast in John 12:21 “we would see Jesus” – make having more of God your goal in life. The presence of the Holy Spirit is not manifest in a “sign gift”, or other outward physical manifestation, but comes in the confidence that you belong to Him and have assurance of salvation. The Holy Spirit is parakl?tos (??????????) means “called alongside” or “one who is called”. It’s a verbal adjective that’s often used to describe someone who is called to help in court. In Christ, you are never alone, but have the help of the Holy Spirit – the third person of the Trinity – who is referred to as “He” by Jesus. John 16:13- “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

4. The Assurance of God’s Goodness

• God does not always grant our requests immediately, but He always gives what is best. Often, God withholds lesser blessings to give greater spiritual gifts and blessings. Jesus pointed to the Holy Spirit as the highest gift, explaining that God gives spiritual blessings more readily than earthly ones. Seek the best gifts.