All right, we are in 1st Peter chapter number 1 look down at your Bibles at verse number 1
It says Peter an apostle of Jesus Christ to the stranger scattered throughout Pontius
Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bithynia elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through sanctification of the Spirit
unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ grace unto you and peace be
multiplied and the title of sermon this morning is
foreknowledge
predestination and
election foreknowledge predestination and
election and the part that I'm focusing on is verse number 2 where it says elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through
sanctification of the Spirit now foreknowledge
Predestination and election if you've you know been a Christian for any length of time
I'm sure you've run into this false doctrine known as Calvinism now Calvinism uses these words
In fact, these are the Calvinistic buzzwords that they would commonly use to teach their false doctrine
But one word they really like to stay away from is not predestination. It's not election
It's foreknowledge and the reason for that is because foreknowledge the doctrine of foreknowledge
Just completely destroys the concept of false doctrine of predestination according to the Calvinist. It destroys the false doctrine of
Unconditional election according to the Calvinist because it's so clear what the Bible teaches in regards to these now
these are biblical terms amen and
These are phrases as I mentioned that have been perverted and rested to define a false doctrine known as
unconditional election and
Irresistible grace now, what are the what do these things mean? Well unconditional election. Basically what they state is due to man's
Total depravity which by the way is another false doctrine
Man cannot in and of himself
Seek after God, okay, man and himself, you know can't choose to trust Christ as his Savior
Can't choose to seek after God because they're totally depraved in other words
They believe that because the Bible says friend me that is in my flesh dwelleth
No good thing they take that as and just a carte blanche statement that basically states that we can't seek after God
Okay that we don't have it within ourselves to actually place our faith in Christ now
Irresistible grace works in tandem with this and is the teaching that basically states that the elect those who are saved
Cannot resist when God draws them unto them
So in other words if you're saved
It's because you're the elect and the reason you're elect is because God chose you before the foundation of the world to be
Saved this is what these false doctrines are teaching here now
Here's what's foolish about these both of these teachings is the fact that the Bible tells us
That God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance
So if the Bible is telling us that God's will is for all men to be saved
Then that would contradict these two false doctrines
Because he's not willing whereas the Calvinistic doctrine teaches note
Well, he's willing to save some but willing to send others to hell before they even get to choose
Okay, the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the Savior of all men
But especially into them that believe the Bible tells us so this shows us that he's our Savior
But you know what the lost people who were out there who are not saved. He is still their Savior
Why because he died for everyone that's why he is the Savior of us the justified as well as the condemned
Okay, and look
This would be foolish to think that we can't choose
Even though the Bible constantly says that we have our own will
That we must call upon the name of the Lord to be saved that if thou should confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus
And believe in thine heart, you know
These are commandments that are given to us to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
But not only that think about this the reason why we are sinners is because the law has slain us has it not
Well that same law the Bible says the Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 7 states this he says I had not known lust
Except the law had said, you know thou shall not covet
Well, the Bible also says of the law that it is our schoolmaster to what to bring us unto Christ
So the Bible specifically tells us that obviously the law cannot save because the Bible tells us therefore we conclude that a man is justified
By faith without the deeds of the law, but you know what the law is there to show us that we need a Savior
So to be totally depraved would completely make null and void
The fact that the law is our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ to help us to realize
That we need a Savior
the Bible says that God will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of
The truth now go with me if you would to John chapter number 10 John chapter number 10 if you would
What is the title of the sermon for knowledge predestination and
election for knowledge predestination and
Election let me say this if you could simply understand what for knowledge is according to the Bible you can understand the biblical
Term predestination and election and there's a lot of people to get mixed up with both of these words
And in fact even safe people can get mixed up in this crowd just because it says predestined to be
predestinated unto something and
automatically what people will do is
Associate that with salvation right well if it's predestined that means we're predestined to be saved
But you know what a destiny basically means a path that we have and it's not in reference to salvation
Okay
Let's talk about for knowledge first and foremost. What does for knowledge mean?
Okay, because again if we can get this definition down if we could understand this clearly
predestination according to the Calvinist and
Election just falls apart. Okay. Why because for knowledge basically means to know something of for time a
For means something early. So knowledge means to know something it's to know something before it even happens
That's what for knowledge means right and the Bible tells us that God has a for knowledge of things
That's why what the Bible says that he is omniscient. He knows all things. He knows them before they even take place
now what the Calvinist will do is
Claim that this word basically means not that he knows something a for time but rather that he predetermined something a for time
That's not what that means to have knowledge of something is not to determine something
It's to know of something before it takes place right to have knowledge of it
This is what for knowledge means and let me say this is that the Bible tells us that God knoweth them that are his
Okay, what does that mean when we get saved the Bible tells us the biblical phrase to say that we're saved
Okay, is that God knows us and the reason I say this because there's a lot of churches that
Get a lot of phrases mixed up and they use unbiblical terms for salvation. You know, I have a relationship with Jesus
I got a relationship with God. Oh, they'll say this. I know God
How many times have you gone gone to a door out so many and you say are you hundred percent sure that if you die
Today you go to heaven. Of course. I know God
Well, that's unbiblical
because here's the thing I'm saved and I still don't know him as of yeah as much as I should because the way we gain
knowledge of God is by growing in grace and in the laws of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and
Jesus said search the scriptures for in them. You think you have eternal life and they are which testify of me
So in order for us to get to know the Father
We have to get to know the Son in order for us to get to know the Son
Guess what? We have to get to know the Bible
That's all we know God, but that doesn't mean that we're saved. Okay by knowing God
In fact, the Bible tells us in Galatians 4 9
But now after they have known God or rather are known of God
How turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements where until you desire again to be in bondage?
This is why we see in Matthew chapter 7 the person who's gonna get cast into the lake of fire who says Lord
Lord what is God tell him depart from me ye workers of iniquity. I never knew you
It doesn't say you never knew me
God is saying I never knew you why because salvation means that God knows you. Okay. Look at John chapter 10 verse 25
Jesus answered them I told you and ye believe not the works that I do in my father's name
They bear witness of me
But ye believe not because he are not of my sheep as I said unto you my sheep hear my voice and I
Know them and they follow me and I give them to them eternal life and they shall never perish
Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand go with me if you went to the book of Nahum in your Old Testament
Nahum chapter number one
So what does the foreknowledge mean if we get that definition if we just break down that word?
That means to know something a four time and we look what the Bible says about salvation that God knows us
What does it mean when the Bible talks about foreknowledge? It means God knows a
Four time who's gonna reject Jesus Christ and who is not
He knows prior to everything taking place
Who is going to reject the free gift of salvation and who is going to receive the free gift of salvation?
It's something that he knows it doesn't mean he predetermines it. It just means he knows the outcome thereof
Why is that? Well because God dwells in the vastness of eternity
Which means that he sees everything from the beginning all the way up into the end
I mean on God's timetable in the vastness of eternity, you know, the book of Revelation has already taken place
That's why the Bible tells us of Jesus Christ who is the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world
Well, that's weird because wasn't he slain physically in this time 2,000 years ago
But you know on God's timetable in the vastness of eternity in God's perspective. He's already been slain
Okay, look, let me give you another example in Revelation chapter 7
There is a great multitude which no man can number and this is talking about the rapture and guess what you're there
Now are we there right now? No, not in not in this time not in this realm so to speak
But you know what because God saw it and he lives in the vastness of eternity
He sees that as though it's art. It's already happened
He calls those things which are not as though they were the Bible says in Romans chapter number four
So it's hard sometimes to wrap our mind around
Having this panoramic view of eternity or of the world through eternities perspective
But that's the basic way that we can understand is that God sees everything from beginning to end
He already sees the bad decisions that you're gonna make today or this week
He hasn't determined that you've made those decisions. And in fact, you can change those decisions, but God knows what decisions you're gonna make
That doesn't mean he has predetermined for you to make them though. Okay, because we have a free will now
again, as I mentioned
He knows who's gonna get saved and who's not look what the Bible says in verse 7 of Nahum chapter 1. The Lord is good a
Stronghold in the day of trouble look what it says and he knoweth them that trust in him
So when the Bible says that he knows them, what does he know he knows if you're trusting in him or not
He knows if you're saved
he knows if you've believed on the Lord Jesus Christ because the Lord knoweth them that are his and
Everyone who has this seal the Bible says the seal is the Holy Spirit, right?
He knows them that are his go with if you went to Acts chapter 15 Acts chapter 15
for
Knowledge predestination and election
Look at Acts chapter 15 and verse number 7
It says here in verse number 7 and when there had been much disputing Peter rose up and said unto the men and brethren
You know how that a good while ago
God made choice among us that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel and believe and God which knoweth the
Hearts bear them witness
Giving them the Holy Ghost even as he did unto us. So these people believed on the Lord Jesus Christ
God knows their hearts and because of that he bore witness of it. Therefore they received the Holy Ghost, right and
Put no difference between us and them
purifying their hearts by
Faith so again, we see here that God knows the hearts. What does it mean when he knows the hearts?
Does that mean he's like there's some cardiologist and just knows all the veins, you know
No, what he's referring to there is the fact that he knows if they believed in their heart the Lord Jesus
Right. He knows it's not referring to the muscle in your chest
It's referring to your belief system when the Bible talks about your heart
It's often referenced to what you used to believe what you used to place your faith in is the seed of emotions
But it's also the seed of where you place your faith in
Okay
And so he says which knoweth the hearts bear them witness giving them the Holy Ghost even as he did unto us
Now go to John chapter 6 if you would John chapter 6 so
for knowledge is fairly simple to understand in its foundation in order to understand these biblical terms of
Predestination and election it means he knows something that's going to take place before it even happens. Okay?
Look at verse 60 of John chapter 6
It says many therefore of his disciples
When they had heard this said this is an hard saying who can hear it
When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it he said unto them that this offend you
What and if you shall see the Son of Man has sent up where he was before it is the spirit the quick in it
The flesh profiteth nothing the words that I speak unto you there are spirit in their life
But there are some of you that believe not for Jesus knew from the beginning
Who they were that believed not and who should betray him now, who is this talking about Judas?
You know what the funny thing about that about that in this very chapter
He says have not I chosen you 12 and one of you is a devil
Well that just flies in the face of Calvinism that flies in the face of Reformed theology
Because of the fact that they believe election means that he chose them for salvation. Well, hold on a second
Jesus chose 12 and one of them was a devil
Explain that to me Calvinist explain that to me, you know, John MacArthur
Without referencing your your books your John Calvin books your Spurgeon books explain that to me
Oh on the King James the King James got it wrong. Put elect there if you want them
It means the same thing
so we got a we got a problem because if they're chosen and they're elect but
Judas is the son of perdition
They're not that means they're not really chosen for eternal life
Now is it it means he chose them to bring forth fruit? He chose them and ordained them to be apostles
understand
But here we see that Jesus knew from the beginning
Who they were that believed not and who should betray him and look this is a knowledge that God has
Before the foundation of the world and this is important
Let's get a time frame as to when he knows these things look go with the view. It's a revelation chapter 13
revelation chapter 13
The
Bible will often use the phrase
Before the foundation of the world to describe what we can say is eternity past
Right because it's hard for us to really grasp our minds around this concept of eternity and we can use something
You know a phrase as simple as eternity past before the foundation of the world
Okay
It's used to give us a timestamp because of the fact that eternity is outside of the scope of our time
In fact, Jesus said speaking of God the Father. He says for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world
What is he saying that he loved Jesus in eternity past? All right, and
As I mentioned Jesus was slain from the foundation of the world, but within the our time he was slain 2,000 years ago
Look at revelation 1380 says and all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him whose names are not
Written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world go to chapter 17 if you would
chapter 17
Now think about this
With this concept of foreknowledge if God knows who's gonna be saved and who's not or let me say this if God knows who's gonna
Be saved in like manner if he knows who's going to heaven. That means he already knows who's going to hell
right
He knows who's going to hell and in fact, he knows who's going to become a reprobate
Reprobate means someone who is beyond the hope of salvation. They can no longer be saved
Okay, the Bible says now is Janus and Jabrys withstood Moses
So do these also resist the truth men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the faith
these are people who could no longer be saved and
People who balk at the reprobate doctrine would need to explain what revelation 17 verse 8 says
The beast that thou saw'st was and is not and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit and go into perdition
And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder whose names were not written in the book of life
From the foundation of the world because we have to be in the book of life in order to have eternal life, right?
When they behold the beast that was and is not and yet is so you have one group that basically doesn't believe in the reprobate doctrine
But can't explain this verse
But then you have the Calvinists who will say we'll see people people who are reprobates have been reprobates for all time
Not necessarily. Okay, because remember we're dealing with something outside of the scope of eternity
So God knows who will become a reprobate and let me just say this every person's name
Even the people we're gonna talk to this afternoon the people who are not yet saved. They are already in the book of life
You understand?
Your name before you got saved started out in the book of life
You say how do you know? Well, that's what the Bible tells us that he's not willing that any should perish
So he puts your name there
Hoping right that you trust his son as your Savior
however
when you reject Christ either when you die and go to hell or you become a reprobate the Bible specifically says that your name is
Blotted out of the book of life
Okay, and we know that to be true because the Bible tells it the only time you ever seen someone taken out of the book
Of life is when they die or they become a reprobate
So Calvinists explain this if that only happens when someone dies and goes to hell or someone becomes reprobate
How is it that God predetermined for them to become reprobate before the foundation of the world? I
Know this is a little deep here
But we need to understand this
Concept because when you read your Bible you get confused or you're gonna get find yourself a Calvinist who's gonna trip you up and you
Have to understand this. Okay. Look the Bible is deep. Amen
You know, I don't know if there's a football game going on today or whatever it may be but put that aside
This is important
Whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world God foreknew
Who was gonna be condemned?
Already who was gonna reject Christ as their Savior. This is why Calvinism is so dangerous
Because if you think about a Calvinism has a lot of similar beliefs to us
But it's a warped belief system
You know, they believe in covenant theology. We believe in replacement theology. Okay, they believe that God hates people
So do we but the difference is they believe that God has always hated them
We believe that the Bible tells us that he will love them no more
So there's a time when he did and then afterwards when they reject Christ and they hate God
God begins to hate them
They become haters of God. That's what the Bible says and the Bible tells us that God hates all workers of iniquity
You cannot reconcile that verse without stating. Well, it is what it is. That's what it says and
So they're very there the Lions have a tendency to be blended a little bit if you're not careful
We don't believe the same thing. Okay
Now go to Jude verse 7 Jude verse 7
So
He foreknows who will be saved he foreknows who will trust Christ
But he also foreknows who will reject him who will become a reprobate
He knows these things and look what the Bible says in Jude verse 4
It says for there are certain men crept in unawares who were before of old
ordained
to this condemnation
Ungodly men turning the grace of our God into lascivious. There you go. See they're ordained
God ordained them before the foundation of the world to this condemnation called help. Well, let's keep reading and
Denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ
So why are they ordained because he knew that they would deny the Lord Jesus Christ
That's why the Bible tells us in second Peter chapter 2 verse 2 that
now
What's the verse here? Let's just turn there. I
Don't want to misquote it
It says but there are false prophets also among the people second Peter 2 verse 1
Even as there shall be false teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies
Even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction
So we see here that the reason they're teaching false doctrine is because they've already denied the Lord you understand
So this is something that God knows previously now, so this is for knowledge, okay
Please understand this
The only thing that God chooses in regards to salvation
listen up, the only thing that God elects that God chooses for salvation is
How he's gonna distribute that salvation
Not who is distributed to
But how it's distributed you say how is that through Jesus Christ he actually had to choose
to send his son Jesus Christ
The manner of salvation in which he chose was through faith
That is what was predetermined that is predestined
That is something that God chose that Jesus Christ would pay for the sins of the world
So the manner of which salvation came was chosen the manner of which or to whom is distributed is not
Okay, we have a free will to choose that God chose the manner of salvation
He but he foreknows who's gonna be safe go to Acts chapter number 2 if you would Acts chapter number 2
Let me let me show you an example of this Acts chapter number 2
Acts chapter number 2
Now look at verse number 21
It says and it shall come to pass that whosoever not the elect
whosoever
Shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved
You men of Israel hear these words Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs
Which God did by him in the midst of you as he yourselves also know him speaking of Jesus being delivered
by the determinant
Counsel and foreknowledge of God. So what does the determinant counsel means? It means God instructed for this to happen
Right, but guess what? He also foreknew it as well
Because of the fact that people have their own will and he knew that these people were going to reject Christ
He knew that they were going to crucify him. He knew that they were going to betray him
But you know what? It's also part of his determinant counsel that Jesus Christ should die for the sins of the world
That's why it states being delivered by the determinant counsel and foreknowledge of God
Well, no, no, I don't agree with that I think it just means that you know he ordained these men
basically to crucify him it says here ye have taken and
By wicked hands have crucified and slain. So who is he placing the responsibility on the people who actually crucified him?
Which shows you that it was based upon the foreknowledge you see
He didn't choose what specific Roman soldiers were going to crucify him. He just chose that Jesus Christ would come and die and
He knew because he has that foreknowledge that omniscience from eternity past that this was going to take place. Okay
Whom God has raised up having loosed the pains of death because it was not possible that he should be holding of it
Go to 1st Peter chapter number 1 if you would 1st Peter chapter number 1
So the determinant counsel the instruction that God gave was that Jesus Christ should pay for the sins of the whole world
By the way, which flies in the face of this stupid doctrine of dispensationalism
Because according to them God
Determines for people to be saved in the Old Testament by sacrificing animals by keeping the law of Moses
Even though the Bible clearly tells us that it is impossible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins
It's impossible the Bible says it's impossible for a man to be justified by the deeds of the law
The laws there to show us that we're sinners that we need a Savior
But yet they have this foolish doctrine that teaches us that you know, there are different Gospels
They're the only way we're saved by. Oh, yeah, it's it's it's through faith in Christ in the Old Testament, but it was faith and works
Right now is just through Jesus Christ and in the book of Revelation when the Antichrist has ruined the world
It'll be through faith and works again. These guys are obsessed with works
They just want to fit works anywhere you you go. Okay
But the Bible says here that it's the determinant counsel and foreknowledge of God how they should be saved
Look at first Peter 1 verse 18
For as much as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation
Received by tradition from your fathers
But with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot
Who barely was foreordained?
Before the foundation of the world but was made but was manifest in these last times for you
Who by him do believe in God that raised up from the dead and gave him glory that your faith and hope might be in
God so what was foreordained the slain of his son Jesus Christ?
Okay, go to Acts chapter 13 if you would actually up to 13
Acts chapter 13
Now a couple weeks ago what happened here we went independent amen and I was ordained as the pastor
Now when we hear that word ordination
Automatically or when someone gets ordained it means basically that they were chosen to be that pastor
And that is a proper definition of that word
But it is not without a secondary definition, which also means that they're instructed
You understand?
So i'm instructed i'm commanded
By our sending church faithful word baptist church and pastor stephen l anderson
To be the pastor here to preach the word of god to fulfill the office of a bishop
I am instructed I was commanded
To be the overseer of the flock of god, which is here. You understand?
So with that works in tandem with being chosen because we're choosing you to be commanded to do these things you understand
So just get to have that take that in mind and understand that ordain not only means chosen, but it also means instructed
Commanded you understand look at verse 46 then paul and barnabas wax bold and said
It was necessary that the word of god should first have been spoken to you
But seeing you put it from you
You
And judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life. Well, hold on a second. I thought they were totally depraved
I thought they were totally depraved. I thought you know, they couldn't resist the word of god
No, in fact the bible says that they felt that they're unworthy. They didn't want it
unworthy of eternal life we turn to the gentiles
For so hath look what the bible says the lord commanded us saying I have set thee to be a light of the gentiles
That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth and when the gentiles heard this they were glad
And glorified the word of the lord and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. What does that mean?
As many as were commanded
To believe on the lord jesus christ believe
And who's the command for whosoever?
You understand?
So it says here that the lord commanded to be a light into the gentiles and in verse 48 it tells us that
As many as were ordained to eternal life believe now the calvinists like to take this and say well as many as were chosen
As many as were elect as many as god chose for salvation believe
Okay, but this is false. And in fact, you know if this were true
We shouldn't have church. We shouldn't go soul winning. We shouldn't preach the gospel. Why because the irresistible grace of god
To just hit you
At whatever moment
And you've already believed
Belief starts from who knows when before the foundation of the world
Why you're a little baby in uh in your mother's womb you're already saved
You know, and by the way, that's why they like to talk about john the baptist, you know
He was ordained because you know, he was filled with the holy ghost from the womb, right?
Well, it doesn't say that the holy ghost dwelt within him from dwelt within him from the womb
It says that he was filled with the holy ghost from the womb
Okay, so to have the holy spirit actually come and be sealed within you that means salvation
But the spirit of god because this is the old testament that we're talking about when john the baptist was born
The spirit of god would also come upon unsaved people all the time
Okay, that's the sermon for another day. But as many as were ordained as many as were commanded to eternal life believed, okay
So ordained means to command to choose and that's why the bible tells us that there are many called
but few chosen
Why are the few chosen because few actually believe on the lord? Jesus christ many are called in other words. See there's another problem
That's another breach in their doctrine
Because those who are elect are those who are called
But hold on a second. Why does it say many are called but few are chosen?
Well, that's because the calling for salvation is for everyone but not everyone's going to believe on the lord. Jesus christ
Therefore not everyone will be chosen. All right
Okay
Go to act chapter 17 if you would
act chapter 17
foreknowledge
Predestination and election, you know
It's pretty clear what the bible teaches in regards to the foreknowledge of god that god knows these things before
They take place look at act chapter 17 verse 30
And the times of this ignorance god winked at but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent
Because he had the point of the day in which he will judge the world in righteousness
By that man whom he hath ordained
Wherefore he hath given assurance unto all men
And that he raised him from the dead. Who is the man that got ordained? Jesus christ
He's the man who was chosen
He's the man that god commanded to come to seek and to save that which is lost and it tells us there
That he hath given assurance to all men, okay
Okay
So this is important to understand in order to grasp the concept the concept of predestination go to ephesians if you would
ephesians chapter number one
So it's pretty clear
Foreknowledge means that god knows prior to everything taking place what's going to take place, correct?
Now with that being said now we laid that foundation. It's pretty thick. It's pretty heavy now
We can build there upon now we can look on predestination now
We can look on election now. We can look what the bible actually says because these are biblical terms
And we should not shy away from them
We should not be afraid to explain them because there are biblical terms found within the king james bible that we should know
And learn from and understand what they mean
Now predestination, what does that word mean? Okay, don't let that word scare you to
Predestinate means to have a previous plan for you
Right to destined someone prior to it even happening, okay?
But here's the question. What are we being predestined for?
Well, the people who are obsessed with repenting your sins and election they'll say it's always about salvation
God predestines you this is they get this from john calvin, okay?
But here's the thing first and foremost we're predestined unto good works
Right
So when we get saved god has a plan for us
What to do in this world we have purpose in life
You know when you get saved, it's not like oh, you know, you get saved and you're just worthless and you just
There's no plan god's not going to use you. No, he has a plan for you
He has a purpose for your life. He has works for you to do
And look the bible says this for by grace are you saved through faith in that not of yourselves
That is the gift of god not of works lest any man should boast and then it says for we are his workmanship
created in christ jesus
unto good works
Which god has before ordained that we should walk in them
Now hold on a second. Does it say that we will walk in them?
Now god is saying look I have a work for you to do and you should
Walk in them why because you are god's workmanship
So he has predetermined
What type of work?
You can do okay now
Here's the thing that's why you gotta understand and figure out what are your talents?
Right. What are what are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? That's why it's important to learn the gospel to learn the bible
Why so you can be prepared unto every good work that you do?
Let me read this to you from john chapter 15. You don't have to turn there verse 6 says this ye have not chosen me
But I have chosen you
And ordained you
That you should be saved
And
That you should go and bring forth fruit
And that your fruit should remain that whatsoever you shall ask of the father in my name
He may give it you so that ordination that we see there that choosing was to bring forth fruit
That works in tandem with ephesians 2 verse 10, which is the good works that you're supposed to be doing. Okay?
Now I had you turn to ephesians one hold your place there go to roman chapter number eight
Hold your place on ephesians one
So we're predestined unto good works, let me ask you a question are you fulfilling your destiny
Fulfill your destiny
Are you fulfilling your purpose in life?
Are you doing the work that god has called you to do? You know, jesus said so send I you
As the father has sent me so send I you
Are you fulfilling that purpose because guess what you're predestinated to do that
You are predestined to do a great work and what a shame it would be if you reach the end of your life
And realize what a waste of a life you made because of the fact you did not
Work, you did not walk in the works that god had previously ordained for you
work
Learn grow why so you could place yourself on that path that predetermined path, you know, there may be some future pastors in here
But if you don't work
You're not going to reach that destination that was predetermined for you
You know, you could be one of the greatest soul winners missionaries
Evangelists that the world has ever known but you know what if you don't work guess what you will never know
That destination that was predetermined for you and you cannot blame god you cannot blame your church
You cannot blame anybody but yourself. Why because it was predetermined for you to do it
That's the predestination that god has for you is the works that you should do. Okay?
But none of that we're predestined
To be conformed to the image of his son
And this is so ridiculous about this false teaching of predestination
Is that they just focus on the predestinate and just completely ignore? What are we predestined for look at verse 28?
Excuse me verse 29 for whom he did for no, there's that word again
He also did predestinate. Well, hold on a second
The Calvinists want to have predestinate first and then for no afterwards
But the for no it means what means he knows who's going to be saved
right
So whom he did for no
Then he also did predestinate what to be saved no to be conformed to the image
Of his son news flash in order for you to be like Jesus. You have to be saved first
Hey Catholics, you got to be saved first if you want to be like Jesus
Hey Mormons, hey, Jehovah's Witnesses. Hey, you know non-denom churches that teach a false gospel
You have to be saved first
In order to be conformed to the image of his son
So, what is the most important
Destination that god has for your life aside from the works that you do is to be like Jesus
To be conformed to the image of his son
It says that he might be the firstborn among many brethren moreover whom he did predestinate
Then he also called whom he called then he also justified in whom he justified then he also glorified. Wait, hold on a second
It says whom he did predestinate
Then he also called
Got a little mixed up here. Well, guess what glorified is at the end and that hasn't happened either
It says then he also glorified. We have not yet received the glorification of our body
Well, how do you explain that? Well go back to the first point that we stated that god
God calls things that are not as though they were
This is part of the plan
Okay, and I don't want to get ahead of myself
But this is another thing that we're predestined for but we're predestined to be conformed to the image of a son
And let me say this not every christian this side of eternity will be conformed to the image of a son
I mean just look at your most backslitting christian out there
who saved
But there's you know, they're drinking they're smoking pop. They're fornicating. That's not christ-like
Right
You know, they're just living in the world they're they're completely disobeying god
They're just completely carnal, but you know what they're saying, but they're not being conformed to the image of his son
And let me say this being conformed to the image of a son not only requires obedience to his commandments
Guess what? It also requires suffering
Because the bible tells us in romans chapter number eight that we are heirs with god
And joint heirs with christ is so be if we suffer with him
This is why the apostle paul said in philippians chapter 3 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection
And the fellowship of his suffering
Being made conformable onto his death
Suffering is the main ingredient
Is the main element to be conformed to the image of a son?
Why do you think it's in romans chapter 28 or 8 28 and 29?
What is that talking about all things work together for good to them to love god to them who are called according to his purpose
This is referring to trials and sufferings
And when you suffer when you go through trials and tribulations
Guess what? You're being conformed to the image of his son. Why because jesus christ is acquainted
with grief the bible says
You know, he suffered more than any any person
So if you want to have fellowship in that suffering the end result is that you'll be conformed to the image of christ
But today we have a bunch of lukewarm weekly weakling weenie christians
Who don't want any trials who don't want any problems? They don't want to go through any type of hurt or suffering
Well, okay, then don't be like christ
Because that's what's going to happen. You'll be more like you
You can be just like you and not like christ
Christ
Because except the corner we fall to the ground and die it abideth alone the bible says, you know in order for us
To even follow christ the bible says that we need to deny ourselves take up our cross and follow him
What does that mean? We have to die daily to who we are
I must decrease but he must increase
Okay, go to ephesians chapter one. So we're predestined unto good works
We're predestined to be conformed to the image of his son not for salvation
This is a plan. He asked for us after salvation
Now this is where it kind of gets deep, okay
Because we here in ephesians chapter one. We see the word predestinate as well
And this predestination that we see here is actually in reference to the resurrection
Okay
now
The bible tells us that when we shall see him we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is
What that means is that when we when we die and god resurrects our body we will have a glorified body
Okay
Now remember this the mount transfiguration, you know
The disciples saw jesus christ in his glorified form. He was very bright
Okay, and let me say this is that in the resurrection some people will be
Like a flashlight that through whose battery is about to die
Why
Because they didn't you know, they didn't fulfill that destiny of the works
But some will not but either way we're all getting glorified we're getting an upgrade
In our bodies. Amen
You know forget the diets
At that point forget keto
We're getting something better than what keto can produce
You know we could eat carbs
And our glorified bodies, amen
Look at eph 1 verse 4
It says here according as he hath chosen us in him
Before the foundation of the world now chosen don't get scared of that word
It says chosen us in him before the foundation of the world why that we should be holy and without blame before him in love
now
No one here is holy and without blame in their flesh
In our spirit we are right
But in our flesh we are not
Look at verse five having predestinated us unto the adoption of the children of children
By jesus christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will
To the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved now
Here's where we get a little deep. Okay
When we get saved
The aspect of our being to get saved is our soul our spirit
That's why the bible says that we're born again of the spirit. Our flesh is not saved
This is why there's a commandment to walk in the spirit
And ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh for the flesh lusteth against the spirit the spirit against the flesh
These are contrary one to the other so that you cannot pay attention to the preaching or do the things that you would you know
You cannot read your bible. You cannot you fill in the blank, right?
There's a constant war taking place between the flesh and the spirit
Okay
Now
Don't let this confuse you when the bible talks about adoption
We often refer to that as the fact that god adopted adopted us as his sons
You know the bible says but as many as receive them to them give you power to become the sons of god
Even unto them that believe on his name. So when we got saved we became children of god, but let me say this that
Process so to speak that adoption
Is not complete until we receive the redemption of our bodies
So the inward man is saved
That's done already
But guess what? We are
mind
body
and spirit
so
The the redemption of our souls is set but the redemption of our bodies. It still awaits
Okay
And so what what is this predestination talking about? It's talking about the adoption of our bodies
This is what that's referring to because our bodies are not yet adopted now
Go back to romans chapter 8 we'll flip back from romans chapter 8 in ephesians 1
I hope i'm not losing anybody here. I think this is pretty clear-cut. Okay
Because here it says that you know in ephesians says having predestinated us unto the adoption of children and automatically calvinists will say
You will see we are predestined to be chosen to be the children of god to be saved
Which is correct in the sense of when it talks about adoption. Yes, it's talking about us being saved
But this is not referring to the salvation of our spirit. This is referring to the salvation of our flesh
All right
Look what it says in
romans chapter 8 and verse number let's start at verse
15
For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear but you have received the spirit of adoption
Whereby we cry abba father the spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we're the children of god
And if children then heirs heirs of god and joint heirs with christ if so be that we suffer with him
That we may be also glorified together
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us
For the earnest expectation of the creature waited for the manifestation
Of the sons of god, what is the creature referring to this is not referring to animals
You know the bible talks about preach the gospel to every creature. It doesn't mean go witness to your little chihuahua
demon dog
the little rat
Sorry, if you have a chihuahua in here, don't tell me afterwards
You know, this doesn't mean we we have this evangelistic service for the animals of the world
I can care less about animals. The only time I care about animals is when it's cooked
In front of me and it tastes great
That's all animals are good for
Okay
So what about dogs? I mean if i'm in the third world country southeast asia, that's a that's a delicacy over there
And for you to find that offensive that's offensive to them. Amen. I'm serious. I have a sister-in-law who's chinese. She's from
Dalian china and she said literally you go through the marketplaces and dogs are just like hanging skinned and everything
And you may think that's disgusting but they like that. So
you know
This is not a sermon on animals, but you know
I don't have pets and if I do we're just rearing them up to eat them afterwards
I forgot what I was talking about
Okay, so the creature, okay
so
Creature just means what creation?
Because we are his creation
Okay, and it says there that the earnest expectation of the creature waited for the manifestation of the sons of god
Why does it say that because we're waiting for the manifestation of our glorified bodies?
You know, you get your backaches your eyes aren't working the way you used to you get tired, you know
You struggle with sin
Oh wretched man that I am who shall deliver me
From this power of death what paul the apostle said in from this law of sin in romans chapter number seven
You know, we have this flesh that we're dealing with here
And look what it says it says for the creature was made subject to vanity not willingly
But by reason of him who had subjected the same in hope because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption
So what is it talking about? It means our bodies will be delivered from the corruption
First corinthians 15 says that we shall put off corruption and put on incorruption
Okay
Into the glorious liberty of the children of god there goes that phrase again for we know that the whole creation grown in
And travaileth in pain together until now and not only they but ourselves also which have the first fruits of the spirit
Even we ourselves grown within ourselves waiting for the adoption. Well, hold on a second. I thought we're already adopted. Yeah, our spirit is
It's already adopted, right?
But the adoption that we see in context here look what it says to wit the redemption of our body
So we're waiting for the body to be redeemed and at that point look
That's why the bible you you'll often run into verses or it's just like if you do this, you're a son of god
Look go to second corinthians chapter six. We'll give you an example
second corinthians chapter six
Look at second corinthians chapter six, of course verse 11 through
15 or 16 is basically a command to be separated from those who are non-believers, right?
We should not have fellowship, you know, what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness?
What concord has christ with bilio and look what it says in verse 17
Wherefore come out from among them and be separate saith the lord and touch not the unclean thing
And I will receive you and will be a father unto you
And ye shall be my sons and daughters saith the lord almighty. Well, hold on a second
Why is it saying that well because of the fact that when you're walking in the spirit you're acting like a son of god
But when you walk in the flesh you're acting like a son of disobedience a child of wrath and a child of disobedience
You understand?
That's what the bible says that the spirit cannot sin
For its seed remaineth in him, right the son of god cannot sin for its seed remaineth in him
That's referring to the fact that when you're walking in the spirit your spirit is not sinning
Now when you begin to sin, it is no more you to do it but sin to dwell within you which is your flesh
You understand this is the constant battle that we have
But one day that battle will no longer take place
Because we will receive the adoption
defined as the redemption of our bodies make sense at that point
We're fully adopted
That's why when we get saved the holy spirit of god comes to live within us and he says that he is the earnest
Of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchase possession. He's purchased us completely with the blood of christ
But that he has not yet redeemed the body though. He's redeemed the soul but not yet redeemed the body
All right
Now go to let's see here
I know you're getting a lot of doctrine here, but
It's needed go back to ephesians chapter one
So this is what ephesians chapter one is talking about when it says that we're predestined to the adoption
Why because your destination?
Is the resurrection?
Your destiny as a safe person is the resurrection
Is that you will be one day resurrected that is the destiny that is the destiny that god has for you
And every christian every safe person will reach that final destination now some
Will will reach it brightly
They're going to shine as the brightness of the firmament
But some shall wake up to shame and contempt everlasting contempt because they did not work for god
They will get a resurrected body, but guess what?
They're not going to have a better resurrection as the bible talks about look at ephesians 1 verse 10
That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together and won all things in christ
Both which are in heaven and which are on earth even in him in whom also we have obtained an inheritance
Being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will that we should be
To the praise of his glory who look first trusted in christ
So this
Predestination of the inheritance is given to those who verse 12 says first trusted in christ
Okay, pretty simple go to uh, titus chapter one if you would titus chapter one
So for knowledge predestination election for knowledge god knows what's going to happen before it takes place
God knows who's going to be saved and who's going to reject the gospel. He does not pre-determine it. He knows it before time
Secondly predestination means a destination that god has for us after christ
After we trusted christ as our savior election is pretty simple
And we're not going to get too much into it because it's a pretty easy doctrine to debunk
You have two sides of this
Okay
You have the zion and we reject both sides, by the way
You have the calvinist side that claims that
Safe people or the calvinists are the only elect
And no one else can be elect after that
But then you have the zionist
the jew-loving zionist
fox news baptist who
They don't even give themselves the title of elect
They rather render that title to some christ rejecting blasphemous jew
Even though they hate jesus
Even though they crucified him even though they believe he's burning in hell in his own escriment
i.e
feces
That's what they believe
And they'll say yeah, but they're god's elect
They're the apple of his eye the rotten apple
of his eye
Okay
And this is not a sermon against the jews
but um
We got to talk about that because we're talking about election
And look
the doctrine of election according to the zionist has been so propagated and just
Inserted into independent fundamental baptist churches that it literally permeates all the doctrines of the bible. It just completely
Takes them a different a different road a different road in regards to to end times bible prophecy
I mean it lit you cannot read matthew 24 through the lens of a dispensationalist
properly
Because of that one word elect, okay
And here's the thing the jews are elect but they're not elect
The way the bible says that they're like
of us
You know god has chosen them because they rejected christ
to condemnation
All right
Read romans 11 if you disagree
Look at titus chapter 1 verse 1. It says paul servant of god and apostle of jesus christ
according to the faith of god's elect
And the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness well, hold on a second if this is about the jews
They don't have faith in god
They don't acknowledge the truth
They've rejected the truth
So who's the elect me go to romans 11
You're looking at it you're looking at a bunch of you're saved you're the elect
Amen
Well, hold on a second. Well, what about the you know, the calvinists because doesn't he like being chosen?
Yeah, we are the chosen generation
the royal priesthood
Because god has chosen
Right save people to be his people
Look at romans 11 verse 5
Even so at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace
So how is this election determined based upon grace for by grace are you saved through faith?
And if by grace then it is no more of works
Otherwise grace is no more grace, but if it be of works and there's no more grace. Otherwise work is no more
Work go to romans go back to romans chapter 8. Let's look at one verse from romans chapter 8
By the way in romans 11 i'm gonna continue reading verse 7 says what then israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for
But the election hath obtained it and the rest were blinded
Let me ask you a question
How can the jews be god's elect if he just got finished saying there that israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for?
But the election hath obtained it is paul being a schizophrenic here
Can someone like talk to paul and say hey
You sound weird right now. I don't know you made a mistake
Maybe you weren't walking in the spirit when you wrote this
You just got finished saying that israel hath not obtained that which he's seeking for but the election
Hey israel is the elect no
He's making a distinction between israel according to the flesh and the israel of god, which is us
Look at romans 8 33
started verse 32
He that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all
How shall he not with him also freely give us all things who shall lay anything to the charge of god's elect?
It is god that justified no one would argue that romans 8 is solely talking about safe people
Therefore the elect there is referring to us. Okay last verse second thessalonians 2 second thessalonians chapter number two
We really don't have to debunk the calvinistic teaching of election because if you have foreknowledge down
If you have predestination down
Election just makes complete sense
It means we're chosen in christ, okay
And look sometimes the bible when the bible uses elect
It's not even referring to being the chosen of god. Sometimes it just means that you're chosen
Right, like you're chosen for a specific work
I'm elect as the pastor here, right?
And when we ordain when I ordain an evangelist or a deacon I have chosen them for this particular work
That's what the bible says to make your calling and election sure
It's referring to the fact that we need to be steadfast in living holy lives in order for us to receive the reward
Look at verse 13
Verse 13 of second thessalonians 2 it says but we are bound to give thanks always to god for you
Brethren beloved of the lord because god has from the beginning
Chosen you to salvation. Oh
Through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth, okay, it's close
So how did god choose people to salvation?
Oh through sanctification of the spirit and their belief of the truth
So guess what if you want to be the chosen people of god believe on the lord jesus christ and you're a prime candidate
You automatically become the prime candidate after you get saved because you believed on the truth
You said why preach on on this because it's in the bible and we need to know what foreknowledge means
We need to know what predestination means we need to know what the elect means not the zionist elect
We're talking about calvinistic elect and look these people the calvinists. They're very um
Very tricky with their words. Okay, just just like the dispensationalist and they can often trip up christians
Because they use vain words because they're not the ones who are the ones who are the ones who are the ones who are the ones
try to use knowledge of
Unsafe people to make their arguments. Let's just stick to the bible
And if we allow the bible to define itself
We will come to the conclusion that god knows things that they're going to happen before they happen
He predestines us not to salvation but to works to be conformed to the image of christ and to the resurrection
And that we're chosen in christ after we get saved amen
Let's bow our heads and have a word of prayer father. We thank you so much for your word
And uh lord, thank you for the fact that we are the chosen people of god
We're thankful that we have a destiny to fulfill in this lifetime and I pray that you continually help us
To learn to grow to work in order to fulfill that destiny so we could obtain a better resurrection
And I pray god that you'd help us to continue to study
And admire and love the word of god for what it says and teaches and in jesus name we pray. Amen