Jesus our Lord we lift up these
prayer requests to you and pray that your will would be done
and we bow to your sovereignty and to your will and we pray
that you would give each each one we mentioned grace and peace
and strength to go through the different trials that they're
going through and we pray for one another too oh Lord Jesus
that you would knit our hearts together in love and that we
would just continue to grow in the in the grace and knowledge
and truth of Thee. We love You and we give You all
the praise and glory. In Jesus' name, Amen. Today will be the third part
in the series that we're going through on the doctrines of grace.
Often times, as I said before, folks have asked me, and probably
asked you too, You know, do you believe in the five points of
Calvinism? My reply is always the same.
I say, yes, I do. But what I believe goes much
beyond even the five points, too. Because I believe that God
is absolutely sovereign. There's so many different things
in that aspects of that. And so we believe much more,
much more than just five points. But it summarizes five fundamental
great truths that we believe, that we believe as grace believers.
And this morning we'll continue our study on the doctrines of
grace. So we'll be looking at the L,
the L. Now these precious truths are
what we believe in this church. We're not ashamed of them. We
will tell people we believe this because it's from the Bible.
Vicki and I have been talking lately and we've come to realize
that a lot of people, their final authority is their opinion. Well,
our final authority is not our opinion. It's what saith the
Lord. What does the Bible say? If it
doesn't say it in scripture, we don't believe it. But if the
Bible says it, we wholly embrace it. We embrace it. And sometimes
we struggle against some things, right? But we eventually bow
our knee to God's sovereignty and what the word of God says. I remember before I was saved
and someone told me about election, And I just went up one side of
them and down the other. I had no understanding. But now
it's a doctrine that I love. That God chose me unconditionally
based upon nothing in me and nothing in you if you're a believer.
And it's marvelous. It's a marvelous doctrine. So,
the five points that we believe as a church are presented this
way. Total depravity, which means total inability. Man has no ability
to come to God on his own. Also known as original sin, we
fell in Adam, we're dead in trespasses and sins. Unconditional election. Unconditional election, meaning
that God's election was based upon absolutely nothing in ourselves. Nothing in ourselves. There's
no conditions. Except the grace of God. And
he's pleased to save whom he will. Limited atonement, which
is also known as particular atonement. Theologians like to call it particular
atonement. Limited atonement. Christ died
for his sheep. That's what it is. And think
of this, last week I finished off with the fact of what turned
me eventually and how the Lord used this to bring me to the
wonderful truth of limited atonement. Who were the sacrifices for when
Israel sacrificed? Only for Israel. They were for
no one else. It was a picture of Christ dying
for his people. Irresistible grace, I like to
call it invincible grace. You can't stop it. It's invincible. It's irresistible. You can't
resist it. Think of this. Can a man resist God? Well, man says they can, right?
They say, well, man makes a choice. Think about this. Can man resist
the Almighty? No. No. So grace is irresistible? Irresistible? And in perseverance
of the saints, which is God's saving grace is keeping grace. I like to bring it down to that
saving grace is keeping grace. Saving grace is keeping grace.
So today we'll look at the L. Turn, if you would, to John chapter
4. John chapter 4. As I said, were the sacrifices
that Israel made for all the nations around them, or just
for Israel? Well, they were just for Israel. Here's just a small
verse that we'll look at, John chapter 4. Our fathers worshipped in the
mountain, verse 20. And ye say that in Jerusalem
is the place where men ought to worship. God had ordained
that the place and the temple would be in Jerusalem. that the
sacrifices would be in Israel and for Israel. It's just a type and shadow of
Christ, because all those sacrifices were only for that nation, only
for those people. Christ only died for his people,
and we're going to see that. The scriptures will bring that
forth for us. So this is showing us in type
and shallow that the sacrifice of Christ was for his people
only. All those Old Testament sacrifices were for Israel. They were only for Israel. And
remember this too, they could never take away sin, right? They
were pointing to one who would. They were pointing to the great
substitute who took away the sins of his people. But they
were all pointing to Christ who would die for His people and
who would put away their sin. And beloved, here's a precious
truth. The death of Christ on the cross puts away all the sins. A-L-L. Those little hinge words. And think of this too. Those
little hinge words. Great truths hinge on those words. All. All sins. All. Brother Matt and I were talking
about one-syllable words in Scripture that are used to hinge these
great truths. Hinge these great truths. He did not die for everyone.
He did not die for everyone who has ever lived. But he died for
his people on Calvary's cross. Ephesians 1, 4 if you turn there
and put your finger in Colossians chapter 3 also. His sacrifice
on the cross, and remember this, His sacrifice on the cross was
before God. It was before God. He did not die for Himself. He died for His people before
God's law and justice to please God. To please God. And we've looked now, in our
study, right, we've looked at how man has no ability to come
to God on his own. Absolutely none. And we also
looked at how God chose a people in Christ before the foundation
of the world, Ephesians 1, 4. According as He has chosen us
in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should
be holy, and look at this, beloved, we're sinners, aren't we? To
the core, to our shame. We are but look at the marvelous
precious truth of scripture That we should be holy and without
blame without blame before him in love Look at Colossians chapter 3 We'll look at today we'll see
the precious truth of today of how Christ died for all those
who the father gave him in eternity And in scripture they're called
the elect or sheep. Look at Colossians chapter three,
verses 12 and 13. Put on therefore as the elect,
the chosen. See, this is a personal, we're
building a foundation here. The chosen, the elect of God, holy and beloved,
bows of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering,
these are all Fruits of the Spirit, right? He works in us for bearing
one another and forgiving one another. Oh, we're to forgive
each other. If any man have a quarrel against
any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Why are we to forgive others?
Because look what Christ has forgiven us. Oh, it's wonderful. So in verse 12, God's people
are called the elect. And in John 10, we'll look at
that later, we'll see more in depth, they're his sheep. Now
in the religion and in religious world, it is often trumpeted
that Christ died for everyone. They tell you that, well, Christ
died for everyone. Well, if that's true, then everyone
will be saved. Because I'll tell you this, everyone
for whom Christ died will be saved. We'll be saved. And they usually go on telling
you that God is trying to save folks, but he just can't until
you decide. Well, that's not the God of the
Bible. And we know from our studies,
think of this, they trumpet that, but we know from our studies
that man has no ability to come to God. So there's a problem,
somebody's lying. And it's not God. So who did Christ die for on
the cross? Who did he redeem? He did not
die for all men on the cross like religion likes to promote.
So the answer to the question of who Christ died for is his elect, his people, undeserving
sinners. Undeserving sinners who could
not save themselves, and yet He's had mercy upon them. Oh,
what a gospel! What good news! Turn with me,
if you would, to Hebrews chapter 2. Hebrews chapter 2. Whose substitute was Christ?
Whose substitute was He? Who did He die on the cross for
as a substitute? Hebrews chapter 2 verses 9 and
10. But we see Jesus who was made
a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death crowned
with glory and honor that He by the grace of God should taste
death for every man. For it became Him for whom are
all things, and by whom are all things, and bringing many sons,
many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation
perfect through sufferings." Oh, many sons unto glory. The Lord Jesus Christ turned
the righteous wrath and justice of God on Calvary away from His
people. And it fell upon Him. Whom God has set forth to be
a propitiation through faith in His blood to declare His righteousness
for the remission of sins that are passed through the forbearance
of God. Christ was set forth to be a propitiation for our
sins. Here in His love, not that we
love God, because none of us did. First John 4 10 says herein is
love beloved herein is love Not that we love God, but that he
loved us And then it goes on to say it's even better than
that and sent his son to be a propitiation for our sins. Oh He loves us
with an everlasting love. Oh And he's a propitiation the
Greek word for propitiation is defined in appeasing He has appeased
the wrath and justice of God in the place of His people. He's
appeased it. And He is the means of that appeasing,
Christ in Him alone. The Lord Jesus Christ appeased
the wrath and justice of God in the place of His people on
Calvary's cross. He is the sinner's substitute. He's appeased it. And tonight
we're gonna look at no condemnation because He appeased it. Oh, it's
marvelous. Is it any wonder that we who
are saved praise His name, knowing that all our sins are forgiven? We give Him all the glory for
the great things He's done for us. What a Savior. What a Savior. What redemption. is found in
Christ in Him alone. Now, when Christ died upon the
cross, He reconciled the people to God. Romans 5.10 says this,
if when we were enemies, we were enemies in our minds,
For when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the
death of His Son. Much more being reconciled, we
shall be saved by His life." He reconciled the people to God. Hebrews 2.17, and turn with me,
if you would, to Galatians 3. And I'll read Hebrews 2.17. Galatians
3.13 and 14. But Hebrews 2.17 says this, wherefore
in all things that behooved him to be made like unto his brethren,
he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining
to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. He
made reconciliation for the sins of his people. And he did it. Hebrews 2.17. In Galatians 3.13,
when Christ died on the cross, he redeemed his people from the curse of
the law, beloved. And that law had a rightful claim
upon us, right? And didn't we see last week,
it said, when the prince of this world cometh, he had nothing
in me? Being Christ, right? The law has no claims upon Christ.
He's sinless. He's perfect. But oh, it has
a claim upon us, doesn't it? But what does Christ do? Look
at Galatians 3, 13 and 14. Christ hath redeemed us, his
elect, his people. from the curse of the law, being
made a curse for us, for it is written, cursed is everyone that
hangeth on the tree, that the blessings of Abraham might come
on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive
the promise of the Spirit through faith. Oh, what forgiveness,
what mercy. And notice all the texts that
we've looked at does not say that he died to
make it possible that someone could be saved, does it? He definitely
accomplished what's being talked about. It's a definite atonement. He really did redeem a people
from their sins. Armenians and universalists will
say that Christ died for all men. And we'll see again that scripture
does not say that. Turn with me, if you would, to
Matthew chapter one. Matthew chapter one. And here's
our final authority, right? The Word of God. What does the
Word of God say? Who did Christ die for? Matthew, chapter 1, verse 21. And she shall bring forth a son,
and thou shalt call his name Jesus, what for he shall there's
there's a hinge word again, those little one syllable words. He
shall save. He shall say it's not a matter
of he didn't make it possible for us to be safe. He shall save. His people from their sins. From
their sins. Oh, he saved his people from
their sins and then turned to John, Chapter 10. Let's go. We're going to we're going to
look. We're going to look at some portion
here. Look at John 10, 11. Actually, let's go up to seven.
Then Jesus said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you,
I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me
are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
Why don't the sheep hear them? Well, we're going to find out.
Because they're only going to hear one shepherd's voice. Only
one, beloved. Oh, but the sheep did not hear
them. I am the door. By me, if any man enter in, he
shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture. The
thief cometh not, but for to steal and to kill and to destroy.
I am come that they might have life and that they might have
it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good
shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. The sheep. This is an amazing passage here.
You can take people here and it will show limited atonement.
It will show election. It's an amazing portion of scripture,
John 10. Look what else he goes on. I'm
just going to continue reading here. But he that is in Highland
and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the
wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf
catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth,
because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. He's
a hireling. He don't care for the sheep,
he just cares about his own ways. And that's a false prophet. As the Father knoweth me, so
know I the Father, and I lay down my life again. For who? The sheep. The sheep. There's limited atonement. Right
there. Right there. And other sheep
I have which are not of this fold. There we are. There we
are, beloved. Them also I must bring. There's
a hinge word. I must. It's not, it's not, well,
I'm going to try. I must. This is God. This is God in the
flesh. I must bring them. Oh, I must bring and they shall
hear my voice. Irresistible, invincible grace.
We're going to look at that next week. They shall. It's not a
matter of if they shall hear my voice. They shall and there
shall be one fold and one shepherd. Therefore, does my father love
me because I laid down my life and that I might take it again?
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have
power to lay it down. Oh, He is all power, beloved,
all power to save any sinner. He can save the worst, most vilest
sinner. He is all power. All power. I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received
of my Father. So notice all through our text
there He says, He died for his people. He died for his sheep.
And he saved his people from their sins. Then look down in
verse 24. Jesus answered them, I told you,
and you believe not the works that I do in my father's name.
They bear witness of me. Verse 26, what a chillin' verse.
What a chillin' verse. But you believe not, because
you're not on my sheep. That's a chillin' verse. So not
everyone believes according to scripture, right? And I said unto you, look at
verse 27, oh, my sheep hear my voice, and I gnoska them. I know
them intimately, intimately. The Greek word is gnoska, I know
them. And they what, might follow me?
No, they follow me. Irresistible
invincible grace of God when the Holy Spirit is drawn one
of God's sheep He can't resist it He can't resist it Then they
follow me and look at this marvelous truth upon truth upon truth Just
being piled on here for us and I give unto them eternal life.
He gives it to us beloved. Oh And they shall never perish
If it was our doing, we'd perish all the time, wouldn't we? But
this is God's salvation. This is the king of kings salvation. And he has wrought it for his
people. And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall
never perish. Neither shall any man pluck them
out of my hand. If a man can talk you into salvation,
that man can talk you out of salvation. But God's people,
they're held by Christ, by Him alone. Oh, it's marvelous. No man is able to pluck them
out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. So Christ
died. We see here definitely that Christ
died for his sheep. And he even told those others,
you're not my sheep. And only he knows that. That's
why we proclaim the gospel to all. We don't know who God's
sheep are. So we preach the gospel to all,
and God does the saving. The Holy Spirit does the drawing,
and they're pointed right to Christ. and they're made willing,
and the believer flees to Christ, runs to Christ, runs to Him. Acts 20, 28. Who did Christ shed His blood
for? Look at this marvelous, marvelous portion of Scripture. Who did Christ shed His blood
for? And if anyone questions that Christ was God
in the flesh. Here's a marvelous scripture
to take them to. Acts 20, 28. Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves
and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you
overseers to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased
with his own blood. God purchased the church with
his own precious blood. Christ was not a mere man. Christ
was God incarnate in the flesh. God in the flesh who purchased
us, purchased the church. That's all the church blood.
That's all the elect of all the ages purchased by the blood of
God, purchased by his precious blood. Turn with me, if you would,
the Ephesians chapter five. Oh, the church of God, the elect
of God, his sheep who he purchased with his own precious blood. Ephesians chapter 5, verse 25
and 26 and 27. Husbands, love your wives even
as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it. Christ loved the church and he
gave himself for the church. That he might sanctify and cleanse
it with the washing of water by the word. That he might present
it to himself a glorious church. Sinners presented as a glorious
church. Why? Because they're clothed
in the righteousness of Christ. Not having spot or wrinkle! Sinless! Oh, it's marvelous! Or any such
thing, but it should be holy and without blemish. That's good
news for sinners, isn't it? The Lord Jesus Christ loves His
people, and He gave His life for them. Romans 14, 15 says,
But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou
not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat
for whom Christ died. Christ died for every single
one of his people. Everyone. And everyone who believes,
everyone who are his people, his elect, his sheep, all their
sins are forgiven. So who are the ones who believe?
His elect. His elect, the sheep of God,
the ones that were given to Christ by the Father in eternity, in
eternity, the ones who Christ died for on the cross, the ones
who are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and granted faith to believe
on Christ, granted faith to believe on Christ. Turn with me, if you
would, to John chapter 6, and I'll read 1 John 4, 10, which
says, Herein is love, not that we love God, but that He loved
us and sent His Son to be a propitiation for our sins. It's very plain in Scripture
that Christ died for His people, and that He accomplished redemption
for His people on Calvary's cross. To deny particular redemption
is to scorn God's Word. It really is. Because it's so
clear. It's so clear in Scripture. John
17 says, I pray for them. I pray not for the world, but
for them which thou hast given me, for they are thine. And now
some raise an objection to this precious doctrine. They say it
kills evangelism. It doesn't. It doesn't. John chapter 6, verse 35, we
can testify that it does not kill evangelism, but it gives
us hope because we know that Christ will not lose one for
whom He died for. Not one. Look at John chapter
6, verse 35 to 40. And remember Christ said He dies
for His sheep. And Jesus said unto them, I am
the bread of life. Are you hungry? Are you hungry
for the things of God? He's the bread of life. He's
the bread of life. Oh, that God would make you hungry.
He that cometh to me shall never hunger. Never hunger. And he that believeth on me shall
never thirst. Oh, that God would make you thirsty for Christ,
for His righteousness. But I said unto you, that ye
also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth
me, here's another one of those little hinged one-syllable words,
shall. shall come to me. He won't lose
one beloved brother. Henry Mahan for years always
used to say and preach. And I think we should carry this
on. We are on the sheep or the trail of God's sheep. That's
what we're. That's our mission here is to
preach the gospel and let God do the same. Oh. All that the father giveth me
shall come to me and him that cometh to me, I will and no wise
cast out and never cast away his people. Never. For I come
down from heaven not to do mine own will, He came here to do
the Father's will, but the will of Him that sent me, and that
was to redeem His people from their sins, and He accomplished
it. And this is the Father's will which has sent me, that
of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing, but should
raise it up again at the last day." Lose nothing. He won't
lose one of His people. Not one. And this is the will
of him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son and believeth
on him may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up to the
last day. So Christ, we see in Scripture, we see in Scripture,
and I'll close with this, we see that he did not die to make
it possible to save people, but he died to save his people from
their sins, and he did it, beloved, he did it. And that's our hope
and rest. We rest and trust that Christ
did die in our room instead. And think of this, if He died
for everyone, then everyone would be saved, wouldn't they? But
not everyone is saved. But those who He died for are
saved. And this is why we proclaim Christ. This is why we proclaim
that Christ died for sinners. Knowing that Christ will not
lose any He died for. None of them. And may we think on this week,
may we think on this, that God's chosen people are chosen by the
Father. chosen by the Father, redeemed
by the Son, and regenerated by the Holy Spirit,
the whole Trinity in action in the salvation of sinners. Praise
His mighty name.