Sovereign Grace Chapel, located
at 135 Annabel Lane in Beaver, West Virginia, invites you to
listen to a gospel message concerning Jesus Christ our Lord. Good morning and welcome to this
early morning broadcast My text for this morning is found in
the gospel according to John John chapter 1. I want to just
read like three or four verses John chapter 1 This is what John
wrote concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. He came into his own
And his own received him not But as many as received him to
them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them
that believe on his name which were born, not of blood, nor
of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Do you see that? Isn't that glorious?
This is my title for this morning, Born of the Will of God. To be born of God, to be saved,
to be saved. To be one who does receive God's
Christ as the Messiah, that's what it's talking about. But
as many as received him, them gave he power to become the sons
of God, even to them that believe on his name. He's the Christ,
he's the Messiah. Even to do this, to receive him,
to be one who's born of God, to be one who's saved, to be
one who receives God's Christ as the Christ, as the Messiah,
even while others did not, or yet some today do not, to be
one who does receive Christ is an act of God's will. It's never
ever, ever an act of man's will. Now, hear what I just said. I
said it's an act to be born of God. To be born of God is an
act of God's will, not man's will. John is clear on this matter. As a matter of fact, the Apostle
Paul is clear on this matter. And just look, I'm gonna give
you a testimony from two or three witnesses from the scripture
concerning this. Look at Paul's take on it, if you will. Philippians
chapter two and verse 13. For it is God that worketh in
you. both to will, do you see it,
and to do of his good pleasure. So who gets the credit for it?
Who's the one making the effort? It's God, do you see it? For
it is God that worketh in you, both to will and to do of his
good pleasure. That's the way Paul puts it.
John puts it that way. You're born not of blood, not
the will of flesh, not the will of man, but born of God. Paul
said it's God that works in you, both the will and the do of his
good pleasure. Paul also says that again in Romans chapter
nine. And the apostle Paul put it this
way in Romans chapter nine. And this is what he says. So
then, Romans nine verse 16, so then it is not of him that willeth,
nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy, do
you see it? James is clear on this matter.
Look at how James puts it. James puts it this way, and he
wrote this in James chapter one of verse 18. Speaking of God,
that's what it says in verse 70, speaking of God. And in verse
18 he says, of his own will begat he us with the word of truth,
that we should be a kind of firstfruits, do you see it? That we should
be a kind of firstfruits of his creature. And then look at what
Peter says about it. There's John, there's Paul, there's
James. Here's what Peter says about
it. First Peter chapter one and verse 18. For as much as you
know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things of silver
and gold, from your vain conversation as your vain way of life received
by tradition from your fathers, but how was you redeemed? Here's
how it is. But with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb
without blemish and without spot, who verily was foreordained before
the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last
times for you, who by him do believe in God. See it? Who by
him, not just through him, but by him, who by him do believe
in God, that raised him up from the dead and gave him glory,
that your faith and hope might be in God. seeing you have purified
your souls and obeying the truth through the spirit unto unfeigned
love of the brethren see that you love one another with a pure
heart fervently now then look at it remember born of god i
said my title is born of the will of god listen being born
again again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, by
the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. For all
flesh is grass, and all the glory of man. Do you see that? Flesh
and man again. Peter's saying the same thing
that John's saying, just different words. For all flesh is grass,
and all the glory of man is the flower of grass. The grass withereth,
and the flower thereof fadeth away. But the word of the Lord
endureth forever, and this is the word which by the gospel
is preached unto you. So there's John. There's Paul,
there's James, and there's Peter. I'll take their word for it.
I'll take their word for it. You see, the religious world
may balk at this, and they do. The wise acre can scoff and cry,
but, but, but, and they do. The self-righteous can disdain
all they will, and they do. To receive Christ as God's Christ
is an act of God's will and not man's. And that's exactly what
we have read. He came into his own, his own
received him not. But as many as received him,
to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on their name. But who were they? Which were
born, not of blood, nor the will of the flesh, nor the will of
man, but of, that is, but born of God. I just want to give you
two things this morning concerning this subject, born of the will
of God. First of all, right here in our
text, human bloodline does not do it. It does not do it. To
some folks, they may say, well, that's a give me, but it's not
so to all folks, sadly. Human bloodline does not do it.
John is clear, which we're born not of blood. Are you of Jewish descent? Are
you? You know what the Apostle Paul
says in Romans 9 verses 1 through 6? They are not all Israel, which
are of Israel. Paul in Romans 2 verses 28 and
29 said, he is not a Jew which is one outwardly, and circumcision
is not that of the outward flesh, but circumcision is that of heart.
He is a Jew which is one inwardly, and circumcision is that which
is in the heart, and God does that work. That's a work of God. Are your parents good Christian
folk? Are they? Are you born and raised
under a whole family tree of good Catholics? Do you come from
a long line of preachers in your family tree? Do you? Was your
dear sweet grandmother and your dear sweet mother a Sunday school
teacher for years and years and years? These do not offer, procure,
or secure new birth. or bestow new birth upon anyone. Now listen to me. Let us be thankful. Now hear
me now. Let us be thankful. Thankful. And let us give thanks unto our
God for those blood relatives whom God has been pleased to
use as influences in our life. And I'm not talking about just
being in a religious family. I'm not talking about being a
Catholic, or a Baptist, or a Presbyterian, or the Church of Christ, or whatever
it might be. I don't care about that. We thank
God for those who taught us the word of God. Those who are an
influence toward us, and to us, and for us, and maybe even to
some extent in us. that influence of pressing upon
us the claims of Holy Scripture and the sovereign claims and
redemptive claims of the Lord Jesus Christ. We thank God for
those people, but salvation is an act of God. It's not an act
of man. That's just the way it is, because
it's clear. As many as received him, as many
as did receive Christ, To them gave he power to become the sons
of God, even to them that believe on his name. So receiving him
is what? It's believing him. But how does a person ever do
that? Mommy and daddy didn't bring you that through the bloodline.
Just because they're Christians, doesn't mean you are. Which we're
born, not of blood. You see it? Not of blood. That's
just the way it is. That's the way God says it is.
But here's the second thought. No will, now listen to me. No will, W-I-L-L. No will but God's will will bring
you to receive Christ as the Christ of God. You hear me? Let me say it again. No will
but God's will Will bring you to receive christ as the christ
of god, which were born not of blood. We Mentioned that but
look nor of the wheel of the flesh nor of the wheel of man It is sad, but necessary that
I continue To proclaim this truth The salvation
is an act of the will of God. In our day and age, most people
think Christianity is, or think their being a Christian is, an
act of their will. Some preachers have even said
and still say today, even with the preponderant testimony of
scripture, they'll say such blasphemous things as this. God's done all
he can do, now it's up to you. No, no. No will but God's will
will bring you or me to receive Christ as the Christ of God,
which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God. You see, according to Holy
Scripture, humanity You and I, as we're born into this world,
you and I are born under the curse of God because of the fall
of Adam and Eve in the garden. You and I, our will, the will
of our flesh is corrupt and deceitful. And this is what the Apostle
Paul writes about it in Romans chapter eight, and he says these
words about our flesh, our carnality, about the will of the flesh,
if you will. Romans chapter eight, look at what it says. Verse six,
for to be carnally, that means fleshly, for to be carnally minded
is what? Death, death. But to be spiritually
minded is what? Life and peace. Now, none but
the true One and only spiritual being, that is, God is spirit. None but the one and true only,
true spiritual being can give you spiritual life. To be carnally
minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. But
look, because the carnal mind, that's where all the will, the
will flows through the heart and the mind. For the carnal
mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law
of God, neither indeed can be. And then here's the kicker. Here's
the paramount thing. So then, they that are in the
flesh, I don't care whether it's their heart, I don't care whether
it's their mind, I don't care whether it's their will, I don't
care whether it's their dispensation, so then they that are in the
flesh cannot please God. Again, John is clear. He came
into his own, his own received him not. But as many as received
him, to them gave he power, or that is the right, the right,
the authority to become the sons of God, even to them that believe
on his name, which were born, not of blood, nor the will of
the flesh, nor the will of man, but rather they were born of
God. So again, listen, no will, but
God's will will bring you to receive Christ as the Christ
of God. You see, according to my brother
Isaiah, Isaiah the prophet, Isaiah from the Old Testament, according
to our brother Isaiah the prophet, the will of man is not the same
as God's will. You hear what I said? It's not
the same. God's will and your will don't work together. It's
gotta be God working in you, both the will and the do of his
good pleasure. Of his own will beget he us with the word of
truth. Salvation, the new birth, to be saved, in order to receive
Christ and believe on his name, be given the right to be called
the sons of God, is an act of God. Listen to how my brother
Isaiah put it. In Isaiah chapter 55, he gives
these Sound words. He gives this true encouragement
and this true admonition. Look, seek ye the Lord while
he may be found. Call ye upon him while he is
near. Let the wicked forsake his way
and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord
and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly
pardon. Yes, he will. But look, for my
thoughts are not. That's what he said. For my thoughts
are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith
the Lord. For as the heavens are higher
than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my
thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down,
and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth
the earth, and maketh it bring forth in bud, that it may give
seed to the sower, and bread to the eater. Now listen, here's
where it's at. It's not based upon your thoughts,
and your ways, and your will. It's not based upon my thoughts,
my ways, my will. Here's what it's based upon.
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth. It shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall
prosper in the thing where to I sent it. Again, I emphasize,
no will. No will, no matter how moral
that will may seem. Especially no matter how religious
that will may seem. Especially no matter how righteous
that will may seem. No will but God's will will bring
you or I to receive Christ as the Christ of God. Won't do it. The will of the flesh is corrupt
and deceitful. The will of man is not the same
as God's will. I want you to think about this.
Let me turn to a passage of scripture here, and I'll read it in just
a moment. But consider this. Receive Christ,
men and women must. Do you understand? Receive Christ, men and women
must. Somebody says, preacher, well, what if they don't? What
if they don't? Let me tell you this, God can't
be blamed. But look, look at what the book
says. Look at the second psalm. Why, the whole psalm, we're gonna
read it. Listen to what it says. Why do
the heathen rage? And the people, imagine a vein,
an empty thing. The kings of the earth set themselves
and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against
his anointed, his Christ, you see, his Messiah, saying, let
us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from
us. Why is that? God's will will not reign over
us. That's what they say. That's what men say. That's what
the flesh says. It's what it constantly says.
I'll have my way. They are as the Jews of old.
We will not have this man. Jesus Christ is who they were
talking about. Jesus of Nazareth. We will not have this man to
reign over us. Remember, let us break their
bands asunder and cast away their cords from us. Now listen. He that sitteth in the heavens
shall laugh. Did you hear that? He that sitteth
in the heavens shall laugh. The Lord shall have them in derision. You don't have God over a barrel.
No, sir. Then shall he speak unto them
in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet, yet
have I set my king upon my holy hill inside. I will declare the
decree, the Lord has said unto me, thou art my son, this day
have I begotten thee. Some of the old Puritans used
to call this eternal begetting. This is the father begetting
the son eternally. No beginning, no ending, but
yet the father begetting. Set him on his holy hill, I will
declare the decree. The Lord has said unto me, thou
art my son, this day have I begotten thee. Listen, ask of me and I
shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance. Do you see
that? and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a
rod of iron. Thou shalt dash them in pieces
like a potter's vessel. Here it is. Be wise now, therefore,
O ye kings. Be instructed, ye judges of the
earth. Serve the Lord with fear and
rejoice with trembling. Here it is. Here's this reception.
Kiss the sun. Do you see it? That's what it
is. Kiss the sun. Not as Judas kissed
him on the cheek in a kiss of betrayal. Judas feeling himself
to be right up there on the same level with Christ. He kissed
him on the cheek, no? And said, as that old sinner
woman did. as that old prostitute whore
did. She bowed down before Jesus Christ
and kissed his feet and washed her feet with the tears of her
eyes and dried his feet with her hair. That's the kiss. Bow
down to Jesus Christ. Believe him. Receive him. Kiss the son lest he be angry
and ye perish from the way what his wrath has kindled but little.
Thank God it don't end right there. Blessed are all they that
put their trust in Him. Do you see it? So again, I emphasize
this. Again, I say it's sad I have
to do it, but it's paramount that I do it. No will but God's
will will bring you to receive Jesus Christ as the Christ of
God. As I said, as we've just seen,
receive Christ, men and women must. We are encouraged to receive
Christ. We are warned of the consequences
of not receiving Christ, but none ever will unless God gives
a God wrought spiritual birth. He came into his own, his own
received him not. Somebody did, huh? Somebody did. But as many as received him,
to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on his name. Who were they? Here they are.
Which were born, not of blood, nor the will of the flesh, nor
the will of man, but of God. But of God. I ask you, do you
take preacher's word for it, or do
you take God's word for it? Do you take my word for it or
do you take what God has just said right here in his holy book?
Again, I say, receive Christ, men and women must. Men and women
are encouraged to receive Christ, to bow to Christ, to kiss Christ,
to believe Christ, to trust Christ. Men and women are warned of the
consequences of not receiving Christ, but none ever will unless
God in mercy and grace and free sovereign salvation gives a God-wrought
spiritual birth, which we're born, not of blood, not of blood,
nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the wheel of man, but
they are born of God. Now the Apostle Paul, let me
turn to something here, then I'll read it to you. The Apostle
Paul is quite clear on this matter. And I wanna read to you how the
Apostle Paul put it. He put it this way to the churches
of Galatia. And we read it in, of course, the epistle of Paul,
the apostle to the Galatians. Galatians chapter one, this is
what Paul wrote, Galatians chapter one, beginning verse 13. For ye have heard of my conversation,
that's my way of life, in time past in the Jews' religion, how
that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God and wasted
it. Paul's will was not to believe
on Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. Everyone who believed on him,
he was gonna do his best to wipe that name and the followers of
that name off the face of the earth. And he goes on. And I profited in the Jews' religion
above many mine equals in my own nation, being more exceeding
zealous of the tradition of my fathers. But when it pleased
God, do you see that? But would it please God who separated
me from my mother's womb? God's at work here. God's at
work here. But would it please God who separated
me from my mother's womb and called me by his grace to reveal
his son in me that I might preach him among the heathen? Immediately
I conferred not with what? Flesh and blood. Flesh and blood. According to the Apostle Paul,
when he wrote to the church at Ephesus, he wrote it this way.
Ephesians chapter two, verse eight. For by grace are you saved. That's not only unearned, unmerited,
undeserved, it was unsought. We love him because he first
loved us. We believe him because he first
gave us new birth in and through the power of the resurrection
of Jesus Christ. For by grace are you saved through
faith and that not of yourselves. The faith's not of yourselves.
The salvation's not of yourselves. The grace is not of yourselves.
It is what? For by grace are you saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves? It is the gift of God. not of your effort or my effort,
not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship,
see it? For we are his workmanship, created
in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained
that we should walk in them. It matters not what religious
experience you've had. And I'm not doubting you've had
some religious experience if you have. I'm not saying your
religious experience wasn't true. But I am telling you this, it
was nothing more than a religious experience. I'm talking about
being born of the will of God. I'm not talking about a religious
experience. I'm not talking about a religious decision. I'm not
talking about you made your choice for Jesus. I'm talking about
being born of God. being acted upon by God, being
born of the Lord God Almighty. So again, it matters not what
your experience is. I don't care what kind of experience
you've had. I'm not doubting it wasn't real to you, but does
it fit this, which we're born, not of blood, nor the will of
the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God, but of God. See, unless you have been born
of God, as John declares, You are not born of God. It's just
that simple and that profound. This is why the old preacher
John Newton wrote this song, these upcoming words here in
a song. "'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear." Why? Why? Because John Newton knew that
the grace of God was sovereign grace. free grace, reigning grace. God gives it to whom he will.
John Newton believed that, preached that, taught that, and lived
that. Do you sing his songs and not
know that? "'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear." Ah,
and grace, that same grace. And grace my fears relieved. Ah, but if you have been born
of God, what's this say? He came to his own, his own received
him not, but as many as received him, have you? Have you done
so by being born of God? Did God work this in you? But
as many as have received him, to them gave he power, that is
the right to become the sons of God, even to them that just
believe on his name, amen.