The sermon "Whom the Lord Sends" by Mike McInnis addresses the doctrine of divine sovereignty in the sending of prophets and preachers, specifically illustrated through the story of Jonah. McInnis argues that Jonah’s experience, including his time in the fish, exemplifies God’s absolute will and the necessity of being brought to the end of oneself to receive salvation—highlighting that "salvation is of the Lord." Key Scripture references include Jonah's story (Matthew 12:40), Romans 10:14-15 about the necessity of preachers, and Acts 13:48, where the Gentiles respond positively to the gospel due to God's predestined grace. The doctrinal significance lies in affirming that God is sovereign over salvation and the sending of messengers, assuring believers that it is not human wisdom, but God’s power that transforms hearts.
Key Quotes
“As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things.”
“The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
“No one can prevent that which the Lord ordains to occur.”
“Salvation is of the Lord.”
The Bible illustrates God's absolute will through the prophet Jonah, who was sent to preach repentance.
The narrative of Jonah serves as a powerful demonstration of the absolute will of the Lord. Jonah was sent to Nineveh, not by chance, but to fulfill God's purposes, even using his time in the fish as a foreshadowing of Christ's resurrection. This shows that God orchestrates events for His glory, requiring Jonah to reach the end of himself and acknowledge that salvation is from the Lord. Through Jonah's mission, we see how the Lord uses repentance to judge those who deny His lordship, illustrating the necessity of divine sending in the redemptive plan.
Jonah 1-4, Matthew 12:40
Preaching is essential because, as the Bible states, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of preaching in Romans 10, questioning how people can call on the Lord if they have not believed, and how they can believe if they have not heard the message. This clearly establishes that the gospel must be preached by those whom God sends, as only through the preaching of the Word can individuals come to faith. God has ordained that His message be communicated through human vessels, and those who hear are obligated to respond to the truth of the gospel. The significance of preaching is rooted in the reality that it is the means by which the Lord conveys His grace to the predestined.
Romans 10:13-15
Understanding divine sending is crucial as it affirms God's sovereignty in salvation and the necessity of His chosen messengers.
Recognizing the concept of divine sending is vital for Christians because it illustrates the sovereignty of God in the process of salvation. Those whom the Lord sends are chosen by Him, equipped by the Spirit, and tasked with the proclamation of the gospel. This counters the free-will view that suggests salvation can be achieved through human efforts. Instead, it highlights that God sovereignly ordains individuals to preach His Word, which serves both to confound the wise and to illuminate the hearts of the elect. The assurance that His word does not return void and that He knows His sheep emphasizes the certainty of His redemptive plan.
Isaiah 55:11, John 10:27
The messenger plays a crucial role as they communicate the gospel, which is the means by which God saves His elect.
The role of the messenger in the context of salvation is pivotal, as they are the vessel through which God communicates His gospel to those He has chosen. The Scriptures teach that faith comes by hearing the Word of God, which underscores the necessity of a preacher to deliver that message. The function of the messenger is to relay the essentials of the gospel, declaring Christ and His crucifixion as the focal point. This ensures that those who are appointed to eternal life will hear the message and respond in faith. Thus, the act of sending forth a messenger encapsulates God's strategic intention in His plan of redemption.
Romans 10:14-15, Acts 13:48
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