Vital Questions for This Day

Q: What does the Bible say about God's sovereignty in salvation?

The Bible teaches that God is absolutely sovereign in salvation, as evidenced in Romans 9:15 and Exodus 33:19. Scripture clearly outlines the sovereignty of God in salvation, indicating that He chooses to have mercy on whom He wills. Romans 9:15 states, 'For he said to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.' This emphasizes that our salvation is not based on human will or effort, but solely on God's sovereign choice. Exodus 33:19 further illuminates this as God declares, 'I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious.' The overarching narrative of salvation history affirms that God orchestrates the redemption of His people according to His perfect plan and purpose, distinct from any human action or decision.

Q: How do we know that men are dead in sin?

The Bible asserts that all men are dead in sin, as stated in Ephesians 2:1 and Romans 5:12. The concept of being dead in sin is foundational to understanding human nature apart from grace. Ephesians 2:1 declares, 'And you were dead in trespasses and sins,' illustrating that spiritual death renders individuals incapable of seeking God. Romans 5:12 explains that sin entered the world through Adam, and as a result, death spread to all men. This biblical teaching underscores the total depravity of man, emphasizing that apart from divine intervention, humanity is ensnared in sin and cannot attain to righteousness on their own, necessitating the need for a sovereign act of grace for salvation.

Q: Did God elect people for salvation before the foundation of the world?

Yes, according to Ephesians 1:4, God elected individuals for salvation before the foundation of the world. The doctrine of election is a central tenet of sovereign grace theology, and Scripture affirms that God chose His people 'in Christ before the foundation of the world' (Ephesians 1:4). This selection is not based on foreseen faith or actions but rather is rooted in God's sovereign will and purpose. Acts 13:48 further clarifies this by stating, 'As many as were ordained to eternal life believed.' Thus, the biblical evidence supports the idea that God’s election is an act of grace, whereby He sovereignly and unconditionally chooses certain individuals for salvation, highlighting His glory and mercy.

Q: Is Christ's blood sufficient to save His people?

Yes, Christ's blood is fully sufficient to atone for the sins of His people, as detailed in Isaiah 53:5. The sufficiency of Christ's blood is a profound truth foundational to the atonement; Isaiah 53:5 states, 'He was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities.' This verse conveys that Christ’s sacrifice was comprehensive and effective for the redemption of His people. The New Testament echoes this, asserting in 1 Peter 1:18-19 that we are redeemed 'with the precious blood of Christ.' His atonement is a complete payment for sin, not merely an offer of forgiveness, asserting that His death secured salvation for all whom the Father had given Him.

Q: Does the Holy Spirit regenerate and call God's people?

Yes, the Holy Spirit regenerates and calls God's elect into salvation, as evidenced in John 6:44. The work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration and calling is vital in the process of salvation. John 6:44 states, 'No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.' This drawing is a divine call that rests upon the sovereign grace of God. The Spirit not only initiates regeneration but also empowers individuals to respond to the gospel. This transformative work signifies that salvation is ultimately a sovereign act of God, not a result of human will. The Holy Spirit breathes spiritual life into the hearts of the elect, enabling them to respond in faith to Christ.

Q: Will the elect persevere in faith and be preserved?

Yes, those whom God has called will persevere and be preserved, as promised in Philippians 1:6. The doctrine of perseverance asserts that all genuine believers will ultimately endure in faith until the end. Philippians 1:6 reassures us, 'He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.' This reflects God's faithfulness to complete the work He initiated in the lives of His elect. Additionally, John 10:28-29 emphasizes that Jesus gives His sheep eternal life and assures them that 'they shall never perish.' Thus, the security of the believer rests on the unchanging nature of God and His promises, guaranteeing that those chosen for salvation will be kept by His power.

Now turn in your Bibles to Philippians
chapter 3. When I spoke to these six pastors in Russia a few days ago, I told them that here in Philippians
chapter 3 is the account of a man who was brought up in religion,
and that I could identify with what Paul had to say in Philippians
chapter 3, because I too was brought up in religion, as most
people are. And I even went to school and
studied, as the Apostle Paul did, because he sat at the feet
of Gamaliel. education was much greater than
mine and much deeper into the scriptures, things of God, I'm
sure, Old Testament. But our lives were parallel in
a fashion, and some of you also, that Paul had religion, but he
didn't know the gospel. He didn't know Christ. And this
is what he said in Philippians 3, verse 1, Finally, brethren,
rejoice in the To write the same things to you, to me indeed,
is not tiresome, but for you it is safe. Now beware of dogs. He's talking here about false
preachers. He calls them dogs, as Isaiah
did. And he said beware of evil workers. You know, in Matthew 7, when
those people stood before the Lord in judgment, they said we
prophesied in your name and cast out devils and did many wonderful
works. He said, depart from me ye workers
of evil, workers of iniquity. That's what Paul calls them here.
Beware of evil workers, beware of the concision, the circumcision. These Judaizers that said to
people, yes, Christ died and died to save us, but you must
be circumcised to be saved. And then he said, for we are
the circumcision, we're true Israel which worship God in spirit. We're not devoted to a form or
a ceremony. We worship God in spirit, in
heart. Worship is a... Our Lord Jesus
said in John 4, God is spirit, and they that worship him, worship
him in spirit and truth. And we worship God in spirit.
God does not dwell in temples made with hands. He's not worshiped
with men's hands, as though he needed anything. And we are the
circumcision, true circumcision, who worship God in spirit and
rejoice in Christ Jesus. We rejoice in Him and Him only,
and we have no confidence in the flesh. Now, he goes back
and talks about what he was in his religion. Though I might
also have confidence in flesh, in religious flesh, in the law,
in morality, in the ceremonies of religion, if any other man
thinketh he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I am over.
Because I will circumcise the eighth day of the stock of Israel,
of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, as touching the
law of Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish
court, concerning zeal I persecuted the church, touching the righteousness
which is in the law, I was blameless of outwardly moral life. But
what things were gained to me, those I counted lost for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all
things but lost for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus
my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and I
do count them but done that I may win Christ and be found in Him. This is what happened to this
most religious man, this most moral man, this teacher of scriptures,
this Pharisee. He met Christ. He met Christ. And when I met Him and came to
know Him, all of this in which I trusted and all which I valued
so highly and in which I had confidence, I just Let it go,
turn it loose, counted it but lost, that I may win Christ and
be found in Him. Now what, read on. Verse 9, and
be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is of
the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness
which is of God by faith, that I may know Him. Paul knew Christ,
he wanted to know Him more. must grow. We grow in grace,
grow in faith, grow in love, grow in understanding that I
may know Him and the power of His resurrected life and the
fellowship of His sufferings being made conformable unto His
death. If by any means I might attain
unto the resurrection of the dead, not as though I'd already
attained, I haven't already arrived, Either we're already perfect,
I'm not, but I'm following after if that I may lay hold, the word
apprehend is to lay hold upon that for which also Christ has
laid hold of me. I want to lay hold upon that
for which the Lord has laid hold of me in Christ Jesus. Brethren,
I count not myself to have apprehended. I haven't arrived, but this one
thing I do. forgetting those things which
are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I pressed toward the mark for the prize of the high calling
of God in Christ Jesus." Now, in the days of Reformation, it
was much like this. Luther and other men, they were
religious. Luther was brought up a Catholic
in the monastery, studying to be a priest. And he learned the
gospel, learned the true gospel of God's grace. And when these
men learned the true gospel of God's grace, they were forced
out of organized religion. And had to found and start and
establish and pastor independent churches, preaching the gospel
of God's grace. And that's what the Lord led
us to do here. And the three marks of that reformation
were these. Number one, Christ alone. Christ
alone, his blood and his righteousness. There's none other name under
heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. He said, I'm
the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father but
by me. Christ alone, and then grace
alone, not of works. Not by works of righteousness,
which we've done, but according to His mercy, He has saved us. Salvation is by His grace, grace
alone. Works do not enter into the salvation
of our souls anywhere, and then the Scriptures alone. I want
you to turn with me to Isaiah chapter 8. Isaiah 8, the Scriptures
alone. This is, Paul said over there,
the Scripture I read a while ago, he said, preach the Word.
Preach the Word. Not what we think about the Word,
but what the Word says. And here in Isaiah chapter 8,
verse 19, And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them
that have familiar spirits, and unto the wizards that peep,
and that mutter. These people that get revelations,
you know, from God speaks to them and they have signs and
revelations and all. And it mutters, should not a
people seek unto their God? For the living to the dead, do
we go to the dead to find about the living Christ? That's what
the angel said to the women at the tomb, why seek ye the living
among the dead? He's not here. Here's our direction, go to the
scriptures, to the law and to the testimony. Go to the scriptures. If they speak not according to
this word, it's because there's no light in them. Now with this
in mind, I sat down and put on paper, and some of you already
have the outlines. I didn't mean for you to get
them before I got up here to preach this, but we made about
50 copies, Ronnie did, and they're out in the congregation, but
if we don't have enough, we'll make some more, won't we? if
you'd like to have a copy of this. But with this in mind,
and the fact that I'm going to write to these preachers, I have
their addresses, and I'm going to write to them, I set forth
about five sets of questions, questions divided into five parts.
On the basis, this is my basis, this is my foundation, Christ
alone, Christ alone, grace alone. alone. That's our message. That's
our gospel. That's what we believe. Christ
alone, grace alone, the scriptures alone. And here are the questions
that I want these men to study and consider. Now I'm not going
to ask you to look up all this scripture because I've written
a whole lot of things here and our time is limited, but I'll
quote these scriptures. The ones I can't quote, we'll
look them up. Here's the first part, here's
the first set of questions. Number one, is our God, the God
we worship, the true and living God, is he absolutely sovereign
in salvation as he is in creation? Now we know in creation God began
with nothing. He said let there be light. He
created It says, he created all things by the word of his power.
He created all things according to his will for his glory. Is
that the way he saved sinners? I believe the scripture teaches
that he does. And these are the scriptures
I'm using. Moses, in Exodus 33, Moses said, Lord, show me your
glory. And God said, I'll make all my
goodness pass before thee. I will be merciful to whom I
will be merciful. I will be gracious to whom I
will be gracious. And Paul quoted that in Romans
chapter 9. If you care to turn over there
with me to Romans the 9th chapter, listen to what Paul says here.
Romans 9 verse 15, For he said to Moses, I will have mercy on
whom I will have mercy, I will have compassion on whom I will
have compassion. So it's not of him that will
it, nor of him that run it, but of God that showeth mercy. For
the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh, even for this same purpose have
I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that
my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath
he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he will
have mercy." John chapter 5 says this, the
Son quickeneth whom he will. The Son gives life to whom he
will. Jonah chapter 2 verse 9 says this, salvation is of the Lord.
And David in the book of Psalms says over and over again, salvation,
the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord. God is sovereign
in salvation. All right, the second question.
Are men dead in sin? Without a knowledge of God or
a true desire to know God. Dead in trespasses and sin. What
does dead mean? It means dead. And the scripture
teaches that we are dead in trespasses and sin. Romans 5 says that in
Adam all died. By one man's sin entered the
world, and death by sin, so death passed upon all men, for all
sin. Verse 19 says by one man's disobedience
many were made sinners. 1 Corinthians 15 says in Adam
we die. Ephesians 2 says you have to
quicken who were dead in trespasses and sin. Jeremiah 13.23 says,
can the Ethiopian change his skin? Can the leper change his
spots? Neither can you do good that
are accustomed to doing evil. Romans 3.10 says what? None righteous,
no not one. None that seek after God, none
that understandeth, they've all gone out of the way. There's
none that doeth good, no not one. John 5.40 says what? You will not come to me that
you might be blind. That's what the scripture teaches.
All right, here's the third question. Did God elect a people? Did God
elect a people, and these two words are important, in Christ,
before the foundation of the world? Did he? What does Ephesians
1 say? Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places, in Christ, according as he chose
us in Christ before the foundation of the world. 2 Thessalonians 2, 13. We're
bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved
of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you
to salvation. Acts 13, 48. What does that say?
As many as were ordained eternal life, 2 Timothy 1, 9 and 10. Let's look at that one. 2 Timothy
chapter 2, or chapter 1. 2 Timothy 1, verse 9 and 10. Paul writing to Timothy here,
he said in verse 9, he hath saved us and called us with a holy
calling, not according to our works, but according to his own
purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the
world began. known unto God are all his works
from the beginning. God elected a people. Romans
chapter 11 says, the children not yet being born, neither having
done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election
might stand, not of works, not of him that run it. It was said to her, the elder
shall serve the younger. God elected a people. That's
what Scripture teaches. All right, here's the fourth
question. Is Christ's blood effectual and sufficient to save his people?
Well, Isaiah 53 declares he was wounded by transgressions. Let's
turn over there and read Isaiah chapter 53, verse, chapter 53, verse 4. Surely,
truly, surely he hath borne our grief. carried our sorrows. Yet we did esteem him stricken,
smitten of God, and afflicted. He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities.
The chastisement of our peace was upon him with his stripes."
We're healed. We are healed. 1 Peter 1 verse 18 says, we're
not redeemed with corruptible things. such as silver and gold
from our vain conversation received by tradition from our fathers,
but with a precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without spot
or blemish. Colossians 2.9 says, In him dwelleth
all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. You're complete in him. 2 Corinthians 5.21 said, He was
made sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness
of God in him. Turn to Acts 13. Let's look at
this one. Acts chapter 13. The blood of
Christ is effectual. It's sufficient. It's not an
offer. It's a payment for sin. He paid
our sins. He bore our sins. He paid for
them. I don't owe any sin debt because
He paid it. It's counsel. I remember your
sins no more. Look at Acts 13 verse 38. Be it known unto you therefore,
men and brethren, that through this man. He's preached unto
you what? The forgiveness of sin. Not an
offer of forgiveness, the forgiveness of sin. The gospel is a proclamation,
and by him, all that believe are justified. From what? From all things. Doris talked to a lady in a church. There's some sad sad folks in
this world, some very terrible things. I talked to this dear
lady that when she was a girl she was abused by her father
and became pregnant by her own father and when he found out
he pushed her down the stairs so she'd lose her baby and all
this sort of thing. And her life's been torn up like
that. I tell you, when we preach the gospel, we can save all manner
of sin and blasphemy. His blood is able to put away.
Do you believe that? I mean all manner of sin. God
is able to put away all sin. Not by my walking an aisle or
shaking a hand, but the blood of my Lord is effectual, powerful
to put away all sin. God can save even that man. That's right. He can't find any
peace in religion, but I tell you, if God ever brings him to
Christ, he'll find peace there. And that just makes you sick,
doesn't it? You say, well, there's no room for a fellow like that. No, they're not in religion,
but he is in Christ. The forgiveness of sin. That's
the blood of my Lord. He's able to save to the uttermost
them that come to God by him. that come to God. I preach a
redemption that redeems, blood that cleanses, and a salvation
that saves. Jesus Christ my Lord. And I say
the chief of centers come to Christ and you'll find peace.
That's right. His blood's effectual. It's not
an offering, it's a proclamation. Here's the next question, fifth
one. Does the Holy Spirit regenerate and call God's Does the Holy
Spirit regenerate? Turn to 1 Corinthians 1. 1 Corinthians chapter 1, verse
26. Now this is the calling. I know
there's a general call. I preach on television every
Sunday morning. A lot of folks will hear that
program. I mean, there's a lot of folks who hear the words. It comes over the set. And they
hear the word, but there's some people who hear it. There's a
difference in hearing and hearing. Isn't that right? There's a difference in hearing
words and hearing God through his word. There's a difference.
And the difference is the Holy Spirit. That's right, the difference
is the Holy Spirit. The hearing ear and the seeing
eye is of the Lord. There's a calling. There's a
calling, there's a call of the gospel, there's a call of the
law, there's a call of providence, there's a call of nature, there's
a revelation that God may be known by the things that are
made. But God in salvation can't be known by the things that are
made. He's only known in Christ, in salvation. And that's what
I'm saying about there's a calling in which men are disturbed or
moved or upset or something. I tell you when the Holy Ghost
takes the seat of the Word and begets a man, he's alive. Now he's alive, he's regenerated,
and that's what we're talking about. Look at 1 Corinthians
1 verse 26, for you see your calling brethren. How that not
many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble
are called. Now that can't refer to the general
call, can it? Because they are. Everybody hears
what we say. You know, we don't say over the
television, now all you mighty men turn it off, and all you
noble men turn it off, and all you rich men turn it off. No.
Everybody. But this calling is the Holy
Spirit calling. Not many of these people hear,
because they're listening to other voices. Read on. But God
hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the
wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound
the mighty, and the base things of the world are the things which
you despise, that God chosen, and things which are not to bring
to naught the things that are. Whom God chooses, He calls. Isn't that right? And that's the scripture I'd
refer to in Romans chapter 8. Whom he foreknew, he predestinated
to be conformed to the image of his Son, whom he predestinated
called, and who'll be called to justify. And I'll be sure
if there's a preacher who reads these things, these scriptures
that I'm designating for them here, if there's one whom God
had chosen, God'll call him. He'll call him through the word.
He'll read this and say, that's it, that's it, that's it. Our Lord said this, All that
my Father giveth me shall come to me. And him that cometh to me out
of no wise cast out. I came down from heaven, not
to do my will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is
the will of him that sent me, that of all he hath given me
I'll lose nothing, but raise it up at the last day. This is
the will of him that sent me, that everyone that heareth the
word, and seeth the Son, and comes to him, I'll raise him
at the last day. And these Jews began to murmur,
and he said, now don't murmur, murmur not among yourselves.
Verse 44, he said, no man can come to me except my Father which
sent me draw him. How does God draw men to Christ?
How does He call men to Christ? How does He bring men to Christ?
By His Word, by His Spirit. That's right, this is a supernatural
work. This is born from above. This is a heavenly call. He draws
them. He draws them. And you're not
going to see any visions and see Christ standing at the foot
of your bed or feel anything falling through space or something.
You look at the Word and believe it. You'll hear the word and
believe it. The preachers tell the truth.
That's so. God is God. I am a sinner. Christ is the
only Savior. I see that. I believe that. I
embrace that. I confess that. That's right,
God reveals it. The last question is, will the
elect all persevere and be preserved? Yep. He that hath begun a good
work in you shall complete it in the day of Christ Jesus. He
said, I give my sheep eternal life and they shall never perish,
neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father gave
them to me and no man can pluck them out of my Father's hand.
So, salvations of the Lord. There's the questions there.
There's six questions having to do with the sovereign grace
of God. Salvations of the Lord in its
origination. He purposed it. He planned it.
Salvation of the Lord in its execution, it pleased Him to
bruise Christ. Salvation of the Lord in its
application, He called you. You didn't call Him. He called
you. He chose you. He set His love on you. He said,
I've loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore, with loving
kindness, I'm drawing you. I'm drawing you. And salvation
of the Lord in its sustaining power, we are kept by the power
of God. and salvations of the Lord in
its ultimate perfection. All right, here's the second
set of questions. The second set. Now we profess to be children
of God. And I say that to preachers.
We profess to be children of God. We claim by faith the merits
of Christ. We claim His blood and His righteousness. We say that's mine. I trust His
blood, I trust His righteousness. All right, here's my question.
Well, did you choose God or did He choose you? Well, he chose us, a man has
to say that. Christ said that, he told his
disciples, you didn't choose me, I chose you. We're chosen
in him before the foundation of the world. The second question,
well, when did he choose you? When did God choose you? If you're
chosen of God, when did he set his affection on you? When did
he choose you? Somebody says, well, he chose
me when I believed and made his blood effectual. That's not what
the Bible says. It says we're chosen in Christ
before the foundation of the world. God had from the beginning
chosen you to salvation. Well, the next question is why
did he choose you? If I can get men to just sit
and think about why did he choose me? But I'll tell you why, according
to the good pleasure of his own will. Look at Ephesians chapter
1 a moment. And I want you to study these
scriptures when you have time to study them.
Just look at them carefully and study them. Look at Ephesians
chapter 1, verse 5. Ephesians 1, verse 5. Having
predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to
himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. Look at verse 11. In whom we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh
all things after the counsel of his own will. How, let me ask you, how do you
soften that? Somebody says, well, you just
don't tell people that. Why don't you tell them that? Well, we've got to slip around.
You can't slip, you can't deny the Word of God and slip around.
Just, this is it. And the thing about it is his
sheep will hear it and the rest of them aren't going to hear
it no matter how much you sugarcoat it. We take a pill and we sugarcoat
it so you won't taste it. But you just can't do that with
the Word of God. You can't sugarcoat it. You can't
fix it so a man's Human nature like it. The human nature won't
like it. 1 John chapter 5, verse 1. 1 John chapter 5, verse 1. Whosoever
believeth that Jesus is the Christ, he's born of God. If he wasn't
born of God, he wouldn't believe Jesus is the Christ. He's not born because he believes.
He believes because he's born. A man's not born again because
he loves God, he loves God because he's born again. Look at 1 John
4, right across the page, verse 7. Beloved, let us love one another,
for love is of God, and everyone that love it is born of God. He wouldn't live if he wasn't
born of God. Aren't some of you surprised
at the grace of God in you? I am. I'm surprised. It's just
fascinating. Here I listen to these men pray
and preach and teach and I'm fascinated because it's not natural. It's spiritual. It's God. It's
not them. It's God. That's why you love
one another because you're born of God. That's why you believe. That's why somebody says you
drive all the way from George Barker drives from Vanceburg,
and some of you drive from Milton, and some of you drive from Huntington,
and other places. You pass a dozen churches? Why
do you do that? You're born of God. Old Brother
Hilliard said, a sheep will go a hundred miles for a field of
clover. He wants to hear the Word. It's
evidence. Turn to 1 John, I mean, pardon
me, 1 Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians. Paul's talking to this church
at Thessalonica, and he says, I know you're God's elect. I
know you're God's elect. 1 Thessalonians chapter 1, verse
4. I know you're God's elect. There's
too many evidences. How do you know they're God's
elect? Verse 5, Our gospel came to you, not in word only, but
in power, and the Holy Ghost is much assured. And that brings
me to the next question. In a birth, there's seed. There's
always got to be seed in a birth. What is the seed in the new birth?
The Scripture says God has begotten us again unto a living hope. We're born again, born from above,
born by the Spirit of God. What is the seed in the new birth? All right, two Scriptures, James
1 And I can quote these, you can too, but let's read it. James
1, verse 18. All right, this is so clear here, I want
you to see it. Let's read verse 17 and 18 of
James 1. James 1, verse 17. Every good
gift and every perfect gift is from above. And cometh down from
the Father of lights, with whom there is no bearableness, the
shadow of turning, the gifts and calling of God are without
change. Of his own will beget he us. What is the begetting?
Born. Of his own will beget he us with
the word of truth, that we should be of a kind, be a kind of first
fruits of his creation. What is a new birth? A man walks
down the aisle and says, the Lord saved me. I confess him. Was he born again when he confessed
Christ? No, sir. He was born of God and
regenerated before he ever heard that gospel of Hebrews. Because
those ears have to be living ears to hear that gospel. And
he comes and confesses a Christ who gave him life. And that work
is by the Spirit of God hearing the Word of God. Let me show
you another scripture. 1 Peter 1, verse 23. 1 Peter 1, it's the preaching
of the Word. When you know, you read the parable
of the sower, it said a sower went forth to sow and he scattered
seed. Our Lord said, now listen to
this, let me show you this. The sower went forth to sow and
he scattered seed. Some fell on fallow ground, no
good. Some fell among the thorns, no
good. Some fell on stony ground, no
good. Some fell on good ground, and
good. Some forty, some sixty, some
a hundred fold. And the disciples said, explain
that. Christ said, the sower is the son of man. Christ. The seed, where'd it go? The ground, people. Fallow, stony, thorny, but there's
some good ground. God plowed it. God prepared it. It was prepared before the seed
was ever put, ever sown. That's right. And here in 1 Peter
chapter 1, verse 23, being born again, not of corruptible seed,
but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and
abideth forever. So that brings me to the next
question. Is it possible for a person to be saved and come
to faith and be born again without hearing or reading the word of
God? No, sir. Don't believe so. Don't believe so. You know, what the primitive
Baptists, not all of them, there's some dear, wonderful people among
primitive Baptists, but there were some who took this thing
to the extreme. Logical conclusion. The pendulum
went from over here to flopped over there. They said, well,
if God elected a people whom Christ died for, and they're
going to be saved, then we don't need to preach to them. because
he'll be saved anyway. Now let me tell you something,
election is not salvation, it's unto salvation. And he has chosen
us from the beginning unto salvation through means, through the sanctification
of the Spirit, that is, the Holy Spirit setting a man apart, the
Holy Spirit begetting life, creating an interest, through the sanctification
of the Spirit and what? Belief of the truth. You can't
be saved without faith. Man can be saved without hearing
the Word of God. Now, Paul says that in Romans 10, he said, Whosoever
shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved, but how
shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how
shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And
how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except
they be sent? Somebody asked me one day, I said that God had
chosen by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe,
and they asked me, they said, well, you think everybody has
to hear a preacher to be saved? No. No, not vocally or orally. He can read the Word and be saved.
He can read the Word. But pray tell me, who wrote the
Word? God's preachers. If you hear
Paul, you're hearing a preacher. If you hear Peter, you're hearing
a preacher. If you hear Isaiah, you're hearing a preacher. That
God, holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
So whether you read the word or hear the word, you're hearing
God's servant. Ephesians 1 says, In whom you
trusted after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your
salvation. And that's the reason this pastor
and this congregation and missionaries and preaches on television and
tapes. Bill Clark told me to tell you
that he's had 140 orders for those television tapes. He put
out VCR tapes of our television messages, four on each tape,
and 140 families have ordered them. So we're preaching the
gospel everywhere, and God's sheep are going to hear it. They've
got to hear it. that they're here to believe.
Without faith, it's impossible to please God. All right, here's
my third set of questions. Now, we're saved by God's grace
through faith, not apart from faith. We're kept by the power
of God through faith. Without faith, it's impossible
to please God. But where does faith come from?
Now, that's my question. Is faith a product of the human
heart? It's the gift of God. Turn to Philippians chapter 1.
Where does faith come? And this is what the Arminian
says. This is what the Arminian says.
The reason I know what he says is because that's what I used
to believe before I heard the gospel. That God by grace, God by grace, decided to save people. sent
Christ down here to die for everybody. And salvation is sort of like
that glass of water. There it is. You thirsty? Come
up and get you a drink. But I'll tell you this, those
who are thirsty, God gave them a thirst. Those who believe this message,
God gave them that faith. That's right. It's not Well,
let's read this right here. Philippians 129, unto you it
is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but
also to suffer for his sake. Do you have faith? God gave it to you. Is salvation a gift or
an offer? Salvation is a gift. Eternal
life is a gift of God. God has given us eternal life.
A man can receive nothing except it be given him from above. It's
a gift. It's a gift. Is gospel repentance
and faith a gift or a work? Let's look at it through Scripture.
Turn to Ephesians 2. Ephesians chapter 2, verse 8.
Ephesians 2, verse 8. Is gospel repentance and faith
a gift or a work? Ephesians 2.8 says this, for
by grace are you saved through faith. That's not of yourself. That's not of yourself. The faith's
not of yourself. It's the gift of God. It's not
of works, lest any man should boast, for we're his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus on two good works. Good works is the
result of salvation, not the cause of it. It doesn't contribute
anything to it. Look at Acts chapter 11, verse
18. I want you to look at these scriptures
here. I tell you, even repentance is a gift of God. Acts chapter
11, verse 18. When they heard these things,
they held their peace and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also
to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. Paul said in Romans
chapter 2, it's the goodness of God that leads you to repentance.
It's the grace of God. Everything I have related to
spiritual life is the gift of God. My repentance, faith, righteousness,
works, whatever, is the gift of God. I'm crucified with Christ,
nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. In
the life which I now live, in the flesh I live, not by my faith,
but by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself
for me." Paul said to the other apostles, he said, I labor more
abundantly than you all. Yet not I, Christ in me. We have nothing of which to gloat.
Let me ask you this, are men invited to repent or commanded
to repent? I hear about the free offer of
the gospel, and I guess that's alright if you want to, if you
understand something different from what I understand about
that, you can use it. But I don't understand it enough
to use it. I don't believe the gospel is
an offer. I believe it's a command. I don't believe a king invites
anybody to do anything. I believe he commands it. I don't
believe we have a choice. I don't believe we have an alternative
to believe God or not believe God, to repent or not repent,
to honor Christ or not honor Christ. I believe we're commanded
to repent. The Scripture says, God commandeth
all men everywhere to repent. Faith is a command. Believe. He that believeth on the Son,
he hath life. He that believeth not the Son
will never see life. The wrath of God abideth on him.
There's no way to be neutral. You either love Christ or you
despise Him. All right, here's the fourth
set. Now Job asked several pertinent questions. Job chapter 9, verse
2. You know them. I won't take the
time to read all these. Job said, how can he be clean,
this born of a woman? He said in Job 15, how can man
be just with God? He said in Job 25, How can behold
the moon? It shineth not. The stars are
not pure in his sight. How much more abominable and
filth is man that drinks iniquity like the water? How can he be
holy, clean, and just before God? Well, here's my four questions. What is the one word that best
describes our God? The one word that best describes
our God? Holy. That's it. The seraphim
says, holy, holy, holy. That's the best word, the best
one word that describes our God. He's holy. Holy in reference
is his name. What is the one word that best describes us? Sinners. Sinners. Guilty or sinners. Incapable,
unable. Sinners. Third question, then
how can a holy God and a guilty sinner be brought into oneness. How can God be just and holy
and justify me? How can He? Romans chapter 3. Would you turn over there just
a moment? This is the only way. See, God has to be just. He has
to be holy. He said He can't change. Romans
chapter 3. How can that God be holy? and
justify you. There's just one message. There's
one gospel. Doesn't matter whether you're
preaching to Russians or Americans. Doesn't matter whether you're
preaching to educated people or uneducated people. Doesn't
matter whether you're preaching to the Malian Indians or the
people at MIT. God is still holy, and they're
all still sinners. They're all sinners from the
sole of their feet to the top of their heads. They're sinners.
There's no goodness in them. How can a holy God pardon an
educated sinner, the same way He pardons an uneducated sinner? How can a holy God accept and
be just and justify a white sinner or a black sinner, a male sinner
or a female? They're all the same. There is
no difference. They're all sin, pure and Gentile. They're all in the corrupt pit
of shame and sin, separated from God. There's just one way. Look
at verse, chapter 3 of Romans, verse 19. Now we know that what
things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under
the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world
become guilty sinners before God. I don't know if I was preaching
in Westminster Abbey or Parliament or a prison. This thing says
the same thing to all of us. We're guilty, sinners. Yeah, but you need to... No,
you don't either. You just need to preach it. You
can't, there's no way to dress this up. You can't dress up a
corpse. You can't dress up a maggot.
Tell him what he is. And God's infinitely above it. Therefore, by the deeds of the
law, there's no flesh going to be justified in his sight, for
by the law is the knowledge of sin, not the cleansing of it,
the knowledge of it. But now, the righteousness of
God, that immaculate, immutable holiness of God, without the
law, without our obedience to the law, is manifested, is witnessed
by the law and the prophets. It's the very righteousness of
God which is by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, by his obedience
as a man, by his satisfaction as a man, by his holiness as
a man, as our representative. And it's imputed unto all and
upon all them that believe there is no difference for all that
sin and come short of God's glory. So being justified, sanctified,
righteous, freely, by his grace through the redemption that's
cried Christ Jesus, whom God has set forth. Set him forth. Oh, we're sublime. He set him
forth in the promises. He set him forth in the prophecies.
He set him forth in the patterns. He set him forth in the types.
He set him forth in the Passover. He set him forth incarnating
human flesh. He set him forth on a cross.
He set him forth in a tomb. He raised him from the dead in
the sight of all of them, took him to glory while they stood
there in the hell. He set him forth to be a propitiation,
a mercy seat, a covering, an offering through faith in his
blood to declare God's righteousness. That's what Christ came to declare,
God's holiness, God's righteousness. He said, I didn't come to destroy
the law, I came to fulfill it. He didn't come to make it easier
for God to save sinners. God can't save a sinner except
that sinner be justified and be God. He came to satisfy for
the remission of sins that have passed through the forbearance
of God. Those Old Testament saints, How'd
God save them? Save them by the blood of Christ.
And God's patience waited until Calvary. That's what that says
there. That Christ died for them too.
But he died after they lived and died. And he died before
I lived and died. But he died for God's people
from Adam to the last one. All right, why'd he do that?
To declare To manifest, I say at this time, God's righteousness,
God's holiness, that God may be just and the justifier of
them that believe in Christ. God's going to be holy. He's
not going to save us at the expense of His holiness. That's just
so. He's not going to save anybody
at the expense of His holiness. Christ is going to pay our debt.
Now, what is meant by imputed righteousness? The fourth chapter of Romans
there uses that word about eleven times, imputed, reckoned, counted. Well, you know what it means,
and I want these preachers to look this up and read it, what
it means by imputed righteousness. Christ Jesus came down here to
the earth. God's Holy Son was made of a
woman, made under the law. God saw all the elect in him. He's the federal head and the
representative of all God's elect. And for them, in their stead,
in their place, he obeyed God in such a perfect way that God
charged his righteousness to us, reckoned it to us, imputed
it to us. That's right. And he went to
the cross and God imputed his blood to us. And right now, every
believer stands before God perfectly holy, perfectly righteous, perfectly
justified. Why? Because that person, that
believer, this one and you, I obeyed God's law. Oh, you didn't? Yes, I did. Yes, I did, in Christ. And my sins have been paid for.
I died. I'm dead with Christ. When did
you die? In Christ. Nevertheless, I live.
Yet not I, but Christ lives. And that's what, that's imputation.
Charge it to me. Charge it to me. And Christ charges,
God charges. All right, here's the last set
of questions. And I'll proceed this set of
questions with this statement. Then, this, these things being
so, does the gospel we preach agree with the scriptures? Cecil, you said this place is
a place to worship God. because the Gospel is preached
here, isn't it? My Gospel agrees with the Scripture. I'll set,
I'll set my Gospel up against the Scripture, search the Scripture
and see if it's not what God said. That's right. I'm not preaching
the Baptist doctrine, preaching the Scripture. Or are we preaching another Gospel,
another Jesus, and another And I'll let you read those last
questions. I've taken long enough, but there are four of them. Look them over. Look them over. You pray about this. It may,
I don't know, it may amount to nothing. I don't, you know, we're
not ambitious. For ourselves, we're ambitious
for the glory of Christ, but not for ourselves. And you pray
that God will make this effectual. It may be one of those men will
read these and study and maybe he'll get some more men together
and maybe he'll put them in Russia and give them out to somebody
else. But the last four questions,
I must get brief. Men today preach that God loves
everybody, without exception. They preach that God wills to
save everybody without exception. They preach that Christ's blood
was shed for everybody without exception. They preach that the
Holy Spirit tries to save everybody without exception. And my contention
is this, that being true, then the love of God, the will of
God, the blood of Christ, and the Holy Spirit has nothing to
do with our salvation. That's my conclusion. If all of that's
for everybody without exception, even people who are already in
hell, then none of those things have anything to do with my salvation.
So that leaves it, here's what it leaves it up to. Save yourself. Sinner, save yourself. If God
can't do it, you've got to do it. But he's able.

Vital Questions for This Day

What does the Bible say about God's sovereignty in salvation?

How do we know that men are dead in sin?

Did God elect people for salvation before the foundation of the world?

Is Christ's blood sufficient to save His people?

Does the Holy Spirit regenerate and call God's people?

Will the elect persevere in faith and be preserved?

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