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Tim James

Grace on Purpose

Hebrews 2:16
Tim James October, 26 2025 Video & Audio
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In the sermon "Grace on Purpose," Tim James addresses the doctrine of God's sovereign grace as encapsulated in Hebrews 2:16. He emphasizes that Christ's redemptive work was limited to the "seed of Abraham," which symbolizes God's elect, rather than fallen angels or all of humanity. James argues that God's sovereignty in salvation is evident throughout Scripture, illustrating that His mercy is bestowed according to His divine will and purpose. Key Scriptures, including Galatians 3 and Romans 9, are employed to affirm the idea that not all individuals are recipients of God's grace; instead, Christ intentionally laid hold of certain individuals to save them. This doctrine of particular redemption holds substantial practical significance, as it reassures believers of their eternal security and fosters gratitude for God's sovereign initiative in their salvation.

Key Quotes

“He passed by the fallen angels, passed by the sons of Adam, and took hold upon the seed of Abraham.”

“It was never his intention or design or purpose to save all men. Thankfully, he has saved some.”

“He shall save His people... The purpose of God cannot be overturned. The covenant of grace cannot be nullified.”

“When we take the Lord's table... we're celebrating a wondrous fact that we've been saved by grace.”

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

The Bible emphasizes that God is absolutely sovereign in the salvation of sinners, demonstrating His mercy according to His own will.

Scripture consistently declares God's absolute sovereignty in the salvation of sinners. For instance, Paul highlights in Romans 9:15 that God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy, affirming that God acts according to His own divine will and purpose. This sovereignty is evident in how God chose to save some while passing over others, as seen in the election of Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau (Romans 9:6-13). The overarching narrative of the Bible reveals that salvation is not a result of human will or effort, but entirely by God's design and grace, validating the truth that no human can thwart God's plans.

Romans 9:15, Romans 9:6-13

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

The Bible teaches that God is sovereign in salvation, choosing whom He will save according to His purpose.

Scripture emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty in every aspect of creation and salvation. As stated in Exodus 33:19 and Romans 9:15, God declares, 'I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.' This doctrine helps us understand that it is not based on human will or effort but solely on God's choosing. Throughout Scripture, we see that God's sovereign grace acts without obligation, passing by the fallen angels and choosing some among the fallen sons of Adam for salvation, illustrating His merciful character.

Exodus 33:19, Romans 9:15, Hebrews 2:16

Why is grace important for Christians?

Grace is essential for Christians as it is the unearned favor from God that grants salvation and secure belonging in Christ.

Grace is at the heart of the Christian faith, as it represents God's unmerited favor toward His people. Ephesians 2:8-9 states that we are saved by grace through faith, underscoring that salvation is a gift from God and not a result of our works or merits. This grace assures believers of their eternal security; it is by Christ's sacrifice that justice has been satisfied, allowing us to stand blameless before God. Understanding and embracing grace compels Christians to respond with thankfulness, reverence, and worship, acknowledging that without God's grace, we would remain lost and in bondage to sin.

Ephesians 2:8-9

How do we know that Christ died specifically for the elect?

Scripture indicates that Christ's death is specifically for His sheep, the elect people of God.

In John 10:15, Jesus explicitly states, 'I lay down my life for the sheep,' which affirms that His sacrificial death was intended for those whom God has chosen for salvation. The phrase 'the seed of Abraham' pertains to believers in Christ, as affirmed in Galatians 3:29, where Paul states that if we are Christ's, then we are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. This directly contrasts with the view that Christ died for all indiscriminately, affirming the focused intent of His atonement for the elect, reaffirmed throughout Scripture.

John 10:15, Galatians 3:29, Hebrews 2:16

How do we know that Christ's death was purposeful?

Christ’s death was intentional, serving as the fulfillment of God’s promise to redeem His people, particularly the seed of Abraham.

Christ's death fulfilled a divine purpose, as supported by Hebrews 2:16 which states that He took on the seed of Abraham to save His people. This intentional act demonstrates that Christ did not die aimlessly; rather, He came to accomplish the plan of redemption. The Old Testament establishes that God promised a Savior (Genesis 3:15), and throughout scripture, Christ's coming was designed to bring about that promise. In John 10:15, Jesus affirms His sacrificial role, saying He lays down His life for His sheep. Thus, the purpose of His death is inseparable from the covenant God made with His people, affirming that He came to save those He chose.

Hebrews 2:16, Genesis 3:15, John 10:15

Why is God's grace important for Christians?

God's grace is essential for Christians as it underpins our salvation and relationship with Him.

God's grace is foundational to the Christian faith, as detailed in Ephesians 2:8-9, where it states that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our works. This emphasizes that our salvation is a gift from God, highlighting His mercy and unmerited favor. Understanding grace leads Christians to live in gratitude and worship, recognizing that every spiritual blessing comes from God's generous heart. As believers, we are called to respond to grace with lives that reflect Christ's love and sovereignty, understanding that by God's grace, we have assurance of eternal security.

Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 2:16

How does the doctrine of election relate to God's character?

The doctrine of election displays God's sovereign character and His will to show mercy.

Election is fundamentally entwined with God's character, asserting His sovereignty over salvation. Romans 9:18 highlights that God has the right to show mercy or harden whom He wishes, underscoring that His mercy is not dependent on human actions. This doctrine reveals God’s divine prerogative and His plan of redemption, emphasizing that He acts out of love and purpose. Through the lens of election, we see the depths of God’s grace, wherein He chooses to save some, providing comfort and assurance to believers that their salvation is secure in His eternal will.

Romans 9:18, Ephesians 1:4-5, Hebrews 2:16

Sermon Transcript

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Before I was good to see everybody, I was sworn in. I remember those who requested prayer. I had a birthday this week for Malcolm. Happy birthday. Happy birthday. I don't know anything about the writing of the prayer. The next time I talked to her, or I interviewed her, I was assuring her. She didn't know anything either. So I'll continue to remember them in your prayers. You see, the Lord has helped me.

Another thing, what we decided to do, since we're having so much food every week, everybody's cooking big. Let's don't cook big, let's go back to like the original plan was, soup and sandwiches. And you ladies get together and shout, who's going to do the sandwiches, and who's going to do the soup? Because everybody's getting fed. Three times a week, last Sunday of the month, we'll have the big dinners on behalf of the Lord's table. So let's start doing that. That'll work out just fine.

Let's begin our worship service tomorrow at 236. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. Praise Him, praise His outspring. I see. Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come. It's grace that brought me safe thus far. And grace will lead me home. Where we've been back a thousand years. Bright shining as the sun, we know let's pray. when we first begun. Onele, laudam, illum, legitim. Illumine, alleluia, reim. Laudam, Illum, legitim.

Scripture reading and prayer were seen in number 255. Every Bible story will be in Hebrews chapter 2. Begin reading in verse 14 and read through verse 18 and take my text to verse 16 today. For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also likewise took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that hath power of death, that is the devil, and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on himself, or took not on him the nature of angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Therefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be merciful and faithful and high priest in things pertaining to God, to make a reconciliation for the sins of his people. For in that he himself suffered being tempted, he was able to succor them that are tempted."

Verse 16 says, He took not on Him the nature of angels, but He took on Him the seed of Abraham, let us pray. Our Father, we come in the precious name and perfect righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ, who even now, because He finished the work of redemption, We are thankful that by his sacrifice, you fixed it so no charge could ever be laid against one of your legs. No man can condemn you. No charge from the devil or any angel, or even from heaven above, can stand. Because Jesus Christ has fully paid the sin debt of his people. He's died that death that was required of them for their sin. And so they shall never die. When the end of their life comes here on this earth, they will simply go to sleep and awake in the presence of Almighty God, rejoicing in the everlasting gospel with the angels.

Father, help us to appreciate what you've done for us. Ever let us be thankful people. Ever let us be praising people, knowing full well that had you not intervened in our case, we would be of all old and most miserable. Father, we pray for those who are sick and going through trials, those who are away from us for whatever reason. We ask, Lord, you bring them home safe. And for those who are sick, we ask for healing and mercy. And Father, for ourselves this hour, as we hear the gospel, as we take the Lord's table this day, let us do so with reverence and thanksgiving. Knowing that today we, as every day the gospel is preached, we celebrate a wondrous fact that we've been saved by grace. We thank you. And in due time, according to your purpose, you gave us faith to believe. Help us now to believe and to worship you, we pray in Christ's name, amen.

Blessed assurance, hand number 255. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine. Heir of salvation, purchased of God. This is my story. This is my song. This is my story. This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long This is my story, this is my song Praising my Savior all the day long Perfect submission, always at rest I am thy Savior, and may be impressed! Watching and waiting, looking above, Here with His throne, and watching His love. This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long. This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long.

Let us pray, Father, again, we approach in the name of Jesus Christ, the blessed gift, the perfect, unspeakable gift that you have given to all your people, for him to reside in our bosom by his Spirit. To know your word because you've given us faith to believe. We have full assurance of faith full assurance of hope, and full assurance of understanding, knowing because when you gave him to us, you held nothing back from us, and freely gave us all things. We have all spiritual blessings in Jesus Christ, according as you've chosen us in him before the foundation of the world. As we return to be that which you have freely given to us, let us do so with joy, and thanksgiving in our hearts, we pray in Christ's name, amen.

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the the the I want your attention back to Hebrews chapter 2. Paul writing to the Hebrew children. Showing them that the old covenant has been set aside. The new covenant has been instituted by the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Says forth who indeed our Lord came to save. It says, He took not on Him the nature of angels, but He took on Him the seed of Abraham.

Now these words are a banner of God's sovereign grace. They speak of God who takes hold of some and passes by others. When our Lord Jesus Christ came to save His fallen creatures, He passed by the fallen angels and made hold of the seed of Abraham. He did not take hold of the seed of Adam. He took hold of the seed of Abraham. God's elect, that's who the seed of Abraham are. They are the heirs according to promise. Scripture says in Galatians 3 that everyone who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is the seed of Abraham.

We were lost, and by all indications of nature and practice, by every tenet of what is right and reasonable, we were gladly and blindly careening toward eternal destruction. Praise Him. Our Lord reached way down, as the old song says. May bear His holy arm, as the scripture says. and snatched us up with his great power, as the scripture says, a brand plucked from the burners. He passed by the fallen angels, passed by the sons of Adam, and took hold upon the seed of Abraham.

God our Savior acts in inviolate, sovereign mercy and grace. as he is sovereign in creation and in providence, so he is unquestionably sovereign in the salvation of sinners. This book, his book, is entirely void of any concept that presents God as anything other than absolute sovereign ruler. Religious folks bandy about terms like the fundamentals of the faith, yet many who strut themselves about as uncompromising fundamentalists, rarely, if ever, speak of God in terms of absolute sovereignty. If they do mention it, it's usually to disallow it or diminish the mental capacity of those who believe it and declare it.

But the best of men are just men. God's indisputable sovereignty is the fundamental doctrine of the scripture and the first aspect of the gospel. When Paul was talking about the gospel, coming, and faith coming by hearing, and hearing by the gospel, or hearing by the word of God in Romans chapter 10. He quoted Isaiah chapter 52 in verse 7, where it says, how beautiful upon the mountains were the feet of them that bring good tidings, and publish peace, and publish salvation. That saying, undesire the church, thy God reigneth. This is the beginning of the thing. If we don't have that, We don't have a gospel to preach.

The reason why so many call what they preach the gospel but it's not the gospel is because the God they talk about is not sovereign. He does not do as He pleases. He does as man pleases. That makes man sovereign and not God. But if you flip through the pages of this great tome, spend time in this great book, you'll find not one instant, one word, one phrase, one syllable from Genesis to Revelation where God does not loo all things by his absolute unqualified sovereign sway. Find if you can one nanosecond where the omnipotent God abdicates his throne to leave something to the will and the power or the intent and design of his frail, impotent creatures.

Everything and everyone, every person and every bismarck and snake that crawls upon the face of this earth that resides on this earth resides under the pale of his absolute sovereignty. King Nebuchadnezzar finally saw it after God put him out to the pasture for the first season. He said, God's dominion is forever. He doeth according to his will in the armies of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand or say unto him, what are you doing? You have neither right nor warrant as a creature to say, what are you doing?

The man who opposed the sovereignty of God by saying, well God has made me thus, how can he find a problem with me in Romans chapter 9? Paul answered that and said, what if God did that? What are you going to do about it? What if God? What if God? God is absolutely sovereign. He shows mercy according to His good pleasure. He said in Exodus 33, 19 and in Romans 9, 15, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy. And he also says, I will harden whom I will harden.

There are those who are appointed to condemnation according to Jude and first Peter. As a result of their sin, they are forever doomed to suffer the wrath of God. The angels are those who fail. No mercy was extended to them, nor shall be. No grace was bestowed upon them. No Savior rose up on their behalf. The fallen angels and their ersatz prince are forever condemned without the least possibility of forgiveness. I remember Joe Terrell telling me a story about a young boy in Bible school, Sunday Bible school. The teacher would teach how God loved everybody and wanted everybody to be saved. And the little boy said, well, shouldn't we pray for the devil? It's a good question if he loves everybody, wants everybody to be saved. No, the devil is condemned. He's reserved and chained into eternal damnation. That's a done deal.

In time, Adam did the same as the fallen angels. He rebelled against the throne of God. He challenged God's right to be God. What happened? God was gracious. God was gracious. God promised the fallen sons of Adam, a savior, a redeemer, a way of mercy. Genesis 3.15, he said to the serpent, the seed of woman is going to come and he's going to bruise your head and you're going to bruise his heel. That's called the Proto-Evangelium or the first representation in words of the gospel. The gospel was later shown to be, or shown to be in the same chapter done in type and picture with the slaying of the beast.

The angels who sinned were passed by. That's what this text says. They were just passed by. Left reprobates without mercy. Yet when Adam did the identical thing, God showed mercy to him. Why? Because he could. And because he would. And because he's sovereign. Why did God pass by the angels that fell? Why did God extend mercy to follow man? Only one answer really can be given. He will have mercy on whom he will have mercy. And he will show compassion on whom he will show compassion. And whom he will, he hardened them.

You and I either rebel against the fact of God's divine sovereignty and perish in our rebellion or we Bow to the Sovereign God and Savior Christ. Even so Father, for it seemed good in that sight. Even the reason why we will or will not choose thusly ultimately is the doing of God. Do men choose Christ? Everybody who comes to Christ chooses Him. Why do they choose Him? That's the work of God. It's the work of God. Our Lord said that. In Matthew chapter 11 verse 20. After hearing people mock him and mock John the Baptist, he lifted his eyes to heaven and said, I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and Lord of earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and the prudent and has revealed them unto babes. For even so it seemed good. It seemed good to God to hide the gospel from some people and reveal it to others. It's a good thing that God did that. You know, say, that ain't right. Oh, that's so right. It's absolutely right.

Among the fallen sons of Adam, there are some who are chosen of God, to whom he will be gracious, and there are some whom God has passed by, to whom no grace will be given. Adam had two sons. He had two sons, Cain and Abel. God passed by Cain. Passed by Cain, who was the older, and saved Abel, who was the younger. Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. God passed by Ishmael and saved Isaac. Isaac had two sons, Esau and Jacob. God passed by Esau because he hated Esau and saved Jacob because he loved Jacob. This is God acting as God.

In the days of Noah, God destroyed the entire human race except for one man in his family. Why did God save Noah? in the eyes of God, God looked on him in grace. Was he any different than any of those that was destroyed upon the face of the earth? He was no different. He proved that as soon as he got off the ark, he got drunk. As soon as he did, he had a big party and got drunk. Wasn't nothing to Noah, except God's grace. God showed

Throughout the Old Testament we are given example after example of God's sovereignty and salvation. One glaring example is God's sovereignty in the damnation of Pharaoh. God raised him up for no other purpose than to harden his heart and ultimately dump him into the Red Sea with his army. God is sovereign. I've heard some people say God is different in the Old Testament than He is in the New. He's not. God is God, and the mark of His deity is that He is immutable. He does not change. He said that in Malachi chapter 3. I am the Lord, I change not. Therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed. Jesus Christ, He says, is the same yesterday, today, and forever. There's no change in Him. Some people think by what they do, that's gonna change God toward them. Listen, if God loves you, He's always loved you, He'll always love you. If He's shown you grace, He'll always be gracious to you. He'll never get mad at you. He'll never turn away from you. Never. You'll turn away from Him 10,000 times in your life. But He'll never turn from you. When you come back, you'll find Him right where He was, right where you left Him.

His majestic sovereignty is just as clearly displayed and even more fully revealed in the New Testament. When he gathered his disciples, he chose Simon and Andrew, but not their father. He chose James and John, but not Zebedee. He healed some and left others to die. He called some and passed by others. He said to the most religious men of the day, he said, I came not to call you. I didn't come for you. You set aside. Nothing to you. You don't mean anything to me. I came not to call the righteous, but bring sinners to repent.

Save some who sought Him, the woman with the issue of blood. Turned away others who sought Him, the rich young ruler. Christ died for some, but did not die for others. He laid down His life for His sheep, He said. He died He gave His life for His church, it says in Ephesians chapter 5.

God simply does not deal with all people the same way. This is plain teaching of the New Testament, throughout the New Testament. It says the book is about Christ. This is His book. He said to the Pharisees, you study the scriptures in them and you think you find eternal life, but they which justify me will not come to me. You might have life. He opened the scriptures to the disciples of Emmaus by telling them that the scripture was about him. He opened their understanding.

Therefore, about the salvation of the elect, that's what this is about. It's an indisputable fact that he is absolutely, unquestionably, perfectly sovereign. in the salvation of a man's soul. Nobody's involved, but God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, who is realized in the person of Jesus Christ. For in Him dwell the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

Four things I want to say concerning this verse this morning. First thing is this. It was never God's intention design or purpose to save the angels who fail. Secondly, it was never the intention, design, or purpose of Christ to save all men. Thirdly, it is the intention, design, and purpose of Christ to save all the seed of Abraham. And fourthly, all the seed of Abraham shall be saved.

First of all, it was never the intention, desire, or purpose of Christ to save the angels who fell. Verily, He took not on Him the nature of angels. The word took in this passage means to lay hold of. To lay hold of. This is powerful language. Quite literally it is saying Christ never took hold of the angels to deliver and save them. Our Lord did not come into this world as an angel. He came as a man. He did not come as a surety for the angels that fell. He never took hold of them. To those angels that fell, God showed no mercy whatsoever. They are eternally reprobate and without hope in this world and the next.

Secondly, it was never the intention or design or purpose of Lord Jesus Christ to save all men. That's the cardinal doctrine of false religion called Christianity today. God wants to save everybody. Christ died for everybody. That's the language. It's just, folks, those are lies. They're not even close to the truth. In no word, they're not biblical whatsoever. But it was never his intention or purpose to save all men. Thankfully, he has saved some. It was his intention and purpose, according to what I told Moses, to show mercy. I will show mercy. It's important that he said that part. I know he's going to do it on whom he will, but I'm glad he said he would. I'm glad he said he would be gracious, because he will. Somebody's going to get saved. Somebody's already been redeemed. He saves some of Adam's following race because he delights in mercy, sayeth the scripture. He is forgiven iniquity, transgression, and sin.

He said, however, that the sovereign designed to save all men, tried to save all men, or even that he provided salvation for all men, has no biblical basis or foundation whatsoever. Notice the language of our Latin text. It does not say he took on the seed of Adam. It says he took on him the seed of Abraham. That impotent doctrine that asserts that Christ wants to save those who perish, tries to save those who perish, provide salvation for those who perish is nonsensical, theological gibberish is all it is.

Jesus Christ is God Almighty. He's not some man-dependent nobody, no martyr, no sick love letter from God to somebody. He's God Almighty. Read John chapter 1. He's the Creator, the Sustainer, and the Consummator of all things. He is God. He is God the Father, He is God the Son, He is God the Holy Spirit.

That was what was promised when the child was to be born. The government, the rule, shall be upon His shoulder. His name shall be called Wonderful, Secret, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. He said, that boy is even born into this world. He is not some whiny, wimpy, milquetoast monarch or sappy solicitous sycophant.

Whatever he wants to do is precisely what he has already done or will do. I have purposed it, he said. It shall stand. I have spoken it. It shall come to pass. It's going to be that simple. Whatever he wants to do is precisely what he does. He never tries. He never endeavors to give his best shot to do anything. He does what he wills to do. That's the only will in the universe that has the power to perform what he wills.

Our power is not power that we have. It's power that we've derived. The power to exist in this world belongs to God. And if you exist in this world because of God's power, you might like to have some. Hang around. See if you get them hoary hairs start forming on your head. And your muscles wither. And your heart's weak. Hang around. You'll find that your power has nothing. You have none. Your life is a vapor, just a breath.

Who can stop God? Nobody can. He does according to, he does whatsoever he is pleased to say. That's what he did in heaven and earth and all these places. If he designed and intended to save everybody in this world, what or who would keep him from doing so? If he wanted to save everybody, who's gonna stop him? Who's gonna stop him?

Anyone who worships a God who wants to do what he cannot do or tries to do what he fails to accomplish is actually staring in a looking glass at their own image. If such a God existed, he would be about as useful as a bucket without a bottom. Failure is the constant companion of us puny powerless mortals. God has never and will never fail. He will never be frustrated. He will never be embarrassed.

The heretical hodgepodge which teaches that Christ wants to save everybody, tries to save everybody, provides salvation for everybody, tramples the blood of Christ underfoot, despises the work of Christ, robs the Son of God of all glory and salvation, and puts him to open shame. Those who propagate and publish that Jesus loves everybody and died for everybody declare above that is anemic, unrequited, and a death that is totally useless for anything more than sentimentalism, a doubtful, desperate, disappointing demise worthy of no acclaim.

To preach a redemption by which no one is redeemed is a spurious, species substitution has redeemed no one, declares an invalid, powerless, unmeritorious inefficacy in the blood of Christ, is only given power by man's will. How ridiculous that is. Worthy of ridicule. Worthy of ridicule.

It turns the grace of God into nothing more than a discontented and disappointed wish. It segregates the will of God to the paltry presumed potency of the creature, and declares the power of God subservient to the power of men. It stirs the Lord Jesus Christ in his soul's satisfaction. It portrays the blood of Christ as a waste, a refuse of redemption shed in vain. It makes salvation nothing but an advertising gimmick, a blue light special, a gambit that God offers to men rather than the work of almighty grace successfully performed.

It makes invalid the redemption. It makes incompetent men to be their own savior. that burglarizes Christ with the glory of salvation.

Everything or even anything, let me say this again, if everything or even anything is dependent upon man's will, man's power, man's work, man's faith, nothing is really determined by the righteousness and the blood of Jesus Christ. What about God? is conducive to praise. Redemption was effectually accomplished by Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. He lifted up His voice loudly, though He was ripped apart by a hatred of men. He lifted up His voice loudly, though God had turned His back on Him and said, is finished. The word there is a Greek word teleo. It means perfect. The same word is used there three times in John 19. Accomplished, fulfilled, finished. The same word is used in Hebrew chapter 10 when it says He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. The same word. and redemption is effectively applied by Christ from the throne of grace. Give to His eyes and pray to the Father as Thou hast given me authority over all flesh to give my eternal life to as many as Thou hast given me.

Never was our Lord's intention, design, or purpose to save all men. Never. Never.

Thirdly, it is the intention design and purpose of Christ to save all the seed of Abraham. He took not on him the nature of angels, he took on him the seed of Abraham. The Son of God took hold of the seed of Abraham and saved him.

This expression, the seed of Abraham, does not refer to the Jewish race because Abraham was not a Jew. He was an Arab, did the Arab Calvary. The word Jew wasn't even in poetry 100 years after Sinai. Abraham was Abraham. He was chosen of God to build a mighty nation. And that mighty nation would be of Abraham's seed, who are believers on the Lord Jesus Christ.

First, through the whole company of God's elect, we are Abraham's seed. That's what it says in Scripture. Let's look at a few places here. Romans chapter 4, verse 16. Therefore, it is of faith that it might be by grace to the end the promise might be sure that all will see. not to that only which is of the law, but also that which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, the father of us all.

Look at chapter nine, verse six. Not as though the word of God had taken none effect, for they are not all Israel, which are of Israel, neither are they because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children, but in Isaac shall that seed be called that is they which are the children of the flesh these are not the children of God but the children of the promise are accounted for the seed now to understand that we go to Galatians chapter 3

Galatians chapter 3 verse 7 says know ye therefore that they which are of faith the same of the children of Abraham. Verse 13, Christ hath redeemed us 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 blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Brethren, I speak after the manner of men, though it be But a man's covenant, yet it be confirmed, no man disavoweth it or addeth to it. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. And he saith, Not to the seeds as of many, but as of one, the seed, which is the Lord Jesus Christ. And verse 29, And if ye be Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Before the world began, you believers out here this morning, Christ took hold of you. And you are Abraham's seed and children and heirs according to promise. And finally, Christ took on himself the seed of Abraham. If he did that, we can be assured all the seed of Abraham shall be saved. It says in Romans chapter 11, verse 25 and verse 26. when it talks about God's Israel. When those of Israel, old Israel, are brought into the fold. And then scripture says, so all Israel shall be saved. What's he talking about? All the elect of God. All the elect of God.

John chapter 10 and verse 16, he said, I lay down my life for the truth. No man takes it from me. I lay it down myself. My Father has given me this commandment. My Father. Paul said in Galatians chapter 6, God forbid that I should go to shame in the cross of Jesus Christ by whom the world is crucified unto me. Now I'm crucified unto the world. Everyone who lives by this rule, peace be on the Israel of God. He was talking to a bunch of Gentiles when he said that. Peace be on the Israel of God.

He shall save His people. That was the promise given when they named Him. Daniel said, call Him this name, Jesus, Savior, because He shall save His people from their sins. Isaiah 42 says, He shall not fail, nor be discouraged. Nor be discouraged. The purpose of God cannot be overturned. The covenant of grace cannot be nullified. The cross of Christ cannot be miscarried. The grace of God cannot be frustrated. And the intercession of Christ cannot be frustrated. The grasp of Christ cannot be broken. I laid hold of this savior. He said, my sheep hear my voice and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life. And no man can break that hold. No man shall pluck them out of my hand. And my Father which gazes in me greater than all. And no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Why? Because he took hold of the seed of Abraham. When we take the Lord's table this morning, We're not talking about something that we wish could be. We're not celebrating something that we think might not have happened. We're celebrating the fact that Jesus Christ, when he came to this world, had a people he had chosen from the foundation of the world. He came for them to die in their room instead. And by His death, He satisfied justice and the law. Fully satisfied God, propitiated God, and has been made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It's all taken care of. Our eternal security and surety, it's all taken care of. We don't have to do anything. We never did have to do anything. There's nothing we could have done to start with. Our God, sovereign, impeccable, immutable God, settled it in all eternity and accomplished it in time. And we will rejoice in it forever.

But for now, on this day, at this time, we have a little opportunity that God has given us to rejoice now in what He's done for us. And my night owl was betrayed. He took bread and he break it. And I offered it to his disciples and said, take it. This is mine. Body broken for you. And we're celebrating the Passover at the time. This was a Passover. And he said to his disciples, I've been looking forward to this Passover. It says that in Luke. This Passover. Why this one? He had gone through many Passovers as a man that was 37 years old in Israel. Why this Passover? Because this night he instituted the Lord's stable and told them what was going to happen in just a matter of hours. That his body was going to be broken and his blood was going to be shed and that was going to save their soul. That was going to be their salvation.

The Passover, you know what that was? That was a celebration of Israel when they were delivered from Egypt by the blood of the Lamb. That was the Passover. And God says, I see the blood that will pass over you. And that's from the Passover. Now the Lord took the elements of the Passover, which is unleavened bread, which the Lord says you can take with you, because it don't spoil. And new wine, which represents the blood of Jesus Christ, can't be spoiled, can't be ruined. The worst it can do is turn to vinegar, and that's a useful tool. That's why we use wine. This death that was accomplished by Jesus Christ on Calvary Street is the singular thing we're talking about this morning. This is the singular thing we rejoice in, because it's the singular thing that settled everything for us. The one debt we owed that we could not pay was a death that would satisfy God. Jesus Christ did that for us.

So let's receive the Lord's table with thanksgiving in our hearts, knowing full well that this was given to us to remember what he did for us. Father, bless these elements, we pray in Christ's name, amen.

On the night our Lord was betrayed, he took bread and he'd break it, and he gave it to his disciples and said, take, eat. This is my body broken for you. As often as you do it, do it in remembrance of me. That same night he took the cup, and after he blessed him, he said, this cup is the new testament or new covenant in my blood. As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, You do show forth my death until I come again. Do so in remembrance of me.

On that night they stood and sang a hymn and the Lord went out to be betrayed. He'd been denied three times by Peter. We're disciples of the scatterer. We're on our way to the cross to save ourselves.

Let's stand together. Would you be free from your burden of sin? There's power in the blood, power in the blood. Would your evil victory win? There's wonderful power in the blood. There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb. There is power, power, wonder-working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.

Well, love them on each other a little while, and you can go home. God bless you. We're good. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Our fine property insurer. Thank you. He's been hit in the head. No. No. No.
Tim James
About Tim James
Tim James currently serves as pastor and teacher of Sequoyah Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in Cherokee, North Carolina.

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