From The Beginning To Now! The book of Esther

 From The Beginning To Now!    

Esther 7:1-11

The Queen's People Were Mistreated 

A Feast Prepare For The King (1) 

A Feast Prepare For The King And The Enemy (2) 

A Feast Prepare To Get The King’s Favor (3) 

A Feast Prepare To Get Favor For The People (4)

The Enemy’s Goal Is To End Our Existence 

The Cover Up Is Brought To The King (5) 

The Cover Up Is Spoiled By The Queen (6) 

The Cover Up Is Brought To The Light (7-10)

The King's Decree Is A Very Important Document 

The King Stamp To The Decree With His Signet Ring (1-2a) 

The King’s Signet Ring Was Given To Mordecai  (2b) 

The King’s New Second Commander Edited The Decree (3-9)

 The King’s Decree Were Sent Out Quickly (10-11)

Pastor Raphael Yon Sermon Outlines

Facing The Impossible

I. What Did Jesus Do When Facing An Impossible Situation?
(Matthew 14:22-23)

II. How Did The Disciples Respond When Jesus Performed
The Impossible?(Matthew 14:24-33)

What Happen To The One Who Hears The Word Of God? 

I. No Clarity
(Matthew 13:18-19)

II. No Root
(Matthew 13:20-21)

III. No Fruit
(Matthew 13:22)

IV. No Bad Fruit
(Matthew 13:23)

  

Pastor Raphael Yon Sermon Outlines

How Will  You Be Remembered?

I. Walk With God
(Gen 5:21-24a)

II. Trust In God
(Gen 5:24b-6:9)

Mothers That Pray

I.Why Did Hannah Pray
To The Lord?
(1Samuel 1:5-10)

II.What Should We Learn From Hannah's Prayer Request?                     

       (1Samuel 1:11-28)

III. How Did Hannah Responded To Her Overall Struggle?
     (2Samuel 1:1-10)

Jesus Passed Your Test!

I.Jesus Was Led By
The Spirit Of God
(Matthew 4:1,3:15-17)

I.Jesus Remembered
The Word of God
(Matthew 4:4-10)

Reaching The Unattainable

I. Jesus Is Our Standard
(Matt 5:38-39)

II. Jesus Serve The Undeserving
(Matt 5:40-42)

God Is Enough

I. Your Father In Heaven Provides Everything
(Matthew 6:24-26)

II. Your Father In Heaven Knows Everything
(Matthew 6:27-34)

Making Jesus Known In Our City!

I. How Can We Make Jesus Know
In Our City?
(Matthew 9:35)

II. What Should We Be Aware Of 
When We Are Reaching People
In Our City?
(Matthew 9:36)

III. Who Will Reach The People
In Our City?
(Matthew 9:37-38)

How Do We Give Away Ministry?

I. No Charges,
To The People You Serve!
(Matthew 10:8)

II. No Limits,
To How You Will Serve!
(Matthew 10:9-10)

III. No Places,
Where You Will Serve!
(Matthew 10:11-13)

Jesus Has The Answer

Why Did The Religious Leader Questioned Jesus? (Matthew 10:34-35)

What Answer, Jesus Gave To The Religious Leaders? (Matthew 10:36-40)

How Did The Religious Leaders Respond, After Being Questioned By Jesus? (Matthew 10:41-46)

What is the Role of the Ongoing Life of the Church in Discipleship?

A good friend of my mother gave me the best opportunity of my life; which was a job working at an Elementary school. During my tenure working with children, it has been my experience in most cases, that children didn’t have a difficult time making friends on the playground.

However, there are rare instances where students did not get along with each other, but oddly enough the following day you would find the same children playing and getting along with one another. 

From my observation in the art of making friends, it is my belief that the church could learn from children and their behaviors. Why is it that children appear to make friends so easily but the Church has such a difficult time? The answer is simple; the Church needs to rediscover the importance of friendships.

The Bible stresses the significance of friendship. In fact God uses this to illustrate the relationship between Christ and the believer, so it is very important. “I think a healthy discipleship relationship should be a Christ-centered friendship.”

Mark it down: discipleship is about much more than signing your name on a membership covenant letter. It is a community of Christ-centered friends who loves Jesus and is in a Cross-centered covenant relationship to see others live out the Gospel-centered message. Ultimately, there is no discipleship where there is no community, relationship, or friendship.

Okay, so picture this: “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42-47 NASB).

Let’s take a look at some of the things we need to live out in the gospel. If we want to experience the role of the ongoing life of the Church in discipleship this happens in the book of Acts.

Discipleship Is About Community

Thousands of years ago a community was born in a place called the Upper Room, a 120 seekers came together with common values and common purpose because they were commanded by Jesus. These brothers and sisters prayed “with one accord” in unity of the spirit. These band of believers were filled with the Holy Spirit. The first Christian community church in Acts was empowered from above with the Spirit of God that released a radical commitment, unrestrained generosity and solid unity of fellowship. But when you look at the church discipleship today, some of us might see things very differently. Some believers today might find discipleship is life-giving, others are life-draining. Whatever happened to the wonder of Christian community? Why are there so much inconsistencies in the church when it comes to discipleship? When the church is at the command of the Spirit, it draws people from all multi-racial backgrounds into the community of the Spirit and into fellowship with the Triune God. Acts 1:8 states, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” These disciples were supernaturally empowered by the Holy Spirit to complete an ongoing mission for the church. A culture of spirit filled disciples in the church would spark an ongoing supernatural empowerment in the body that will multiply discipline communities.

Acts 2:42-44 affirm the ongoing priorities of Community Discipleship through three steps:  First “Persistent Fellowship"is the continued steadfast teachings of the word of God and the second is the fellowship with the disciples by modeling the word of God. Discipleship community’s depend on the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. Finally the community prayed for the power and the will of God.  Discipleship community is formed in Acts 2. Here you see the Church is filled with anointed teachings, is crowded with Christ-centered fellowship, is filled up with contagious prayer, and the Church is stuffed up with Christ communion and a common meal. Then the scripture tells us that they “had all things in common.”

Discipleship Is About Relationships                                                                                                                     Verse 45 reports, “And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” This is the way it should be. The presence of the Holy Spirit should release this type of radical given within the church. Unfortunately, the church often skips  this verse when it comes to discipleship or give little attention to it. This supernatural yard sale or flea market help the needs of the disciples. Relationships are deepened when the needs are met by other disciples in the church. Almost three out of every four churchgoers say they have significant relationships with people at their church. However, according to a study by LifeWay Research, less than half of the churchgoers are intentionally helping other believers grow in their faith. A disciple maker submits to the leading of the Holy Spirit and commits his resources plus time to building relationships with other disciples in an effort to live a Christ-centered life.

Discipleship Is About Friendship

John 15 records, the conversation Jesus had with his disciples, “Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” Jesus commanded his disciples and the church to have mutual love towards one another. In verses 13-14, Jesus explains what real discipleship is and is not about. Jesus demonstrated what real love was by dying for His friends, those who obeyed Him. Discipleship is about friendship, and ongoing willingness to sacrifice one’s life for the gospel. Notice the results of sacrificial fellowship, in Acts 2:46-47, “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”  These disciples “ate together at one another's houses in great love and friendship” with a senses of gladness and generous hearts among each other and favor with all the people. This is an ongoing community, relationship, and friendship celebration and the Spirit of God added to their community day by day. 

Steve Murrell says it best when he states: “In fact, it seems like the only people who weren’t Jesus friends were the self-righteous, judgmental hypocrites. The Pharisees and Sadducees. The religious critics who were professionals at tearing people down rather than building them up. If Jesus treated his disciples – the ones who were following him and the ones who were running from him – like friends, then don’t you think we should do the same?”

Given below are some final list to consider as your church seeks to develop an ongoing strategy in discipleship.

1. Discipler is filled with the Holy Spirit

2. Discipler teaches the Apostle’s teachings                                                

3. Discipler lives in community with others

4. Discipler looks like his teacher    

 5. Discipler makes other Discipler(s)   

 6. Discipler delights fellowship with others

 7. Discipler shares his meal with others

 8. Discipler honors the Lord’s Supper    

 9. Discipler worship God in prayer    

10. Discipler reverence God in their lives     

11. Discipler unite with other disciples  

12. Discipler helps others who are in need        

13. Discipler service at the church      

14. Discipler initiates one-on-one discipleship   

15. Discipler lives on mission for God      

16. Discipler celebrates God’s favor    

17. Discipler witness souls turn to Jesus        

18. Discipler teaches other disciples to depend on the word of God

19. Discipler understands discipleship will never replace soul winning

20. Discipler preaches the importance of discipleship to everyone

When did you receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?

Hey family,  I read a sermon post (September 23, 1990) from John Piper http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/you-will-be-baptized-with-the-holy-spirit.  It really struck a chord with me and I believe will challenge most of us.

And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

We saw last week from verse 1 that the first volume of Luke's two-volume work, the Gospel According to Luke, dealt with all that Jesus BEGAN to do and to teach (Acts 1:1), which implies that the second volume, the book of Acts, will deal with what Jesus CONTINUES to do and to teach. The book of Acts is not only the acts of the apostles, but the acts of the risen, living Jesus.
Then we noticed that Luke mentioned three things the apostles needed if they were to be the kind of instruments through which the living Jesus could do his work and speak his Word.

1. First, they needed a Spirit-authenticated commission or command from the Lord. So verse 2 says he gave them commandment through the Holy Spirit.
2. Second, they needed verification that Jesus was really alive and triumphant over death. So verse 3a says that Jesus presented himself to them alive after his death with many proofs appearing to them for 40 days.
3. Third, they needed more instruction about the kingdom of God. So verse 3b says that he spent time during those 40 days between his resurrection and ascension speaking to them of the kingdom of God.

The Need to Be Baptized with the Holy Spirit

That's where we stopped last week. But verses 4 and 5 go on to show that there is another utterly crucial thing that the apostles needed in order to be the most effective instruments in the hands of the living Jesus. They needed to be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

Three years earlier John the Baptist had led a brief renewal movement among the Jewish people by calling them to repent and receive forgiveness for their sins and be baptized as a sign of their new relationship to God (Luke 3:3). But John made it clear that the Messiah was coming soon and would baptize the people not merely in water but in the Holy Spirit. In Luke 3:16 he says:

I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

So Jesus is saying here in Acts 1:5, "This is going to happen in just a few days—you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. John immersed you in water; I am going to immerse you in the Holy Spirit. John drenched you in water; I am going to drench you in the Holy Spirit. This is the fourth thing you need in order to be effective instruments of my life in the world. You need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit."
Now what was this baptism with the Holy Spirit? What did they need and what did they get when this happened?

What Happened on the Day of Pentecost

Let's begin by looking at what happened when the day actually came. Acts 2:1–4:

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Filled with the Spirit
So when the baptism with the Spirit comes, it is like a mighty wind immersing and filling all the house with sound. The effect on the disciples was they were filled with the Spirit (notice the word in verse 3: "They were all FILLED with the Holy Spirit"). Tongues of fire appeared on each of them and they began to speak in languages that they did not know.
Verse 11 tells us what they were saying: "We hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." So what they were filled with was an overwhelming sense of God's greatness and a sense of wonder at his works. The Spirit was filling them with his own vision of God and his own passion for God and his own prophetic words of praise.
Peter's Explanation
So when Peter explains what is happening in the baptism with the Holy Spirit, he says in verses 16–17:

This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: "And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy."

So when Jesus said in Acts 1:4, "Wait for the promise of the Father," what he meant was, "Wait till the promise of Joel 2 is fulfilled." The promise of the Father is what is now being experienced by the disciples. This is confirmed in Acts 2:32–33. Peter goes on with his sermon interpreting what is going on and says:

This Jesus God raised up, and of that we are all witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear.

Here we see Jesus doing the actual work of baptizing the disciples with the Holy Spirit. He enters into heaven. He receives from the Father what he had promised. And he pours out what the Jews are seeing and hearing at Pentecost, namely, the rushing wind, the tongues of fire, the speaking in other languages, the prophetic praise and exultation.

What's the Essence of Baptism with the Spirit?

Now what is the heart of the matter here? What is the essence of being baptized with the Holy Spirit? Is it the sound of wind, the tongues of fire, the other languages, the words of praise, the prophecies and dreams and visions? Can we get at the essence of what it means to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, or does it have to include all these things?
I think we can get at the essence, and I want to get at it by saying first of all what I think it is not. I think that being baptized with the Holy Spirit (the way Luke means it) is not the same as being born again or being united to Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit. In other words I don't think that what Paul is talking about in 1 Corinthians 12:13 is the same as what is happening here in Acts.
Paul says, "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free." The context shows that he is referring to a work of the sovereign Spirit who unites all believers to Christ. This is virtually the same as the work of conversion. When you are born again and put your faith in Christ, the Spirit of God unites you to Christ so that you are part of his body and a fellow-heir with him of eternal life.
I used to just assume that Paul and Luke were talking about the same thing when they used the word "baptism" and connected it to the Holy Spirit—in other words, that the baptism by the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:13 and the baptism with the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 were the same. Many very able scholars and teachers still make that connection. The view I am about to give you is not the only orthodox one, nor is it one you have to agree with in order to be a part of this fellowship. But it is one that I am increasingly persuaded is correct and desperately needed in the church.

Receiving Extraordinary Power for Ministry

We are trying to answer the question: What is the heart or essence of being baptized with the Holy Spirit? I have said that I do NOT think the essence is new birth or conversion or being united to the body of Christ. What then is it? And why do I not think it is the same as what Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 12:13?
I think the essence of being baptized with the Holy Spirit is when a person, who is already a believer, receives extraordinary spiritual power for Christ-exalting ministry. So let me try to show you the reasons why I think this is the heart of the matter.
Jesus' Focus on Being Clothed with Power
First, let's start back at Luke 24:49. Keep in mind as we turn there that in Acts 1:4 Jesus said, "He charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father," namely, the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Now in Luke 24:49 Jesus says virtually the same thing. "And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high." What is important here is to see that what Jesus focuses on, of all the things he might focus on in the baptism with the Spirit, is being clothed with power. So that is the first pointer that the heart of this matter of baptism with the Holy Spirit is a matter of empowerment. He told them in Luke 24:47 that they are to preach to all the nations. And the point of verse 49 is we cannot do that with greatest success unless we are clothed with power from God—that is, unless we are baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Pictured as Power for Witness
The second pointer that this is the essence of being baptized with the Holy Spirit is found in Acts 1:6–8. Right after Jesus says that they would be baptized with the Spirit (v. 5), the disciples say, "'Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be my witnesses.'" So here the baptism with the Spirit is seen as a "coming upon" that gives power for witness. So that is the second pointer to empowering as the heart of being baptized with the Spirit.
Issues of New Birth/Conversion Not in View
Notice that neither of these texts suggests that what is happening in the baptism of the Spirit is rebirth or conversion or union with Christ. There are good reasons for believing that these disciples were already born again and converted and had the Holy Spirit dwelling in them (John 13:10; 15:3; Romans 8:9; John 3:5). But even more important than that is the fact that the issue of the new birth and conversion of the disciples are simply not in view at all in Acts 1 and 2.
Jesus doesn't say, wait in Jerusalem until you are born again or converted or put into the body of Christ. He says wait until you are clothed with power. He doesn't say, You shall receive membership in the body of Christ when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. He says, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you."
And notice, in the third place, that when Peter explains what promise of the Father is being fulfilled in the baptism of the Spirit, he focuses on the promise in Joel 2. There are promises that might have stressed the promise of the Spirit to bring new birth (like Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26f.). But that is not what Peter or Luke focuses on. Peter says that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a fulfillment of Joel 2; and what Joel 2 promises explicitly is not new birth or conversion or membership in the body of Christ, but a new power to prophesy. "I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams" (2:17).
Described as Filling with the Holy Spirit
The fourth and final reason I give this morning for seeing baptism with the Spirit as a special empowering for ministry is that it is described as a FILLING with the Holy Spirit, and this idea of filling is almost always associated with this extraordinary power for ministry in the book of Acts. Notice that when the baptism with the Spirit happens in Acts 2:4, Luke says, "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit." The effect of that filling was a powerful and even miraculous testimony to the truth of Christ that resulted in 3,000 people being converted (Acts 2:41).

• In Acts 4:8 Peter is again filled with the Holy Spirit and speaks with such power that the Jewish leaders were amazed at his boldness in spite of his being relatively uneducated (4:13).
• In Acts 4:31 other disciples were praying and the place where they were was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. The effect of their fullness was that they spoke the Word of God with extraordinary boldness and Christ-exalting power.
• In Acts 6 we meet Stephen who is full of faith and the Holy Spirit (v. 5). And Luke tells us in verse 8 that he was therefore full of power and did wonders and signs among the people, but especially in verse 10 the leaders could not resist the wisdom and Spirit with which he spoke. His fullness gave him an extraordinary power for Christ-exalting ministry.
• In Acts 9:17 Paul is filled with the Holy Spirit at his conversion and the result was that he spoke with such extraordinary power that the Jews of Damascus were confounded (9:22).
• In Acts 11:24 Barnabas was full of the Holy Spirit and faith and the effect Luke mentions was that "a large company was added to the Lord" (as at Pentecost).
• In Acts 13:9 Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit as he spoke to Elymas the magician and God gave him the extraordinary power to pronounce Elymas blind for a season (13:11).

Conclusion

So here is my conclusion: being baptized with the Holy Spirit is when a believer in Jesus Christ receives extraordinary power for Christ-exalting ministry.

• This is true because Luke says that being baptized with the Spirit is being filled with the Spirit, and being filled with the Spirit is always for extraordinary power in ministry.
• It is true because Luke says that being baptized with the Spirit is a fulfillment of the promise of Joel 2, and Joel 2 promises an upsurge of prophetic power among God's people.
• It is true because Luke describes being baptized with the Spirit as receiving power for witness when the Holy Spirit comes upon you (Acts 1:8).
• And it is true because Luke says that being baptized in the Spirit is being clothed with power from on high so that message of Christ can be taken effectively to all the nations of the world (Luke 24:49).

The implications of this for us are, I think, very great. And we will turn to that in the weeks to come.

Question: "What does the Bible mean that we are not to judge others?"

Answer: This is topic has confused many church folk. On one hand, we are commanded by the Lord Jesus, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1). On the other hand, the Bible also exhorts us to beware of evildoers and false prophets and to avoid those who practice all kinds of evil. How are we to discern who these people are if we do not make some kind of judgment about them?

S. Michael Houdmann. states: Christians are often accused of "judging" whenever they speak out against a sinful activity. However, that is not the meaning of the Scripture verses that state, "Do not judge." There is a righteous kind of judgment we are supposed to exercise—with careful discernment (John 7:24). When Jesus told us not to judge (Matthew 7:1), He was telling us not to judge hypocritically. Matthew 7:2-5 declares, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." What Jesus was condemning here was hypocritical, self-righteous judgments of others.

In Matthew 7:2-5, Jesus warns against judging someone else for his sin when you yourself are sinning even worse. That is the kind of judging Jesus commanded us not to do. If a believer sees another believer sinning, it is his Christian duty to lovingly and respectfully confront the person with his sin (Matthew 18:15-17). This is not judging, but rather pointing out the truth in hope—and with the ultimate goal—of bringing repentance in the other person (James 5:20) and restoration to the fellowship. We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We are to proclaim what God's Word says about sin. 2 Timothy 4:2 instructs us, "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction." We are to "judge" sin, but always with the goal of presenting the solution for sin and its consequences—the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

Why I Believe in the Doctrine of Election

Hello Again Friends, I just read an excellent Post by Bryan Loritts: Tomorrow at Fellowship we continue in our series on the book of James by looking at 2:1-13.  Our investigation of the text necessitates that I take a few moments to discuss the doctrine of election.  The reason for this is because James, in his argument that Christ-followers are never to show partiality, argues that God did not play favorites based on worldly categories of status when he saved us.  In fact, James would go onto say,  “Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?” (emphasis mine). 

The word chosen in verse 5 points us to the beautiful doctrine of election.  The doctrine of election simply means God’s sovereign initiating choice to save certain individuals, adopting them into His family, independent of prior merit.  The doctrine of election postures God as the Divine Initiator, and not me.  In essence, the doctrine of election says that God chose me, and I did not choose him, i merely responded to his incomprehensible act of initiating grace.

Election has unfortunately been the focal point of much controversy throughout church history, and I am not here to pick a fight with anyone.  In fact, I write this post primarily to the members and attenders of Fellowship Memphis.  I will say it in my message tomorrow that belief in the doctrine of election is not necessary in order to be saved, and therefore it is not necessary to join our church.  There have been many wonderful saints of God throughout the years who have thought and taught very differently from me on this subject, and I am sure they will be seated much closer to King Jesus than I when we get to heaven. 

Time in my message does not permit me to give all of the reasons why I believe in the doctrine of election, so let me lay out eight reasons why I have come to embrace this doctrine:
1. The Bible Teaches It.  I am amazed at how the doctrine of election keeps coming up in every section of the Scriptures.  God chose Israel- Psalm 33:12; Deuteronomy 6:7; Isaiah 41:8-10.  Jesus chose the disciples- John 6:70.  God chose us the church- Romans 9.

2. Jesus Taught Election.  This is similar to my first point, but it’s so significant that it warrants it’s own point.  Calvin did not coin the term election.  Election is a thoroughly biblical word that Jesus used a lot, centuries before Calvin was even born.  Matthew 24:15 and following, Mark 13:27 and Luke 18:7 are but a few examples of Jesus teaching on election.

3. Total Depravity.  I believe in the doctrine of total depravity which says that every aspect of my life has been marked by sin because of Adam and Eve’s rebellion in the garden.  The doctrine of total depravity does not say that I am as sinful as I could be (degree), but there is nothing in my life that has not been touched by iniquity (extent).  If this be the case, then I could not possibly choose God on my own initiative without God initiating with me.  Dead people (Ephesians 2 description of us) do not make choices.

4. Intensifies My Worship.  For God to choose a wandering sheep, wayward sinner, totally depraved man like me who was mired in self-righteousness and in rebellion against God defies awe and comprehension.  Quite frankly, if I believe that I chose God, like one would choose what they would have for dinner, where’s the amazement in that?  The doctrine of election keeps me on my face before God, bringing a depth and intensity to my worship over the one who would choose me in spite of me.

5. God, Not Me.  The doctrine of election sets the trajectory of my salvation on the sovereignty of God and not on the free will of man.  This then promotes a faith that is God made, and not man made.  God, His Son Jesus Christ and the Sweet Holy Spirit are at the center of my affections, not me.

6. Intensifies Evangelism.  Because God pursues me, he also calls me to be a vessel that he uses to pursue others.  Let me remind us that the same guy who wrote Romans 9 (that great passage on election/predestination) is the same one who logged thousands of miles on land and sea preaching Christ, sharing his faith, and seeing many come to the Lord.  Paul, the greatest writer on the doctrine of election, was at the same time one of the greatest evangelist’s.  Evangelism and election are not foes, they are joined at the hip.

7. Freedom in Evangelism.  Also, the doctrine of election frees me in evangelism.  Isn’t it liberating to know that because it is God, not our choices who saves?  Because of this I need not depend on clever arguments (though I want to be prepared) or trendy presentations in witnessing, I just need to, well, witness, testify what God has done in my life and share the good news with others, leaving the results to God.  The pressure really is off!

8. I’m in Good Company.  There are a host of godly men and women throughout church history who have believed passionately in the doctrine of election.  This is both comforting and affirming.  The only two names I will call is Jesus and Paul.