His Love His Fight

The title this morning is his love his fight His love his fight, and then if I could pick a subtitle it would be don't kick against the goads How many of you have no idea what that means anybody's okay? So what I want you to do is read acts read acts this week Just the first eight chapters or so and the goat is a very interesting thing I don't know some of you might know if you remember the farmers of You know probably 50 60 years ago, or some of you lived on a farm It's I mean there's different pictures of it But it's like sometimes would be a staff or something where they would actually go the animal They would get it to you don't know go that way and so they would they would go at it a Sharp a sharp edge on the end of it It's a good way to make a cow turn or an oxen turn or sometimes you see the Cowboys have that on their boots that little spur to go them and so What's gonna happen here is? Saul this mean evil person named Saul who thought he was following God God Disrupts his life wakes him up to who Christ is and he says Why are you kicking against the goats in other words? I'm trying to direct you I'm trying to but you're kicking against that you're fighting against God that was gonna be my title as well But I thought his love his fight is a little bit more relevant right now, then Saul remember Saul is the Apostle Paul He's just not yet the Apostle Paul. He is living he is doesn't know God He's one of those people zealous for God, but doesn't know God. Do you know any of those people? Usually those people are very rigid very legalistic very dogmatic and It's because they don't have a relationship, so they're trying to follow God by rules And so he is still breathing threats in other words.

He is going to persecute Christians He just was at the death of Stephen the martyr And he is still upset at this this message of Christ And he's breathing threats and murder in other words He's suggesting he will kill people Against the disciples of the Lord and he went right to the high priest and he asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus so that he found if he found anybody who were of the way Whether men or women he might bring them bound to Jerusalem So he said can I have letters from you? you're the high priest and they had a political system within the government there of the Judaism and Even though they were under Rome they had their own kind of governing rules. They actually couldn't put anybody to death That's why the Roman officials had to put Jesus to death and if I find anybody of the way Hmm. Why is it called the way? For those of you who don't know Jesus said he is I'm gonna add emphasis here only He is the only way to the father.

That's why Christianity is Unapologetically narrow There's there's there's no other way and so when you start to negotiate with people well, okay That's just that that that doesn't work It's it's I am the only way there's only one path. There's only one truth. There's only one life So people they get mad at us, but it's really Jesus who said it so you actually have a problem with you No, I don't approach Jesus.

He's a good teacher No, he said he said he's the only way to the father well, that's pretty narrow Yeah, it is But that way cost him his life without the shedding of blood. There was no remission of sin There's nobody else who paid the price no other religion Remember this all cults focus focus on a few different things, but primarily the Jesus was not God the deity of God and You are saved by works What you do, I mean if you dig deep into Roman Catholicism Mormonism Jehovah Witness if you dig deep and you ask them, you know, there's really no salvation outside of their church Without these good works that you have to do other cults that you see rising up It's about doing and doing and doing and doing We're with with Christianity is not a religion. It's a relationship of God reaching down to man And so a couple points on this there are only two sides the side that Saul was on and the side that Jesus was on and Right now in our culture.

It's so important to know this There are not three different sides and you heard what you heard what just happened Of course with the assassination of Charlie Kirk and you know, I know that's gonna be in the news for a while But there was a lot of people saying well, no, there's there's there's you know To hear from both sides and there's two sides and what about actually there's only there's only two sides It's it's God's side and the devil's side the demonic realm There's I mean so many people try to walk this, you know I don't want I don't want to get too carried away with Christ and I don't you know I don't I don't want to be a heathen and and they tried to find a middle ground here and there's not it's either on the side of light and dark light or darkness and What demons love to do the demonic realm is they love to fuel hate and anger man They're having a filled day in Paul's mind Paul already thought or it's all I should say. He's not Paul yet Good catch theologians who caught that anybody? But they I'm sure they're planting. That's how that you want to know how the demonic realm works demons work.

They plant thoughts I mean, there's no other way to describe fiery darts or maybe elements to in the body I believe they can they can do that, but there's just there's these thoughts that come in you ever get those thoughts just me and it's like Where is it and just more hatred? More anger and it just it just it and that that can become very destructive Because what happens is we start to justify it We justify our anger and we stay angry and bitter and you try to talk to him. No, but you don't know And the enemy keeps you and that's what Paul he's now he's he's ticked off When your whole life's purpose is to go after Christians You're pretty ticked off. You're pretty angry.

You are being used by Satan You're being used by the demonic realm and that's what yes is it doesn't America America struggles with every sin imaginable But I get so upset people say well America is racist Some people are But media you're doing more to stoke the fires of racism than anybody else on planet Earth The media the false narratives. That's what's stoking racism That's what's stoking it. They'll frame certain things in narratives and and they'll they'll Charlie Kirk's videos out of context.

I can't tell you how many I saw Completely out of context like it's they'll take this snippet and they'll just hey, let's listen to the whole thing what he's talking about and But see they want they fuel that anger and be careful because the enemy can use you as well He can use me when that first happened. I was so mad at silent pastors And it was brewing and I was gonna confront and I still might if my heart gets right but but it's like Lord This is okay Who is God, please? Take your thoughts Captain and then once you do that Lord, I'm I've got my own fault fault faults and flaws and Lord I'm gonna go into a season of prayer and fasting and the more I seek you and then if out of that comes confrontation Then it's time to confront because you know, God is working in your heart But he was fueling the anger in me as well. The enemy can plant those thoughts and That's how he operates and and the demons they'd love to fuel hate and anger in your home.

Guess what? Well those two things will they not destroy a home But those well, okay, she didn't know those are the two biggies what about finances what about yes, of course, but hate and anger When they go unchecked so as a believer, what you do is you take those thoughts captive? Could it be righteous indignation? Thank God for some anger because it causes us to act It causes us to move forward and do things and Jesus we saw got angry sometimes But he did not sin So here's a few things about hatred hatred is expected Hatred will be you might as well Expect it now. I'm teaching my kids just it comes with the territory Because and there's something inside of us. We want to be liked by people, don't we? and and and things It Well, the point is it hates the truth.

It hates the light it hates righteousness. It hates holiness It's it's to be expected It's to be expected hatred hides in lies It turns love into hate speech Do you know the other side has nothing to stand on? That's why they will name-call Name-call how many people that you follow and where the politics are not they're called fascist Do you know what the definition of that is? It's a totally in gov totalitarian government trying to control the people and It's actually it's actually they're the ones that are the fascist They are and but see they have to use those words They have to use those words You you just you just hate this certain group. Hey, no, I don't let's take a lie detector test I've said that many times.

They're not they don't want to take me up on that Let's see who the real hater is and so they have to hide behind false narratives false words and they make you what happens is the the the victim You know becomes the person they accuse They they try to twist things and that's that's because there is so much hatred How do you defend the if they don't have the truth? No wonder they don't want to talk to us or debate us or have a normal conversation So because they don't have the truth they don't have facts, what do they have to do? Come on, we learn this at six years old sticks and stones may break my bones. I don't know what the rest is, but something like that was about words and and and I'll get it right for the second service if I say that But don't don't it's like it reminds me of high school, that's why it's so hard for me You have 30 40 year old people Just but you but and they're just it's sad you you so we can't have a dialogue You have to you have to call actually you're lying You're lying because we don't hate people. We love them enough to tell them the truth that that's that is not when did when did love become hate speech and Hatred must be quenched not fueled It must be quenched not fueled So when you get involved or engage with people in their their hatred it can't it's not who's ever louder is going to win For as a Christian you can have a listening ear a soft part You can still speak the truth in love Absolutely James one Encourages us to be slow to anger and Proverbs 15 one says a gentle answer calms wrath But what about if we avoid being hated because we want to be liked? Have you ever thought about that? Jesus said this okay guys, not me Woe be to you when everyone speaks well of you For that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets I mean when we do teachings on false prophets it gets a lot of views Anytime you do shorts on false prophets or false this person's a false prophet that person's of I mean it's a pretty big You know it's a big deal in the Christian community But one of the truest signs of a false prophet is a silent pulpit But that kind of sink in that in and of itself of course is not it But that's one thing is The sign of a false prophet can be a silent pulpit Because they're silent on what the people need to hear Instead they tell them what they want to hear that was always a sign read Jeremiah 23 tonight for homework Just just just it won't take long God said I think I didn't even send these people who call themselves prophets Yet they ran they were in a hurry to tell the people something I didn't I didn't speak to them yet They spoke they told the people don't worry keep worshiping Bell and Astroth and this sexual sin God he peace peace all is well All is well this whole groups gonna like me false prophet God said but had they Stood in my word had they stood on my counsel and preach my word They would have turned this nation back to me and the famous verse my word is like a fire it's like a hammer that devours and So be careful in this area Yes, false prophets say false things But all the ones I know I don't have time to list them are very wishy-washy Just kind of Just I don't know.

There's an arrogance about them. They don't want to offend. They don't want to upset They're building their ministry.

They need their next big jet It's sad, isn't it when you have a when you have a zeal for God's house when you have a zeal for holiness and righteousness It's hard perfect example last night It's hard for me to go to Grace Fest and things like that because a lot of people like the opportunity to also Share their heart. I agree with some things but not everything. Okay.

Well, what do you want to talk about? But I posted something where I was in front of a church in Arizona with the rainbow flag Everybody's anybody saw that and the guy's like will help me understand. He had a good point So again listening listen slow to speak. You're not gonna he says how are we gonna reach them if you're you're doing things like that? And I said, well, that's a good point a couple things to think about 99.9 99% of the time I don't post things like that for that very reason however, when I'm walking down a church a street and I see a church of God and They have that on there.

Isn't there something you think Jesus is? Oh, yeah, that's cute He might go and rip that thing that I didn't even get that bold So here's the thing I love the individual I told you we just had testimony last week as somebody who was in the same sex relationship for six years I prayed with her and she's been set free and she's she's full of joy But you have to speak the truth to get to those issues so I can love the individual. I love you, but This on a church of God church God's house a hundred-year-old church. That's blasphemy.

That's wrong That's deceptive. So where is that righteous indignation where I can love the struggler? But I can hate what they've done to the house it my house shall be called the house of prayer Jesus said but you have made Then if he's a zeal for your house has completely consumed me I'm so passionate about the things of God that these things hurt me. So the bigger question is why doesn't that hurt you? That's the bigger question Why are you okay with that? Unbelievable Have we drifted so far? But again, I listen great point we want to reach the individual all are welcome, but we're not affirming And maybe that's not your calling.

Maybe you're the come alongside John the Beloved Right gentle and carry but caring but but don't rebuke the John the Baptist is to crying out in the wilderness I Don't think Jesus would be happy with that But again, we don't do things perfectly and I said that maybe every every person Every post isn't perfect Everything I say from here is you think I drive home, but that was a perfect sermon Man, I spoke for 60 minutes. Oh Lord, thank you every word every nuance every gesture every Reaction every how I handled everything was perfect Of course not we are broken people Trying to deliver a message based on a perfect truth Okay verse 3 Told you you might not get through it all So Paul is on his way to Damascus. I guarantee he is not a happy camper.

Have you ever driven somewhere upset? There's not you we all need to be shaking our head you're you're you're your foots down that you're you're you got that gas pedal down a little bit don't you and So he's on his way Damascus probably You know riding whatever they rode camels horses Maybe walking and so he's he I know he's upset. He's going to Damascus. I'm gonna tell them off and suddenly Jesus met him This is happening in Muslim countries, by the way, I don't know if you're hearing all the reports of dreams and them encountering It's not just all Christians.

Just say no there It's it's it's an incredible movement that God is reaching these people with with visions and dreams and and I praise God for that I don't know about you. But so a light came from heaven I don't know if it's night or day But a night came from heaven and then he fell to the ground and he heard a voice saying to him Saul Saul Why are you? persecuting me When God calls from Samuel to Saul and again guys this this would have been a great sermon as well Because it's about the call of God also when God calls you have to respond I Prayed for so many people in the prayer room over the years have come and said Shane. I know I've been running from God's call That's sad Decades Maybe that needs to change today in Samuel's case the Lord kept calling him.

He was he was a young boy And he thought somebody else was and he said well here I am your speak Your servant Listens here's listen, we often say I'll speak God you listen You Might want to change that So if there's something that God has been convicting you of Maybe this is a great time to start Wednesday is October 1st. We're starting October fast for the month of October Giving up certain things and and what that's between you and the Lord, but what a time to get reacquainted with the Lord What a time to just say, you know what King stomach has been dominating me for many years many months I'm gonna dethrone him for a while. Lord.

I'm gonna seek you and I want to know What do you have in store for me or my family? And so Saul, I mean many people, you know, there's different views on could he have just ignored this? I Don't know. That's pretty that's hard to ignore And he said so he said who are you Lord? He recognized that word Lord is that's why Jesus we you know, we say Savior he saved but he's also Lord John MacArthur caught a lot of heat. I think it was in the 80s Dave Donahue.

You guys are probably know for Lordship salvation But his point was was was true He can't just be a Savior and you get into heaven But he's not my Lord and I'll be be gentle on people. Let him it takes time sometimes No, you're you're bowing to Jesus Christ when you repent of your sin You're you believe he's he saved you and now you're my lord They they go together Now is there patience with people and immature young, of course, but to remove his lordship from his salvation is Not biblical. How many times would you read the Lord Jesus Christ? The Lord Jesus is his name Christ is his role Christ Savior it's it's it's an important doctrine and So he noticed this is this is the Lord Then the Lord said I am Jesus whom you are persecuting it is hard for you to kick against the goads and He would know because he probably had a goad with him steering that animal back in the right direction Because when the animal would fill that prick it would it would go the other direction It's like Paul.

I keep trying to wake you up. I keep trying maybe Circumstances are probing you prodding you I should say probing you to What's in your heart? So maybe what what is is there anything where God's trying to say? Hey, how long are you gonna keep kicking against this? How long are you gonna? I want I want to help you in this area of your life How long are you gonna hold on to the way how long you're gonna keep fighting against God? Let me tell you something that I hope you never forget. I've said it before if you've been here a while, you know this But God's not in a hurry and he doesn't play.

Let's make a deal. I Mean you remember that talk show that game show actually. All right.

Let's make a deal He doesn't make a deal he's not in a hurry We adjust to what we want we adjust to what he wants us to do we don't we can't wait for God to change his mind and That's where many Christians live Year in and year out fighting against God, why are you kicking against me? Stop fighting me. Basically. Well, how do you fight against God? Well, here's a couple words we can use stubborn And that was actually why they would use the the goad stubborn proud Unteachable wanting to go their own way Unteachable set in my ways How many times have you heard that? I've prayed with people too.

I know I'm just but I'm just set in my ways as Like that's the real like oh, well that doesn't matter me, too We're all set in our ways you're set in the concrete of sin and We've got to break out of that. So that's basically how people fight against God. They're stubborn and We take pride in being stubborn and being proud don't we men? Women too I'm German and Irish.

That's why well, you know us hot-tempered Irish We it's like that's not that's that you're supposed to change that as a believer So are there any areas that's between you and God? I? Love the fact I don't have to sit here and list 30 things Do you know why because the Holy Spirit is convicting? Go back to that job apologize Go to your spouse own your part of it Unteachable get rid of that critical arrogant spirit It's that it's that dagger to the heart anybody been ever been stabbed with the Holy Spirit it discerns the heart and the intent that the the intents of the heart and Because of this Paul was trembling I bet he was and astonished In other words, he's not he's not just fearful. He's he's astonished and That word could mean so many things as far as like Lord thank you for your grace. I was persecuting you there might have been some tears Who would be crying like a baby at this point and This is a message to those who think they are they might be Christians too, but they think they're following God Like Saul, but they're hard.

They're rigid. They're legalistic They're arrogant and it's so hard to have a dialogue with them I come across them a lot and usually it's about the the things in the Bible that they want to force on other people It's like Galatians regulations Oh foolish Galatians who have bewitched you who have tricked you you're gonna finish your walk in the faith With what began with the Spirit you're gonna you're gonna add a bunch of works to it and This is where it you know, it comes in where you have to only worship on Saturday You Sunday worshipers. You're part of the mark of the Beast Real I missed a memo on that one.

Can we worship God any day? What about if we have a Friday night service? Are we still in rebellion? You you don't observe the feasts As Outline the Old Testament, you don't and it becomes legalistic and and proud about that Should you take a Sabbath? I? recommend it Monday turn off my phone never turn it back on. Oh my goodness. I think I might do that every Monday That was so relaxing.

I felt recharged Do you want to observe the festivals? Please do wonderful teaching Incredible do it. But when you start to do this I've seen people leave here because Morgan doesn't wear a head covering Wait, wait, hold on. Hold on With a Bible the Bible the Bible, right? What let's look at the context Women who were prostitutes everything would go uncovered in Israel's time the culture the woman would cover themselves As submitting to the role of the husband so you can wear a doily and not be in submission And you're out of God's will Not only that how what would you guys think she came in with this big head covering like i'm making her do this I mean, it would be so out of place Now if you want to do that and you feel closer to God and you feel called to do that, please do it but you see my point is we We take these things and we we become very arrogant about it and and unteachable and proud and you You want to divide over those things? One question for you.

When was the last time you led somebody to the Lord? Well, yeah I live it out and and Yeah Wait a minute. You're not leading people to the Lord I don't see any fruit of the spirit in your heart. Love joy.

Peace contentment long-suffering gentleness. Don't lecture me Because you don't have the fruit of the spirit Be careful because you can drift toward modern pharisee modern-day phariseeism very quickly It's it's a slippery so we are to be united on the essentials But have grace and love on the non-essentials Oh, that's going to generate some emails right there Whoever wants to handle those. Let me know let the office know But guys, I don't say that In arrogance and wanting to you know debate and argue.

I'm just telling this is this is these are real things That happens at a church And it's it's sad because the people never grow They're stuck into the works works works And so he said here's what I want you to do paul Arise and go into the city and you will be told what you must do Arise get up Go into the city and you'll be told what you must do Again, he thought he knew god. He thought he knew god. He he actually did doctrinally Did saul not know god doctrinally? He knew the old testament He was a a pharisee a religious teacher But he did not have a relationship with god That's the key having correct theology doctrine and also that relationship But this question comes up often did did paul have a choice? How many think paul had a choice? To follow the lord or not How many think after that experience and god called him he did not have a choice he was called of god What is he okay, all right Well, this is going to be interesting Did god choose did god choose paul Did god choose for him? And here's why this topic is important.

It's it's um, especially as you grow in your faith or maybe you'll see there's division in the church If you haven't experienced yet, and it's good to know the different doctrines of the faith that are out there Because you'll often hear even from uh different Religions. Oh look at the christian church. Roma catholics use this a lot is you guys are so so many denominations.

We're the true church Well, the reason there's so many denominations is there's a lot of freedom Anytime you look exactly like the same thing state in every city every state that's more of a cult Than a free-flowing move of god's spirit because we're different So denominations, although there is only one church The reason for denominations is because people Represent themselves differently and this is one area. I do want to explain to you and it's an important question. Did god choose paul? Well, he goes on to say you are a chosen vessel and um I don't know if john the baptist had much choice What happened when he was a baby in his mother's womb? He was filled with the holy spirit And so some might say well he had to make a decision eventually Um, and again, i'm just going to present to you both sides.

Uh, what about? The prophets jeremiah before you were even born I formed you I knit you together in your mother's womb why To because you're going to be a prophet for me to go to the nations And really what it focuses on how many of you have heard that term tulip a couple people so um I'm going to try to Go quickly, but not too quick quickly what happened in a response to roman catholicism um, by the way There have been some roman catholics coming to church and they appreciate like last sunday when I showed the differences and things So it's not like i'm attacking i'm just showing people the differences. It's so important um roman catholicism a quick history lesson The one true church started with jesus christ first century second century third century constantine Uh christianized the roman empire and then the church would still keep growing and then they had different councils nicaea Council of trent different councils about the word of god and the canonization of scripture and then it breaks up eastern orthodox western but as as it keeps growing Then comes it the rome the actual government of rome marries the papacy the pope type of situation You can pay to become a pope and now the papacy the pope Is the final authority and head of the new church? And head of the church even from the conception they say based on something remember i'm an altar boy So I have a little I was pre not now. Thank you But I so I know I know a little bit about this We were taught this I went to catechism.

I served under the priest um the um What was my point on that? Um, oh apostolic succession So they believe that verse where g where p where jesus said peter on this rock you peter I will build my church Well, number one, you know, the church is not built on peter On man, it's obvious. It's built on jesus. But so peter is the first pope and then so forth To who they have now today.

It's called apostolic succession and that took a Bad turn again, you can study 10th 11th century 12th century 13th century the popes the different things it became now they decree That papal authority is equal than scripture is equal to scripture And tradition catholic tradition if they vote on certain things is equal to scripture and often sometimes above it And so you and it's not me. You can just read what they would say mary as co-redeemer Immaculate conception perpetual virginity of mary when you're saved you're not yet out of out of it yet. You you have to go to purgatory How many of you know that as a christian you still have to go Be purged of your sin to me.

That's the most blasphemous statement. I have ever heard in my life Because jesus said it's it's done It's done, but see all these and what they would do is they would they would uh to build I think it's saint peter's cathedral Cathedral they would go around and say hey put money in this And it will your your relatives will spring from purgatory It was something like when a coin in the coffin springs or sings a soul from purgatory will spring And so you could actually get your relative out of hell Well purgatory if you paid some money Guys, I don't that sounds pretty bad so All this is going on Around the 1500s actually before that people like william tyndale whitecliffe. John huss who was burned at the stake burned I know if you had a bad day, but that's You know, they would tie you to a stake like this and the woods underneath you And they will they would burn them light it on fire in the city square Why because they dared translate the word of god into the common tongue of the people Hmm Sounds like the devil's wanting to burn them So he tried and then later on you'll hear the name martin luther from germany uric zwingli in switzerland john calvin in geneva john knox in scotland and it's this term called reformers the reformation And people say oh that's when you guys started protestantism started the reformation No, we we actually go back to jesus's teaching you want to talk about the one true church We're trying to follow that you guys drifted way off course Did luther have issues? Absolutely Did calv absolutely? John calvin actually conceded to the death of michael cervidas Burning at the stake as well for his hair for that.

They consider heresy um, i've read augustine and plagianism and luther and Rasmussen and the doctrine of the will and things like that and and so out here's why it's important to me I'm, not gonna remember any of this at the second service. So please pray for the same so Out of this where they're calling the church back to purity Something called the 95 thesis Was nailed to the church doors in wittenberg germany in 1517 on halloween night And The point is they protested all the things wrong in the church They were priests they protested it. They said we got to get back to the purity of god's word We've got to get back to these things Protested that's where the word protestant comes from protest So anytime they tell you well, you're only 400 years old.

No, we're actually We're part of the the church jesus. We're following jesus. You drift away.

Of course. Mary's not my co-redeemer I'm, not gonna pray to mary I'm, not gonna use the rosary By the way, all those people say charlie kirk has become catholic. They weren't he wasn't holding her She was erica wasn't holding a rosary.

She was holding his necklace I just talked to the people a guy who knows him very well yesterday And said not even close It's a false narrative But see they've got it. They've got to throw this stuff out there to try to validate So that's where protestantism that's a term if you want to use it. I don't use the term I just say christianity from the early church So out of this whole thing Came tulip.

See it took me 10 minutes to get here So something called calvinism something called reformed theology reformed theology calvinism So what they were doing is they were pulling away from roman catholicism And they became known as reformed theology So they came up with tulip to help us remember Total depravity unconditional election limited atonement irresistible grace and perseverance of the saints. It's important because Total depravity so the catholic church would say You know man's kind of good. I mean if you go again read some of the the the Uh found a father early church fathers and different things.

There's different views, but they would say man is inherently good Or they would say no man is totally depraved total depravity Unconditional election the reason I highlighted these in yellow are they they're dealing with paul So unconditional election is when god elects you when god chooses you it's unconditional. It's not based on anything you do Nothing. He says I want let me see I'll take you You you you and you you It's unconditional election And then limited atonement, which is interesting not all of people who follow reformed theology believe in limited atonement Because it basically says that jesus's blood was limited And the reason they say that is Because the blood of jesus is so powerful that if it was applied to everybody everybody would be saved And we know that everybody's not safe.

So it is limited So I would say it's available for all but limited in its application Whoever puts the blood on it Just like they did in the old testament whoever went and put the blood on their door the death angel passed over them And so irresistible grace is another interesting concept when god calls you like paul jeremiah John the baptist it's irresistible It's it's irresistible. You can't resist it And the perseverance of the saints that the true saints of god Will persevere they will not fall away. You cannot lose your salvation They will never perish So that's reformed theology And then you have people kind of in the middle who came up with armenianism.

How many of you heard that term? armenianism And so they would they would they would question most of those points Like total depravity. Yes, man Is totally depraved but god's image in us is not erased. It's effaced.

It's damaged now each each extreme I believe has some some pitfalls When you get to either extreme of these for example, some armenians would say god doesn't really know how we're going to choose And they would say that jesus's blood is available to all They would actually say irresistible grace Uh is not taught in the bible that we can resist god and many of them would believe that a person can lose their salvation because of And again that would take a whole sermon. We've got verses on on both sides of that issue and that's why it's hotly debated So what do you do with non-essentials? You don't want to you don't want to argue and fight over it You don't want to get here's the key. I think I actually have the key up here for you Trust god and don't get too worked up over the exact details I think sarah we have that on the next screen for the key Take a picture remember it Trust god and don't get too worked up over the exact details Because people fight and they argue over these things And I and i'm kind of i'm kind of caught You know, okay, I see the I see the good points in some of these and and I it's it's it makes sense that we are totally depraved Right, but but also scripture says repent and believe So, hmm So can I repent and believe no, you can't repent and believe calvinist would say because that's something good in you I've had this discussion.

Okay, that's something good in me So was adam created with sin? Oh, no, of course not. Well, how could he choose evil? He chose to disobey god So could it be that god gives people the ability to choose and that choice is neutral? It's not doesn't mean you've got a good work and you and you're a good person But the calls to repentance the call to belief in jesus, there's calls out there I'm, not willing to any should perish but all come to the knowledge of god repent and believe And so you see that's why there's uh, and also I found that it will depend on how the person was saved I've talked to people like one day. I just I didn't like god and he just saved me that day So they they're calvinists, of course Other people have struggled through it and the prodigal son story in this and god finally got me to my rock bottom And and I finally I said, okay lord, I I repent So obviously they embrace armenianism they they believe they they had to choose god So your your your salvation the way you're saved plays a huge role in this as well but fortunately what I do is I I believe that the scriptures that teach We are totally depraved God is sovereign but he Calls man everywhere to repent and believe so i'm going to preach repentance.

I'll let him worry about the details Many of you are so more worried about than me. Let him let him worry about it. I I don't know Now I also can see though how he does call some people I don't think john the baptist had a choice I don't think jeremiah had a choice God might say i'm putting you you you you you on my team and we're going to go against the evil I I can see that as well.

It's it's not it's it's hard to get into debates on it because You start to go down rabbit trails with any extreme Because then there's something caught caught called double predestination So if god predestines you to heaven adoption of the elite ephesians um He he Predestines you to heaven That means he automatically overlooks you and doesn't choose you and condemns you to hell So personally for me, that's that's the hardest part for me Is when I read that god calls everybody to salvation people need to repent believe jesus preach repentance john the baptist preach repentance We're all called to preach repentance. We see but for me to say god only chooses certain people Even though he commands you to repent You you can't repent so now you're punished because you can't perform what he is asking you to do It'd be like me punishing a one-month-old child get up and walk Get up and walk Oh, you can't get up and walk. So I punish you So that's the hardest part for me.

I don't I don't go to any I don't i'm not a calvinist. I'm not armenianism or armenian because both have They're trying to sort through the incredible Characteristics of god And i've got to a point. I think I love what its version said god's sovereignty and man's Responsibility run like two parallel lines and we don't know where they cross until eternity Because if i'm going to lean i'm going to lean towards god's sovereignty Absolutely every time but I as a pastor as a preacher.

I can't get around the fact that God calls people to repent and believe and so because of that here is the The weak side of armenianism is sometimes it can turn into manipulation You know because they think it's all up to you all up to you And so they go. Okay. Come on.

Do you want to pray to receive jesus? No, not really Okay. Well if you don't want to pray, why don't you just why don't you hold my hand and squeeze it if you do? Right, just squeeze it and they they're trying to force the salvation because it's all up to them It's all up to them However, and i've seen this countless times on the other side There's really not a motivation to preach Let's be honest Whoever's going to get saved today is going to be saved today You don't need me. So good luck Now i'm making fun, but you get the point right again, that's my own personal struggle is You see you see paul.

Oh king agrippa. I wish to god jesus weeping because they would not repent not that they could not They would not so you have all these you would not you would not your stiff neck you and so It really damages. That's why you won't see altar calls On calvinist churches, you won't see a pleading and because whoever's coming is coming And I asked somebody that who went to a seminary close by and he goes well, yeah, but I mean we just True, but god commands us to preach so we preach But I don't I see in the bible an urgency I see a time to make a decision.

I see that that you're pleading with people all the Peter pleaded repent and turn repent and turn to god today You would think and they would say you know what? That's manipulation whoever whoever is going to be called of god will repent I don't need to say anything So that's one of the the the downsides it can really hinder preaching But you have spurgeon and george whitfield who it didn't obviously hinder their preaching But so each side if you run its course and this is why you'll have different versions of the bible by the way The english standard version the christian standard version english standard version I call the um The elect standard version it's more written. It's commentaries and it's word see when you go to to um when you go to define a greek word and it says a couple different this means like This means a divine impulse or a pull of god or a dragging or drawing They'll use the word that supports calvinism When they when they translate the bible, however, the csb does the same thing They'll use the word they'll choose the greek word that makes it look more like man's choice and free will So even translations of the bible Are and I don't blame them. I mean if you're you know, you're staunch support on either either side You know, you're gonna want to you're gonna want to Persuade people to go that direction.

This is also why we have different denominations This is why we have different denominations A reformed theology you'll see churches like that. They'll have their own way of doing the liturgy The worship is a lot different. It's more based on the westminster confession of faith and different things and they're they're Probably not going to like our church service Just being honest, but then if I go to their service i'm probably not going to be too inspired Right.

It's just different It's different. It's different. That's why there's different denominations as well Because if you believe in that you're going to want to be united with people Who share the same thing same with the gifts of the holy spirit? Have you noticed I think I think most reformed not all of them John piper is an exception sam storms is an exception But a lot of them do not believe in the gifts of the holy spirit the supernatural gifts I should say Where other churches do so you're going to want to do you want to go to a church that believes in the supernatural? gifts of the holy spirit Or do you want to go to a church that says you know what we believe that those have ceased We don't believe that those supernatural gifts are for us anymore Do you want to go to that type of church and there's some in lancaster? So you would go to that church.

Does that make sense? And others so that's why denominations get God allows it. I don't think it's the ideal plan by the way I don't think there should be denominations personally if we just go off scripture But they all seem to go off scripture and come to different conclusions on the non-essentials So that's why there are different churches different denominations And that's why we're supposed to focus on unity And I I believe a key here's another key a sign of health is differences, but unity A sign of health Is differences but unity of the spirit because cults a cult they often look the same Because they're not guided by freedom and relationship, but by rules and regulations not spirit-led but controlled And again guys, I I I hate I do not like to do this. I don't like I can't wait to do this I don't Personally, I would just not even mention it But I believe it's important because if you go to a mormon church here or in nebraska, they look the same Same rooms same setup same teaching same everything same with a lot of you ever go to roma catholic.

I went to a funeral It's like everything's the same everywhere Because it has to be structured and controlled Jehovah witness you ever go and you hear about their their watchtower society and and their their gatherings and how they do it same exact thing I don't think that's healthy actually People use as well. Look at you guys. There's homie denominator.

I think that's actually good We dress different We act different we reach people differently, it's a it's actually diversity is a sign of health That's why there's so many scriptures written Encouraging us to err on the side of grace and truth and love be slow to speak quick to listen all these things Judge prophecy test every spirit. We have all these things because it's healthy. It's not controlled It's it's it's very important So because of this because there's different views Calvinism armenianism Those are mainly the big ones from the reformation The order of salvation even differs.

It's called in latin ordo salutis What does that mean the order of salvation? Okay, so calvinists would believe and rightly so if you believe what they believe They're absolutely correct that the holy spirit comes in you first You have the spirit first Now because of that you can repent and believe and exercise faith But again that personally that's a hard one for me because I read the opposite when I read the bible I read I Believed and had faith and then the holy spirit comes in them upon them So even the order of salvation is different And i've upset people on this point too then But it's it's just where i'm at. I think I think the elders are all there pastor But I I don't I don't believe that a person can lose their salvation I think they believe hear me out. I think they believe they have faith now the holy spirit comes In them and can come upon them now.

They're a child of god. Nobody can take them away from me Jesus said what can separate me from from the love of god neither height nor depth nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to Come nothing can ever separate me from the love of god in christ. Jesus.

Nothing I am sealed by the holy spirit. The bible says the holy spirit is given to me as a guarantee I'm a child of god. I can't just because of some sin or or I didn't I lost faith and and now i'm not saved anymore And then I go to a revival conference and i'm I back him now i'm saved again.

Praise god And then a couple years go by Oh, man, i'm not i'm walked away and now i'm not saved anymore, man. That stinks I mean, so what keeps you saved? You're okay. What about if you have alzheimer's? or dementia Dementia And you can't comprehend god anymore to that degree Thank god he holds you together He holds you together Now with that said i've got friends that go here that believe you can lose it and there's verses on that And so I see where they're coming from.

I just can't because to me also the verses they use Have to do with person in my opinion not really safe to begin with hebrews 6 for example Those who are once they tasted they were enlightened they partook if they fall away. Well, those those words are somebody Part like looking into christianity seeking it. They're following judas iscariot He partook he tasted and he saw the goodness of god.

He wasn't saved And then I get this one too you're giving people permission to save once saved always say no way brother if they're sinning They're not a believer If there's no fruit they never they had superficial faith Because but just again for me, that's a pretty strong one. I can't see how Can you imagine losing it And how do you get it back? And how many times can you lose it? I mean because then it's dependent on me keeping faith. Okay When do I lose it i'm kind of doubting god i've got questions i'm in sin now i've lost it Well, that means I was maintaining it When the bible says he holds me together When the holy spirit is given to you as a guarantee And the holy spirit seals you up seals you for what? the day of redemption and I asked somebody that a friend of mine who's Who's he believes you can lose I said, what do you do? He said well, it's a partial seal Let me reread that The holy spirit is a Is a partial seal as long as you do such and such No, it's he seals you until the day of redemption you because it's a supernatural act.

That's what people don't realize It's a supernatural act of god There's nothing you can do it's Supernaturally child of god. You can't undo that supernatural act So three more pages you're gonna have to wait You're gonna have to wait till next week I kind of like that though because it makes half my notes are done So it makes sermon prep easier, but it's such important. Isn't it important topic to better understand theology? Why you believe what you believe? But I do want to close with this Sarah I don't know if we even have the slide.

So I apologize if we don't I don't think we do Um, we can probably just put the title up of the sermon and kind of focus on you know, his love His fight and we might I think we have a title slide But what we need to do it's not about being a better person it's about being a broken person And so I don't know who this is pertaining to this morning, but allow god's love to break you Allow god's love if you're a believer allow god's love to break you If you're an unbeliever many listen to this later that do not know the lord people share it all over I want to let them know that god loves you Enough he loves you think about this This is what blows my mind god loves us enough that he provided the way of salvation. He provided the way There's nothing you have to do nothing a person has to do except repent and believe all the love of god I love that worship song what can wash away my sin nothing but the blood of jesus christ And i'll leave you with this I'm sure some of you if you're younger, you probably heard this illustration. It's been going around but it's it's so good I don't even know who to give credit to It's probably one of the best i've heard but it's about this king who um The the most righteous just king ever to live in this in this carry this area of the world very loving very righteous people loved him but one day it was found out that he was Uh that people were somebody was robbing from his treasury and because he's just He made the decree that they should be lashed 40 lashes and it's the death penalty Search for this person And it came back to him king.

We found the person but it's your daughter Your only daughter But he had to go through with the decree Because he's just What kind of king would? Oh, it's my favoritism And they put her on the it's a big block and and they put her there and they ripped open the back of her shirt And the executioner this long it just drives into the skin he was getting ready Getting ready and the king said stop Stop and the king went over and covered his daughter And the executioner Opened his shirt Told the executioner now whip And he said but king I won't be able to strike your daughter. He said now whip And the king lost his life And the daughter went free That's the love of god with christ on the cross Is it not? That's the that's the love of god all the love of god If we could get that the love of god would be a shed abroad in our hearts again You wouldn't be critical and legalistic and angry. Oh the love of god.

Let it let it just transform your heart and your life Jesus paid it all he said it is finished. He never said i'm finished. He said it is finished It's been paid the debt has been paid.

Oh christian. We should come into this church loving people Loving them and understanding and having grace and just oh god, let us worship you Let the love of god change your hearts Because if it doesn't hardness and bitterness will come in and it will rule and it will reign and it will destroy you Listen, I don't know where you stand on the demonic realm and christians being harassed by demons and but just about every person i've talked to who Has a lot of experience in that area says the number one stronghold Without a shadow of a doubt is unforgiveness When I don't forgive I give satan I give satan Rule and reign in my heart But you don't know what they did No, I don't but don't let that poison you for the rest of your life who needs the love of god in their heart I do I do Guys the last two weeks i've been pretty i've grown pretty pretty angry At what's going on? And our nation pretty just just losing hope sometimes We've got to get that love back in our heart and it begins with worship It begins with worship If you need the love of god, just come and and come forward and just kneel and say god I need your love if you've never believed now is the time to do that. You have to believe young adults You can't you can't ride your parents coattails Your mom and dad don't speak up for you in heaven nobody When that hit me, I remember that day it hit me.

Nobody's next to me. Not my mom. Not my pastor Nobody, it's you before god you before god And you're not going to be able to present your case lord.

Remember back. No. No, you'll probably be on your face weeping And you hear either well done now good and faithful servant enter into the joy of the lord Or you hear probably I don't think it's with anger, but you hear Depart from me.

I don't know you Depart from me. I don't know you And I remember I used to think What about they just they run they cling to his feet and they cry Can I wouldn't you I mean you're no lord, please No lord, please but there's nothing he can do their judgment has been sealed It is appointed once Man to die and then the judgment At that point you don't you you you can't say anything. Your tears don't matter Depart from me.

Can you I can't even I can't even picture that I mean, is he is he you don't pick him? Of course, we're spirit beings We don't know exactly but does he is he picking him up and saying I I don't know you Guys out of that way he's hard on me as a pastor People coming in does he really know you? Do you have that relationship? Because there's there's no other choice Depart from me. I don't know you That's bible and that's why you will not hear it preached in a lot of churches Because that just offended a lot of people shane exactly in case you Didn't know the bible offends It's it's an offensive book What does it offend our sin? our pride It offends until there's nothing left to hurt and to offend