1 00:00:05,877 --> 00:00:12,438 This comes from Matthew. 2 00:00:12,438 --> 00:00:16,849 "Pastor Tim, this is no easy question to ask 3 00:00:16,849 --> 00:00:19,498 and requires a bit of a preface, 4 00:00:19,498 --> 00:00:23,597 so I beg that you would hear me." 5 00:00:23,597 --> 00:00:25,456 Now listen to him carefully. 6 00:00:25,456 --> 00:00:28,867 Again, one of the reasons I want to go through these 7 00:00:28,867 --> 00:00:31,267 is so that we would all think 8 00:00:31,267 --> 00:00:36,167 and seek to apply Scripture. 9 00:00:36,167 --> 00:00:38,476 Obviously, if people are asking questions 10 00:00:38,476 --> 00:00:42,416 it's because they're having some difficulty 11 00:00:42,416 --> 00:00:44,158 wrestling with these things. 12 00:00:44,158 --> 00:00:47,429 These things tend to not be so simple to people 13 00:00:47,429 --> 00:00:49,027 so they submit the questions. 14 00:00:49,027 --> 00:00:55,559 They're looking for light. 15 00:00:55,559 --> 00:00:57,426 One of the things that you have to do 16 00:00:57,426 --> 00:00:59,527 is you have to listen even to the way 17 00:00:59,527 --> 00:01:01,958 they present their questions 18 00:01:01,958 --> 00:01:05,948 because oftentimes there's inconsistencies 19 00:01:05,948 --> 00:01:07,240 in what they say. 20 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:09,786 You kind of have to hear. 21 00:01:09,786 --> 00:01:11,219 What we're looking to do 22 00:01:11,219 --> 00:01:16,447 is try to biblically answer the question that's being posed. 23 00:01:16,447 --> 00:01:17,930 He says this: 24 00:01:17,930 --> 00:01:22,077 "I have been a Christian for four years now." 25 00:01:22,077 --> 00:01:24,457 Now, I want to point out that he starts 26 00:01:24,457 --> 00:01:26,868 by making this assumption: 27 00:01:26,868 --> 00:01:31,346 I've been a Christian for four years. 28 00:01:31,346 --> 00:01:33,466 "I was saved..." 29 00:01:33,466 --> 00:01:35,188 That's how he starts this. 30 00:01:35,188 --> 00:01:38,037 Now when he gets to the end, 31 00:01:38,037 --> 00:01:39,705 he's saying, "Pastor Tim, 32 00:01:39,705 --> 00:01:43,356 will I be given over to sin like in Romans 1? 33 00:01:43,356 --> 00:01:45,319 Am I an earthen bottle 34 00:01:45,319 --> 00:01:50,027 like from Jeremiah 18 and 19?" 35 00:01:50,027 --> 00:01:51,486 He's basically wondering 36 00:01:51,486 --> 00:01:54,267 if it's impossible for him to be saved. 37 00:01:54,267 --> 00:01:56,857 I think he's wondering if he's apostate. 38 00:01:56,857 --> 00:01:58,087 So he starts by saying, 39 00:01:58,087 --> 00:01:59,969 "I've been a Christian for four years." 40 00:01:59,969 --> 00:02:06,538 He ends by asking whether I think he's apostate. 41 00:02:06,538 --> 00:02:09,997 Obviously there's an inconsistency in that. 42 00:02:09,997 --> 00:02:13,267 If he's starting this thing confidently 43 00:02:13,267 --> 00:02:16,346 saying "I've been a Christian for four years," 44 00:02:16,346 --> 00:02:18,856 obviously there's a change that takes place 45 00:02:18,856 --> 00:02:22,328 in the midst of three paragraphs here. 46 00:02:22,328 --> 00:02:24,807 "I've been a Christian for four years now. 47 00:02:24,807 --> 00:02:28,726 I was saved when I resolved in my heart 48 00:02:28,726 --> 00:02:33,707 to kill myself because of pain. 49 00:02:33,707 --> 00:02:36,397 And instead of following through with my plan, 50 00:02:36,397 --> 00:02:39,886 I got on my knees and asked Jesus to save me 51 00:02:39,886 --> 00:02:45,937 because I had remembered something in the moment." 52 00:02:45,937 --> 00:02:47,647 He doesn't say what he remembered, 53 00:02:47,647 --> 00:02:49,117 but he said, "It convinced me 54 00:02:49,117 --> 00:02:55,447 that I should at least try to give Jesus a chance..." 55 00:02:55,447 --> 00:02:56,796 And I don't understand this: 56 00:02:56,796 --> 00:02:59,348 "...and not persecute His church 57 00:02:59,348 --> 00:03:03,736 without really asking Him for help." 58 00:03:03,736 --> 00:03:06,257 Now he's going to kill himself. 59 00:03:06,257 --> 00:03:08,789 What that has to do with persecuting the church 60 00:03:08,789 --> 00:03:11,165 I'm not certain. 61 00:03:11,165 --> 00:03:14,717 "I received my help..." 62 00:03:14,717 --> 00:03:16,396 when he called out to the Lord. 63 00:03:16,396 --> 00:03:20,346 "...And all of that pain went away. 64 00:03:20,346 --> 00:03:23,776 And I was filled with joy uninterrupted 65 00:03:23,776 --> 00:03:25,266 for months and months, 66 00:03:25,266 --> 00:03:27,219 and I could no longer deny Jesus 67 00:03:27,219 --> 00:03:29,377 from that day forward. 68 00:03:29,377 --> 00:03:33,197 Sometimes I can't help myself but cry 69 00:03:33,197 --> 00:03:37,837 when I read Psalm 116." 70 00:03:37,837 --> 00:03:39,871 Paragraph 2: "One day, 71 00:03:39,871 --> 00:03:43,271 I laid in bed and prayed. 72 00:03:43,271 --> 00:03:45,030 I asked for two things: 73 00:03:45,030 --> 00:03:47,502 peace and rest. 74 00:03:47,502 --> 00:03:50,331 Because I was restless at the time. 75 00:03:50,331 --> 00:03:54,202 And I asked to hear God's voice. 76 00:03:54,202 --> 00:03:57,303 It took about 15 to 30 minutes of asking, 77 00:03:57,303 --> 00:03:59,751 but starting from my head 78 00:03:59,751 --> 00:04:01,571 down to my feet, 79 00:04:01,571 --> 00:04:04,421 I felt like a literal wave came. 80 00:04:04,421 --> 00:04:06,222 It had a steady pace to it. 81 00:04:06,222 --> 00:04:08,773 I felt energized and rested. 82 00:04:08,773 --> 00:04:11,812 And then came an audible voice 83 00:04:11,812 --> 00:04:15,370 saying, 'you will do what you will do.' 84 00:04:15,370 --> 00:04:17,861 It sounded almost like thunder. 85 00:04:17,861 --> 00:04:19,791 I was terrified and shaken 86 00:04:19,791 --> 00:04:22,053 as though I had lost my balance 87 00:04:22,053 --> 00:04:25,546 even though I was laying in bed. 88 00:04:25,546 --> 00:04:28,182 I have cried to God 89 00:04:28,182 --> 00:04:31,121 and asked for what it means. 90 00:04:31,121 --> 00:04:33,351 I've asked other Christians. 91 00:04:33,351 --> 00:04:36,472 My terror comes because those words 92 00:04:36,472 --> 00:04:39,549 stand in direct opposition 93 00:04:39,549 --> 00:04:41,711 to what Jesus said. 94 00:04:41,711 --> 00:04:43,680 Jesus said, 'Not My will, Lord, 95 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:46,131 but Yours be done.'" 96 00:04:46,131 --> 00:04:47,901 Paragraph 3: "Pastor Tim, 97 00:04:47,901 --> 00:04:51,781 will I be given over to sin like in Romans 1? 98 00:04:51,781 --> 00:04:54,591 Am I an earthen bottle 99 00:04:54,591 --> 00:04:57,141 like from Jeremiah 18 and 19? 100 00:04:57,141 --> 00:05:00,080 I've asked God again and again about this, 101 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:03,750 but I was unable to shake the idea 102 00:05:03,750 --> 00:05:06,919 that I am just going to be cast out. 103 00:05:06,919 --> 00:05:08,791 Although a woman once said 104 00:05:08,791 --> 00:05:14,872 that she saw it as my will aligned with God's." 105 00:05:14,872 --> 00:05:17,032 In other words, you will do what you will do 106 00:05:17,032 --> 00:05:18,923 and your will's aligned with God's 107 00:05:18,923 --> 00:05:20,840 so it's actually a good thing. 108 00:05:20,840 --> 00:05:29,262 He says, "But I'm unable to be certain." 109 00:05:29,262 --> 00:05:41,504 Look, one of the reasons that I ran with this one is this: 110 00:05:41,504 --> 00:05:44,210 Matthew says, 111 00:05:44,210 --> 00:05:48,782 "I have been a Christian for four years now." 112 00:05:48,782 --> 00:05:50,203 "I was saved." 113 00:05:50,203 --> 00:05:52,022 He starts by saying that, 114 00:05:52,022 --> 00:05:54,802 and obviously as he works through this, 115 00:05:54,802 --> 00:05:56,472 well, he had this voice. 116 00:05:56,472 --> 00:06:05,582 Now, he's just totally uncertain. 117 00:06:05,582 --> 00:06:12,940 I guess the place that I wanted to start with this - 118 00:06:12,940 --> 00:06:17,730 I guess I feel like maybe we take this for granted, 119 00:06:17,730 --> 00:06:26,722 but it's interesting that lately, 120 00:06:26,722 --> 00:06:29,272 the Lord has brought it to me 121 00:06:29,272 --> 00:06:33,271 about just the reality of those 122 00:06:33,271 --> 00:06:40,581 who really seem to have difficulty perceiving 123 00:06:40,581 --> 00:06:43,981 the fact that true salvation can't be lost. 124 00:06:43,981 --> 00:06:47,950 And here's the thing, 125 00:06:47,950 --> 00:06:50,156 "I've been a Christian for four years." 126 00:06:50,156 --> 00:06:54,012 I would ask somebody: based on what? 127 00:06:54,012 --> 00:06:57,391 What was your confidence based on? 128 00:06:57,391 --> 00:07:00,441 Did some voice cause you to lose 129 00:07:00,441 --> 00:07:03,832 whatever confidence you had in the very beginning? 130 00:07:03,832 --> 00:07:05,911 See, I'm not certain that the foundation 131 00:07:05,911 --> 00:07:07,820 was right with this guy. 132 00:07:07,820 --> 00:07:15,119 But let's say it was. 133 00:07:15,119 --> 00:07:16,661 I mean, the reality is 134 00:07:16,661 --> 00:07:22,812 that if God has started a work in me, 135 00:07:22,812 --> 00:07:24,792 that can't be lost. 136 00:07:24,792 --> 00:07:27,112 Now look, I recognize that there are 137 00:07:27,112 --> 00:07:29,801 people in Scripture who start well 138 00:07:29,801 --> 00:07:31,051 but don't finish well. 139 00:07:31,051 --> 00:07:32,700 I recognize there are people 140 00:07:32,700 --> 00:07:34,753 who make shipwreck of the faith. 141 00:07:34,753 --> 00:07:35,951 But you recognize that 142 00:07:35,951 --> 00:07:41,642 that's looking at things from man's perspective. 143 00:07:41,642 --> 00:07:44,170 I want to talk about the reality 144 00:07:44,170 --> 00:07:45,940 that a truly saved person - 145 00:07:45,940 --> 00:07:49,591 a truly saved person - 146 00:07:49,591 --> 00:07:52,080 that it's for good. 147 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:54,170 If you're saved, 148 00:07:54,170 --> 00:08:00,802 if your confidence was right in the beginning, 149 00:08:00,802 --> 00:08:02,251 what I'm saying is this: 150 00:08:02,251 --> 00:08:05,171 if there was any moment 151 00:08:05,171 --> 00:08:10,161 where true faith was exercised, 152 00:08:10,161 --> 00:08:15,630 you're going to be secure to the end. 153 00:08:15,630 --> 00:08:18,592 And I want to talk about several doctrines 154 00:08:18,592 --> 00:08:23,082 in the Scriptures that really solidify 155 00:08:23,082 --> 00:08:27,711 the reality - "once saved always saved" - 156 00:08:27,711 --> 00:08:30,942 yeah, that's a truth, but it's a cheap way to say it. 157 00:08:30,942 --> 00:08:32,469 Because what that does 158 00:08:32,469 --> 00:08:39,382 is that can undermine the reality 159 00:08:39,382 --> 00:08:41,114 of what Scripture says you'll find 160 00:08:41,114 --> 00:08:44,482 in a person's life as they persevere. 161 00:08:44,482 --> 00:08:46,801 Too many people talk "once saved always saved," 162 00:08:46,801 --> 00:08:47,990 and they're just saying: 163 00:08:47,990 --> 00:08:49,492 Well, I believed at one time 164 00:08:49,492 --> 00:08:52,632 and no matter how I live between then and now, 165 00:08:52,632 --> 00:08:54,270 I'm still saved. 166 00:08:54,270 --> 00:08:56,321 And I can basically live any way I want to 167 00:08:56,321 --> 00:08:58,141 and I'm going to make it to the end. 168 00:08:58,141 --> 00:09:00,471 That's not what Scripture teaches. 169 00:09:00,471 --> 00:09:04,191 But I want to go through just a few doctrines. 170 00:09:04,191 --> 00:09:05,972 The one I want you to look at - 171 00:09:05,972 --> 00:09:08,511 this is one of the primary ones 172 00:09:08,511 --> 00:09:10,653 that holds weight with me, 173 00:09:10,653 --> 00:09:12,950 but it's the promises of the New Covenant 174 00:09:12,950 --> 00:09:14,561 and precisely the one found 175 00:09:14,561 --> 00:09:17,020 in Jeremiah 32:40, 176 00:09:17,020 --> 00:09:20,271 and I want everybody to turn there. 177 00:09:20,271 --> 00:09:42,301 (Jeremiah 32:40) 178 00:09:42,301 --> 00:09:45,965 (unintelligible) 179 00:09:45,965 --> 00:09:58,690 (silence) 180 00:09:58,690 --> 00:10:04,941 Okay, does anybody have that? 181 00:10:04,941 --> 00:10:09,463 Jeremiah 32:40. 182 00:10:09,463 --> 00:10:11,882 "I will make with them an everlasting covenant..." 183 00:10:11,882 --> 00:10:13,652 Okay, here's the covenant. 184 00:10:13,652 --> 00:10:15,810 Here's the everlasting covenant. 185 00:10:15,810 --> 00:10:18,521 This is the New Covenant that God makes. 186 00:10:18,521 --> 00:10:21,491 If you're a Christian, 187 00:10:21,491 --> 00:10:27,651 this is the covenant - what's a covenant? 188 00:10:27,651 --> 00:10:29,321 (from the room) An agreement? 189 00:10:29,321 --> 00:10:30,502 Tim: An agreement. 190 00:10:30,502 --> 00:10:31,853 It's like a contract. 191 00:10:31,853 --> 00:10:36,472 It's basically the conditions of a relationship. 192 00:10:36,472 --> 00:10:40,435 God establishes the criteria or the basis 193 00:10:40,435 --> 00:10:44,452 upon which He is going to relate 194 00:10:44,452 --> 00:10:48,071 to His people, 195 00:10:48,071 --> 00:10:51,882 to the people that He redeems. 196 00:10:51,882 --> 00:10:54,053 What are the terms? 197 00:10:54,053 --> 00:10:57,042 Here's the terms. 198 00:10:57,042 --> 00:11:02,352 The Old Covenant: God gave laws. 199 00:11:02,352 --> 00:11:05,621 And He said: Do this and live. 200 00:11:05,621 --> 00:11:08,461 You know what? That was a weak covenant. 201 00:11:08,461 --> 00:11:10,313 The weakness was found in us 202 00:11:10,313 --> 00:11:12,119 because we didn't have an inclination 203 00:11:12,119 --> 00:11:13,283 to keep that law. 204 00:11:13,283 --> 00:11:16,221 But listen to the terms of the New Covenant. 205 00:11:16,221 --> 00:11:18,491 Somebody read that verse. 206 00:11:18,491 --> 00:11:20,853 There's three promises just in this verse. 207 00:11:20,853 --> 00:11:22,742 There's more in other places 208 00:11:22,742 --> 00:11:24,312 and in the context right there, 209 00:11:24,312 --> 00:11:26,250 but listen to these. 210 00:11:26,250 --> 00:11:29,863 Go ahead and read those. 211 00:11:29,863 --> 00:11:33,461 Read verse 40 again. 212 00:11:33,461 --> 00:11:34,752 "I will make with them 213 00:11:34,752 --> 00:11:36,256 an everlasting covenant 214 00:11:36,256 --> 00:11:38,302 that I will not turn away 215 00:11:38,302 --> 00:11:39,701 from doing good to them..." 216 00:11:39,701 --> 00:11:42,210 Okay, think about that promise. 217 00:11:42,210 --> 00:11:45,162 If God once saves you, 218 00:11:45,162 --> 00:11:47,372 listen to what He's promising. 219 00:11:47,372 --> 00:11:50,652 I'm not going to turn away from doing you good. 220 00:11:50,652 --> 00:11:52,640 If you were able to fall away, 221 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:55,411 if you were able to lose what God started, 222 00:11:55,411 --> 00:11:57,734 is that doing good? That's not doing good. 223 00:11:57,734 --> 00:12:00,733 That promise would not be true. 224 00:12:00,733 --> 00:12:02,601 If God began to save anybody, 225 00:12:02,601 --> 00:12:05,791 if God imparted eternal life - 226 00:12:05,791 --> 00:12:07,772 for God to even call it "eternal life" 227 00:12:07,772 --> 00:12:09,890 and then it not prove to be eternal, 228 00:12:09,890 --> 00:12:13,739 God has bailed on doing good to somebody. 229 00:12:13,739 --> 00:12:16,710 What's the next promise there? 230 00:12:16,710 --> 00:12:20,301 "And I will put the fear of Me in their hearts 231 00:12:20,301 --> 00:12:22,251 that they may not turn from Me." 232 00:12:22,251 --> 00:12:26,590 Okay, now that is what I wanted specifically for us to see. 233 00:12:26,590 --> 00:12:28,452 Notice that. 234 00:12:28,452 --> 00:12:33,779 If somebody is genuinely saved by God, 235 00:12:33,779 --> 00:12:37,670 God puts His fear in them 236 00:12:37,670 --> 00:12:40,860 so that they don't turn. 237 00:12:40,860 --> 00:12:43,041 What does that mean? 238 00:12:43,041 --> 00:12:44,982 Well, that means when you come 239 00:12:44,982 --> 00:12:47,652 to a passage in Scripture that warns, 240 00:12:47,652 --> 00:12:49,542 say, about sexual immorality - 241 00:12:49,542 --> 00:12:52,441 better to chop off a hand, gouge out an eye, 242 00:12:52,441 --> 00:12:54,632 than to go whole into hell - 243 00:12:54,632 --> 00:12:56,381 you know what, the true Christian 244 00:12:56,381 --> 00:12:58,693 looks at that and there's a healthy fear. 245 00:12:58,693 --> 00:12:59,951 There's a fear of God. 246 00:12:59,951 --> 00:13:01,500 There's a fear of offending Him. 247 00:13:01,500 --> 00:13:04,349 We get these warnings in Scripture 248 00:13:04,349 --> 00:13:08,241 and the Christian - isn't this what God said? - 249 00:13:08,241 --> 00:13:11,891 He said, "To this man I will look..." 250 00:13:11,891 --> 00:13:14,881 Humble, contrite, trembles at My Word. 251 00:13:14,881 --> 00:13:19,861 See, there is a seriousness about God's Word 252 00:13:19,861 --> 00:13:21,311 to the true child of God. 253 00:13:21,311 --> 00:13:22,732 There is a fear. 254 00:13:22,732 --> 00:13:25,901 It doesn't mean that we can't grow cold at times. 255 00:13:25,901 --> 00:13:28,681 It doesn't mean we can't grow distant at times. 256 00:13:28,681 --> 00:13:31,501 It doesn't mean we can't lose our first love at times. 257 00:13:31,501 --> 00:13:32,981 But do you know what happened 258 00:13:32,981 --> 00:13:34,921 even with people like the Corinthians? 259 00:13:34,921 --> 00:13:39,643 The Galatians? The Hebrews? 260 00:13:39,643 --> 00:13:42,351 The expectation is that 261 00:13:42,351 --> 00:13:44,453 when they received a warning like Paul 262 00:13:44,453 --> 00:13:46,091 sent in the Corinthian letter, 263 00:13:46,091 --> 00:13:47,191 the Galatian letter, 264 00:13:47,191 --> 00:13:48,701 the author of Hebrews wrote 265 00:13:48,701 --> 00:13:51,771 to those drifting Hebrews, 266 00:13:51,771 --> 00:13:54,661 the expectation is that they were 267 00:13:54,661 --> 00:13:59,601 brought to repentance through the fear - 268 00:13:59,601 --> 00:14:03,982 God's Spirit working through those letters. 269 00:14:03,982 --> 00:14:06,471 Those were inspired letters. 270 00:14:06,471 --> 00:14:08,593 And that's what happens. 271 00:14:08,593 --> 00:14:14,371 It's like you go to the Grand Canyon 272 00:14:14,371 --> 00:14:15,673 and there's a warning sign. 273 00:14:15,673 --> 00:14:17,594 Do you know how many people have fallen 274 00:14:17,594 --> 00:14:19,173 off the edge of the Grand Canyon? 275 00:14:19,173 --> 00:14:21,761 Lots of people! 276 00:14:21,761 --> 00:14:22,982 What are they doing? 277 00:14:22,982 --> 00:14:26,461 People go sit on the edge and they fall over. 278 00:14:26,461 --> 00:14:28,717 There's warning signs. 279 00:14:28,717 --> 00:14:30,471 This is like the Christian life. 280 00:14:30,471 --> 00:14:32,152 The Christian life sees the sign 281 00:14:32,152 --> 00:14:34,923 and he's like I'm staying back from the edge. 282 00:14:34,923 --> 00:14:37,452 The person that doesn't have the fear of God in them, 283 00:14:37,452 --> 00:14:38,951 they go dance around the edge 284 00:14:38,951 --> 00:14:41,620 and they fall over. 285 00:14:41,620 --> 00:14:44,873 So, what's my point? My point is this: 286 00:14:44,873 --> 00:14:46,250 This is a promise. 287 00:14:46,250 --> 00:14:47,702 I guarantee you this. 288 00:14:47,702 --> 00:14:51,303 If you are a partaker of the New Covenant, 289 00:14:51,303 --> 00:14:54,009 God puts His fear in you 290 00:14:54,009 --> 00:14:58,479 so that you will not turn away. 291 00:14:58,479 --> 00:14:59,953 That's a promise. 292 00:14:59,953 --> 00:15:06,652 None that God is at work in ever turn away. 293 00:15:06,652 --> 00:15:09,492 We could look at other promises there as well. 294 00:15:09,492 --> 00:15:13,471 But that's one reason that we can know 295 00:15:13,471 --> 00:15:18,621 a person who has this salvation 296 00:15:18,621 --> 00:15:20,481 can't lose it. 297 00:15:20,481 --> 00:15:21,981 The next thing. 298 00:15:21,981 --> 00:15:24,620 Let's go to 2 Corinthians 5. 299 00:15:24,620 --> 00:15:26,814 And I know you know these verses. 300 00:15:26,814 --> 00:15:29,623 2 Corinthians 5:17 is where it speaks 301 00:15:29,623 --> 00:15:34,642 about the fact that we're new creations in Christ. 302 00:15:34,642 --> 00:15:36,718 If somebody gets there, you can read that. 303 00:15:36,718 --> 00:15:40,873 2 Corinthians 5:17. 304 00:15:40,873 --> 00:15:43,321 "The desires of the flesh are against the Spirit. 305 00:15:43,321 --> 00:15:46,112 The desires of the Spirit are against the flesh. 306 00:15:46,112 --> 00:15:48,401 For these are opposed to each other..." 307 00:15:48,401 --> 00:15:49,740 Tim: 2 Corinthians 308 00:15:49,740 --> 00:15:51,362 (from the room) Oh, I'm sorry. 309 00:15:51,362 --> 00:15:58,041 I'm in Galatians. 310 00:15:58,041 --> 00:16:00,841 Anybody got it? 311 00:16:00,841 --> 00:16:02,841 You can read it. 312 00:16:02,841 --> 00:16:05,962 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ 313 00:16:05,962 --> 00:16:08,171 he is a new creation. 314 00:16:08,171 --> 00:16:10,192 The old has passed away. 315 00:16:10,192 --> 00:16:12,712 Behold, the new has come." 316 00:16:12,712 --> 00:16:16,271 Right. Now think about that. 317 00:16:16,271 --> 00:16:20,362 You're a new creation if you're in Christ. 318 00:16:20,362 --> 00:16:23,722 You recognize what that means. 319 00:16:23,722 --> 00:16:26,462 A new creation. 320 00:16:26,462 --> 00:16:31,180 It means God has reconstructed you. 321 00:16:31,180 --> 00:16:35,645 You're new - altogether new. 322 00:16:35,645 --> 00:16:40,341 For you to be a new creation, 323 00:16:40,341 --> 00:16:46,529 it's like there would have to be a fall again. 324 00:16:46,529 --> 00:16:48,181 Like you would have to go back 325 00:16:48,181 --> 00:16:55,111 to being the old creation. 326 00:16:55,111 --> 00:16:58,971 There would have to be an un-creation. 327 00:16:58,971 --> 00:17:03,342 But if God has recreated you, 328 00:17:03,342 --> 00:17:07,142 unless there's a reality 329 00:17:07,142 --> 00:17:13,851 that somebody can be recreated 330 00:17:13,851 --> 00:17:17,401 and come back to the pristine state of Adam 331 00:17:17,401 --> 00:17:19,173 and fall again - 332 00:17:19,173 --> 00:17:22,243 are men falling back into sin? 333 00:17:22,243 --> 00:17:24,902 And that would be to say 334 00:17:24,902 --> 00:17:29,743 that if I sin as a Christian, 335 00:17:29,743 --> 00:17:34,143 I undo the new creation. 336 00:17:34,143 --> 00:17:36,071 Scripture doesn't teach that. 337 00:17:36,071 --> 00:17:37,391 What does Scripture teach? 338 00:17:37,391 --> 00:17:40,351 That the little children who are the new creations, 339 00:17:40,351 --> 00:17:44,732 if they sin, they have an Advocate with the Father, 340 00:17:44,732 --> 00:17:47,652 Jesus Christ the Righteous. 341 00:17:47,652 --> 00:17:51,140 (Incomplete thought) 342 00:17:51,140 --> 00:17:53,241 Doesn't Scripture say: 343 00:17:53,241 --> 00:17:57,301 what can separate us from Christ? 344 00:17:57,301 --> 00:17:59,640 What can? 345 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:02,250 There's nothing that can. 346 00:18:02,250 --> 00:18:04,981 That's the whole point of Romans 8 there. 347 00:18:04,981 --> 00:18:08,752 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? 348 00:18:08,752 --> 00:18:10,400 There's nothing that separates. 349 00:18:10,400 --> 00:18:13,380 Think about this reality. 350 00:18:13,380 --> 00:18:15,841 Think about the fact - 351 00:18:15,841 --> 00:18:20,889 this is closely related to the new creation - 352 00:18:20,889 --> 00:18:29,052 but somebody read 1 John 5:4. 353 00:18:29,052 --> 00:18:33,321 This talks about being born again or born of God. 354 00:18:33,321 --> 00:18:41,022 But I want you to see a promise in Scripture. 355 00:18:41,022 --> 00:18:42,701 The idea is this: 356 00:18:42,701 --> 00:18:48,141 if you were born, can you be unborn? 357 00:18:48,141 --> 00:18:49,812 I mean, it's crazy. 358 00:18:49,812 --> 00:18:51,981 To be born again, 359 00:18:51,981 --> 00:18:55,750 can you be un-born again? 360 00:18:55,750 --> 00:18:58,000 What does 1 John 5:4 say? 361 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:01,490 Anybody that's got it. Read it out loud. 362 00:19:01,490 --> 00:19:03,471 "For everyone who has been born of God 363 00:19:03,471 --> 00:19:04,940 overcomes the world." 364 00:19:04,940 --> 00:19:07,301 Okay, there you've got a promise. 365 00:19:07,301 --> 00:19:08,950 So who falls out? 366 00:19:08,950 --> 00:19:12,782 How many fall out? 367 00:19:12,782 --> 00:19:14,140 (from the room) None. 368 00:19:14,140 --> 00:19:15,871 Tim: Right. 369 00:19:15,871 --> 00:19:20,730 If you're born of God, you overcome. 370 00:19:20,730 --> 00:19:22,373 Overcoming the world 371 00:19:22,373 --> 00:19:25,231 is a way to say you win. 372 00:19:25,231 --> 00:19:27,510 You're victorious. 373 00:19:27,510 --> 00:19:29,747 Obviously that doesn't mean you make shipwreck. 374 00:19:29,747 --> 00:19:31,252 That doesn't mean you fall out. 375 00:19:31,252 --> 00:19:33,492 That doesn't mean that you're lost in the end. 376 00:19:33,492 --> 00:19:35,883 That means you make it. You endure. 377 00:19:35,883 --> 00:19:37,040 You overcome. 378 00:19:37,040 --> 00:19:38,126 You're a victor. 379 00:19:38,126 --> 00:19:39,180 You get the crown. 380 00:19:39,180 --> 00:19:40,372 You win the race. 381 00:19:40,372 --> 00:19:43,989 You make it. Right? 382 00:19:43,989 --> 00:19:46,909 Okay, how about another one? 383 00:19:46,909 --> 00:19:52,289 John 17:12. 384 00:19:52,289 --> 00:19:53,961 We can read over this 385 00:19:53,961 --> 00:19:56,979 and maybe not think a whole lot about this. 386 00:19:56,979 --> 00:20:01,852 But you have to get the feeling of John 17:12. 387 00:20:01,852 --> 00:20:04,841 What is Jesus saying here? 388 00:20:04,841 --> 00:20:07,668 Because this has to do with the reason 389 00:20:07,668 --> 00:20:13,151 that no true Christian can fall out. 390 00:20:13,151 --> 00:20:16,721 No true Christian can be lost. 391 00:20:16,721 --> 00:20:18,450 What does it say? 392 00:20:18,450 --> 00:20:21,942 Somebody read it if you've got it. 393 00:20:21,942 --> 00:20:23,439 "While I was with them, 394 00:20:23,439 --> 00:20:25,545 I kept them in Your name 395 00:20:25,545 --> 00:20:27,381 which You have given Me." 396 00:20:27,381 --> 00:20:28,471 See, there it is. 397 00:20:28,471 --> 00:20:30,300 "I kept them in Your name 398 00:20:30,300 --> 00:20:31,740 which You have given Me." 399 00:20:31,740 --> 00:20:33,391 Now look, somebody's going to say, 400 00:20:33,391 --> 00:20:35,831 well, wait, He lost one. 401 00:20:35,831 --> 00:20:39,081 No, you have to read what it says there. 402 00:20:39,081 --> 00:20:40,493 Keep going. 403 00:20:40,493 --> 00:20:41,571 "I have guarded them, 404 00:20:41,571 --> 00:20:43,350 and not one of them has been lost..." 405 00:20:43,350 --> 00:20:44,522 Now that's important. 406 00:20:44,522 --> 00:20:45,782 "I guarded them 407 00:20:45,782 --> 00:20:48,390 and not one of them has been lost." 408 00:20:48,390 --> 00:20:50,680 But keep going. 409 00:20:50,680 --> 00:20:51,919 "I have guarded them, 410 00:20:51,919 --> 00:20:53,581 and not one of them has been lost 411 00:20:53,581 --> 00:20:55,280 except the son of destruction 412 00:20:55,280 --> 00:20:58,179 that Scripture might be fulfilled." 413 00:20:58,179 --> 00:21:00,471 Now you have to hear what He's saying there. 414 00:21:00,471 --> 00:21:02,417 He's not saying I lost one 415 00:21:02,417 --> 00:21:04,971 and I was incapable of keeping them all 416 00:21:04,971 --> 00:21:07,162 and one got through My fingers. 417 00:21:07,162 --> 00:21:09,511 He is saying I kept all of them 418 00:21:09,511 --> 00:21:13,122 that You gave Me to keep. 419 00:21:13,122 --> 00:21:15,719 The one that was lost - 420 00:21:15,719 --> 00:21:17,799 he was the son of perdition. 421 00:21:17,799 --> 00:21:19,720 That was his title and his name 422 00:21:19,720 --> 00:21:21,362 from the very beginning. 423 00:21:21,362 --> 00:21:23,370 He knew from the very beginning 424 00:21:23,370 --> 00:21:29,421 who it was that was going to turn on Him. 425 00:21:29,421 --> 00:21:33,300 And it was according to Scripture. 426 00:21:33,300 --> 00:21:35,360 You have to hear what He's saying there. 427 00:21:35,360 --> 00:21:39,460 Scripture has been upheld. 428 00:21:39,460 --> 00:21:42,771 Old Testament Scripture speaks of Judas 429 00:21:42,771 --> 00:21:48,982 and the fact that he would betray Christ. 430 00:21:48,982 --> 00:21:53,771 Let's think about another doctrine. 431 00:21:53,771 --> 00:22:12,079 Romans 8:28-30. 432 00:22:12,079 --> 00:22:14,029 Really just look at v. 30. 433 00:22:14,029 --> 00:22:17,970 Really what I'm interested in there is this: 434 00:22:17,970 --> 00:22:24,478 That whoever is justified is glorified. 435 00:22:24,478 --> 00:22:26,737 All you have to do is know that truth. 436 00:22:26,737 --> 00:22:29,749 What is justification? 437 00:22:29,749 --> 00:22:34,219 Justification is God declaring 438 00:22:34,219 --> 00:22:37,617 ungodly people righteous. 439 00:22:37,617 --> 00:22:39,779 It's a legal declaration. 440 00:22:39,779 --> 00:22:41,209 You have to recognize that. 441 00:22:41,209 --> 00:22:43,968 That is a courtroom declaration. 442 00:22:43,968 --> 00:22:45,209 Justification. 443 00:22:45,209 --> 00:22:46,926 We could prove that, but that's not 444 00:22:46,926 --> 00:22:48,539 the main reason that I'm wanting 445 00:22:48,539 --> 00:22:49,989 to deal with this right now. 446 00:22:49,989 --> 00:22:53,578 Look, justification is the opposite of condemnation. 447 00:22:53,578 --> 00:22:56,720 It is a legal declaration. 448 00:22:56,720 --> 00:23:01,721 If God declares somebody righteous, 449 00:23:01,721 --> 00:23:04,141 you know what God would have to do? 450 00:23:04,141 --> 00:23:05,748 He would have to come back 451 00:23:05,748 --> 00:23:07,259 to that same person 452 00:23:07,259 --> 00:23:11,750 and later declare them unrighteous. 453 00:23:11,750 --> 00:23:14,790 How do we know He never does that? 454 00:23:14,790 --> 00:23:19,720 Romans 8:30 says - read it. 455 00:23:19,720 --> 00:23:22,611 Somebody read Romans 8:30. 456 00:23:22,611 --> 00:23:24,158 "And those whom He predestined, 457 00:23:24,158 --> 00:23:25,659 He also called. 458 00:23:25,659 --> 00:23:27,001 And those whom He called, 459 00:23:27,001 --> 00:23:28,540 He also justified. 460 00:23:28,540 --> 00:23:30,079 And those whom He justified, 461 00:23:30,079 --> 00:23:31,610 He also glorified." 462 00:23:31,610 --> 00:23:32,400 There it is. 463 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:34,211 Those whom He justified, 464 00:23:34,211 --> 00:23:36,792 He also glorified. What's glorification? 465 00:23:36,792 --> 00:23:38,089 What's glorified? 466 00:23:38,089 --> 00:23:40,459 Glory is to make it to the end. 467 00:23:40,459 --> 00:23:43,219 It's to be made like Christ. 468 00:23:43,219 --> 00:23:45,855 It's to gain heaven. 469 00:23:45,855 --> 00:23:47,790 Glorified. 470 00:23:47,790 --> 00:23:51,107 If He does the one, 471 00:23:51,107 --> 00:23:53,299 the other always results. 472 00:23:53,299 --> 00:23:55,128 Once somebody's declared righteous, 473 00:23:55,128 --> 00:23:57,459 they're never declared unrighteous. 474 00:23:57,459 --> 00:23:58,887 How about another truth? 475 00:23:58,887 --> 00:24:06,358 Ephesians 1:13-14. 476 00:24:06,358 --> 00:24:09,966 There's just such certainty in Scripture. 477 00:24:09,966 --> 00:24:12,257 You can't get away from it. 478 00:24:12,257 --> 00:24:15,918 Here it's the nature and the ministry 479 00:24:15,918 --> 00:24:19,938 of the Holy Spirit that is at stake. 480 00:24:19,938 --> 00:24:26,768 Ephesians 1:13-14. Somebody read that. 481 00:24:26,768 --> 00:24:30,479 "In Him you also when you heard the word of truth, 482 00:24:30,479 --> 00:24:32,238 the Gospel of your salvation, 483 00:24:32,238 --> 00:24:34,460 and believed in Him were sealed 484 00:24:34,460 --> 00:24:36,587 with the promised Holy Spirit 485 00:24:36,587 --> 00:24:38,749 Who is the guarantee of our inheritance 486 00:24:38,749 --> 00:24:41,007 until we acquire possession of it 487 00:24:41,007 --> 00:24:42,627 to the praise of His glory." 488 00:24:42,627 --> 00:24:44,168 I mean, just listen to that. 489 00:24:44,168 --> 00:24:47,888 If you believe, you were sealed by the Spirit, 490 00:24:47,888 --> 00:24:51,079 and the Spirit is a guarantee of our inheritance. 491 00:24:51,079 --> 00:24:53,870 Again, inheritance is another way of saying: 492 00:24:53,870 --> 00:24:56,908 You win. You get the prize. 493 00:24:56,908 --> 00:24:59,300 He guarantees it. 494 00:24:59,300 --> 00:25:02,408 The Spirit is put within a man or a woman 495 00:25:02,408 --> 00:25:04,172 and it's guaranteed. 496 00:25:04,172 --> 00:25:10,039 There is a guarantee of accomplishing the race 497 00:25:10,039 --> 00:25:13,087 and getting the inheritance at the end. 498 00:25:13,087 --> 00:25:16,199 It's for certain. 499 00:25:16,199 --> 00:25:18,130 How about one more? 500 00:25:18,130 --> 00:25:21,060 John 6. 501 00:25:21,060 --> 00:25:37,390 I want somebody to read John 6:37, 38, and 39. 502 00:25:37,390 --> 00:25:47,042 John 6:37, 38, 39. 503 00:25:47,042 --> 00:25:48,691 (from the room) 504 00:25:48,691 --> 00:25:54,829 Those whom the Father gives Me I will no way cast out. 505 00:25:54,829 --> 00:25:57,188 Tim: That's not three verses. 506 00:25:57,188 --> 00:26:01,248 (from the room) I'll read it. 507 00:26:01,248 --> 00:26:04,099 "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me..." 508 00:26:04,099 --> 00:26:05,179 Tim: Okay. 509 00:26:05,179 --> 00:26:07,141 Okay, now listen to that. 510 00:26:07,141 --> 00:26:09,576 All that the Father gives Me... 511 00:26:09,576 --> 00:26:11,168 so there are people 512 00:26:11,168 --> 00:26:13,957 that the Father gives to the Son. 513 00:26:13,957 --> 00:26:16,608 Now, when they're given, 514 00:26:16,608 --> 00:26:19,399 what happens? Keep going. 515 00:26:19,399 --> 00:26:21,118 "And whoever comes to Me, 516 00:26:21,118 --> 00:26:22,402 I will never cast out." 517 00:26:22,402 --> 00:26:25,070 Okay, now say the whole verse again. 518 00:26:25,070 --> 00:26:27,679 "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, 519 00:26:27,679 --> 00:26:30,158 and whoever comes to Me, I will never cast out." 520 00:26:30,158 --> 00:26:31,540 Now get that. 521 00:26:31,540 --> 00:26:36,469 If the Father has given somebody to the Son, 522 00:26:36,469 --> 00:26:38,478 they will go to Him. 523 00:26:38,478 --> 00:26:41,008 And if they go to Him, 524 00:26:41,008 --> 00:26:44,230 He never casts them out. 525 00:26:44,230 --> 00:26:45,879 Keep going. 526 00:26:45,879 --> 00:26:48,130 "For I have come down from heaven 527 00:26:48,130 --> 00:26:49,610 not to do My own will, 528 00:26:49,610 --> 00:26:51,249 but the will of Him who sent Me." 529 00:26:51,249 --> 00:26:52,419 And what's that will? 530 00:26:52,419 --> 00:26:55,108 To not lose any that the Father has given Him. 531 00:26:55,108 --> 00:26:56,640 Go ahead and keep reading. 532 00:26:56,640 --> 00:26:58,828 "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, 533 00:26:58,828 --> 00:27:01,678 that I should lose nothing of all that He has given Me, 534 00:27:01,678 --> 00:27:03,497 but raise it up on the last day." 535 00:27:03,497 --> 00:27:04,608 Guaranteed. 536 00:27:04,608 --> 00:27:07,509 I will raise him up on the last day. 537 00:27:07,509 --> 00:27:09,300 If the Father gives him to Me, 538 00:27:09,300 --> 00:27:10,498 they will come to Me. 539 00:27:10,498 --> 00:27:13,619 If they come to Me, I will not cast them out. 540 00:27:13,619 --> 00:27:15,041 I will keep them. 541 00:27:15,041 --> 00:27:16,559 This is the Father's will 542 00:27:16,559 --> 00:27:19,081 that all that He gives Me, 543 00:27:19,081 --> 00:27:20,968 I'm not going to lose any. 544 00:27:20,968 --> 00:27:23,378 And I will raise them up on the last day. 545 00:27:23,378 --> 00:27:24,949 It's guaranteed. 546 00:27:24,949 --> 00:27:28,354 Now look, why am I going into this? 547 00:27:28,354 --> 00:27:31,568 I'm going into this because 548 00:27:31,568 --> 00:27:35,208 that's the first place that we want clarity. 549 00:27:35,208 --> 00:27:39,269 We want clarity on the reality 550 00:27:39,269 --> 00:27:50,188 that God's salvation is secure. 551 00:27:50,188 --> 00:27:55,238 Now, the question comes to Matthew: 552 00:27:55,238 --> 00:28:00,147 So did he start secure? 553 00:28:00,147 --> 00:28:04,489 Did he start on the right ground? 554 00:28:04,489 --> 00:28:06,228 Now here's what concerns me 555 00:28:06,228 --> 00:28:09,919 about the way Matthew started. 556 00:28:09,919 --> 00:28:19,469 He doesn't say anything about sin. 557 00:28:19,469 --> 00:28:24,459 One of the great tests of genuine Christianity is this: 558 00:28:24,459 --> 00:28:30,698 Let's read this out of John 16:8. 559 00:28:30,698 --> 00:28:32,300 When we're thinking about 560 00:28:32,300 --> 00:28:35,969 the marks of true Christianity, 561 00:28:35,969 --> 00:28:39,180 or the hallmark - 562 00:28:39,180 --> 00:28:45,978 the genuine Spirit-wrought work of God - 563 00:28:45,978 --> 00:28:49,247 this is something that we want to begin with. 564 00:28:49,247 --> 00:28:51,638 This is something that we never want to forget. 565 00:28:51,638 --> 00:28:55,019 Somebody read that verse. 566 00:28:55,019 --> 00:28:58,679 John 16:8 567 00:28:58,679 --> 00:28:59,729 "And when He comes, 568 00:28:59,729 --> 00:29:00,969 He will convict the world 569 00:29:00,969 --> 00:29:03,591 concerning sin and righteousness and judgment." 570 00:29:03,591 --> 00:29:04,800 Now that's important. 571 00:29:04,800 --> 00:29:07,238 "When He comes..." - the Comforter. 572 00:29:07,238 --> 00:29:10,108 The Spirit of God - when He comes, 573 00:29:10,108 --> 00:29:12,359 He convicts men. 574 00:29:12,359 --> 00:29:14,687 He convicts the world. 575 00:29:14,687 --> 00:29:18,187 The Spirit is a convicter. 576 00:29:18,187 --> 00:29:20,028 He convicts men. 577 00:29:20,028 --> 00:29:23,607 Very uniquely and specifically, 578 00:29:23,607 --> 00:29:26,663 He convicts men in three areas. 579 00:29:26,663 --> 00:29:29,898 He convicts men of their sin, 580 00:29:29,898 --> 00:29:31,688 their wickedness - sin. 581 00:29:31,688 --> 00:29:34,100 Falling short of the mark. 582 00:29:34,100 --> 00:29:36,597 Falling short of the glory of God. 583 00:29:36,597 --> 00:29:38,779 Breaking the commandments of God. 584 00:29:38,779 --> 00:29:44,347 He convicts of sin. 585 00:29:44,347 --> 00:29:47,670 You remember what Jesus said. 586 00:29:47,670 --> 00:29:53,430 I didn't come to call the righteous, 587 00:29:53,430 --> 00:29:55,258 but sinners. 588 00:29:55,258 --> 00:29:59,147 He said those who are well 589 00:29:59,147 --> 00:30:01,718 don't need a doctor. 590 00:30:01,718 --> 00:30:04,309 You see, He came for the sick. 591 00:30:04,309 --> 00:30:07,739 And everybody is sick. 592 00:30:07,739 --> 00:30:12,156 What He means is those who recognize it. 593 00:30:12,156 --> 00:30:17,039 You know, the one who repents 594 00:30:17,039 --> 00:30:21,477 over the 99 who need no repentance. 595 00:30:21,477 --> 00:30:23,799 There are 99 out of a hundred - 596 00:30:23,799 --> 00:30:24,878 they need it. 597 00:30:24,878 --> 00:30:26,878 They just don't recognize they need it. 598 00:30:26,878 --> 00:30:28,688 And He's dealing with them based on 599 00:30:28,688 --> 00:30:30,829 how they see themselves. 600 00:30:30,829 --> 00:30:34,848 They're righteous. They don't need repentance. 601 00:30:34,848 --> 00:30:37,011 The Spirit when He comes 602 00:30:37,011 --> 00:30:40,398 He shows men their disease. 603 00:30:40,398 --> 00:30:45,638 They're sick when it comes to sin. 604 00:30:45,638 --> 00:30:48,910 He shows them with regards to righteousness. 605 00:30:48,910 --> 00:30:50,639 It's kind of the inverse - 606 00:30:50,639 --> 00:30:52,197 that they don't have any; 607 00:30:52,197 --> 00:30:53,709 that they need a righteousness 608 00:30:53,709 --> 00:30:55,069 outside themselves. 609 00:30:55,069 --> 00:30:58,768 They need help outside themselves. 610 00:30:58,768 --> 00:31:00,599 Judgment. 611 00:31:00,599 --> 00:31:02,596 I mean, the reality of judgment 612 00:31:02,596 --> 00:31:04,968 comes upon the conscience of a man 613 00:31:04,968 --> 00:31:08,988 under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. 614 00:31:08,988 --> 00:31:11,148 This man says, 615 00:31:11,148 --> 00:31:12,558 "I was a Christian. 616 00:31:12,558 --> 00:31:13,969 I was saved." 617 00:31:13,969 --> 00:31:15,509 But you know what? 618 00:31:15,509 --> 00:31:16,948 He was at the place where 619 00:31:16,948 --> 00:31:18,290 he was going to kill himself 620 00:31:18,290 --> 00:31:19,478 because of pain. 621 00:31:19,478 --> 00:31:23,339 He doesn't really say what that pain is. 622 00:31:23,339 --> 00:31:26,226 But he said that what happened was 623 00:31:26,226 --> 00:31:30,139 the pain was taken away. 624 00:31:30,139 --> 00:31:32,018 You know, this is very common 625 00:31:32,018 --> 00:31:34,178 all over the world for people 626 00:31:34,178 --> 00:31:37,299 to have had some kind of healing experience 627 00:31:37,299 --> 00:31:41,660 and they equate that with salvation. 628 00:31:41,660 --> 00:31:45,170 He doesn't mention anything here 629 00:31:45,170 --> 00:31:50,558 about being brought under the conviction of sin. 630 00:31:50,558 --> 00:31:55,288 So I would just say his starting point - 631 00:31:55,288 --> 00:31:57,459 that's what you want to look for. 632 00:31:57,459 --> 00:32:00,910 If somebody is genuinely converted - 633 00:32:00,910 --> 00:32:03,038 we interview people before they become 634 00:32:03,038 --> 00:32:04,567 members of our church. 635 00:32:04,567 --> 00:32:07,140 And that's one of the things that you're looking for. 636 00:32:07,140 --> 00:32:11,759 Has God done the kind of deep plowing 637 00:32:11,759 --> 00:32:14,777 that He does in people? 638 00:32:14,777 --> 00:32:16,548 And that can look different. 639 00:32:16,548 --> 00:32:18,717 And people express it differently, 640 00:32:18,717 --> 00:32:20,847 but you're looking for some indication 641 00:32:20,847 --> 00:32:22,559 of the reality of that. 642 00:32:22,559 --> 00:32:23,569 Then he says this, 643 00:32:23,569 --> 00:32:25,419 "One day I laid in bed and I prayed. 644 00:32:25,419 --> 00:32:31,897 I asked for two things: peace and rest 645 00:32:31,897 --> 00:32:34,919 and to hear God's voice. 646 00:32:34,919 --> 00:32:37,828 And after 15 to 30 minutes of asking," 647 00:32:37,828 --> 00:32:41,199 he says he heard this voice like thunder. 648 00:32:41,199 --> 00:32:50,059 "You will do what you will do." 649 00:32:50,059 --> 00:32:54,559 So you know, I would just ask Matthew 650 00:32:54,559 --> 00:32:57,018 what was your confidence based on 651 00:32:57,018 --> 00:32:59,279 in the very beginning? 652 00:32:59,279 --> 00:33:04,037 I mean, was it based on the fact 653 00:33:04,037 --> 00:33:06,887 that you were healed from the pain? 654 00:33:06,887 --> 00:33:09,078 Is that where your confidence comes from? 655 00:33:09,078 --> 00:33:10,519 Or was your confidence 656 00:33:10,519 --> 00:33:14,250 legitimately in Christ 657 00:33:14,250 --> 00:33:18,478 being your only hope of being healed 658 00:33:18,478 --> 00:33:21,679 of your desperate sin disease? 659 00:33:21,679 --> 00:33:23,402 I mean, that's the issue. 660 00:33:23,402 --> 00:33:28,238 And if that was the case in the beginning, 661 00:33:28,238 --> 00:33:31,310 you see, the thing is, 662 00:33:31,310 --> 00:33:34,217 when you hear a voice that says 663 00:33:34,217 --> 00:33:37,690 you will do what you will do, 664 00:33:37,690 --> 00:33:39,758 I can say this - 665 00:33:39,758 --> 00:33:42,469 that wherever that voice came from, 666 00:33:42,469 --> 00:33:47,219 if your hope is based on the blood 667 00:33:47,219 --> 00:33:49,889 and the righteousness of Jesus Christ 668 00:33:49,889 --> 00:33:51,390 in the beginning, 669 00:33:51,390 --> 00:33:53,638 and you hear any kind of voice that says 670 00:33:53,638 --> 00:33:55,149 you will do what you will do, 671 00:33:55,149 --> 00:33:58,018 I can say in humility, 672 00:33:58,018 --> 00:34:02,498 what I will do is I'm going to trust Christ. 673 00:34:02,498 --> 00:34:07,448 I'm going to cling to Him. 674 00:34:07,448 --> 00:34:11,438 What I'm concerned about here is this: 675 00:34:11,438 --> 00:34:15,709 This man's life and this man's mind 676 00:34:15,709 --> 00:34:19,960 is gripped by what he doesn't even know 677 00:34:19,960 --> 00:34:21,599 came from God. 678 00:34:21,599 --> 00:34:22,948 You hear what I'm saying. 679 00:34:22,948 --> 00:34:26,868 He doesn't know that this voice was from God. 680 00:34:26,868 --> 00:34:28,400 But I'll tell you this, 681 00:34:28,400 --> 00:34:31,842 this voice is from God. 682 00:34:31,842 --> 00:34:33,669 And he is being gripped 683 00:34:33,669 --> 00:34:35,076 and held in the bonds 684 00:34:35,076 --> 00:34:37,160 and held in the fear of a voice 685 00:34:37,160 --> 00:34:40,381 that he doesn't know where it came from. 686 00:34:40,381 --> 00:34:44,959 He doesn't know who was behind it. 687 00:34:44,959 --> 00:34:48,010 We're told to test the spirits. 688 00:34:48,010 --> 00:34:51,650 And this is truth. 689 00:34:51,650 --> 00:34:52,730 This book. 690 00:34:52,730 --> 00:34:54,749 This is where Jesus said 691 00:34:54,749 --> 00:34:56,931 that if we're truly His disciples, 692 00:34:56,931 --> 00:34:58,760 His Word will abide in us. 693 00:34:58,760 --> 00:35:01,066 This is the Word that needs to grip us. 694 00:35:01,066 --> 00:35:03,930 This is the Word before which God says 695 00:35:03,930 --> 00:35:05,378 to this man I will look 696 00:35:05,378 --> 00:35:08,150 who trembles at this Word. 697 00:35:08,150 --> 00:35:11,540 You see what he's doing is he's trembling 698 00:35:11,540 --> 00:35:20,010 at a voice he doesn't know where it came from. 699 00:35:20,010 --> 00:35:22,680 It could have come from his own imagination. 700 00:35:22,680 --> 00:35:25,379 It could have come from the devil 701 00:35:25,379 --> 00:35:28,899 or one of his minions. 702 00:35:28,899 --> 00:35:31,719 And you know what I have found 703 00:35:31,719 --> 00:35:35,859 is when God speaks 704 00:35:35,859 --> 00:35:40,159 and He means for us to hear His voice, 705 00:35:40,159 --> 00:35:42,260 you remember how it was with Samuel? 706 00:35:42,260 --> 00:35:45,690 Remember when Samuel was called to 707 00:35:45,690 --> 00:35:47,001 from the Lord? 708 00:35:47,001 --> 00:35:50,079 Anybody remember that? 709 00:35:50,079 --> 00:35:52,739 Yeah. He was a child. 710 00:35:52,739 --> 00:35:55,678 What did the Lord say to him? 711 00:35:55,678 --> 00:35:58,288 (from the room) Samuel? 712 00:35:58,288 --> 00:36:00,168 Tim: At least that. 713 00:36:00,168 --> 00:36:02,918 (from the room) Samuel, Samuel? 714 00:36:02,918 --> 00:36:04,817 That's right. 715 00:36:04,817 --> 00:36:07,844 And what did he do? 716 00:36:07,844 --> 00:36:09,936 He thought it was Eli. 717 00:36:09,936 --> 00:36:12,725 So he went out. "Here I am." 718 00:36:12,725 --> 00:36:15,123 You called. 719 00:36:15,123 --> 00:36:17,826 And what did God do? 720 00:36:17,826 --> 00:36:24,526 What does God do when we're not certain? 721 00:36:24,526 --> 00:36:27,673 He brings clarity. 722 00:36:27,673 --> 00:36:32,975 This guy heard a voice. There's been no clarity. 723 00:36:32,975 --> 00:36:38,723 And so I guess that's a concern 724 00:36:38,723 --> 00:36:42,756 that he's gripped and he's controlled 725 00:36:42,756 --> 00:36:48,844 by that rather than what's in here. 726 00:36:48,844 --> 00:36:51,124 Thy Word is truth. 727 00:36:51,124 --> 00:36:54,905 He doesn't know whether that voice was truth. 728 00:36:54,905 --> 00:36:59,204 In fact, very likely, it wasn't. 729 00:36:59,204 --> 00:37:03,834 But here's the thing, 730 00:37:03,834 --> 00:37:07,284 if I hear a voice - 731 00:37:07,284 --> 00:37:09,493 it's kind of like Paul said - 732 00:37:09,493 --> 00:37:12,284 if an angel or even us, 733 00:37:12,284 --> 00:37:16,583 if we bring a message different than the one you've heard, 734 00:37:16,583 --> 00:37:19,294 even if it's an angel - 735 00:37:19,294 --> 00:37:21,803 he's being hypothetical. 736 00:37:21,803 --> 00:37:28,664 He's being hyperbolic in his approach there. 737 00:37:28,664 --> 00:37:30,054 But you get the drift. 738 00:37:30,054 --> 00:37:32,042 If something differs from this, 739 00:37:32,042 --> 00:37:34,085 it doesn't matter what the voice says. 740 00:37:34,085 --> 00:37:37,854 And it doesn't matter how Godlike it sounds. 741 00:37:37,854 --> 00:37:41,644 If it is at variance to that Word, 742 00:37:41,644 --> 00:37:43,603 who cares if you hear a voice that says 743 00:37:43,603 --> 00:37:47,572 you will do what you will do? 744 00:37:47,572 --> 00:37:49,553 I can say this, 745 00:37:49,553 --> 00:37:51,133 that Christ still says to me 746 00:37:51,133 --> 00:37:54,143 if I come unto Him, He won't cast me out. 747 00:37:54,143 --> 00:37:55,663 (incomplete thought) 748 00:37:55,663 --> 00:37:56,944 There are voices. 749 00:37:56,944 --> 00:37:58,835 There are many voices. 750 00:37:58,835 --> 00:38:01,215 There are many contrary voices. 751 00:38:01,215 --> 00:38:03,853 There are many devils and demons 752 00:38:03,853 --> 00:38:06,284 and demonic voices to say 753 00:38:06,284 --> 00:38:09,034 and to confuse and to drive to despair 754 00:38:09,034 --> 00:38:11,965 all who will listen to their voice. 755 00:38:11,965 --> 00:38:14,946 But how can you tell their voice 756 00:38:14,946 --> 00:38:16,976 from God's voice? 757 00:38:16,976 --> 00:38:19,592 Well, you test the spirits. How do you do that? 758 00:38:19,592 --> 00:38:26,775 You do that by Scripture. 759 00:38:26,775 --> 00:38:29,115 And so, he's thinking that 760 00:38:29,115 --> 00:38:34,116 he's perhaps apostate because of that voice. 761 00:38:34,116 --> 00:38:36,215 But I'm concerned for him that probably 762 00:38:36,215 --> 00:38:38,596 he never began building on the right foundation 763 00:38:38,596 --> 00:38:40,435 in the beginning. 764 00:38:40,435 --> 00:38:43,963 Because here's the reality, 765 00:38:43,963 --> 00:38:48,655 you know what Scripture points to 766 00:38:48,655 --> 00:38:50,145 those who believe? 767 00:38:50,145 --> 00:38:52,084 They find Christ precious. 768 00:38:52,084 --> 00:38:54,447 It's like the man that's going through the field 769 00:38:54,447 --> 00:38:56,464 and he stumbles upon the treasure. 770 00:38:56,464 --> 00:38:58,044 And he goes and sells all 771 00:38:58,044 --> 00:38:59,844 that he might have that treasure. 772 00:38:59,844 --> 00:39:02,465 When you find Christ and you find that treasure 773 00:39:02,465 --> 00:39:04,703 and you find that salvation, 774 00:39:04,703 --> 00:39:07,395 it doesn't matter what any voices say. 775 00:39:07,395 --> 00:39:11,054 It doesn't matter what the devil himself says to you. 776 00:39:11,054 --> 00:39:14,225 Because you've found the Treasure. 777 00:39:14,225 --> 00:39:18,323 And for that voice to shake this guy, 778 00:39:18,323 --> 00:39:20,313 he's not embracing the Treasure. 779 00:39:20,313 --> 00:39:22,183 There's no joy there. 780 00:39:22,183 --> 00:39:24,063 And I'm afraid that he didn't start 781 00:39:24,063 --> 00:39:26,885 on the right foundation in the very beginning 782 00:39:26,885 --> 00:39:28,964 where he found Christ precious 783 00:39:28,964 --> 00:39:31,454 as a Savior of sinners 784 00:39:31,454 --> 00:39:34,995 and laid hold and embraced Him 785 00:39:34,995 --> 00:39:36,294 for that reason. 786 00:39:36,294 --> 00:39:39,215 I think he experienced something supernatural. 787 00:39:39,215 --> 00:39:41,715 He experienced some kind of healing, 788 00:39:41,715 --> 00:39:46,423 but I think he equated that perhaps with salvation. 789 00:39:46,423 --> 00:39:53,524 And then I think probably 790 00:39:53,524 --> 00:39:57,722 a spirit is seeking to deceive him. 791 00:39:57,722 --> 00:40:00,573 Brethren, we just need to think. 792 00:40:00,573 --> 00:40:02,714 If we're genuinely saved in the beginning, 793 00:40:02,714 --> 00:40:06,897 that salvation that we're talking about - 794 00:40:06,897 --> 00:40:09,228 you know what else the Spirit's going to do? 795 00:40:09,228 --> 00:40:11,894 Right there in the same chapter. 796 00:40:11,894 --> 00:40:13,965 It not only says He convicts of sin, 797 00:40:13,965 --> 00:40:17,264 Jesus said He will glorify Me. 798 00:40:17,264 --> 00:40:18,946 And what the Spirit is going to do 799 00:40:18,946 --> 00:40:21,985 is drive men to despair in their sin, 800 00:40:21,985 --> 00:40:23,964 convict them of sin. 801 00:40:23,964 --> 00:40:27,465 But then what He does is He shows Christ. 802 00:40:27,465 --> 00:40:29,525 That's the work of the Spirit. 803 00:40:29,525 --> 00:40:35,565 He lifts up Christ as the only hope for that soul. 804 00:40:35,565 --> 00:40:41,544 He lifts up Christ as the only healing balm. 805 00:40:41,544 --> 00:40:45,894 And no matter what, 806 00:40:45,894 --> 00:40:47,876 when a person has seen that 807 00:40:47,876 --> 00:40:50,645 and they find their only hope there, 808 00:40:50,645 --> 00:40:53,426 though they encounter 809 00:40:53,426 --> 00:40:55,064 all manner of trials 810 00:40:55,064 --> 00:40:59,104 and like being on a wild stallion - 811 00:40:59,104 --> 00:41:01,714 that thing's trying to buck you like crazy - 812 00:41:01,714 --> 00:41:05,385 you're like Peter in the end. 813 00:41:05,385 --> 00:41:07,474 We're not letting go. 814 00:41:07,474 --> 00:41:08,967 Where are we going to go? 815 00:41:08,967 --> 00:41:11,265 You have the words of eternal life. 816 00:41:11,265 --> 00:41:14,945 I don't care what voice thunders at me 817 00:41:14,945 --> 00:41:19,465 contrary to that. 818 00:41:19,465 --> 00:41:21,425 A voice can tell me: 819 00:41:21,425 --> 00:41:26,415 you will do what you will do. 820 00:41:26,415 --> 00:41:28,084 But I'm not going to be driven 821 00:41:28,084 --> 00:41:29,863 to Romans 1 despair. 822 00:41:29,863 --> 00:41:33,514 I'm still going to come back to that reality 823 00:41:33,514 --> 00:41:37,257 that Christ said that if we trust Him, 824 00:41:37,257 --> 00:41:40,214 we'll not be put to shame. 825 00:41:40,214 --> 00:41:44,976 That's the hope. That's the confidence. 826 00:41:44,976 --> 00:41:50,625 My only hope of being saved is in Him. 827 00:41:50,625 --> 00:41:52,744 The next one... yes? 828 00:41:52,744 --> 00:41:55,246 (from the room) Is there any application here - 829 00:41:55,246 --> 00:41:57,325 he talked about hearing a voice. 830 00:41:57,325 --> 00:42:01,114 Obviously I don't think this is an audible voice, 831 00:42:01,114 --> 00:42:03,613 but John 10:27 says, 832 00:42:03,613 --> 00:42:05,468 "My sheep hear My voice, 833 00:42:05,468 --> 00:42:07,027 and I know them..." 834 00:42:07,027 --> 00:42:09,935 Is there any application to that verse 835 00:42:09,935 --> 00:42:11,365 for this question? 836 00:42:11,365 --> 00:42:12,984 Tim: I think there is application. 837 00:42:12,984 --> 00:42:15,918 When Jesus says that My sheep - 838 00:42:15,918 --> 00:42:17,916 He does say His sheep hear His voice. 839 00:42:17,916 --> 00:42:20,405 He says His sheep know His voice. 840 00:42:20,405 --> 00:42:25,174 And I think there is something to that. 841 00:42:25,174 --> 00:42:33,016 Now of course, if this person is not saved 842 00:42:33,016 --> 00:42:37,584 he may not have ears to distinguish 843 00:42:37,584 --> 00:42:39,742 the difference. 844 00:42:39,742 --> 00:42:42,985 But it's true that when the Lord is calling, 845 00:42:42,985 --> 00:42:45,544 when the Lord is probing the conscience, 846 00:42:45,544 --> 00:42:47,053 when the Lord convicts us, 847 00:42:47,053 --> 00:42:49,496 when the Lord speaks to us, 848 00:42:49,496 --> 00:42:54,526 when the Lord is dealing with us 849 00:42:54,526 --> 00:42:59,286 every Christian in this room - you know it. 850 00:42:59,286 --> 00:43:01,462 You know. 851 00:43:01,462 --> 00:43:06,463 You may try to ignore that voice at times, 852 00:43:06,463 --> 00:43:08,794 but you know it. 853 00:43:08,794 --> 00:43:14,285 And He can be ever so gentle, 854 00:43:14,285 --> 00:43:16,806 ever so subtle, 855 00:43:16,806 --> 00:43:21,545 ever so small a voice - 856 00:43:21,545 --> 00:43:24,944 a still, small voice - 857 00:43:24,944 --> 00:43:26,734 He can come like thunder. 858 00:43:26,734 --> 00:43:30,794 He's capable of thundering. 859 00:43:30,794 --> 00:43:37,035 But you know that it's a persistent voice. 860 00:43:37,035 --> 00:43:41,436 He has His ways of bringing us 861 00:43:41,436 --> 00:43:46,406 to that reality of when He's speaking. 862 00:43:46,406 --> 00:43:49,586 Okay. What time do we have?