You don't want God to treat you fairly. The Payday Parable - Matthew 20:12 Matthew 20:1-16 (NIV) 20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2  He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3  “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4  He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5  So they went. “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6  About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ 7  “ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ 8  “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ 9  “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10  So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11  When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12  ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ 13  “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14  Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15  Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16  “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 18: The Proper Attitude Toward Election and ­Reprobation To those who complain about this grace of an undeserved election and about the severity of a just reprobation, we reply with the words of the apostle, “Who are you, O man, to talk back to God?” (Rom. 9:20), and with the words of our Savior, “Have I no right to do what I want with my own?” (Matt. 20:15).  Summary The opening words of chapter twenty are critical for properly interpreting what follows. So often the conventional wisdom regards parables as 'earthly stories with heavenly meanings,' as if they are cute little vignettes designed to provide a few pointers on godly living. But that's not at all what Jesus intended; Jesus here clearly provides His purpose as He begins with the familiar phrase: The kingdom of heaven is like... Remember, a better understanding of a parable is that it is a ' shocking story with a spiritual meaning.' And Jesus once again delivered the shock value! It grates against every sensibility that we have to hear that the men who were barely on the job for an hour got the same full day pay as those who bore the burden of the work and the heat of the day. Jesus' story becomes even more shocking when we take a closer look at the latecomers. The landowner went back to town throughout the day - all the way till 5 PM - and continually found even more guys standing around. Notice he doesn't seem to feel sorry for them or bemoan the state of the economy that left so many men unemployed, because that probably wasn't the case. Had those guys been out earlier in the day with the others they would have found jobs as well. The late shift workers who'd been lazy all day long were probably lazy during the little bit they worked as well. But yet they all went home with a big, fat denarius in their pockets, just like the hard workers.   Dig Deeper   The first words a child learns are often 'mama' or 'dada.' Soon, other single syllable words begin to form, especially the word 'no!' But it doesn't take long for their first complete sentence to be formed: "that's not fair!!!" (especially for those with siblings). That's how deeply ingrained the concept of fairness and equality is within us. The idea that people should get exactly what they've earned - not a penny more or less - serves us well economically. But those concepts don't contain themselves to our economics; they bleed over into our theology as well. Thus, a man who's been a Christian his entire life, who's worked hard for the church and whose sacrifices of time and money prevented him from enjoying the ordinary pleasures of life deserves the grace God granted him much more so than the convert who partied most of his life away. Or so he does in our minds, at least. Until Jesus comes along and shocks us with this parable. DA Carson writes , "The point of the parable is not that all in the kingdom will receive the same reward, but that kingdom rewards depend on God’s sovereign grace." In other words, the fact that any of the men received a denarius at all was based purely on grace. You're likely one of those life long hard workers in the church. It may even at times seem to you that your labor has made you more deserving of God's favor. But be careful demanding that God treat you 'fairly' - unless all of your efforts reached the level of perfection our holy God requires, you require as much grace as the thief on the cross. Praise God for His shocking grace to all who believe! AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who is generous with His grace; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that the Holy Spirit will free you from envy; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 11

Find the key to experiencing peace in the midst of suffering. riyamatal.blogspot.com Psalm 22:1–11 (NIV) For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of the Morning.” A psalm of David. 1  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? 2  My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. 3  Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.  4  In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. 5  To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. 6  But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. 7  All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. 8  “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” 9  Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. 10  From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. 11  Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 17: The Salvation of the Infants of Believers Since we must make judgments about God’s will from his Word, which testifies that the children of believers are holy,  not by nature  but by virtue of the gracious covenant in which they together with their parents are included,  Godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom God calls out of this life in infancy. Summary We don't know what crisis King David faced as he penned Psalm 22, but it certainly must have been significant. God Himself described David as a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), and yet there were moments that this man who was so close to God felt forsaken and like his cries of anguish went unheard. It would have been bad enough if David were truly alone in his misery, but the people surrounding him only made matters worse. He felt scorned and despised by everyone as they hurled insults, shaking their heads at David's misfortune. It wasn't just that David had fallen on hard times that provoked their ire; it was that he trusted in the LORD but yet fell down anyway. Their taunts of let the LORD save and deliver him dripped with irony; if the LORD had allowed (and maybe even caused) David's troubles in the first place, His salvation wouldn't be of much value. But David does here what we've seen so often when heroes of the Bible struggle: he falls back on his theology. David knows the LORD is enthroned as the Holy One and that the generations who came before trusted Him and were not put to shame. David knows that from the very moment that the LORD brought him out of the womb that the LORD has been his God. Reminding yourself who and what God is in the depth of your struggles refocuses your attention from the afflictions du jour , broadening your perspective. As you dwell on God's covenant faithfulness and His sovereign promise to work all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28), your present problems begin to seem much smaller. It's theology like what David supplies in Psalm 22, recognizing that he had been tightly held in God's hands from his earliest moments, that those grieving the loss of a child can cling to in knowing that without any doubt such a child has eternal salvation because it is rooted by virtue of the gracious covenant in which they together with their parents are included.   Dig Deeper   Most of you are reading this on Good Friday, recognizing the moment that the opening words of David's psalm were infamously uttered by our dying Savior. Commentator Mark Futato notes, The path that David traversed was the path of suffering that leads to glory. This was the path that Jesus traversed in the extreme. Because Jesus Christ has traversed this path for us, we too can traverse it. No, we must traverse it, for “if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering” (Rom 8:17). Psalm 22 is a remarkable guide along the way. It points us to the mixture of pain, faith, and prayer in this present age. It points us to the glory that is ours in the midst of the pain, as it points us to glory that awaits us in the future. It points us to the Lord Jesus Christ, who has gone before us and will go with us to the very end. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who is enthroned as the Holy One; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray along with David: Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 10

Nothing hurts like the death of a child; nothing heals like God's promises. 2 Samuel 12:20-23 (NIV) CONTEXT: King David has been convicted by the prophet Nathan of his adulterous affair with Bathsheba. Nathan told him "Because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the LORD, the son born to you will die” (v14). David "pleaded with God for the child" (v16), but as prophesied, the child died. David has just been told by his staff that the child is dead. 20  Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. 21  His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!” 22  He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ 23  But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 17: The Salvation of the Infants of Believers Since we must make judgments about God’s will from his Word, which testifies that the children of believers are holy,  not by nature  but by virtue of the gracious covenant in which they together with their parents are included,  Godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom God calls out of this life in infancy. Summary The death of a child is one of the most traumatic events anybody might experience. It must have been even more so for David, knowing that it was his own sin that caused the child to die. We see in so many psalms David's ability to pray so eloquently, and he spends an entire week fasting and praying that God would spare the child. But David's entire demeanor changes once the child dies, but it's not the change those closest to David had expected. They saw how distraught he had been while praying, and were afraid to tell him when the boy died for fear of how much deeper David's despair might become. But rather than sink deeper into depression, the king got up, washed, ate and went to the house of the LORD to worship. His stunned staff want to know what's going on and why David's response is so different than they anticipated. So David explains to them why it was he could accept the situation: the child was now dead and nothing could change it. But yet David clung to more than just cold, hard reality. He had an optimism about him that enabled him to clean up and carry on. David knew his son was no longer with him and that there was nothing he could do to bring him back again. But David also knew that he would once again see him. He will not return to me, David said, but I will go to him! Even if David didn't know the details or how it would be made possible, he knew with certainty that, as our Canons summarize the whole of scripture, that Godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom God calls out of this life in infancy.   Dig Deeper   By God's grace, most of us will never experience the horror of having one of our children die. But all you need to do is stroll through a country cemetary to realize that it wasn't all that long ago that the death of a child - and often several children - was more the norm than the exception. Often times, their weathered grave markers don't even have names inscribed, and instead just say 'infant' or 'child' above a set of dates than only adds up to a few days or weeks. Some of those families - especially the mothers - never recovered from such tragic losses. They had nothing to cling to but loneliness and never ending grief and tears. But many did; chances are that your grandmother or great grandmother was one of these bereaved moms who had hope for their child taken from them at such an early age. The Canons don't offer this solid, certain hope with empty and vapid platitudes about how God just needed another angel or some other feel good nonsense. No, we can be so absolutely certain of this truth because it's grounded in God's unbreakable gracious covenant in which children together with their parents are included . This promise doesn't alleviate all of the pain, and it's certainly not wrong to mourn, but it does offer unspeakable comfort and peace to those who hurt so deeply. Grieving parents whose hope is in Christ will, as David put it, will go to the child God had already called home. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who gives and takes away; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for the assurance His covenant promises give to you and your children; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 8

You (and your children) are saved the same way God's people always have been. blog.truthforlife.org Acts 2:36-41 (NIV) CONTEXT: Peter, freshly anointed by the Holy Spirit, has been preaching to the crowd on Pentecost morning. These verses contain his conclusion and the crowd's response: 36  “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37  When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38  Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40  With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41  Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 17: The Salvation of the Infants of Believers Since we must make judgments about God’s will from his Word, which testifies that the children of believers are holy,  not by nature  but by virtue of the gracious covenant in which they together with their parents are included,  Godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom God calls out of this life in infancy. Summary A good sermon conclusion summarizes the main message and implores the listener to take action to change their life. Peter's conclusion to his famous Pentecost sermon is a perfect example: Main points: God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ; You crucified Him. Calls to action: Let all Israel be assured of this! Repent and be baptized in the name of Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Peter's first point hit that crowd like a ton of bricks. God had made that itinerant rabbi - the one rumored to have performed all sorts of miracles - the very Messiah that the prophets had been predicting for thousands of years who would come to save Israel. God had fulfilled these promises in Jesus! But Jesus had been dead for nearly two months at this point ( pente cost is 50 days after the Passover, when Jesus had been killed). And worse yet, Peter just pointed his finger directly at them, accusing them of crucifying Him! But how could this be, they must have wondered, since most of this crowd were out of towners who had gathered for the Pentecost festival, and weren't anywhere near Jerusalem on the fateful day Jesus died. Peter demonstrates the power of Biblical preaching. It boldly proclaims what God has done and it convicts those listening of their sin. Those who heard Peter speak that morning were not any more guilt of physically hanging Jesus on the cross than we are; Peter's point is that all of humanity shares that guilt. Then the Holy Spirit takes those convicting words and uses them to cut to the heart - the first step in regeneration. All that's left for the preacher to do is to call the congregation to repentance and baptism in the name of Christ.   Dig Deeper   Peter's most radical claim almost doesn't even get noticed at first. Peter wasn't the first to claim that God had made so and so the messiah; lots of men had been making that claim for centuries, including some right before and even during the life of Jesus. Such a claim on its own would hardly even attract attention. But Peter, guided and inspired by the Holy Spirit, takes the claim a step further. He appropriates the covenant promises God had made to Abraham ( which we read about yesterday ), proclaiming that forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit is for you and your children and for all who are far off! Peter's massive announcement hitches together all of God's Old Testament provisions and promises made to His covenant people with the victory that Jesus (the) Christ achieved. It means that those of us who now know the gospel message are saved in the exact same way the Israelites of old were: by inclusion into this ongoing covenant relationship with God. This also means that our children who are born into this covenant in our day and age have the same assurance of salvation that children born into godly families have always had. This is the exact promise that God made to Abraham thousands of years ago, that Peter applied to this first batch of converts on Pentecost, which we continue to celebrate each time we get the privilege of welcoming a new covenant child into the Church. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who has made Jesus both Lord and Christ; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for the assurance His covenant promises give to you and your children; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 7

We can be absolutely certain regarding the salvation of covenant children. Biblia.com Genesis 17:1-8 (NIV) 17 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 2  Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” 3  Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4  “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5  No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6  I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7  I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8  The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 17: The Salvation of the Infants of Believers Since we must make judgments about God’s will from his Word, which testifies that the children of believers are holy,  not by nature  but by virtue of the gracious covenant in which they together with their parents are included,  Godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom God calls out of this life in infancy. Summary When Abram was ninety-nine years old... I'm always struck by how hard it is to understand spans of time when reading scripture. After all, the whole Abraham narrative began only five chapters earlier in the book of Genesis, which means it wouldn't take long to read about everything that's happened since God called him to pick up and move from one country to another. So it's easy to vastly underestimate the amount of time that's gone by. But at ninety-nine, Abram wasn't underestimating anything. It had been twenty four long years since he had faithfully responded to God's call, and although God had given plenty of evidence of His providence in Abram's life, His primary promise to make Abram into a great nation (Gen. 12:2) remained stymied by the fact that Abram and his equally old wife were childless. God's promise was far more than an ordinary promise; it was more than just an optimistically set goal that God hoped to achieve if everything went according to plan. No, God made this promise in the form of a covenant, which is a significant and formal contract of sorts. Essentially, the LORD legally obligated Himself to fulfill the stipulations He had promised to Abram. In Abram's ninety-ninth year of life, God once again reminded Abram of His covenantal obligation to greatly increase Abram's numbers and to make him the father of many nations. Despite all of the evidence to the contrary - the biological impossibility of a childless couple in their nineties becoming pregnant - God wanted Abram (and us) to know He would always be faithful to His covenant promises.   Dig Deeper   This week we're going to unpack the awesome, comforting doctrine the Canons articulate regarding the salvation of the young children of believing parents. But notice the somewhat cryptic introduction to this article: Since we must make judgments about God’s will from his Word... The reality is that since there are no smoking gun proof texts that specify the fate of children who die in infancy, we must make a judgment about God's will in this matter. This isn't comfortable ground for us Reformed folk. One of the greatest tenants of our faith is that it's not grounded on somebody's carefully imagined framework, but rather on the bedrock principle of sola scriptura. If God's Word doesn't say it, we don't believe it. Conversely, if God's Word commands it, we obey it. Period. Yet you need not worry that the Canons are driving you over a cliff by making a judgment in this matter. All it's doing here is combining several concrete theological truths which are solidly and directly rooted in scripture and deriving a conclusion that logically must be true as well. Actually, you need to do this same thing on a daily basis in life: apply multiple Biblical facts to know how to handle situations the Bible doesn't directly address. This is why you need to be a good theologian! So even though the Bible doesn't specifically mention the salvation of believer's children, we can be absolutely certain of their salvation because the Bible is so absolutely certain about God's covenant promises. Over and over in scripture, God states that His covenant relationship is between me and you and your descendents after you. In other words, His promises apply to our children. This is why we call them our covenant children. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, God Almighty, who calls us to walk before Him and be blameless; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for wisdom as you construct conclusions each day by stitching together Biblical truths and applying them to the situations you face; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 6

Feeling downcast is a sign of faith - not the lack of it! Bible.com PSALMS BOOK II Psalms 42–72 Psalm 42 For the director of music. A maskil  of the Sons of Korah. 1  As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 2  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3  My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 4  These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. 5  Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. 6  My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. 7  Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. 8  By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. 9  I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” 10  My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 11  Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. [This same song continues in Psalm 43] Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 16 - Encouragement for the Doubting Those who do not yet actively experience within themselves  a living faith in Christ or an assured confidence of heart, peace of conscience, a zeal for childlike obedience, and a glorying in God through Christ,  but who nevertheless use the means by which God has promised to work these things in us— such people  ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to count themselves among the reprobate;  rather they ought to continue diligently in the use of the means, to desire fervently a time of more abundant grace, and to wait for it in reverence and humility.  On the other hand, those who seriously desire to turn to God,  to be pleasing to God alone, and to be delivered from the body of death,  but are not yet able to make such progress along the way of godliness and faith as they would like— such people ought much less to stand in fear of the teaching concerning reprobation, since our merciful God has promised not to snuff out a smoldering wick or break a bruised reed.  However, those who have forgotten God and their Savior Jesus Christ and have abandoned themselves wholly to the cares of the world and the pleasures of the flesh— such people have every reason to stand in fear of this teaching,  as long as they do not seriously turn to God. Summary Psalm 42 is the perfect psalm for us to read this week as we've been considering how we can feel assurance even when our doubt is great and our faith is weak. When (not if) you feel down - maybe it's only once and awhile, or maybe it's quite often - the temptation is to question your Christianity, because it seems like those who are truly saved ought not feel that way. But the psalmists often felt that way, as did so many other pillars of the faith, both in the Bible and throughout history. The psalmist here captures these feelings and expresses them so well in words (as he so often does!): My tears have been my food My soul is downcast and disturbed Why has God forgotten me? [God's] waves and breakers have swept over me I go about mourning and oppressed My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me Fear, depression, anxiety, loneliness, doubt and mourning are part of life in our fallen and broken world. Certainly some people experience them more than others, but nobody can avoid these feelings altogether - even strong Christians. Psalm 42 is the first psalm in the second of the four books the Psalms are divided into. This puts this psalm in an important position, because the first psalm in each book sets the tone for those that follow it. And the tone of Psalm 42 is crystal clear: when (not if) you struggle, you can put your hope in God (even when you're doubting and upset with Him!).   Dig Deeper   Nobody after reading (or better yet, singing) Psalm 42 thinks, 'wow, how depressing!' Quite the opposite. The psalm's refrain captures the deep optimism the psalmist had even in the midst of his trouble: Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:5, 11 / 43:5) There's a tremendous irony expressed in Psalm 42: the reason the psalmist experiences such deep pain is because He knows so well how things ought to be for those who belong to the living God! In other words, it's because he's experienced God's light that he realizes just how painfully dark the world can be. Darkness seems normal for those who have never seen light. But the psalmist has assurance as he walks through the dark valley that drove him to express these thoughts, which comes from his deep and longing desire to fully experience God: My soul pants & thirsts for you, my God Where can I go and meet with God? I remember... the house of God Part of the reason that even as a Christian you experience such deep lows is because you so intensely miss feeling God's presence in your life! When you walk through the valley and feel the way the psalmist often felt, follow the Canon's advice: Continue to use the means [preaching, sacraments & discipline] by which God has promised to work His grace into your life as you desire fervently a time of more abundant grace, and wait for it in reverence and humility . AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, our Savior and our God, in whom we put our hope; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you'll be reminded that whatever your present circumstances, the day will come in which you will again praise Him; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 5

You can fully trust God to guide your steps through this dark world. Spiritual night vision goggles Isaiah 50:10-11 (NIV) CONTEXT: This passage follows the second of the four 'Servant Songs' that described the coming Messiah ( we read another a few weeks ago ). These words don't describe the Servant, but describe the fates of both those who follow Him (v10) and those who reject Him (v11). 10  Who among you fears the Lord  and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord  and rely on their God. 11  But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 16 - Encouragement for the Doubting Those who do not yet actively experience within themselves  a living faith in Christ or an assured confidence of heart, peace of conscience, a zeal for childlike obedience, and a glorying in God through Christ,  but who nevertheless use the means by which God has promised to work these things in us— such people  ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to count themselves among the reprobate;  rather they ought to continue diligently in the use of the means, to desire fervently a time of more abundant grace, and to wait for it in reverence and humility.  On the other hand, those who seriously desire to turn to God,  to be pleasing to God alone, and to be delivered from the body of death,  but are not yet able to make such progress along the way of godliness and faith as they would like— such people ought much less to stand in fear of the teaching concerning reprobation, since our merciful God has promised not to snuff out a smoldering wick or break a bruised reed.  However, those who have forgotten God and their Savior Jesus Christ and have abandoned themselves wholly to the cares of the world and the pleasures of the flesh— such people have every reason to stand in fear of this teaching,  as long as they do not seriously turn to God. Summary Usually when the Bible refers to those who walk in the dark, it's referencing people with spiritual blindness, whose eyes haven't been opened (regenerated) by the Spirit to see the truth of the gospel. But Isaiah flips that script here in today's passage. Here, Isaiah describes the life of the godly as being dark and having no light . Jesus would go on to describe this same concept, albeit with a different analogy. His followers would take the narrow road , the road that when contrasted with the brightly lit wide road seems dark, lonely and foreboding to most people, a road in which each step must be carefully felt out before fully planting your foot. Paul also referred to this idea using yet another analogy in Romans 12:2, commanding the Christian to test and approve every decision to discern what God's will is. But Isaiah here promises that you won't walk this difficult road alone. You can walk it with confidence, knowing that you can fully trust in the name of the LORD and rely on your God. The idea here is that you're no longer relying upon your own senses to navigate life, but are fully in tune and aligned with God's good, pleasing and perfect will (Rom. 12:2b). It's like having a pair of spiritual night vision goggles to make the path ahead visible and keep you on the straight and narrow rather than relying on your own feeble eyesight peering into the dark.   Dig Deeper   Isaiah goes on to describe the false confidence so many of your friends and neighbors have. They're walking in the same exact darkness you are, but they've provided their own light using fires and flaming torches. This seems like a reasonable and practical solution, but the lights they've provided for themselves have a fatal flaw: they only light up the things they want to see. They only point in the direction they want to go. They don't illuminate the danger that the path they're on leads to. Often their daily journey appears far easier and more enjoyable than the difficult hike that lays before you each day. It seems so tempting to just coast alongside of them for awhile; afterall, it all seems so brightly lit. But their path terminates in torment, and once you're on it, it's really hard to find the exit. The difficult topic of reprobation that we struggled through last week are meant to frighten the people which Isaiah describes as walking in the light of their own fires . The Canons say such people have every reason to stand in fear of this teaching, as long as they do not seriously turn to God. But this doctrine shouldn't frighten you, since your steps are guided by trusting and relying in the name of the LORD. You don't need to worry that you'll wander outside of the grip of His grace. Remember, His grace is stronger than you are. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, whose name we can trust and rely on; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you'll continue to trust in God rather than relying on your own limited light; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 4

Jesus gently and tenderly brings justice through to victory. Matthew 12:15-21 (NIV) 15  Aware of this [that the Pharisees were plotting to kill Him], Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. 16  He warned them not to tell others about him. 17  This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 18  “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 19  He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. 20  A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. 21 In his name the nations will put their hope.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 16 - Encouragement for the Doubting Those who do not yet actively experience within themselves  a living faith in Christ or an assured confidence of heart, peace of conscience, a zeal for childlike obedience, and a glorying in God through Christ,  but who nevertheless use the means by which God has promised to work these things in us— such people  ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to count themselves among the reprobate;  rather they ought to continue diligently in the use of the means, to desire fervently a time of more abundant grace, and to wait for it in reverence and humility.  On the other hand, those who seriously desire to turn to God,  to be pleasing to God alone, and to be delivered from the body of death,  but are not yet able to make such progress along the way of godliness and faith as they would like— such people ought much less to stand in fear of the teaching concerning reprobation, since our merciful God has promised not to snuff out a smoldering wick or break a bruised reed.  However, those who have forgotten God and their Savior Jesus Christ and have abandoned themselves wholly to the cares of the world and the pleasures of the flesh— such people have every reason to stand in fear of this teaching,  as long as they do not seriously turn to God. Summary We live in a world where self promotion is the norm. All sorts of wannabe 'influencers' clamor for likes and subscribers, often by saying or doing crazy and provocative stunts, yet their voices often just blend into the noise of modern life. So it seems so strange that Jesus repeatedly warns people not to tell others about Him. It seems so counterintuitive to His mission; shouldn't He be trying to make His ministry go viral? Matthew helps explain that Jesus' covertness was exactly what had been prophesied about Him. Hopefully you recognized the words from Isaiah that Matthew quotes here, since we just read them a few weeks ago . Isaiah had pointed to a suffering servant who had no intention of drawing attention to himself, one who would not quarrel or cry out; whose voice would not be heard in the streets. Jesus didn't come to start a movement or even just help people improve their lives. He had no interest in building a following by amplifying His voice in the streets or correcting all of the establishment's errors by quarreling with them. He came with one singular purpose: to save His people by atoning for their sins and fulfilling our Father's covenant requirements on our behalf.   Dig Deeper   Matthew wants us to see Jesus' multifaceted personality as he tells the gospel story. He begins the gospel demonstrating Christ's royal pedigree. Matthew's gospel has several long chunks of Jesus' preaching, like the chapters containing the Sermon on the Mount. He also concentrates on Christ's atoning sacrifice. Matthew wants us to know that Jesus Christ is prophet, priest and King. But Matthew also wants to demonstrate that Jesus doesn't just fulfill His official duties in a cold and detached way, but with gentleness, kindness and a personal love for His sheep. Matthew, who spent years following, listening and learning from Jesus, wants you to know that Jesus fulfilled exactly what Isaiah had prophesied about Him, that He will not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smouldering wick. The Canons of Dordt are often castigated as nothing more than rigid, hard theology that's impractical and irrelevant to the day to day issues Christians struggle with, but this isn't the case at all. The Canons here once again labor to pastorally come alongside the many Christians who struggle with doubt and don't make progress along the way of godliness and faith as they would like. When you struggle in these ways, the Canons summarize the voices of the prophets, apostles, and especially our Savior in reminding you that your ongoing doubts and occasional lapses in faith are no reason for you to ever begin to think that maybe you've not been unconditionally elected. Not only are you always held by grace that's stronger than you are, but the hands that hold you are gentle and patient and will never bruise you or snuff you out. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, in whose Servant the nations put their hope; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank Jesus for His kindness and gentleness with you, even when your faith has withered; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 3

You [sorta] believe... Ask Jesus to overcome your faithless faith. Faithlife.com Mark 9:14-25 (NIV) CONTEXT: Jesus, Peter, James & John have just come down from the incredible experience of the transfiguration, only to meet a chaotic scene... 14  When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15  As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16  “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. 17  A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18  Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” 19  “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” 20  So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21  Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22  “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23  “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24  Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” 25  When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 16 - Encouragement for the Doubting Those who do not yet actively experience within themselves  a living faith in Christ or an assured confidence of heart... but who nevertheless use the means by which God has promised to work these things in us— such people  ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to count themselves among the reprobate;  rather they ought to continue diligently in the use of the means, to desire fervently a time of more abundant grace, and to wait for it in reverence and humility.  On the other hand, those who seriously desire to turn to God,  to be pleasing to God alone, and to be delivered from the body of death,  but are not yet able to make such progress along the way of godliness and faith as they would like— such people ought much less to stand in fear of the teaching concerning reprobation, since our merciful God has promised not to snuff out a smoldering wick or break a bruised reed.  However, those who have forgotten God and their Savior Jesus Christ and have abandoned themselves wholly to the cares of the world and the pleasures of the flesh— such people have every reason to stand in fear of this teaching,  as long as they do not seriously turn to God. Summary Jesus and three of His key disciples have just come down from the most intense mountaintop experience ever, in which the disciples not only saw Moses and Elijah, but also saw Jesus' unveiled glory. Peter had famously suggested making some tents so that they'd never have to leave that place. But Jesus knew that His mission still needed completion, and that they needed to go back down the mountain. But they don't have much of a chance to hold on to their spiritual high, as they step into a hornets nest when they get back to the valley. The remaining disciples were pitted in a shouting match with a group of law teachers , and a crowd had gathered to watch the show (this was their version of reality television). In the midst of it all was a young boy being ravaged by an evil spirit. Ironically, the boy was mute in the midst of the shouting. But the central figure of this story, other than Jesus, is the boy's father. He'd brought his son to the disciples to drive out the spirit , but they could not . The law teachers were there to pounce upon their failure. What a picture of humanity: Rival religious factions at each other's throats, a young child who needs help being ignored, and a desperate father who can't give his son what he needs. It's no wonder Jesus mutters in exasperation, wondering how long He needs to put up with this clown show. Jesus calls for the boy, and immediately (one of Mark's favorite words) the spirit violently reacts at the sight of the Savior.   Dig Deeper   The boy's father tells Jesus his story, and asks for help. If you can do anything, the father pleaded, take pity on us and help us. Jesus picks up on the man's faithless faith. The father had enough faith to seek help from Jesus' disciples, but that ended in crushing disappointment just as so many other requests for help which the father had likely pursued had failed before. He once again musters the faith to ask Jesus Himself, but it's evident he's already preparing himself for another failure by framing the question the way he does: if you can. Jesus repeats this problematic phrase, turning it into an accusation: if you can??? I think Jesus probably paused here, letting those words awkwardly hang out there for a few moments before continuing. Put yourself in the father's shoes here; what does it feel like to have your faithless faith bounced back to you? Jesus graciously terminated the awkwardness, proclaiming that everything is possible for the one who believes. Immediately, Mark once again notes, the boy's father cried out and said 'I believe; help my unbelief!' (ESV, NET). What an honest, raw reaction to the faithless faith so present in all of us! But it's also the last thing we hear from the father. R.T. France describes well what happened next : His belief, however uncertain, was all that was needed, and from this point he plays no further part in the narrative, so that all the attention falls where it should, on the power of Jesus. The way Matthew, Luke, but especially Mark tell this man's story is meant to provide us with a double lesson. On one hand, Jesus rewards even our most faithless faith! Don't let your lingering doubts keep you from experiencing the grace, mercy and peace of Christ. But on the other hand, don't linger in faithless faith. Rely on God's Word to build your certainty every day that everything is possible for the one who believes. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, for whom all things are possible; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Come to Jesus in faith, but beg Him to help eliminate your faithlessness; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 2

If you often feel like you're sinking in doubt and fear, today's passage is for you! It's hard to walk on water when you're carrying boulder sized chunks of doubt and fear Matthew 14:22-33 (NIV) 22  Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23  After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24  and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25  Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26  When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27  But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28  “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29  “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31  Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32  And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-14 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Ephesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith John 10:22-30 - Listen Up! 2 Timothy 1:7-10 - Passive & Powered Titus 3:3-7 - Transformed Deuteronomy 9:4-6 - You're Not That Awesome Psalm 91 - The Shelter of the Most High Article 10: Election Based on God’s Good Pleasure Luke 2:13-14 - Christmas in March Galatians 4:1-7 - From Slave to Son Isaiah 53:6 - Herd Mentality 1 Peter 2:9-10 - You're The Best Thing God Has! Psalm 5 - The Morning Psalm Article 11: God’s election is unalterable. Malachi 3:6-7 - Keep It Simple Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchanging Anchor Hebrews 13:1-8 - Keep On Loving Hebrews 6:13-20 - Unchangeable Blessing Psalm 110 - Victory in Jesus Article 12: The Assurance of election Hebrews 11:1-6 - Confident Assurance Malachi 3:14-18 - Childlike Fear 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 - Godly Sorrow Matthew 5:6 - Stay Hungry Psalm 65 - The Hearer of Prayers ​ Article 13/14: The Fruit of our assurance Isaiah 57:14-21 - God's Second Residence 2 Peter 1:3-10 - Make Every Effort Isaiah 42:1-9 - The Sovereign & His Servant Deuteronomy 29:29 - The Secret Things Psalm 96 - Soli Deo Gloria Article 16 - Encouragement for the Doubting Those who do not yet actively experience within themselves  a living faith in Christ or an assured confidence of heart, peace of conscience, a zeal for childlike obedience, and a glorying in God through Christ,  but who nevertheless use the means by which God has promised to work these things in us— such people  ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to count themselves among the reprobate;  rather they ought to continue diligently in the use of the means, to desire fervently a time of more abundant grace, and to wait for it in reverence and humility.  On the other hand, those who seriously desire to turn to God,  to be pleasing to God alone, and to be delivered from the body of death,  but are not yet able to make such progress along the way of godliness and faith as they would like— such people ought much less to stand in fear of the teaching concerning reprobation, since our merciful God has promised not to snuff out a smoldering wick or break a bruised reed.  However, those who have forgotten God and their Savior Jesus Christ and have abandoned themselves wholly to the cares of the world and the pleasures of the flesh— such people have every reason to stand in fear of this teaching,  as long as they do not seriously turn to God. Summary Matthew's introduction to this famous event gives some insight into the personal and spiritual life of Jesus. Jesus had been speaking to thousands of people, and just finished miraculously feeding them with nothing more than five loaves of bread and two fish. He had to be absolutely exhausted, yet rather than call it a night or even finding a spot for a quick nap, Jesus sent the disciples ahead of Him in the boat, while He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray . Oh that we would have even a fraction of Jesus' desire and devotion to come before our Father's throne of grace in prayer! But it's Peter who beckons our attention today. Put yourself in his shoes. The disciples had to be exhausted as well - carefully listening to Jesus' teaching, getting just as hungry as the crowd around them, but then needing to figuring out the distribution of the miraculously procured meal to about five thousand men, plus women and children before eating themselves. Then Jesus made the disciples get into the boat rather than bringing them with Him up the mountain, which likely miffed them a bit. Then on top of it all, they had to row into the wind in a losing battle to cross the lake. So it's not surprising that in their frustrated fatigue they were terrified to see a man walking on the lake, thinking that it was a ghost. But of course it wasn't a ghost, it was Jesus, and His words were perfectly appropriate for the moment, and well worth memorizing for the next time you find yourself terrified. "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Peter - as only Peter could - demonstrates what can only be described as a moment of incredulous faith (an oxymoron - two words not normally joined together). On one hand, Peter can't believe what he sees, exclaiming Lord, if it's you... . On the other hand, he demonstrated his logic defying commitment in asking Jesus to affirm His identity by telling Peter to come to Him on the water.   Dig Deeper   Peter famously wastes no time in responding to Jesus' one worded answer - come - before bailing over the gunnel and planting his own feet solidly on the waves. One step followed another, with each one somehow meeting resistance in nothing but lakewater. What a feeling this must have been for Peter! But then reality set in - the insanity of it all. Notice how Matthew phrases it: when Peter saw the wind. You've seen evidence of the wind - swaying trees and white capped water - but you've never actually seen the wind, right? Suddenly fear and doubt piled up like rocks tied to his ankles and down he went. Article 16 of the Canons was written for people like Peter, and people like you. People who've encountered the living Christ, and heard His invitation to Come . People who've maybe even taken a few steps on the water before being hopelessly weighed down by doubt. People who so badly want a living faith in Christ, an assured confidence of heart, peace of conscience, a zeal for childlike obedience, and to glory in God through Christ but can never seem to get it all figured out. Peter discovered what you need to be reminded of: that despite your wavering, the Savior never came close to losing His grip on you. His grace is stronger than you are. So even when you doubt, do what Peter did and call out to Jesus. Do what the Canons recommend and continue diligently in the use of the means of grace (hearing God's Word read and preached). Remember, your Savior will not let you sink. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father and Jesus, who truly is the Son of God; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will remember the words of Jesus to take courage, it is I, do not be afraid when the wind and waves set against you; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 1