Work out your salvation, for God is at work in you. Philippians 2:12–13 (NIV) 12  Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13  for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Article 10: Conversion as the Work of God The fact that those who are called through the ministry of the gospel come to Christ and are brought to conversion  must not be ­credited to human effort,  as though one distinguishes oneself  by free choice  from others who are furnished with equal or sufficient grace for faith and conversion  (as the proud heresy of Pelagius maintains).  No, it must be credited to God:  just as from eternity God chose his own in Christ,  so within time God effectively  calls them, grants them faith and repentance,  and,  having rescued them from the dominion of darkness,  brings them into the kingdom of his Son,  in order that they  may declare the wonderful deeds of the One  who called them out of darkness  into this marvelous light,  and may boast not in themselves,  but in the Lord,  as apostolic words frequently testify in Scripture. Summary Today's passage is another good example of tensegrity - the principle that refers to the integrity achieved by keeping your grip on doctrines that seem to be in tension with one another. On one hand, you're commanded to continue to work out your salvation. When read alone, this imperative seems to imply that your eternal destiny depends on your earthly performance - the work you accomplish. And don't be whistlin' while you work either... keep your head down, fearfully trembling as you carry out your obedience to God. But then Paul chains this instruction to a freight train moving in the opposite direction: you must continue working out your salvation... even though it is God who works in you. Maybe you've experienced this tension yourself. How often aren't you reminded that you're saved by grace, but yet you're still told to keep God's commands as if your life depends on it! The next time you feel like you're being pulled apart by Biblical doctrine, remember two things. First, the tension you feel is perceived, not actual; certainly God's word isn't contradictory (we'll dig deeper into that in a moment). Secondly, understand that this 'tension' is a good thing that keeps you from falling into error; on one hand, overemphasizing God's sovereignty in your salvation leads to fatalism, but basing your hope on your own deeds leads to either pride or hopelessness. Maintaining the tensegrity that scripture intends here can often seem difficult and uncomfortable in the midst of the tension, but you'll also realize true and lasting integrity in a world of chaos.   Dig Deeper   As is often the case, the NET Bible translation helps clarify the meaning of today's passage: continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence... ...for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort... is God. So you do have an obligation to work out your salvation. That verb is used often in the New Testament. One lexicon defines it as "to cause to be, to make to be, to make, to result in, to bring upon, to bring about." In other words, you must do the hard work of making your salvation by grace alone evident in every aspect of your life. You're not able to do that in your own strength. But fear not, for God's grace is stronger than you are! And we see how God's powerful grace enables you to work out your salvation: God is the energeō - properly translated as at work - giving you the energy to will and to act (or as the NET puts it, bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort ). So in reality, there's no tension in today's passage: God gracefully gives you the energy & desire you need to keep His commandment of salvation, for His salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. But in practice, this reality isn't comfortable, seemingly pulling you in opposite directions. But do the hard work of maintaining this tensegrity ! God has energeō -ized you to do so! AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who is at work in us in order to fulfill His good purpose; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that more and more you will continue working out your salvation using the energeō God provides; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 1 Corinthians 9

You might not like this passage at first, but it contains the Bible's most comforting promise! Romans 9:15-16 15  For God says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”  16  It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Article 10: Conversion as the Work of God The fact that those who are called through the ministry of the gospel come to Christ and are brought to conversion  must not be ­credited to human effort,  as though one distinguishes oneself  by free choice  from others who are furnished with equal or sufficient grace for faith and conversion  (as the proud heresy of Pelagius maintains).  No, it must be credited to God:  just as from eternity God chose his own in Christ,  so within time God effectively  calls them, grants them faith and repentance,  and,  having rescued them from the dominion of darkness,  brings them into the kingdom of his Son,  in order that they  may declare the wonderful deeds of the One  who called them out of darkness  into this marvelous light,  and may boast not in themselves,  but in the Lord,  as apostolic words frequently testify in Scripture. Summary This isn't the first time we've come to Romans 9 this year ( we also read this passage in February ), and it likely won't be the last. Indeed, we could dwell on these difficult but comforting words nearly every day as we work through the Canons of Dordt. Romans 9 is all about God's sovereignty in our salvation - that is, His control, authority and presence. In other words, your salvation does not depend upon your own desire or effort. It's completely dependent upon God's mercy. For many people - maybe even you - such a premise isn't comforting at all; in fact, it's quite the opposite. That's because in dependence - the opposite of what's being taught here - is solidly baked into your psyche. This is true for all people, living throughout the span of all ages and in all places, but the fact that you live in North America in the 21st century makes these words seem more grating than comforting. You live in a time where you watch what you want to watch when you want to watch it on TV. You choose who you want as your leaders, and to a large degree you decide for yourself how much you'll acquiesce to the dictates of leaders that don't correspond to your politics. Even if you live in a big city, you likely prefer to drive yourself rather than depend on mass transit.   Dig Deeper   All of this to say that you are very used to, and quite content with, nearly everything in your life depending on your own desires and efforts. So it can be disconcerting to read here that it - your salvation, the most valuable thing you'll ever possess - does not depend upon your independence. This is why it was so critical to spend most of our summer going through so many ugly passages from which we develop the doctrine of total depravity , detailing your absolute and complete inability to independently choose to trust in Christ for your salvation. Your desires and efforts have been so corrupted by sin that you would always cling to your stubborn rebellion rather than to Christ. That's why today's verse, stating that salvation does not depend upon your desire or effort, but on God's mercy is foundational to these Canons, which are often referred to as the doctrines of grace. For when the Holy Spirit regenerated you - that is, when He opened your heart and mind to understand both the reality of your depravity and the beauty of God's mercy - then your instinctual desire for independence began to morph into a irresistible desire to cling to Christ. You can't memorize every word of the Bible, and by God's grace, you don't need to (as opposed to the claims of Islam, which requires rote memorization of the entire Quran ). But you can and should memorize Romans 9:16. The more you come to understand it, the more you'll begin to see this verse as some of the Bible's most comforting words: Salvation does not depend upon my desire or efforts, but on God's mercy. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who will have mercy on whom He'll have mercy, and compassion on whom He'll have compassion; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for changing your sinful desires and efforts , and pray for the strength to live into this regeneration; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 1 Corinthians 8

You need to hear the Word AND understand it. Photo: Tomasz Filapek, via Unsplash Matthew 13:3-9,23 (NIV) This week we'll be working our way through various verses in this passage. 3   Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5   Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6   But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7   Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8   Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9   Whoever has ears, let them hear.”  10  The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” 11  He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12  Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13  This is why I speak to them in parables:  “Though seeing, they do not see;  though hearing, they do not hear or understand.  14  In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:  “ ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;  you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.  15  For this people’s heart has become calloused;  they hardly hear with their ears,  and they have closed their eyes.  Otherwise they might see with their eyes,  hear with their ears,  understand with their hearts  and turn, and I would heal them.’  16  But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17  For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.  18  “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19  When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20  The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21  But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22  The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23  But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Article 9: Human Responsibility for Rejecting the Gospel The fact that many who are called through the ministry of the gospel  do not come and are not brought to conversion  must not be blamed on  the gospel,  nor on Christ, who is offered through the gospel,  nor on God,  who calls them through the gospel  and even bestows various gifts on them,  but on the people themselves who are called.  Some in self-assurance  do not even entertain the Word of life;  others do entertain it but do not take it to heart, and for that reason,  after the fleeting joy of a temporary faith,  they relapse;  others choke the seed of the Word  with the thorns of life’s cares  and with the pleasures of the world and bring forth no fruits.  This our Savior teaches in the parable of the sower (Matt. 13). Summary This week are studying the parable of sower. In this parable, Jesus uses four types of soil to describe four different responses to the preaching of the Word of God. Today we turn to the fourth and final soil, the good soil that produced grain. Jesus described this soil as representing the one who hears the word and understands it. This is the person who will bear fruit. The yield of this harvest varies from seed to seed, person to person. Some will yield hundredfold, others sixty or thirty. While there are different levels of fruitfulness, the fact that the word was heard and understood makes this good soil.   Dig Deeper   Of the four soils in this parable, this is the only one that yields positive results. The first three soils had some sort of flaw that prevented the seed from producing fruit. Ultimately this is the measure of what is considered good soil: that which produces fruit. Each of the other seeds was either taken away, withered away, or got choked out before it could bear fruit. Jesus does not condemn the one who produced thirty or sixtyfold for not producing a hundredfold. What distinguishes these soils is not how much fruit they produce, but whether they produce fruit. The determining factor being the soil on which their seed was sown. This parable contrasts different responses to the preaching of the Word of God. The only response to the word that is presented in a positive light is that which produces fruit for the kingdom. Some will hear the Gospel but will not have it take hold. Others might even show signs of promise yet fail to become rooted in faith. There will also be those who are too consumed in the ways of the world for which the Word of God will not take hold. The differing responses to the seed show that the issue does not lie with the seed. Those who fail to be fruitful do so because they lack a proper relationship with God. As Paul wrote the Romans in Romans 1:21, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” What we find in the parable of the sower is the difference between knowing about God and truly knowing God. Just knowing about God does not lead to fruitfulness. Only those who are truly rooted in faith will bear fruit for the kingdom. And since this is the measure that Jesus gives, be continually looking for and in prayer for ways to bear fruit for the God’s kingdom. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who causes His Word to be sown in our hearts; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that not only will you hear the Word of God, but that you'll understand it and produce a crop (bear fruit); A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 1 Corinthians 7

Worries and wealth can quickly choke out your faith. Anybody who lives in a dry area is familiar with a weed called Tribulus Terrestris, commonly known as goatheads or puncturevine. It swallows everything around it with weeds that look good but choke out the crop, surrounding it with hidden, but super sharp thorns. Matthew 13:3-9, 22 (NIV) This week we'll be working our way through various verses in this passage. 3   Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5   Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6   But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7   Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8   Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9   Whoever has ears, let them hear.”  10  The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” 11  He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12  Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13  This is why I speak to them in parables:  “Though seeing, they do not see;  though hearing, they do not hear or understand.  14  In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:  “ ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;  you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.  15  For this people’s heart has become calloused;  they hardly hear with their ears,  and they have closed their eyes.  Otherwise they might see with their eyes,  hear with their ears,  understand with their hearts  and turn, and I would heal them.’  16  But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17  For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.  18  “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19  When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20  The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21  But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22  The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23  But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Article 9: Human Responsibility for Rejecting the Gospel The fact that many who are called through the ministry of the gospel  do not come and are not brought to conversion  must not be blamed on  the gospel,  nor on Christ, who is offered through the gospel,  nor on God,  who calls them through the gospel  and even bestows various gifts on them,  but on the people themselves who are called.  Some in self-assurance  do not even entertain the Word of life;  others do entertain it but do not take it to heart, and for that reason,  after the fleeting joy of a temporary faith,  they relapse;  others choke the seed of the Word  with the thorns of life’s cares  and with the pleasures of the world and bring forth no fruits.  This our Savior teaches in the parable of the sower (Matt. 13). Summary This week are studying the parable of sower. In this parable, Jesus uses four types of soil to describe four different responses to the preaching of the Word of God. Today we turn to the third type of soil, the one already filled with thorns. The issue with this soil wasn’t the ground itself, it’s what else was present. Like a weed in a garden, these thorns were competing with the seed for needed resources such as water and nutrients. In this parable, the thorns choke out the seed. These thorns monopolized the available resources to the detriment of the seed that was sown. In his explanation to his disciples, Jesus described this seed as one who hears the word but cares instead for the things of this world.   Dig Deeper   The sad reality represented by the soil filled with thorns is that when presented with a choice between all the wonders of God and the things of this world, many people will choose that which is temporary and fleeting. As part his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught in Matthew 6:24 that, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” When it comes to where your loyalties lie, there is no room for dual allegiance. Either God is the lord of your life or something else is. If you serve money, power, or something else; then this will choke out your allegiance to Christ. Don’t treat your faith as just another part of your busy life. Your allegiance to Christ is foundational to who you are. If it becomes one amongst many, it is only a matter of time before it gets choked out for other things. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who causes His Word to be sown in our hearts; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth will not choke out God's Word, making it unfruitful; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 1 Corinthians 6

God causes the roots of faith to grow, but you're tasked with feeding them. Matthew 13:3-9,20-21 (NIV) This week we'll be working our way through various verses in this passage. 3   Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5   Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6   But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7   Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8   Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9   Whoever has ears, let them hear.”  10  The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” 11  He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12  Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13  This is why I speak to them in parables:  “Though seeing, they do not see;  though hearing, they do not hear or understand.  14  In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:  “ ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;  you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.  15  For this people’s heart has become calloused;  they hardly hear with their ears,  and they have closed their eyes.  Otherwise they might see with their eyes,  hear with their ears,  understand with their hearts  and turn, and I would heal them.’  16  But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17  For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.  18  “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19  When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20  The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21  But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22  The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23  But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Article 9: Human Responsibility for Rejecting the Gospel The fact that many who are called through the ministry of the gospel  do not come and are not brought to conversion  must not be blamed on  the gospel,  nor on Christ, who is offered through the gospel,  nor on God,  who calls them through the gospel  and even bestows various gifts on them,  but on the people themselves who are called.  Some in self-assurance  do not even entertain the Word of life;  others do entertain it but do not take it to heart, and for that reason,  after the fleeting joy of a temporary faith,  they relapse;  others choke the seed of the Word  with the thorns of life’s cares  and with the pleasures of the world and bring forth no fruits.  This our Savior teaches in the parable of the sower (Matt. 13). Summary This week are studying the parable of sower. In this parable, Jesus uses four types of soil to describe four different responses to the preaching of the Word of God. Today we turn to the second type of soil in this parable, the rocky ground. This rocky soil is exactly that, a rocky area with a thin layer of soil between the rocks. This is not an ideal growing condition. Even though the seed will be able to get water, the lack of depth will prevent its roots from taking hold. While initially showing promise of growth, this lack of deep roots leaves the plant vulnerable and unable to survive the heat. In his explanation to the disciples, Jesus describes this soil as representing the one who hears the gospel and initially responds positively, yet the Word does not take root. This person may show signs of growth, but without the deep roots of faith, they will not persevere. Once trial or tribulation comes into the equation, they will leave the faith.   Dig Deeper   With the rocky soil Jesus tells of those with an initial reaction to the Word of God, but who lack the roots of faith and will at some point fall away. This warning should loom large considering a harmful trend in modern Christianity: the chasing of experiences. To survive during hot and dry times, plants need deep roots. Those which have shallow roots will quickly wither away. Likewise, when your faith is centered around a feeling or experience, this leads to the same problem as a plant having shallow roots. It is good and right to want to experience God’s presence, but just don’t make that the basis of your faith. We praise a loving God who has saved us from our sins and has invited us into relationship with him. Much like any relationship, there are times you will feel closer or more distant from God. The danger is that if your faith if grounded in feelings instead of a wholehearted commitment to God, what will you do when those feelings aren’t there? Take time to nurture the growth of these roots. Remain faithful in prayer and study of scripture. Regularly meet with other believers for worship. God is responsible for these roots; however, you are tasked with helping to feed them. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who causes His Word to be sown in our hearts; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that the roots of your faith grow strong and deep; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 1 Corinthians 5

The evil one seeks to snatch your seed. Find out how to guard against that! Matthew 13:3-9,18-19 (NIV) This week we'll be working our way through various verses in this passage. 3   Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5   Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6   But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7   Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8   Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9   Whoever has ears, let them hear.”  10  The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” 11  He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12  Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13  This is why I speak to them in parables:  “Though seeing, they do not see;  though hearing, they do not hear or understand.  14  In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:  “ ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;  you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.  15  For this people’s heart has become calloused;  they hardly hear with their ears,  and they have closed their eyes.  Otherwise they might see with their eyes,  hear with their ears,  understand with their hearts  and turn, and I would heal them.’  16  But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17  For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.  18  “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19  When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20  The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21  But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22  The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23  But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Article 9: Human Responsibility for Rejecting the Gospel The fact that many who are called through the ministry of the gospel  do not come and are not brought to conversion  must not be blamed on  the gospel,  nor on Christ, who is offered through the gospel,  nor on God,  who calls them through the gospel  and even bestows various gifts on them,  but on the people themselves who are called.  Some in self-assurance  do not even entertain the Word of life;  others do entertain it but do not take it to heart, and for that reason,  after the fleeting joy of a temporary faith,  they relapse;  others choke the seed of the Word  with the thorns of life’s cares  and with the pleasures of the world and bring forth no fruits.  This our Savior teaches in the parable of the sower (Matt. 13). Summary This week are studying the parable of sower. In this parable, Jesus uses four types of soil to describe four different responses to the preaching of the Word of God. Of these four responses, only one ends up being positive. The first of these soils is the path. The seed that fell along the path was eaten up by birds. We are fortunate that the parable of the sower is one which Jesus later explains to his disciples. From this we learn that when someone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was sown in their heart.   Dig Deeper   This parable speaks of these four different responses to the Word of God using the example of sowing seed. The practice described in this parable may seem off or different than farming practices today. While a farmer will typically work the field to prepare it for planting, in ancient Israel this was not the typical practice. Instead of plowing the field first, farmers would sow the seeds first and then plow them into the field. This method was inefficient compared to modern standards, as it would lead to seed being sown in places where it would not or could not be plowed into the ground. With those being the agricultural practices of that time, hearers of this parable would have been familiar with this idea of seeds falling on soil that was not ideal for its growth. The seed that fell along the path was devoured by birds. Instead of being able to sink down into the soil, the packed down dirt on the path would have made the seed easy to find. These seeds were not given the opportunity to germinate and grow. When it comes to the preaching of the Word of God, it is not enough to hear; one must also be given the gift of faith so that they can understand. Where faith and understanding are not present, the truth of the Gospel cannot germinate and grow. The preaching of the Word is only part of the equation. One must also have faith, which comes as a gift from God. This should affect how we approach evangelism. In additional to sharing the Gospel, spend time in prayer that this seed of God’s Word would take root. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who causes His Word to be sown in our hearts; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that the evil one will not come and snatch away what was sown in your heart. A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 1 Corinthians 4

Your ability to understand scripture is a gift. Be sure to ask for it often! Matthew 13:3–23 (NIV) This week we'll be working our way through various verses in this passage. 3   Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5   Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6   But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7   Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8   Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9   Whoever has ears, let them hear.”  10  The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” 11  He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12  Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13  This is why I speak to them in parables:  “Though seeing, they do not see;  though hearing, they do not hear or understand.  14  In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:  “ ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;  you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.  15  For this people’s heart has become calloused;  they hardly hear with their ears,  and they have closed their eyes.  Otherwise they might see with their eyes,  hear with their ears,  understand with their hearts  and turn, and I would heal them.’  16  But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17  For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.  18  “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19  When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20  The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21  But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22  The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23  But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Article 9: Human Responsibility for Rejecting the Gospel The fact that many who are called through the ministry of the gospel  do not come and are not brought to conversion  must not be blamed on  the gospel,  nor on Christ, who is offered through the gospel,  nor on God,  who calls them through the gospel  and even bestows various gifts on them,  but on the people themselves who are called.  Some in self-assurance  do not even entertain the Word of life;  others do entertain it but do not take it to heart, and for that reason,  after the fleeting joy of a temporary faith,  they relapse;  others choke the seed of the Word  with the thorns of life’s cares  and with the pleasures of the world and bring forth no fruits.  This our Savior teaches in the parable of the sower (Matt. 13). Summary This week we see that the Canons of Dort directly references the parable of the Sower from Matthew 13. Tuesday through Friday this week we are going to look more closely at the types of soil mentioned in this parable. Today we are first raising a question that the disciples themselves had. Why did Jesus speak to them in parables? Jesus explains his use of parables to the disciples in this way, because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Jesus goes on to restate his use of parables by combining several Old Testament passages: though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.   Dig Deeper   People sometimes refer to parables as earthly stories with a heavenly meaning. Parables use examples common to everyday life to explain matters of a spiritual nature. But Jesus’ explanation of why he speaks in parables helps to clarify that we need more to interpret parables than just a solid set of critical thinking skills. The ability to understand Jesus’ message in the parables is a gift from God. The disciples did not come to understand the parables because they were great thinkers. They came to understand the parables because God wanted them to, even to the point of Jesus explaining the meaning of many of his parables to them in private. Many people would see and hear the teachings of Jesus without understanding. The ability to understand Jesus’ message did not come down to some ability in the individual, but as a gift of God given to those whom He chooses. Recognize God’s direct role in leading his people to understand Jesus’ parables and ultimately all of scripture, and remain faithful in prayer and open to the guidance of the Spirit. Before you open your Bible, take time to pray for God’s presence through the Holy Spirit to guide your understanding of scripture and its application to your walk of faith. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who will heal those who see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that God will help you see, hear, and understand the words you read from scripture each day; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 1 Corinthians 3

God has Saved you, and continues to Save you. FaithLife.com Psalm 40 For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. 1   I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2   He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord  and put their trust in him. 4  Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.  5   Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. 6   Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened— burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. 7   Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll.  8   I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” 9  I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, LORD, as you know. 10  I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly. 11  Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. 12  For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. 13  Be pleased to save me, LORD; come quickly, LORD, to help me. 14  May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 15  May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame. 16  But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!” 17  But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the LORD think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Article 8: The Earnest Call of the Gospel Nevertheless, all who are called through the gospel are called earnestly.  For urgently and most genuinely God makes known in the Word what is pleasing to him:  that those who are called  should come to God.  God also earnestly promises rest for their souls and eternal life to all who do come and believe. Summary David begins today's psalm in a dark place, mired in a muddy, slimy pit. His sin with Bathsheba had recently been made public. David confessed this sin, and beautifully repented of it ( Psalm 51 ). Now he finds himself patiently waiting for the LORD. He doesn't say how long he waited - maybe a couple of hours, a day or a week, maybe longer. However long it was, it probably felt like an eternity. But the LORD turned and heard David's cry. After all of David's patient waiting, the LORD suddenly lifted David out of the slimy pit and set his feet on a rock, giving him a firm place to stand. But his salvation was more than just external. The LORD put a new song in David's mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. David had come to realize that the LORD doesn't respond to those who just go through religious motions, that the LORD doesn't desire sacrifice and offering. Rather, the LORD delights in those who truly desire to do His will, and in whom His law is written upon their hearts. Those are not attributes you can attain on your own; they can only be achieved by the Holy Spirit's regenerating power. David had come to personally understand the doctrine that's summarized in this article of the Canons of Dordt that we've been focused on this past week: that God also earnestly promises rest for their souls and eternal life to all who do come and believe.   Dig Deeper   Psalm 40 doesn't conform to our pattern and expectations. We want a psalm to begin with lament, go on to tell of God's salvation, and then end with several proclamations of praise. The first half of Psalm 40 seem to follow this formula - it begins with a slimy pit, it tells of God's wonders, things He's planned, and saving wonders , and wraps up in v10 with David's commitment to speak of the LORD's faithfulness and saving help. But v10 is only the halfway point for Psalm 40, and in the second half David once again notes that troubles without number surround him, and that his sins have overtaken him. Once again, David cries out to the LORD for mercy, protection, and salvation. Not only that, but David seems done with patiently waiting; now his prayer - his demand, even - is for the LORD to come quickly to help me. Psalm 40 encapsulates the key Christian doctrine formally known as eschatological tension , but better understood by the phrase already / not yet. It means that one one hand, your salvation is already fully accomplished - you are completely saved. But on the other, we've not yet fully experienced it. Bad things keep happening. Right after God lifts you up out of one slimy pit, you fall right back into shame, confusion, and disgrace. We understand salvation in two senses. Capital 'S' Salvation refers to the finished work of Christ, which justifies you and gives you peace with God. But until Christ returns, you must keep praying for small 's' salvation from life's continual problems. Like David, realize that you are poor and needy and that the LORD is your help and your deliverer. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, whose love and faithfulness always protect us; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray the final line of Psalm 40: You are my God, do not delay; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 1 Corinthians 2

You're not forced to believe, but you can't resist it. People hear the same gospel. Some reject it, but for those who've experienced God's grace, it's irresistible. John 6:35–40 (NIV) CONTEXT: Jesus' incredulous audience demanded that He show them a sign, just as God had validated Moses by sending bread (manna) when Israel was in the wilderness... 35  Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36  But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37  All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38  For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39  And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40  For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” 41  At this the Jews there began to grumble about him... Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Article 8: The Earnest Call of the Gospel Nevertheless, all who are called through the gospel are called earnestly.  For urgently and most genuinely God makes known in the Word what is pleasing to him:  that those who are called  should come to God.  God also earnestly promises rest for their souls and eternal life to all who do come and believe. Summary They missed it. Like an outfielder blinded by the sun try to catch a routine fly ball or a husband who comes home and fails to notice a new decoration hanging on the wall, those who first listened to Jesus speak these words completely missed what it was that He told them. Surely, you might be tempted to think, if they just gotten to know Jesus a little better, then sooner or later they too would accept Him as the bread of life. The value of what Jesus offers them is so significant that once they realize it, they too would want in. It just seems like at this point they don't see the full picture. But that's not the case. They certainly did miss out on what Jesus said, and the significance of their flub had far more consequence than simply dropping a ball or missing out on a subtle addition to the home's decor. But their miss wasn't the result of not yet having really gotten to know Jesus. Jesus told them you've seen me. He didn't mean they just got a quick glance, the way you might see something out of the corner of your eye but not really understand what just happened without getting a better look. The word seen is in the perfect tense, meaning that it's full and complete. They'd seen Jesus; that is, they evaluated His claims and came to a conclusion: they did not believe.   Dig Deeper   The failure of those listening to believe into Jesus leads Him into making a significant theological statement: all those the Father gives me will come to me. On one hand, Jesus condemns those listening to Him. Since they had seen but had not come, clearly they were not those who'd been given to Jesus by our Father. Some choose to read Jesus' words here fatalistically, in that those whom the Father had predestined don't really have a free choice, and they're made - even forced - to come to Jesus. But this conclusion doesn't harmonize well with the rest of scripture. Man is never regarded in the Bible as a powerless pawn who just runs a preprogrammed course through life. The best way to understand what Jesus means here is this doctrine that we call irresistible grace. What we mean by it is that God has made plain to all people the good news of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It's not a secret shared only with the elect; quite the opposite: the Church goes to great lengths to announce the gospel to all people (an effort you're to be part of!). Those who persist in their sin hear this good news, understand it in its fullness and yet want nothing to do with it. On the other hand, those whom the Father has given to Christ hear and see this same gospel message, but because our hearts and minds have been made new by the Holy Spirit, we can not resist the offer made to us. We freely - albeit irresistibly - choose to believe in Jesus and thereby gain eternal life, since He will raise us up at the last day. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who gave us to Jesus, who will never drive us away; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for your renewed heart and mind that has made the gospel irresistible to you, and pray that you will be an effective messenger of it so that all will hear; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: 1 Corinthians 1

The LORD offers you refreshment no vacation can ever provide. Faithlife.com Isaiah 55:1–13 (NIV) 55 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2  Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. 3  Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. 4  See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. 5  Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.” 6  Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7  Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 8  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10  As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11  so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12  You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13  Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Article 8: The Earnest Call of the Gospel Nevertheless, all who are called through the gospel are called earnestly.  For urgently and most genuinely God makes known in the Word what is pleasing to him:  that those who are called  should come to God.  God also earnestly promises rest for their souls and eternal life to all who do come and believe. Summary Today's chapter would be a good one to share with a friend who's concluded that the Old Testament portrays a God filled with nothing but wrath and anger, for the invitation the LORD gives here through the Old Testament prophet Isaiah is filled with warmth and compassion. It's a good passage for us to be reading in the heat of summer for a host of reasons. First, we experience physical thirst more often during these hot months, making it easier to understand how parched we are spiritually, and how we long for refreshment that we can't afford on our own but which our Father generously pours out upon us. It's also around this time of year that fatigue from our labor sets in, and we crave the satisfaction that our work never seems to provide, which God here promises to supply. Our Father's warm invitation comes in the form of a command repeated five times: Come. The rest and rejuvenation God offers requires obedience to further imperatives as well. You must listen (a command repeated three times as such, and then also as give ear ) that you may live. You must also seek the LORD, call on Him, forsake wicked ways and thoughts, turn to the LORD that He may have mercy and pardon. Obedience to these instructions truly leads to lasting spiritual (and even physical) refreshment, yet it also lays a new mandate upon you (it seems new only in that sin had separated you from these instructions originally conveyed to Adam): you must now go out in joy and be led forth in peace, fulfilling your restored purpose of proclaiming the LORD's everlasting renown.   Dig Deeper   It's verse 11 that brings us to Isaiah 55 today, in which the LORD indicates that His word goes out from His mouth, never returning empty but accomplishing what He desires and achieving the purpose for which He sent it. It's not just a command that extends out from the LORD, but one that comes back with results after having been sent out. Notice that God's warm and compassionate invitation to come goes out to all who are thirsty and who have no money. But it's pretty obvious that many - maybe even most - people who hear this invitation refuse to listen, give ear, seek the LORD and turn to the LORD. It's almost as if God's announcement of saving grace just impotently bounces off of them. But the gospel always accomplishes what it's Sender intended, and returns back to Him having accomplished its task. Those who scorn God's earnest compassionate call to refreshment are further cemented in their rebellion by it. Sadly God's call echoes their rejection back to Him. But those to whose hearts have been softened by God's Spirit, this invitation for spiritual water, wine, milk and bread becomes irresistible. In these cases the Gospel call accomplishes what our Father desires: returning His children to Him, as the mountains and hills burst into song and all the trees of the field clap their hands celebrating that LORD's sovereign grace is stronger that we are. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who will have mercy and freely pardon all those who turn to Him; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for the spiritual refreshment He provides, and pray that you will continue to give ear and come to Him, that you may live; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Luke 24