Godly fear is the path to true peace and salvation. Matthew 18:6-9 (NIV) CONTEXT: Jesus has just famously called a child to Him, and tells His followers that 'whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.' 6  “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7  Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 8  If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9  And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Articles 1- 5 Article 6: Unbelief, a Human Responsibility However, that many who have been called through the gospel  do not repent or believe in Christ  but perish in unbelief  is not because the sacrifice of Christ offered on the cross  is deficient or insufficient,  but because they themselves are at fault. Article 7: Faith God’s Gift But all who genuinely believe and are delivered and saved  by Christ’s death from their sins and from destruction  receive this favor solely from God’s grace— which God owes to no one— given to them in Christ from eternity. Summary The Canons, echoing scripture, indicate that those who do not repent or believe in Christ have nobody to blame but themselves. It's not that the sacrifice of Christ is somehow deficient or insufficient, but because they themselves are at fault. They deserve the punishment prescribed for them: they will perish in unbelief. But just as in criminal law an accessory to a crime shares in some of the guilt, so to will those who cause people to stumble in their faith be held accountable for doing so. We often rightly apply Jesus' warning to those who harm children, but Jesus makes it clear that the term little ones encompasses much more than just kids - it includes all those who believe in Jesus. And Jesus here isn't just thinking of those who lead people to completely fall away from their faith, but even those who cause believers to stumble, even if only for a moment. Most of us have a visceral reaction to those who hurt children, so it makes sense that our Father does as well! He will passionately bring His wrath down upon anyone who messes with His children. But it doesn't seem like Jesus uses harsh enough language to describe what such people deserve; He just says woe to them. Although that word seems sort of benign, it's anything but. One lexicon describes the word as conveying a state of intense hardship or distress—‘disaster, horror.’ Jesus doesn't specify exactly what this woe - this intense distress - would include, but He does say it will be worse than having a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea . Such an experience would be an unimaginable horror. The phrase 'go to hell' has a somewhat muted effect because it gets used vulgarly so often, but in a very real sense, that's exactly what Jesus here says to those who cause harm to His children.   Dig Deeper   Jesus' straightforward condemnation of woe against the world because of the things that cause people to stumble is coupled to some pretty complex theology. He added, such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! It brings us right back to the issue we've already wrestled with so often this year: God's sovereignty vs. man's responsibility. God has ordained such things must come , but yet the guilt fully falls upon the people through whom it comes. Once again, we turn to commentator NT France to help explain this: The idea that people are responsible for their actions even though these are “necessary” is one which runs through both OT and NT (most notably in the story of Judas Iscariot; note a similar “woe” specifically directed at him in Matt. 26:24). The fact that a person is operating within a determined structure does not excuse them for their personal choices and decisions (Emphasis added). With so much on the line, Jesus' hyperbolic advice makes sense: whatever it is in your life - even if it's your hand, foot or eye - that causes you to stumble (and by extension, causes those around you to stumble ), cut it out of your life. Not doing so puts you at risk of being thrown into the eternal fire of hell. It's hard to hear such stark language come from our Savior. We naturally gravitate toward His words of peace—of which there are so many—rather than those that evoke fear. Yet, this is a central message of the Bible: godly fear is the path to true peace and salvation: Psalm 85:9  - Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Psalm 147:11 - But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Luke 1:50  - And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. Philippians 2:12  - Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who zealously avenges those who harm His children; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will cut out anything in your life causing you or others to stumble; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Romans 9

You've received the invitation of a lifetime; How will you respond? Matthew 22:1-14 (NIV) 22 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2  “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3  He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. 4  “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ 5  “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. 6  The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. 7  The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8  “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9  So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 10  So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11  “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12  He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. 13  “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14  “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Articles 1- 5 Article 6: Unbelief, a Human Responsibility However, that many who have been called through the gospel  do not repent or believe in Christ  but perish in unbelief  is not because the sacrifice of Christ offered on the cross  is deficient or insufficient,  but because they themselves are at fault. Article 7: Faith God’s Gift But all who genuinely believe and are delivered and saved  by Christ’s death from their sins and from destruction  receive this favor solely from God’s grace— which God owes to no one— given to them in Christ from eternity. Summary Once again, as we see so often in the gospels, Jesus spoke to them in parables. It's often thought that Jesus spoke using stories and analogies rather than cold, hard theology because He knew the people would understand them so much better. As He related what are often referred to as 'heavenly stories with earthly meanings,' people would easily get the point and change their life accordingly. But again, we're reminded here that Jesus really didn't have accommodation in mind as He spoke parabolically. He wasn't just trying to repackage the commandments into more palatable bites to improve day to day life. That's why so many parables begin as this one does, announcing what the kingdom of heaven is like..., not 'here's how to improve how you're living. Parables are better understood as 'shocking stories with spiritual meanings.' And this parable certainly shocks! The thought of people so callously blowing off an invitation from their benevolent king?? And for reasons as silly as field work or another day in the office? It's unthinkable! And the people are not only rude, they become belligerent by seizing the king's servants, mistreating and ultimately killing them. What kind of people would behave so badly?!? But so it is with the kingdom of heaven. As Jesus concludes, many are invited... . Paul would later write, God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of truth ( 1 Timothy 2:4 ). Peter adds, the Lord is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance ( 2 Peter 3:9 ). But Jesus' parable makes clear that many people couldn't care less about the invitation they've received from the King and even reject it violently.   Dig Deeper   The banquet hall ends up filled with undesirables that in any other circumstance would never be thought of as worthy of an invitation to a royal feast. By God's grace, you and I are on this part of the guest list. But Jesus adds another twist to the parable to show that it's not enough to just give lip service to the King's invitation and carelessly show up. As the king mingles with his guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. There are few events even in our own day and age that people are expected to really dress up for, but a wedding feast is one of them - and that Ancient Near Eastern culture had that same expectation. Commentator RT France explains the implications of this shocking situation: The clothing expected at a wedding was not a special garment but decent, clean white clothes such as anyone should have had available. In that case the man’s fault is that, even though invited to a royal wedding, he had not gone home to change into his best; to turn up in ordinary, dirty clothes was an insult to the host. The symbolism is of someone who presumes on the free offer of salvation by assuming that therefore there are no obligations attached, someone whose life belies their profession: faith without works. Entry to the kingdom of heaven may be free, but to continue in it carries conditions. Even though this man belongs to the new group of invitees, he is one who produces no fruit, and so is no less liable to forfeit his new-found privilege than those who were excluded before him. The benevolent king, who addressed this man as friend , reacts to this insult in the same violent manner as he responded to those who rejected his invitation and killed his servants: He orders the man to be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Keep the words of Jesus' shocking parable in mind as you live your life responding to the undeserved invitation you've received from the King. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the King, who has invited us to the wedding banquet of His Son; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will neither brush off this all important invitation nor respond to it with casual indifference; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Romans 8

The Good News of the Gospel is found only in God’s Word, and it must be proclaimed! Biblia.com Psalm 19 (ESV) To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 1   The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2   Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3   There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4   Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5   which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6   Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 7   The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8   the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9   the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. 10   More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11   Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12   Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13   Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 14   Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Articles 1- 4 Article 5: The Mandate to Proclaim the Gospel to All Moreover, it is the promise of the gospel  that whoever believes in Christ crucified  shall not perish but have eternal life.  This promise, together with the command to repent and believe,  ought to be announced and declared without differentiation or discrimination  to all nations and people, to whom God in his good pleasure sends the gospel. Summary I love this time of the year for a number of reasons: it’s getting warmer after the cold of winter, plants are beginning to bud and blossom, and one reason in particular is looking forward to camping.  My wife and I love to go camping over the course of the summer, and are already planning our summer camping trips for this year.  It’s a great opportunity to get out and spend time in God’s beautiful creation.  There’s nothing like sitting around your campfire at night, soaking up the warmth, looking up at the darkened sky, and taking in the breathtaking beauty of it all, praising the Lord for all that He has made and how it points us back to Him.  Creation does that, it points us to the Lord.  It’s one of the ways God reveals Himself to us - one of two mentioned in Psalm 19: General revelation in creation (vv. 1-6), and Special revelation in God’s Word (vv. 7-11).  General revelation is enough to make mankind aware of God and so leave us without excuse ( Romans 1:19-20 ), but insufficient for salvation.  Only Special revelation reveals the Good News of the Gospel; It's through Special revelation that we can better interpret General revelation.  And this Good News of the Gospel in Special revelation goes out by the preaching of God’s Word.  As we’re reminded in Romans 10:14-15 , How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'   It's not that people can’t come to know the Good News of the Gospel from reading the Bible themselves, but there’s an importance to the preaching, the proclamation of the Word.   Dig Deeper   The Canons highlight this importance of the proclamation of the Gospel when it says: This promise, together with the command to repent and believe, ought to be announced and declared without differentiation or discrimination to all nations and people, to whom God in his good pleasure sends the gospel .  This is why the preached Word of God every Sunday is so important!  It is one of the marks of the true Church (see Belgic Confession Article 29 ). Theologian Louis Berkhof states that "God’s Word is the most important means of grace.”  As God’s Word is faithfully preached Sunday after Sunday, the proclamation of the Good News of the Gospel goes out to all!  And God’s Word does not return void, it accomplishes the purposes God has for it ( Isaiah 55:11 ), whether it be molding and shaping us to be more like Christ, or planting/watering the seed of the Gospel.  So, as you gather for worship this Sunday, and every Sunday after, may you see in the faithful handling and preaching of God’s Word the undifferentiated, indiscriminate proclamation of the Gospel to all. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, whose glory is declared in the heavens; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that your activities and decisions will be guided by God's revealed Word; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Romans 7

Be refreshed in the Good News of the Gospel daily. John 3:16–17 (ESV) 16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Articles 1- 4 Article 5: The Mandate to Proclaim the Gospel to All Moreover, it is the promise of the gospel  that whoever believes in Christ crucified  shall not perish but have eternal life.  This promise, together with the command to repent and believe,  ought to be announced and declared without differentiation or discrimination  to all nations and people, to whom God in his good pleasure sends the gospel. Summary For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  It's likely many of you at one time or another have memorized this verse!  It often gets quoted as a part of presenting the Gospel to someone, sharing what God has done for us out of His great and pursuing love in sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to stand condemned in the place of lost sinners, our place, so that, for those who believe in Jesus, trusting in Him alone for salvation, we can be redeemed and reconciled to God.  Through Jesus’ sacrifice, when we believe, we have God’s gracious gift of eternal life!  The Canons, at the start of its article on The Mandate to Proclaim the Gospel to All takes up this language from John 3:16: Moreover, it is the promise of the gospel that whoever believes in Christ crucified shall not perish but have eternal life.   Sadly, in the second half of v18, we see what the next article of the Canons addresses: Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God .  Yet, for those of us who believe, what a refreshing thing the Good News of the Gospel is!   Dig Deeper   Just the other night, after I got back from our evening church council meeting, my wife was taking care of a few things around the house before bed. As she did so, she was listening to some music.  On the playlist she was listening to, there was a song where someone put these words from John 3 to music and was singing God’s Word.  What a wonderful way to be reminded and refreshed in the Good News of the Gospel!  Yesterday , we talked about thanking God each day for what He’s done for us, but it’s also important to take time to be refreshed in the Good News of the Gospel.  Yes, that requires us to recognize the weight of our sin, the ways we sin against God and neighbor, but even as we do, we are also reminded of God’s amazing grace poured out on us in Jesus and it can refresh us, especially if we are going through a season when we are painfully aware of our own sin to the point where we have no grace for ourselves.  The Gospel is to be proclaimed to all, but sometimes, the first person we need to proclaim the Gospel to is ourselves, being reminded of our sin, our need for God, but also His forgiveness and grace that covers a multitude of sins.  Thanks be to God for His amazing grace!  AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who so loved the world that He gave His only Son; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Ask God to give you a continual hunger to read and hear His Word, that you might be refreshed daily by the gospel; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Romans 6

Thank God for Jesus’ perfect sacrifice every day! Biblia.com Hebrews 2:14–18 (ESV) 14  Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15  and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16  For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17  Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18  For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Articles 1-3 Article 4: Reasons For The Infinite Value of Christ’s Death This death is of such great value and worth for the reason that  the person who suffered it is— as was necessary to be our Savior— not only a true and perfectly holy human,  but also the only begotten Son of God,  of the same eternal and infinite essence with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Another reason is that this death was accompanied by the experience of God’s wrath and curse, which we by our sins had fully deserved. Summary So far this week, we’ve taken a look at how Jesus is fully God and fully man united in one person.  But the question still remains to be answered - Why is that so important?  Why is it so important for our salvation that Jesus is both fully God and fully man?  The author of Hebrews tells us as much in our passage today, at least the importance of why Jesus needed to be fully man.  Having been talking about how Christ is not ashamed to be called our brother, believers throughout every age are reminded of the necessity for Jesus taking on our flesh, tabernacling among us.  Jesus took on our flesh in order that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery .  Not only that, but we are told: He had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people .  It was necessary for Jesus to take on our flesh so that He could pay the debt of our sins.  The Canons remind us of this necessity, that Jesus be a true and perfectly holy man  as human nature must pay the debt of sin (which is echoed in the Heidelberg Catechism QA 16 ).  So, it was necessary for Jesus to fully man.  Then why is it also necessary for Jesus to be the only begotten Son of God ?  Because it’s only by Jesus being fully God that He could bear the weight of God’s just wrath on our sin (see HC Q & A 17 ).  This is why Jesus was the perfect sacrificial lamb on your and my behalf, why His sacrifice is of infinite value!     Dig Deeper   As I write this, this week is preparation week for our congregation as we look forward to celebrating Communion in our congregation this upcoming Lord’s Day.  It is this perfect sacrifice of infinite value that we remember, celebrate, and proclaim whenever we gather around the Lord’s Table together.  But it shouldn’t be just when we celebrate Communion, nor only at Good Friday and Easter, which we celebrated not too long ago.  Every Lord’s Day, as we gather as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to worship the One True God, we come together to celebrate, praise, and worship the Lord out of gratitude and love for what He’s done for us in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus!  And every day, through the Lord’s grace and strength, may our lives be ones lived in gratitude for what God has done as the Gospel works its way into our daily life, thanking and praising the Lord often for His amazing grace in Jesus!     AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, in heaven. Hallowed be His name! A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that when temptation comes, you will remember that because Christ Himself suffered when tempted, He is able to help those being tempted; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Romans 5

When you face trials and hardships, look to the Word become flesh. Biblia.com John 1:9–18 (ESV) 9  The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10  He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11  He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15  (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16  For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18  No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Articles 1-3 Article 4: Reasons For The Infinite Value of Christ’s Death This death is of such great value and worth for the reason that  the person who suffered it is— as was necessary to be our Savior— not only a true and perfectly holy human,  but also the only begotten Son of God,  of the same eternal and infinite essence with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Another reason is that this death was accompanied by the experience of God’s wrath and curse, which we by our sins had fully deserved. Summary John alluded to the beginning of Genesis in this first chapter of his Gospel account as He affirms that Jesus is one hundred percent God, as we saw yesterday . But Jesus is also one hundred percent man.  The same passage that described Jesus as fully God - He Who is from eternity - also shows that He became man, that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.   Just as God dwelt amidst His people in the Tabernacle in the wilderness wanderings of Israel, Jesus literally “tabernacled” ( skénoó  - “to pitch tent, encamp; to tabernacle…”), dwelt among us as true man.  Jesus took on our flesh, which was absolutely necessary for our salvation, as we’ll talk about tomorrow.  Even though we talk about these two natures separately, it’s so important for us to remember that they are united in one person.  Just like various errors arose theologically concerning Jesus’ deity throughout Church history, so also errors arose regarding Jesus’ two natures and their union in Him.  Some have believed that because there is both a human and a divine nature, that means there are two people, but that’s not the case.  The Belgic Confession puts it well when it says: “We believe that by being thus conceived the person of the Son has been inseparably united and joined together with human nature, in such a way that there are not two Sons of God, nor two persons, but two natures united in a single person, with each nature retaining its own distinct properties” ( Article 19 ).   Dig Deeper   Just as Jesus being one hundred percent God can and should provide you immense comfort throughout your life, so too should the wonderful truth that Jesus is also one hundred percent man give you comfort.  It is truly amazing knowing that He Who is eternal God would willingly come, take on our flesh, and tabernacle among us.  What wonder that He by Whom everything was created would humble Himself to experience our heartache, temptations, ridicule, agony, suffering, loss, and eventually go to the cross for lost sinners, coming to His own who did not receive him .  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…  As you face trials and hardships throughout the course of your life, may you ever look to our God, Who took on our flesh and has experienced sufferings and trials too.  May you find comfort in and rest knowing that He is walking with you through your trials and difficulties as your Great High Priest.  May you rely ever on the grace and strength that He provides for each new day. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who sent His divine Son, full of grace and truth, to become man; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you live in a way that acknowledges that Jesus has made His dwelling among you; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Romans 4

Never forget the lengths God has gone for you. ourdailyverse.com John 1:1-5 (ESV) 1   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2  He was in the beginning with God. 3  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4  In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Articles 1-3 Article 4: Reasons For The Infinite Value of Christ’s Death This death is of such great value and worth for the reason that  the person who suffered it is— as was necessary to be our Savior— not only a true and perfectly holy human,  but also the only begotten Son of God,  of the same eternal and infinite essence with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Another reason is that this death was accompanied by the experience of God’s wrath and curse, which we by our sins had fully deserved. Summary 'Was when He was not…,' 'Was not when He was not…'  If you lived in the early 300s AD, you could have heard slogans or jingles along these lines.  Throughout the early Church, various points of theology were being hammered out and nailed down; in this particular case, the deity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was being vigorously debated. So, what do these two phrases mean?  'Was when He was not' translates out to be that there was a time when Jesus did not exist, that He was a creation of the Father at some point in time.  This is what is known as the Arian heresy, which was espoused early on in the Church.  The other, 'Was not when He was not,' is the biblical doctrine that we believe, uphold, promote, and defend, that there has never been a time when Jesus did not exist.  He is co-eternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever; as the Canons put it: Jesus is of the same eternal and infinite essence with the Father and the Holy Spirit. As we read just a few moments ago in the beginning of John’s Gospel account, in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.   Jesus has existed from all eternity, as John reminds us here, and He is one hundred percent God!   Dig Deeper   The beautiful and wonderful truth that Jesus is fully God is so important to our theology, especially to our salvation, as we’re going to see more in depth on Wednesday.  But as we’ve been seeing throughout the year, our theology is not just dry, head knowledge, but practical. The amazing truth that Jesus is one hundred percent God should lead us to such praise and worship since He Who is eternal God - the One who created Heaven and earth, who created you and me, who willingly humbled Himself as He took on our flesh in order to save, redeem, and reconcile us to Himself!  When the enemy would tempt you, trying to get you to doubt God’s love and care for you, remember the unfading truth that He Who is God from eternity, came and was born, lived, died, and rose again for you and me!  Never forget the lengths that He was willing to go for you, as He showed you just how much He loves and cares for you! AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who made all things through the Word; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you would live in the truth of knowing that He Who Is God became flesh to give you peace with God; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Romans 3

No matter how much you save, you'll never be able to buy yourself. Minnesota's favorite couple expressing their version of Psalm 49 Psalm 49 For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. 1  Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, 2  both low and high, rich and poor alike: 3  My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding. 4  I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle: 5  Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me— 6  those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? 7  No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them— 8  the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough— 9  so that they should live on forever and not see decay. 10  For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others. 11  Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. 12  People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. 13  This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. 14  They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. 15  But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. 16  Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; 17  for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. 18  Though while they live they count themselves blessed— and people praise you when you prosper— 19  they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life. 20  People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Articles 1-2 Article 3: The Infinite Value of Christ’s Death This death of God’s Son is the only and entirely complete sacrifice and satisfaction for sins;  it is of infinite value and worth,  more than sufficient to atone for the sins of the whole world. Summary Psalm 49 is different than other parts of the Bible. Many of the New Testament epistles, for example, are addressed to God's elect or saints (people like you, whom God has made holy), not to everyone in general. But Psalm 49 has something to say to all peoples - all who live in this world, both low and high, rich and poor alike. The psalmist begins by showing the futility of those who trust in their wealth... so that they should live on forever and not see decay. Billionaires can buy nearly anything they want; they can even buy their way into space! But they can't buy their way out of death, for all can see that both the wise and the foolish die, leaving their wealth to others. As Ole wisely replied when Lena asked how much his rich uncle left behind when he died: "He left all of it." Nobody, regardless of what else they can afford to buy here and now can afford to pay the price required to dodge death. No one , the Psalmist writes, can redeem (literally: buy out) the life of another or give to God the price of his life (ESV). Psalm 49 has a refrain that has a slight variation as it's repeated: 12  People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. 20 People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish. It's bad enough that people who trust in their wealth will perish , but it's how they'll perish that is even sadder: they are like the beasts. In other words, they die devoid of the one attribute that separates mankind from the animals, having lost all aspects of the image of God they were created in. They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd.   Dig Deeper   The mood changes in third stanza (vss. 15-19) of Psalm 49. After warning all the peoples who live in the world that they can't dodge death despite their wealth and power, the psalmist proclaims good news for the people of God. It's not that they won't die - after all, the psalm has already noted that both the wise and the foolish will - but there remains hope after death for those who trust in the LORD. This hope is made possible because although nobody can redeem themselves or be bought out by another, you can rest in the fact that God will redeem you from the realm of the dead; He will surely take you to Himself! As the ancient Israelites sang of this hope they had no idea what it would cost or how it would be possible for this transaction to take place. But as one who is in Christ, you know that your redemption is only possible because, as the Canons put it, the death of God's Son is... of infinite value and worth . AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who has redeemed you from the realm of the dead; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Romans 2

Your testimony is a powerful tool - but it must be used correctly! You likely give testimonies about all sorts of things that happen to you. How often do you give testimony about what Jesus has done for you? John 4:39-42 (NIV) CONTEXT: Jesus has just finished His famous encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. She had run back into town to tell her community about Jesus. 39  Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40  So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41  And because of his words many more became believers. 42  They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Articles 1-2 Article 3: The Infinite Value of Christ’s Death This death of God’s Son is the only and entirely complete sacrifice and satisfaction for sins;  it is of infinite value and worth,  more than sufficient to atone for the sins of the whole world. Summary Why don't we have the same level of excitement about Jesus that the Samaritan woman had? Why don't we have the same eagerness to provide testimony about our experience with the Living God? Testimonies have tremendous power. They tell of a person's unique experience, an experience other people are interested in. Maybe you think that your story is boring - especially compared to somebody as colorful as the Samaritan woman - and that nobody wants to hear about it. But you likely don't take that same attitude in other aspects of your life. When you get home, you tell people about your day (even when it wasn't much different than any other day). At work, you tell people about what you did the night before or the interesting thing you saw on the drive in. At the store you tell the random person in the aisle about an awesome coupon or deal you just found. When it comes down to it, you're almost always engaged in some sort of testimonial! So why don't you testify about the far more amazing things you read and hear from the Bible? The testimony of this woman of ill repute captures her neighbors' attention, enough that many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Jesus because of the woman's testimony!   Dig Deeper   As powerful as what personal testimonies are, they have their limitations. At this point, the Samaritans who believed in Him because of the woman's testimony only know about her personal experience with Jesus - that He told her everything she ever did. That's a pretty big deal for sure, but it's only a drop in Jesus' divine bucket! Sharing your testimony is related to, but not the same as, sharing the gospel. Your testimony is simply telling how you've experienced Christ, how it's changed your life, and how it's made you feel. Again, these insights are valuable and all of us introverted upper midwesterners (and beyond!) need to do much better at it! But nobody's going to really understand how God has unconditionally elected them or how it is that the death of God’s infinitely valuable Son is the only and entirely complete sacrifice and satisfaction for sins based only on how Jesus makes you feel.  And so it is that the woman's neighbors want to know more about Jesus. They urged Him to stay with them, and He stayed two days. John doesn't convey what it was that Jesus taught them for those couple of days, but we can tell from the people's reaction that it must have been awesome! Because of Jesus' words , John tells us, many more became believers. Testimonies are important - the woman's testimony about what Jesus told her got her neighbors interested and piqued their attention. But testimonies are a short lived means to an end. Even the testimony of the Samaritan woman at the well. After a couple of days of listening to Jesus themselves, her neighbors told her, We no longer believe just because of what you said , but we believe because we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world! So get better testifying to the amazing things (or even the ordinary things) that Jesus has done in your life! But use your testimony to point others to hear the Word of God for themselves, so that they too can know not just how Jesus makes you feel, but that He really is the Savior of the world. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who sent His Son to be the Savior of the world ; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray the courage, ability and desire to share your testimony often, not just to tell others how you feel, but to help them come to know what you know about Jesus; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Romans 1

The Lamb of God didn't just take on our sin, He took our place. John 1:29-31 (NIV) CONTEXT: The religious establishment had just sent a contingent to inquire whether John the Baptist, who'd been garnering massive crowds, was the coming Messiah. John denied he was, and he also denied being a reincarnation of Elijah or the Prophet. When pressed for his true identity, John quoted Isaiah, saying he was "the voice of the one calling in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" 29  The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30  This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31  I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Articles 1-2 Article 3: The Infinite Value of Christ’s Death This death of God’s Son is the only and entirely complete sacrifice and satisfaction for sins;  it is of infinite value and worth,  more than sufficient to atone for the sins of the whole world. Summary What a sight - and even sound - it must have been. John the Apostle doesn't record what it was that John the Baptist was doing when he saw Jesus coming toward him , but we do know from other gospel accounts that nothing about John the Baptist was ordinary or dull - he was not, as they say, a slave to fashion, and he had no reservations about speaking truth to power when the opportunities came up. That's probably part of the reason crowds flocked out to the desert to see him. He was a spectacle to behold. So no matter what he'd just been doing, his shocking statement certainly rang out and captured the attention of all who could hear him. And the words he proclaimed have kept the attention of theologians now for millennia: Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Everybody agrees that John was describing the approaching Jesus, but what exactly did he mean by referring to Jesus as a Lamb? If you've been a Christian for any length of time, you're likely not surprised at all to see Jesus described as the Lamb of God. You've heard it, read it, sung it, and have even seen lots of artwork depicting it. It's just part of the everyday Christian vernacular, so much so that it almost goes by unnoticed. Of course Jesus is the Lamb of God. But John the Baptist's proclamation is one of only two times in the entire Bible that Jesus is described as a lamb (the other being Rev. 5:12, interestingly also written by John). Furthermore, nowhere does the Bible describe sheep as being used to atone for sin. Hundreds of thousands of bulls and goats (maybe even millions?) had people's sin put upon them before having their blood poured out, but never lambs. So why, out of all the titles John the Baptist could have used to announce Jesus, does he choose Lamb of God to describe the One who takes away the sin of the world? And why has this description of who Jesus is become so foundational to Christianity?   Dig Deeper   Although lambs were not prescribed by God's Law as a sacrificial animal, there are all sorts of examples of sheep being symbolically tied to salvation, especially by the prophet Isaiah . Likewise, when Abraham obeyed God's directive to sacrifice his son Isaac, it was a ram caught in a nearby thicked that God provided as a substitute that spared Isaac's life. "The Lamb of God is certainly prefigured in the Passover. When God prepared to bring His final plague on the Egyptians, the death of every firstborn male of the Egyptians, including the crown prince of the Pharaoh, He instructed His people Israel to slay lambs without blemish and to spread the blood on their doorposts . God promised to pass over all the houses where He saw the blood of the lambs on the doorposts" ( RC Sproul ). So when John the Baptist announces Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, he's putting Jesus into a whole new category of atoning sacrifice. Jesus wasn't just another creature in a long line of bulls and goats who had sin & guilt put upon Him before being sacrificed. Jesus was something new and different: He was truly a substitute; One who not only took on our sins, but also who took our place. Sproul concludes, "Just as the blood of those lambs caused the people of Israel to be spared from God’s wrath, the Lamb of God redeemed His people from the penalty that was due for their sin." AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who sent His Son as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world by taking our place; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will have the same sense of awe and wonder that John the Baptist had toward Jesus; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Matthew 28