Calvinism Isn't Just True, It's Good News

How about you? As you've if you talked How about you? As you've if you talked about that movement for you from true to about that movement for you from true to about that movement for you from true to good news, how did that work for you? good news, how did that work for you? good news, how did that work for you? And then how do you do that when you're And then how do you do that when you're And then how do you do that when you're talking to folks or preaching? talking to folks or preaching? talking to folks or preaching? Well, I found that Well, I found that Well, I found that the more I reflect on the more I reflect on the more I reflect on this theology, the more of a humbling this theology, the more of a humbling this theology, the more of a humbling effect it has in my heart. Now, I want effect it has in my heart. Now, I want effect it has in my heart. Now, I want to be clear. I I don't consider myself a to be clear. I I don't consider myself a to be clear. I I don't consider myself a humble person. I I I But I pray that by humble person. I I I But I pray that by humble person. I I I But I pray that by God's grace I'm growing in humility. And God's grace I'm growing in humility. And God's grace I'm growing in humility. And often the way the Lord humbles me afresh often the way the Lord humbles me afresh often the way the Lord humbles me afresh is by reminding me that he is God and I is by reminding me that he is God and I is by reminding me that he is God and I am not. Um and am not. Um and am not. Um and I also think it gives me more of a I also think it gives me more of a I also think it gives me more of a patience patience patience for unbelievers in my life whom I love for unbelievers in my life whom I love for unbelievers in my life whom I love that haven't yet responded to Christ and that haven't yet responded to Christ and that haven't yet responded to Christ and for the Christians under my care in my for the Christians under my care in my for the Christians under my care in my church that aren't being sanctified as church that aren't being sanctified as church that aren't being sanctified as quickly as I would like. A because it quickly as I would like. A because it quickly as I would like. A because it causes me to look in the mirror and say, causes me to look in the mirror and say, causes me to look in the mirror and say, "Well, nor am I." "Well, nor am I." "Well, nor am I." But B because it reminds me that But B because it reminds me that But B because it reminds me that God is writing a unique story God is writing a unique story God is writing a unique story in everyone's life. And again, everyone in everyone's life. And again, everyone in everyone's life. And again, everyone is in God's plan A for their life. I is in God's plan A for their life. I is in God's plan A for their life. I mean, yes, we can make foolish mean, yes, we can make foolish mean, yes, we can make foolish decisions. Yes, we can decisions. Yes, we can decisions. Yes, we can um um um do things that do things that do things that that are outside of the revealed will of that are outside of the revealed will of that are outside of the revealed will of God. But we can't do anything that is God. But we can't do anything that is God. But we can't do anything that is outside of the ultimate outside of the ultimate outside of the ultimate uh will of God, his will of decree. And uh will of God, his will of decree. And uh will of God, his will of decree. And there there is there there is there there is there is something there

there is something there there is something there that I think really can help Christians. that I think really can help Christians. that I think really can help Christians. I mean, just think about I I recently I mean, just think about I I recently I mean, just think about I I recently preached Acts chapter 1. preached Acts chapter 1. preached Acts chapter 1. And the the first bit of Acts is is an And the the first bit of Acts is is an And the the first bit of Acts is is an incredible passage. I mean, it we got incredible passage. I mean, it we got incredible passage. I mean, it we got the the Acts 1:8, right? That your your the the Acts 1:8, right? That your your the the Acts 1:8, right? That your your mission to the ends of the earth. We mission to the ends of the earth. We mission to the ends of the earth. We have the ascension and have the ascension and have the ascension and uh talking about the And by the way, I uh talking about the And by the way, I uh talking about the And by the way, I we should do a whole episode sometime on we should do a whole episode sometime on we should do a whole episode sometime on the practical effects of the doctrine of the practical effects of the doctrine of the practical effects of the doctrine of the ascension because I think it's one the ascension because I think it's one the ascension because I think it's one of the most underrated underutilized of the most underrated underutilized of the most underrated underutilized doctrines in the Christian life. So, I doctrines in the Christian life. So, I doctrines in the Christian life. So, I loved preaching that passage. loved preaching that passage. loved preaching that passage. But then the second half of Acts chapter But then the second half of Acts chapter But then the second half of Acts chapter 1 isn't exactly the kind of text that 1 isn't exactly the kind of text that 1 isn't exactly the kind of text that you would choose to preach if you're you would choose to preach if you're you would choose to preach if you're going to be a you know, guest preacher going to be a you know, guest preacher going to be a you know, guest preacher somewhere. It's just, "Okay, we have somewhere. It's just, "Okay, we have somewhere. It's just, "Okay, we have Judas' defection and casting lots." Judas' defection and casting lots." Judas' defection and casting lots." So, as I studied it, I thought, "Why is So, as I studied it, I thought, "Why is So, as I studied it, I thought, "Why is Judas getting so much airtime in Acts 1? Judas getting so much airtime in Acts 1? Judas getting so much airtime in Acts 1? It makes sense at the end of the It makes sense at the end of the It makes sense at the end of the Gospels. Gospels. Gospels. It's recounting his treachery and his It's recounting his treachery and his It's recounting his treachery and his demise. demise. demise. Why here? Especially on the heels of Why here? Especially on the heels of Why here? Especially on the heels of such marching orders to to take the such marching orders to to take the such marching orders to to take the gospel to the ends of the earth?"

gospel to the ends of the earth?" gospel to the ends of the earth?" And as I reflected, I realized, "Well, And as I reflected, I realized, "Well, And as I reflected, I realized, "Well, it's because those early believers, it's because those early believers, it's because those early believers, those 120 believers gathered in the those 120 believers gathered in the those 120 believers gathered in the upper room, upper room, upper room, this wound was was fresh. They were this wound was was fresh. They were this wound was was fresh. They were still rattled. They were still reeling still rattled. They were still reeling still rattled. They were still reeling from what happened to Judas. Probably from what happened to Judas. Probably from what happened to Judas. Probably feeling like, "Well, if if Judas feeling like, "Well, if if Judas feeling like, "Well, if if Judas defected, defected, defected, am am I next?" Um of course, that's am am I next?" Um of course, that's am am I next?" Um of course, that's reminiscent of the last of the Last reminiscent of the last of the Last reminiscent of the last of the Last Supper. "Is it I, Lord? Is it I?" Supper. "Is it I, Lord? Is it I?" Supper. "Is it I, Lord? Is it I?" They're not all looking at Judas. Yeah. They're not all looking at Judas. Yeah. They're not all looking at Judas. Yeah. And I realized that what's going on And I realized that what's going on And I realized that what's going on there is pastoral when Peter stands up there is pastoral when Peter stands up there is pastoral when Peter stands up to address everyone, which is I think to address everyone, which is I think to address everyone, which is I think beautiful in and of itself cuz he's just beautiful in and of itself cuz he's just beautiful in and of itself cuz he's just been recommissioned by the Lord Jesus been recommissioned by the Lord Jesus been recommissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to what? Feed my sheep. Feed my Christ to what? Feed my sheep. Feed my Christ to what? Feed my sheep. Feed my sheep. Feed my sheep. And here's the sheep. Feed my sheep. And here's the sheep. Feed my sheep. And here's the first time he's doing it. He rises and first time he's doing it. He rises and first time he's doing it. He rises and he says, "Okay, he says, "Okay, he says, "Okay, let's talk Judas." let's talk Judas." let's talk Judas." And I think the larger point he's making And I think the larger point he's making And I think the larger point he's making is is is no act of wickedness can derail the no act of wickedness can derail the no act of wickedness can derail the Lord's plan. So, before we get out there Lord's plan. So, before we get out there Lord's plan. So, before we get out there and take the gospel from Jerusalem to and take the gospel from Jerusalem to and take the gospel from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria to the ends of the Judea to Samaria to the ends of the Judea to Samaria to the ends of the earth, let's remember who's in charge of earth, let's remember who's in charge of earth, let's remember who's in charge of this whole story. Let's remember that this whole story. Let's remember that this whole story. Let's remember that And now you may think And maybe some of And now you may think And maybe some of And now you may think And maybe some of those early believers thought, "Well, those early believers thought, "Well, those early believers thought, "Well, okay, but that's that's Judas.

okay, but that's that's Judas. okay, but that's that's Judas. Um Um Um What what about me?" Well, it's an What what about me?" Well, it's an What what about me?" Well, it's an argument from the greater to the lesser. argument from the greater to the lesser. argument from the greater to the lesser. If even Judas' treachery couldn't throw If even Judas' treachery couldn't throw If even Judas' treachery couldn't throw off the Lord's sovereign, wise, good off the Lord's sovereign, wise, good off the Lord's sovereign, wise, good plan, do you think anything you're going plan, do you think anything you're going plan, do you think anything you're going to do is going to throw him off either? to do is going to throw him off either? to do is going to throw him off either? And so, that's just one little example And so, that's just one little example And so, that's just one little example of in preaching how you can take a of in preaching how you can take a of in preaching how you can take a doctrine like the sovereignty of God and doctrine like the sovereignty of God and doctrine like the sovereignty of God and apply it to people's hearts in a way apply it to people's hearts in a way apply it to people's hearts in a way that consoles them and helps them to that consoles them and helps them to that consoles them and helps them to remember that Yeah, remember that Yeah, remember that Yeah, Job 42:2, no one can thwart the purposes Job 42:2, no one can thwart the purposes Job 42:2, no one can thwart the purposes of God. Yeah, and I of God. Yeah, and I of God. Yeah, and I that's a that's a major theme in the that's a that's a major theme in the that's a that's a major theme in the scriptures. You see it in Genesis. Uh scriptures. You see it in Genesis. Uh scriptures. You see it in Genesis. Uh you of course see it in Exodus. The you of course see it in Exodus. The you of course see it in Exodus. The sovereignty of God in the whole Exodus sovereignty of God in the whole Exodus sovereignty of God in the whole Exodus story in relation to Pharaoh is story in relation to Pharaoh is story in relation to Pharaoh is highlighted by Moses especially in the highlighted by Moses especially in the highlighted by Moses especially in the passages about the hardening of passages about the hardening of passages about the hardening of Pharaoh's heart. And it's interesting Pharaoh's heart. And it's interesting Pharaoh's heart. And it's interesting how they're told from three how they're told from three how they're told from three perspectives. Pharaoh hardening his perspectives. Pharaoh hardening his perspectives. Pharaoh hardening his heart, heart, heart, Pharaoh's heart being hardened, God Pharaoh's heart being hardened, God Pharaoh's heart being hardened, God hardening Pharaoh's heart. And so, it hardening Pharaoh's heart. And so, it hardening Pharaoh's heart. And so, it hits the dynamics of God's sovereignty hits the dynamics of God's sovereignty hits the dynamics of God's sovereignty and human responsibility.

and human responsibility. and human responsibility. But it is very clear the context is But it is very clear the context is But it is very clear the context is between who's sovereign here. Is Pharaoh between who's sovereign here. Is Pharaoh between who's sovereign here. Is Pharaoh sovereign or is God sovereign? And so, sovereign or is God sovereign? And so, sovereign or is God sovereign? And so, God's sovereignty is a major major theme God's sovereignty is a major major theme God's sovereignty is a major major theme in the book of Exodus, not just Genesis, in the book of Exodus, not just Genesis, in the book of Exodus, not just Genesis, not just the story of Joseph, but not just the story of Joseph, but not just the story of Joseph, but continuing continuing continuing of Israel. And you see it in the story of Israel. And you see it in the story of Israel. And you see it in the story of Job, especially highlighted in Job 1 of Job, especially highlighted in Job 1 of Job, especially highlighted in Job 1 and 2. and 2. and 2. But you you also see it in the story of But you you also see it in the story of But you you also see it in the story of David numbering the people. Uh which is David numbering the people. Uh which is David numbering the people. Uh which is recorded both in Kings and Chronicles. recorded both in Kings and Chronicles. recorded both in Kings and Chronicles. Uh so, you know, Uh so, you know, Uh so, you know, you know, Satan was against the the the you know, Satan was against the the the you know, Satan was against the the the people and so, he he moved David to do people and so, he he moved David to do people and so, he he moved David to do the census. God Right. moved David to the census. God Right. moved David to the census. God Right. moved David to take the census. So, which is it? And take the census. So, which is it? And take the census. So, which is it? And so, the the dynamic of God's sovereign so, the the dynamic of God's sovereign so, the the dynamic of God's sovereign involvement, you also see at the end of involvement, you also see at the end of involvement, you also see at the end of um Is it the end of 1 Kings with the um Is it the end of 1 Kings with the um Is it the end of 1 Kings with the story of Micaiah?

story of Micaiah? story of Micaiah? Uh where where again God is sovereign in Uh where where again God is sovereign in Uh where where again God is sovereign in the story of Ahab. Uh yes, the end of 1 the story of Ahab. Uh yes, the end of 1 the story of Ahab. Uh yes, the end of 1 Kings. It's 1 Kings chapter 22. Kings. It's 1 Kings chapter 22. Kings. It's 1 Kings chapter 22. Um which is again one of these stories Um which is again one of these stories Um which is again one of these stories where God's sovereignty and human where God's sovereignty and human where God's sovereignty and human responsibility interface with one responsibility interface with one responsibility interface with one another. It's not that God's sovereignty another. It's not that God's sovereignty another. It's not that God's sovereignty means that we're puppets. It's not that means that we're puppets. It's not that means that we're puppets. It's not that God's sovereignty means that we don't God's sovereignty means that we don't God's sovereignty means that we don't make choices. It's not that God's make choices. It's not that God's make choices. It's not that God's sovereign so it doesn't matter what we sovereign so it doesn't matter what we sovereign so it doesn't matter what we do or think or believe. It's God's do or think or believe. It's God's do or think or believe. It's God's sovereign and we're responsible. And so, sovereign and we're responsible. And so, sovereign and we're responsible. And so, you get that throughout the Bible. you get that throughout the Bible. you get that throughout the Bible. Um you get it in in in Romans. You get Um you get it in in in Romans. You get Um you get it in in in Romans. You get it in Ephesians. You get it in the it in Ephesians. You get it in the it in Ephesians. You get it in the Gospel of John. And Gospel of John. And Gospel of John. And we want our people we want our people we want our people not to be utterly befuddled by that when not to be utterly befuddled by that when not to be utterly befuddled by that when they're reading their Bibles. they're reading their Bibles. they're reading their Bibles. Um we want we want to to help them know Um we want we want to to help them know Um we want we want to to help them know how to read those things with one how to read those things with one how to read those things with one another, not against one another. You another, not against one another. You another, not against one another. You know, the the temptation is often know, the the temptation is often know, the the temptation is often to take one idea in the Bible and play to take one idea in the Bible and play to take one idea in the Bible and play it over against another idea in the it over against another idea in the it over against another idea in the Bible. And that's never a good way to Bible. And that's never a good way to Bible. And that's never a good way to read the Bible. How how do those things read the Bible. How how do those things read the Bible. How how do those things go together? How does How does How does go together? How does How does How does go together? How does How does How does God telling Micaiah Ahab is going to go God telling Micaiah Ahab is going to go God telling Micaiah Ahab is going to go up to Ramoth Gilead and he's going to be up to Ramoth Gilead and he's going to be up to Ramoth Gilead and he's going to be killed in a battle killed in a battle killed in a battle go along with go along with go along with Micaiah actually imploring Ahab not to

Micaiah actually imploring Ahab not to Micaiah actually imploring Ahab not to do that? do that? do that? It's a it's a beautiful picture of God's It's a it's a beautiful picture of God's It's a it's a beautiful picture of God's already told him how it's going to shake already told him how it's going to shake already told him how it's going to shake out, but Micaiah is still trying to keep out, but Micaiah is still trying to keep out, but Micaiah is still trying to keep him from making a choice that's going to him from making a choice that's going to him from making a choice that's going to lead to his own destruction. It's a lead to his own destruction. It's a lead to his own destruction. It's a little bit like Jesus in John 13. You little bit like Jesus in John 13. You little bit like Jesus in John 13. You were just talking about Judas. were just talking about Judas. were just talking about Judas. There's this beautiful passage in There's this beautiful passage in There's this beautiful passage in Calvin's commentary on John 13 where he Calvin's commentary on John 13 where he Calvin's commentary on John 13 where he says, you know, Jesus is washing the says, you know, Jesus is washing the says, you know, Jesus is washing the disciples' feet. And and you know, he disciples' feet. And and you know, he disciples' feet. And and you know, he comes around and who's there? Judas is comes around and who's there? Judas is comes around and who's there? Judas is there. And Jesus washes Judas' feet. And there. And Jesus washes Judas' feet. And there. And Jesus washes Judas' feet. And Calvin pauses and he makes the comment Calvin pauses and he makes the comment Calvin pauses and he makes the comment that even though he had already that even though he had already that even though he had already indicated And you see you see it in John indicated And you see you see it in John indicated And you see you see it in John 13 that the son of perdition was going 13 that the son of perdition was going 13 that the son of perdition was going to do what he had appointed been to do what he had appointed been to do what he had appointed been appointed to do, that he was going to be appointed to do, that he was going to be appointed to do, that he was going to be betrayed. He said, he he he yet again betrayed. He said, he he he yet again betrayed. He said, he he he yet again opened to Judas the gate of repentance, opened to Judas the gate of repentance, opened to Judas the gate of repentance, but he would not walk through. And so, but he would not walk through. And so, but he would not walk through. And so, here's here's Jesus opening the gate of here's here's Jesus opening the gate of here's here's Jesus opening the gate of repentance to someone repentance to someone repentance to someone who he knows is a reprobate. And yet who he knows is a reprobate. And yet who he knows is a reprobate. And yet he's opening the gate of resistance. A he's opening the gate of resistance. A he's opening the gate of resistance. A beautiful beautiful picture of that beautiful beautiful picture of that beautiful beautiful picture of that interface between God's sovereignty and interface between God's sovereignty and interface between God's sovereignty and humans human responsibility in the humans human responsibility in the humans human responsibility in the Bible. We want our people not to be Bible. We want our people not to be Bible. We want our people not to be surprised by that, disturbed by that, surprised by that, disturbed by that, surprised by that, disturbed by that, befuddled by that. We want them to know, befuddled by that. We want them to know, befuddled by that. We want them to know, "Okay, this is yet another example in "Okay, this is yet another example in "Okay, this is yet another example in the Bible about how God's sovereignty the Bible about how God's sovereignty the Bible about how God's sovereignty relates to human choices and human

relates to human choices and human relates to human choices and human desires. And it's important for me to be desires. And it's important for me to be desires. And it's important for me to be able to read the Bible in such a way able to read the Bible in such a way able to read the Bible in such a way that both of those things are true. Both that both of those things are true. Both that both of those things are true. Both of those things go together. They don't of those things go together. They don't of those things go together. They don't contradict one another. And in fact, as contradict one another. And in fact, as contradict one another. And in fact, as you said, you said, you said, they actually bring me confidence in they actually bring me confidence in they actually bring me confidence in this world. I this world. I this world. I because I can't do something that is because I can't do something that is because I can't do something that is going to thwart the decretal will of going to thwart the decretal will of going to thwart the decretal will of God. Yeah, abso- absolutely. And as we God. Yeah, abso- absolutely. And as we God. Yeah, abso- absolutely. And as we as we teach on these things to our as we teach on these things to our as we teach on these things to our people, we don't have to use highfalutin people, we don't have to use highfalutin people, we don't have to use highfalutin jargon. jargon. jargon. Um Um Um I think we can just talk about the fact I think we can just talk about the fact I think we can just talk about the fact that God that God that God choreographs. choreographs. choreographs. God can choreograph what he does and God can choreograph what he does and God can choreograph what he does and approve. Everyone in our church needs to approve. Everyone in our church needs to approve. Everyone in our church needs to understand that basic fact. It's understand that basic fact. It's understand that basic fact. It's difficult to reconcile. It's difficult difficult to reconcile. It's difficult difficult to reconcile. It's difficult to understand. But I think part of to understand. But I think part of to understand. But I think part of Christian maturity is seeing what the Christian maturity is seeing what the Christian maturity is seeing what the Bible teaches and emphasizes and and Bible teaches and emphasizes and and Bible teaches and emphasizes and and learning to hold those things in learning to hold those things in learning to hold those things in tension, to live within the tension, to tension, to live within the tension, to tension, to live within the tension, to embrace the tension rather than explain embrace the tension rather than explain embrace the tension rather than explain it away.

it away. it away. Um and in fact, most heresies are not Um and in fact, most heresies are not Um and in fact, most heresies are not the result of trying to complicate the result of trying to complicate the result of trying to complicate what's simple, but rather trying to what's simple, but rather trying to what's simple, but rather trying to simplify what's complicated. simplify what's complicated. simplify what's complicated. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> And so as as we try to show our people >> And so as as we try to show our people >> And so as as we try to show our people that this is true from scripture, it we that this is true from scripture, it we that this is true from scripture, it we can say, "Hey, it's something you even can say, "Hey, it's something you even can say, "Hey, it's something you even understand from the dynamic of understand from the dynamic of understand from the dynamic of literature." literature." literature." You don't read The Chronicles of Narnia You don't read The Chronicles of Narnia You don't read The Chronicles of Narnia and see the White Witch turning Mr. and see the White Witch turning Mr. and see the White Witch turning Mr. Tumnus to stone and think, "Gee, C.S. Tumnus to stone and think, "Gee, C.S. Tumnus to stone and think, "Gee, C.S. Lewis is a jerk." Lewis is a jerk." Lewis is a jerk." No, you you understand that there is the No, you you understand that there is the No, you you understand that there is the ultimate author over the story and there ultimate author over the story and there ultimate author over the story and there are real actions within the story are real actions within the story are real actions within the story that have moral agency, moral that have moral agency, moral that have moral agency, moral culpability. Joni Eareckson Tada, a hero culpability. Joni Eareckson Tada, a hero culpability. Joni Eareckson Tada, a hero of ours, um her of ours, um her of ours, um her episode on when she joined us for The episode on when she joined us for The episode on when she joined us for The Everyday Pastor, it still may be my Everyday Pastor, it still may be my Everyday Pastor, it still may be my favorite one we've done. favorite one we've done. favorite one we've done. Um but she's been a quadriplegic for Um but she's been a quadriplegic for Um but she's been a quadriplegic for over 60 years and she once said, "God over 60 years and she once said, "God over 60 years and she once said, "God sometimes permits what he hates to sometimes permits what he hates to sometimes permits what he hates to accomplish what he loves."

accomplish what he loves." accomplish what he loves." And it's that kind of teaching that is And it's that kind of teaching that is And it's that kind of teaching that is actually going to stabilize our people actually going to stabilize our people actually going to stabilize our people and prepare our people and prepare our people and prepare our people for when the sky goes black.