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The Grace Message with Dr. Andrew Farley

Andrew Farley - Predestination: The Choice You Never Made?

May 31, 2025 | S25:E23

Andrew Farley - Predestination: The Choice You Never Made?
Pastor Andrew Farley brings Biblical clarity and illuminates God’s grace.
#Faith #Hope #Freedom #Gospel #Disciples #Religion #WordofGod #Belief #inActive #Glory #Division #Lust #Predestination #Ephesians1 #AndrewFarley

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The Grace Message with Dr. Andrew Farley | Andrew Farley - Predestination: The Choice You Never Made? | May 31, 2025
  • ...
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  • Dr. andrew farley: heaven, hell. heaven, hell.
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  • Heaven and hell.
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  • Is that what god does going down the city street?
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  • Randomly choosing some to be saved and not allowing others?
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  • I don't think so.
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  • The gospel is better than that.
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  • Let's talk about it today on "the grace message."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Dr. farley: all right, well, predestination, is it the choice
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  • You never made?
  • 00:00:32.503 --> 00:00:33.871
  • Now if you don't understand that question, then let me just tell
  • 00:00:33.871 --> 00:00:37.808
  • You a little bit about the most common view of predestination is
  • 00:00:37.808 --> 00:00:42.913
  • That it's individual selection.
  • 00:00:42.913 --> 00:00:45.182
  • That essentially god at some point in his mind went down the
  • 00:00:45.182 --> 00:00:48.786
  • City street and said, "i'll take you, but not you, and i'll take
  • 00:00:48.786 --> 00:00:52.556
  • You, but not--i'm gonna quicken you.
  • 00:00:52.556 --> 00:00:54.158
  • I'm gonna cause you to believe.
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  • I'll empower you, but you, you get no chance and you will
  • 00:00:55.826 --> 00:01:00.464
  • Not believe."
  • 00:01:00.464 --> 00:01:01.832
  • Now some people soften that and they say, "no, god does not
  • 00:01:01.832 --> 00:01:04.902
  • Choose anyone for hell, but he simply chooses those that he
  • 00:01:04.902 --> 00:01:10.341
  • Wants for heaven."
  • 00:01:10.341 --> 00:01:11.709
  • So, that goes a little something like this, "i'll choose you,
  • 00:01:11.709 --> 00:01:15.446
  • I'll choose you, and i'll choose you."
  • 00:01:15.446 --> 00:01:18.048
  • Now where are the rest of y'all going?
  • 00:01:18.048 --> 00:01:19.917
  • Hell.
  • 00:01:19.917 --> 00:01:21.719
  • So, it's the same.
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  • I don't care how you frame it, i don't care how you talk
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  • About it.
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  • There's no choice involved.
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  • God is preselecting the ones who get lucky and get to go
  • 00:01:30.027 --> 00:01:33.597
  • To heaven.
  • 00:01:33.597 --> 00:01:34.932
  • And so, is that predestination?
  • 00:01:34.932 --> 00:01:36.734
  • Is that what paul meant?
  • 00:01:36.734 --> 00:01:38.302
  • Is that what paul was so excited about as he traveled from
  • 00:01:38.302 --> 00:01:41.572
  • Galatia to ephesus to rome?
  • 00:01:41.572 --> 00:01:44.141
  • Was he trying to encounter the select few, the frozen chosen as
  • 00:01:44.141 --> 00:01:48.879
  • We've always said, right?
  • 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:50.548
  • Was he trying to encounter those who were chosen by
  • 00:01:50.548 --> 00:01:54.018
  • God individually?
  • 00:01:54.018 --> 00:01:55.619
  • Is it like a game show, you know, a "survivor: heaven's
  • 00:01:55.619 --> 00:01:58.822
  • Gates," and are you gonna be voted out of the lamb's book
  • 00:01:58.822 --> 00:02:02.693
  • Of life?
  • 00:02:02.693 --> 00:02:04.061
  • You know, is it like the lord's lottery?
  • 00:02:04.061 --> 00:02:06.230
  • Did you get the golden ticket to glory or did you miss out on it?
  • 00:02:06.230 --> 00:02:10.467
  • Is it god's pre-chosen selection or is love better than that?
  • 00:02:10.467 --> 00:02:17.608
  • Is god's love better than a gated community with exclusion
  • 00:02:17.608 --> 00:02:23.113
  • And predetermined choices where we are controlled ahead of time,
  • 00:02:23.113 --> 00:02:27.451
  • Preventing belief and causing belief that was never our choice
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  • To begin with?
  • 00:02:32.089 --> 00:02:33.424
  • Is that love?
  • 00:02:33.424 --> 00:02:35.492
  • So today, we're gonna be looking in ephesians and then next week
  • 00:02:35.492 --> 00:02:38.929
  • We'll be looking in romans.
  • 00:02:38.929 --> 00:02:40.264
  • Now the reason for that is because those are the only two
  • 00:02:40.264 --> 00:02:42.333
  • Epistles where the apostle paul really teases out this idea
  • 00:02:42.333 --> 00:02:47.972
  • Of predestination.
  • 00:02:47.972 --> 00:02:49.773
  • Now that's not coincidence, that's not random chance.
  • 00:02:49.773 --> 00:02:53.043
  • There's a reason that number one, it's paul, and there's a
  • 00:02:53.043 --> 00:02:56.447
  • Reason that number two, it's in romans and ephesians.
  • 00:02:56.447 --> 00:03:00.284
  • And the reason for that is because paul was the apostle to
  • 00:03:00.284 --> 00:03:04.989
  • The gentiles.
  • 00:03:04.989 --> 00:03:07.358
  • And so, romans are gentiles and ephesians are gentiles.
  • 00:03:07.358 --> 00:03:11.729
  • And so today, we're gonna be asking if we should be putting
  • 00:03:11.729 --> 00:03:15.566
  • The nation back in predestination.
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  • You know what i'm saying?
  • 00:03:19.303 --> 00:03:20.838
  • Because what if this is about the nations?
  • 00:03:20.838 --> 00:03:24.308
  • An incredible mission through the apostle paul continuing
  • 00:03:24.308 --> 00:03:28.746
  • Today, an incredible mission to the nations around the world
  • 00:03:28.746 --> 00:03:33.484
  • Because when the son of man is lifted up, he will draw,
  • 00:03:33.484 --> 00:03:37.221
  • Not draft.
  • 00:03:37.221 --> 00:03:38.822
  • He won't draft a few, he will draw all people unto himself.
  • 00:03:38.822 --> 00:03:43.594
  • Those are his very words.
  • 00:03:43.594 --> 00:03:45.462
  • So, what if we got to put the nation back in predestination?
  • 00:03:45.462 --> 00:03:49.900
  • And remember this today, when we look at ephesians, the you and
  • 00:03:49.900 --> 00:03:53.804
  • The we is about the jews and the gs.
  • 00:03:53.804 --> 00:03:58.008
  • Now if you forget that, something's wrong with you
  • 00:03:58.008 --> 00:04:01.745
  • Because it even rhymes.
  • 00:04:01.745 --> 00:04:03.580
  • The you and the we is about the jews and the gs, and i've color
  • 00:04:03.580 --> 00:04:08.752
  • Coded it as well.
  • 00:04:08.752 --> 00:04:10.087
  • We're gonna have some fun, folks.
  • 00:04:10.087 --> 00:04:12.022
  • I mean, we're gonna be dealing with green and yellow and let me
  • 00:04:12.022 --> 00:04:15.759
  • Just tell you that it is gonna be awesome because every time
  • 00:04:15.759 --> 00:04:20.297
  • You see yellow, you will see paul referencing his own people,
  • 00:04:20.297 --> 00:04:24.468
  • The jews, and then every time you see green, a green light,
  • 00:04:24.468 --> 00:04:28.672
  • That's gonna be a green light for the gentiles to receive the
  • 00:04:28.672 --> 00:04:32.443
  • Gospel too.
  • 00:04:32.443 --> 00:04:34.011
  • This is not about bob and lisa, but not emily and jacob.
  • 00:04:34.011 --> 00:04:39.283
  • No, no, this is about god having the right to choose, and he
  • 00:04:39.283 --> 00:04:43.454
  • Says, "i'll take who are historically my people, the
  • 00:04:43.454 --> 00:04:47.124
  • Jews, but i'll also take the gentiles."
  • 00:04:47.124 --> 00:04:50.461
  • And i'm opening this thing up, the floodgates are open wide and
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  • What you're about to hear in the book of ephesians, what you're
  • 00:04:55.466 --> 00:04:59.436
  • About to hear from the pen of the apostle paul is the cure
  • 00:04:59.436 --> 00:05:03.140
  • For racism.
  • 00:05:03.140 --> 00:05:04.475
  • It is a unifying message.
  • 00:05:04.475 --> 00:05:06.343
  • It brings us together.
  • 00:05:06.343 --> 00:05:07.711
  • It doesn't divide us.
  • 00:05:07.711 --> 00:05:09.613
  • And paul is excited about his job and he's defending his
  • 00:05:09.613 --> 00:05:14.184
  • Mission that god put him on even when his peers are thinking
  • 00:05:14.184 --> 00:05:18.422
  • Thoughts like, "paul, really?
  • 00:05:18.422 --> 00:05:20.257
  • Come on, you're saul of tarsus, you're a pharisee of pharisees,
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  • You got the resume, you got the lineage, you got the heritage.
  • 00:05:24.361 --> 00:05:27.364
  • Who do you think you are going out to those dirty gentiles?"
  • 00:05:27.364 --> 00:05:32.035
  • And that means you and me, those dirty americans, even those
  • 00:05:32.035 --> 00:05:36.073
  • Dirty canadians, dare i say, right?
  • 00:05:36.073 --> 00:05:39.743
  • And so, we got some rethinking to do when it comes to
  • 00:05:39.743 --> 00:05:45.282
  • Predestination, and here we go.
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  • First, we're gonna begin in ephesians chapter 1, "blessed be
  • 00:05:47.284 --> 00:05:50.821
  • The god and father of our lord jesus christ, who has blessed us
  • 00:05:50.821 --> 00:05:55.092
  • With every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in christ."
  • 00:05:55.092 --> 00:05:58.796
  • All right, fine, good.
  • 00:05:58.796 --> 00:06:00.164
  • We put the us in yellow.
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  • That's debatable.
  • 00:06:01.932 --> 00:06:03.300
  • Does us just mean christians?
  • 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:05.135
  • Does--is us a generic us?
  • 00:06:05.135 --> 00:06:07.704
  • Well, maybe, but if you hang on, i think you'll be convinced.
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  • I don't think you can leave chapter 1 unconvinced.
  • 00:06:11.542 --> 00:06:15.746
  • So, watch as we continue.
  • 00:06:15.746 --> 00:06:17.815
  • Paul starts with the us, "god has blessed us with every
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  • Spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in christ."
  • 00:06:22.619 --> 00:06:25.756
  • Now here's verse 4, "he chose us in him before the foundation of
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  • The world, that we would be holy and blameless before him."
  • 00:06:30.727 --> 00:06:34.798
  • Now, obviously it's not rocket science to figure out how people
  • 00:06:34.798 --> 00:06:39.002
  • Get to the idea of individual selection.
  • 00:06:39.002 --> 00:06:42.339
  • I mean, if we stopped here and went home, if we stopped here
  • 00:06:42.339 --> 00:06:45.742
  • And went out to cracker barrel, i mean, that would conclude the
  • 00:06:45.742 --> 00:06:49.847
  • Lesson on predestination and everybody would say, "well, i
  • 00:06:49.847 --> 00:06:52.549
  • See the we and i see the us."
  • 00:06:52.549 --> 00:06:54.451
  • And let me tell you, it means christians.
  • 00:06:54.451 --> 00:06:56.787
  • And so, christians were pre-chosen and christians
  • 00:06:56.787 --> 00:07:00.257
  • Were picked.
  • 00:07:00.257 --> 00:07:01.758
  • But hang on, because paul, you know, paul, come on, the author
  • 00:07:01.758 --> 00:07:05.295
  • Of romans, you know paul.
  • 00:07:05.295 --> 00:07:07.030
  • He doesn't think in sentences, he thinks in paragraphs, he
  • 00:07:07.030 --> 00:07:12.069
  • Thinks in pages.
  • 00:07:12.069 --> 00:07:13.937
  • All of this is connected.
  • 00:07:13.937 --> 00:07:16.273
  • Watch as he continues his thought.
  • 00:07:16.273 --> 00:07:18.909
  • So, "in love he predestined us to adoption as sons through
  • 00:07:18.909 --> 00:07:24.214
  • Jesus christ to himself, according to the kind intention
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  • Of his will."
  • 00:07:28.352 --> 00:07:29.686
  • Now that sounds awesome.
  • 00:07:29.686 --> 00:07:31.054
  • I mean, first of all, god is kind.
  • 00:07:31.054 --> 00:07:33.257
  • Second of all, he's got a will, a mission, an agenda, and
  • 00:07:33.257 --> 00:07:37.127
  • Apparently, it's to choose some people, but i'll tell you what,
  • 00:07:37.127 --> 00:07:40.564
  • It's not real kind is it?
  • 00:07:40.564 --> 00:07:42.766
  • I mean, am i crazy?
  • 00:07:42.766 --> 00:07:44.134
  • It's not real kind if he's going down the city street just
  • 00:07:44.134 --> 00:07:46.970
  • Saying, "well, you got no chance and you got all the chance in
  • 00:07:46.970 --> 00:07:50.140
  • The world.
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  • In fact, i'm gonna guarantee your belief, but you got
  • 00:07:51.475 --> 00:07:53.510
  • No chance."
  • 00:07:53.510 --> 00:07:54.845
  • Is that the kind intention of god's will?
  • 00:07:54.845 --> 00:07:58.148
  • Is it like a fantasy salvation league where y'all take jacob in
  • 00:07:58.148 --> 00:08:01.885
  • The third round?
  • 00:08:01.885 --> 00:08:03.887
  • Is that the gospel?
  • 00:08:03.887 --> 00:08:06.723
  • Well, let's keep reading, "and we have obtained an inheritance,
  • 00:08:06.723 --> 00:08:11.395
  • Having been predestined according to his purpose who
  • 00:08:11.395 --> 00:08:15.332
  • Works all things after the council of his will," and he
  • 00:08:15.332 --> 00:08:20.070
  • Goes on and he says, "to the end that we," uh-oh, we're gonna
  • 00:08:20.070 --> 00:08:24.741
  • Define we now.
  • 00:08:24.741 --> 00:08:26.310
  • Suddenly we got specific, "we who were the first to hope in
  • 00:08:26.310 --> 00:08:32.983
  • Christ would be to the praise of his glory."
  • 00:08:32.983 --> 00:08:36.553
  • Now, i have a little math problem for you.
  • 00:08:36.553 --> 00:08:38.589
  • It's not that hard.
  • 00:08:38.589 --> 00:08:40.524
  • You got group number one and group number two.
  • 00:08:40.524 --> 00:08:42.526
  • Who was the first to believe in the gospel?
  • 00:08:42.526 --> 00:08:45.329
  • Who got it first?
  • 00:08:45.329 --> 00:08:46.663
  • Who received it first?
  • 00:08:46.663 --> 00:08:48.031
  • Who believed it first?
  • 00:08:48.031 --> 00:08:49.933
  • The jews.
  • 00:08:49.933 --> 00:08:51.268
  • So, when paul says, "we who were the first to hope in christ,"
  • 00:08:51.268 --> 00:08:55.472
  • What's he talking about?
  • 00:08:55.472 --> 00:08:57.140
  • Me and my fellow jews, me and all the other disciples turned
  • 00:08:57.140 --> 00:09:01.878
  • Apostles, me and my countrymen.
  • 00:09:01.878 --> 00:09:05.215
  • So, "we who were the first to hope in christ," suddenly, i got
  • 00:09:05.215 --> 00:09:09.419
  • A narrower definition of we.
  • 00:09:09.419 --> 00:09:13.323
  • Now watch what he does with it.
  • 00:09:13.323 --> 00:09:14.891
  • Oh my goodness, if you listen to one verse, let it be the
  • 00:09:14.891 --> 00:09:19.029
  • Next one.
  • 00:09:19.029 --> 00:09:20.397
  • The next one i put on the screen, watch it, it's coming
  • 00:09:20.397 --> 00:09:23.266
  • And it's in green for the gentiles.
  • 00:09:23.266 --> 00:09:26.203
  • Watch this.
  • 00:09:26.203 --> 00:09:27.537
  • He says, "we who were the first to hope in christ," and then he
  • 00:09:27.537 --> 00:09:30.407
  • Says, "in him, you also."
  • 00:09:30.407 --> 00:09:33.777
  • Oh, now we got a difference.
  • 00:09:33.777 --> 00:09:36.046
  • We got a we and we got a you also.
  • 00:09:36.046 --> 00:09:38.749
  • "in him, you also," what did it take?
  • 00:09:38.749 --> 00:09:41.385
  • Slow down, calvinist.
  • 00:09:41.385 --> 00:09:43.587
  • What did it take?
  • 00:09:43.587 --> 00:09:44.955
  • Slow down.
  • 00:09:44.955 --> 00:09:46.323
  • If there's any question, read it slower, "in him, you also, after
  • 00:09:46.323 --> 00:09:51.928
  • Listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your
  • 00:09:51.928 --> 00:09:56.733
  • Salvation," what did you have to do with it?
  • 00:09:56.733 --> 00:09:58.902
  • Keep reading, "having also believed, you were sealed in him
  • 00:09:58.902 --> 00:10:04.908
  • With the holy spirit of promise."
  • 00:10:04.908 --> 00:10:06.376
  • Is it about being pre chosen?
  • 00:10:06.376 --> 00:10:08.478
  • No, it is about hearing the message and believing it and
  • 00:10:08.478 --> 00:10:12.916
  • Guess what?
  • 00:10:12.916 --> 00:10:14.251
  • Two groups have been chosen.
  • 00:10:14.251 --> 00:10:15.952
  • We who were the first to put our hope in christ, we jews, and you
  • 00:10:15.952 --> 00:10:21.158
  • Also, you ephesians, you romans, you galatians, you canadians,
  • 00:10:21.158 --> 00:10:27.564
  • You americans, you people of earth.
  • 00:10:27.564 --> 00:10:31.268
  • When the son of man is lifted up, he will draw all people
  • 00:10:31.268 --> 00:10:35.639
  • Because whoever calls on the name of the lord will be saved,
  • 00:10:35.639 --> 00:10:40.343
  • And guess what?
  • 00:10:40.343 --> 00:10:41.678
  • John 3:16 is not written in invisible ink.
  • 00:10:41.678 --> 00:10:46.950
  • It's for anyone.
  • 00:10:46.950 --> 00:10:48.685
  • All right, "and you were dead in your trespasses and sins."
  • 00:10:48.685 --> 00:10:53.924
  • Okay, you might just think, "well, that's just
  • 00:10:53.924 --> 00:10:55.659
  • For christians."
  • 00:10:55.659 --> 00:10:56.993
  • Well, remember the previous verse, it just said that it was
  • 00:10:56.993 --> 00:10:59.930
  • About the first to put their hope in christ and then the
  • 00:10:59.930 --> 00:11:02.432
  • Second group being the gentiles.
  • 00:11:02.432 --> 00:11:04.668
  • So, he's targeting the gentiles and he's saying, "your problem,
  • 00:11:04.668 --> 00:11:08.739
  • Folks, hey greeks, hey romans, hey americans, hey canadians,
  • 00:11:08.739 --> 00:11:12.642
  • People of earth, your problem is not that you are lying and
  • 00:11:12.642 --> 00:11:16.012
  • Cheating and stealing hubcaps.
  • 00:11:16.012 --> 00:11:18.415
  • That's not your problem.
  • 00:11:18.415 --> 00:11:19.916
  • Your problem is that you're dead in your sins and you need life."
  • 00:11:19.916 --> 00:11:24.888
  • Life comes to you when you receive him, "in which you
  • 00:11:24.888 --> 00:11:29.993
  • Formerly walked according to the course of this world, according
  • 00:11:29.993 --> 00:11:34.064
  • To the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is
  • 00:11:34.064 --> 00:11:37.434
  • Now working in the sons of disobedience."
  • 00:11:37.434 --> 00:11:39.936
  • Now again, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you could argue, of
  • 00:11:39.936 --> 00:11:44.474
  • Course that this word "you" is a generic you.
  • 00:11:44.474 --> 00:11:47.811
  • You could argue that it's just about christians in general and
  • 00:11:47.811 --> 00:11:52.215
  • That it's not about gentiles and it doesn't deserve to be in
  • 00:11:52.215 --> 00:11:56.119
  • Green as a green light for the gospel to the gentiles.
  • 00:11:56.119 --> 00:11:59.422
  • No, no, it's just a generic "you."
  • 00:11:59.422 --> 00:12:02.058
  • You could argue that except there's one problem and it's
  • 00:12:02.058 --> 00:12:05.896
  • Staring you in the face and it's coming up in the next verse and
  • 00:12:05.896 --> 00:12:10.167
  • Here it is, "among them we too--."
  • 00:12:10.167 --> 00:12:14.437
  • "among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh,
  • 00:12:14.437 --> 00:12:19.442
  • Indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were
  • 00:12:19.442 --> 00:12:23.246
  • By nature children of wrath, even as the rest of you jokers."
  • 00:12:23.246 --> 00:12:30.654
  • You gentiles, you dirty rotten corinthians, you pagans, you
  • 00:12:30.654 --> 00:12:34.591
  • Temple worshippers, you who go to bathhouses and spend time
  • 00:12:34.591 --> 00:12:39.229
  • With prostitutes, you, we, we too were dead, just like you.
  • 00:12:39.229 --> 00:12:47.904
  • Nobody gets off.
  • 00:12:47.904 --> 00:12:49.272
  • It's an equal opportunity employer.
  • 00:12:49.272 --> 00:12:52.375
  • God invites the whosoever wills.
  • 00:12:52.375 --> 00:12:54.644
  • It's an equal playing field.
  • 00:12:54.644 --> 00:12:56.680
  • Nobody's better than another.
  • 00:12:56.680 --> 00:12:58.648
  • So, when you notice the yellow and the green, oh my goodness,
  • 00:12:58.648 --> 00:13:03.086
  • Here's what this jewish person, paul, is now saying.
  • 00:13:03.086 --> 00:13:08.358
  • We were--you were, yeah, definitely you were dead because
  • 00:13:08.358 --> 00:13:12.562
  • I know you people.
  • 00:13:12.562 --> 00:13:13.897
  • You were dead, but wait a minute, even we who had the law,
  • 00:13:13.897 --> 00:13:18.735
  • We had the prophets, we had abraham, we had isaac, we had
  • 00:13:18.735 --> 00:13:22.239
  • Jacob, we had yahweh, we had the whole history of the old
  • 00:13:22.239 --> 00:13:25.308
  • Testament, we too lived in the lusts of our flesh.
  • 00:13:25.308 --> 00:13:29.880
  • We were dead just like you.
  • 00:13:29.880 --> 00:13:33.383
  • And so, suddenly, the me and the you is about the jews and the
  • 00:13:33.383 --> 00:13:41.458
  • Gs, right?
  • 00:13:41.458 --> 00:13:43.426
  • I almost forgot it.
  • 00:13:43.426 --> 00:13:46.096
  • But i mean it's right there staring us in the face.
  • 00:13:46.096 --> 00:13:50.267
  • And so, we continue ephesians chapter 2, verse 11.
  • 00:13:50.267 --> 00:13:54.504
  • Paul makes it crystal.
  • 00:13:54.504 --> 00:13:55.939
  • If it wasn't crystal, now it's crystal, folks.
  • 00:13:55.939 --> 00:13:58.675
  • "therefore remember that formerly you, the gentiles in
  • 00:13:58.675 --> 00:14:03.013
  • The flesh who are called 'uncircumcision' by the
  • 00:14:03.013 --> 00:14:06.216
  • So-called 'circumcision,'" get out your sarcasm meter, "which
  • 00:14:06.216 --> 00:14:11.354
  • Is performed in the flesh by human hands."
  • 00:14:11.354 --> 00:14:14.991
  • Paul, a jew, is poking fun.
  • 00:14:14.991 --> 00:14:17.427
  • He's literally saying the so-called circumcision, get a
  • 00:14:17.427 --> 00:14:20.730
  • Load of them because they're pompous and they're arrogant in
  • 00:14:20.730 --> 00:14:25.335
  • Their self righteousness and it's performed with human hands.
  • 00:14:25.335 --> 00:14:28.872
  • It is not the heart surgery that jesus does.
  • 00:14:28.872 --> 00:14:34.377
  • See circumcision, it's a picture, it's out with the old,
  • 00:14:34.377 --> 00:14:38.315
  • That's for sure.
  • 00:14:38.315 --> 00:14:39.950
  • And now what is salvation?
  • 00:14:39.950 --> 00:14:41.985
  • Out with the old, in with the new, a new creature in christ.
  • 00:14:41.985 --> 00:14:45.855
  • It's not done with human hands, it's not working your way, it's
  • 00:14:45.855 --> 00:14:49.559
  • Not managing your sins, it's not improving your person.
  • 00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:52.963
  • It is i die with jesus and he gives me a new heart.
  • 00:14:52.963 --> 00:14:57.500
  • The circumcision of the heart.
  • 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:59.536
  • He is a jew who is one inwardly with the circumcision of the
  • 00:14:59.536 --> 00:15:03.206
  • Heart, the new creature.
  • 00:15:03.206 --> 00:15:05.642
  • And so, we see that you, the gentiles, that's his audience.
  • 00:15:05.642 --> 00:15:10.714
  • Remember, he says in verse 12, "remember that you were at that
  • 00:15:10.714 --> 00:15:15.485
  • Time separate from christ, and excluded from the commonwealth
  • 00:15:15.485 --> 00:15:20.690
  • Of israel, and strangers to the covenant of promise, having no
  • 00:15:20.690 --> 00:15:26.529
  • Hope and without god in the world."
  • 00:15:26.529 --> 00:15:30.934
  • Wow.
  • 00:15:30.934 --> 00:15:32.602
  • So, do you see it?
  • 00:15:32.602 --> 00:15:34.337
  • God's call is not a whisper in a calvinist cave.
  • 00:15:34.337 --> 00:15:41.011
  • It is a cry from the cross for all who will receive him.
  • 00:15:41.011 --> 00:15:48.518
  • And so, "in christ you who were formerly far off have been
  • 00:15:48.518 --> 00:15:53.757
  • Brought near by the blood of christ."
  • 00:15:53.757 --> 00:15:57.427
  • Now you might think, okay, how can you be the gentiles?
  • 00:15:57.427 --> 00:16:00.563
  • Well, we've seen it three ways already, at least.
  • 00:16:00.563 --> 00:16:03.967
  • But if you're still doubting, then all we gotta do is
  • 00:16:03.967 --> 00:16:06.436
  • Keep reading.
  • 00:16:06.436 --> 00:16:07.771
  • That's the beauty of the apostle paul.
  • 00:16:07.771 --> 00:16:09.139
  • When in doubt, keep reading because he just cements it time
  • 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:12.876
  • And time again that this is not about individual selection, it's
  • 00:16:12.876 --> 00:16:17.747
  • About the unleashing of the gospel on the greeks and the
  • 00:16:17.747 --> 00:16:21.551
  • Romans and the whosoever will.
  • 00:16:21.551 --> 00:16:24.554
  • So, let's keep reading, "for he himself is our peace, who made
  • 00:16:24.554 --> 00:16:29.592
  • Both groups," who were the both groups?
  • 00:16:29.592 --> 00:16:32.462
  • Jews and gentiles, "both groups into one and broke down the
  • 00:16:32.462 --> 00:16:37.267
  • Barrier of the dividing wall."
  • 00:16:37.267 --> 00:16:39.736
  • Suddenly, the yellow and the green, the jews and the gs,
  • 00:16:39.736 --> 00:16:44.774
  • Suddenly there's a union.
  • 00:16:44.774 --> 00:16:47.277
  • The barrier wall torn down, we're one in christ.
  • 00:16:47.277 --> 00:16:52.015
  • The law is not an issue.
  • 00:16:52.015 --> 00:16:53.450
  • Jesus fulfilled it.
  • 00:16:53.450 --> 00:16:55.085
  • The gospel is for anyone and everyone.
  • 00:16:55.085 --> 00:16:57.821
  • The cure for racism, staring us in the face.
  • 00:16:57.821 --> 00:17:03.026
  • Not more education, not choosing better vocabulary, identity in
  • 00:17:03.026 --> 00:17:08.498
  • Christ because it doesn't matter what nation, it doesn't matter
  • 00:17:08.498 --> 00:17:11.768
  • What background, your identity is in jesus, not in
  • 00:17:11.768 --> 00:17:16.272
  • Anything else.
  • 00:17:16.272 --> 00:17:18.174
  • That brings us together.
  • 00:17:18.174 --> 00:17:20.944
  • And so, "by abolishing in his flesh," verse 15, "the enmity,
  • 00:17:20.944 --> 00:17:27.283
  • Which is the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that
  • 00:17:27.283 --> 00:17:32.355
  • In himself he might make the two," jews and gentiles, "into
  • 00:17:32.355 --> 00:17:37.160
  • One new man, thus establishing peace."
  • 00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:43.433
  • Wow, do you see how beautiful this message is?
  • 00:17:43.433 --> 00:17:49.172
  • All right, so let's keep going.
  • 00:17:49.172 --> 00:17:50.607
  • We'll wrap this thing up, "and might reconcile them both in one
  • 00:17:50.607 --> 00:17:55.578
  • Body to god through the cross, by it having put to death
  • 00:17:55.578 --> 00:18:00.583
  • The enmity."
  • 00:18:00.583 --> 00:18:02.519
  • Now you go to verse 17, it's an old testament quote and you say,
  • 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:07.457
  • "wow, now this shines brightly.
  • 00:18:07.457 --> 00:18:10.093
  • Now i get it.
  • 00:18:10.093 --> 00:18:11.427
  • Now i can see the context."
  • 00:18:11.427 --> 00:18:13.563
  • He quotes from the old testament and he says, "and he came and
  • 00:18:13.563 --> 00:18:17.934
  • Preached to you who were far away, and peace, he preached
  • 00:18:17.934 --> 00:18:23.273
  • Peace to those who were near."
  • 00:18:23.273 --> 00:18:25.909
  • Now, who was far away?
  • 00:18:25.909 --> 00:18:27.477
  • When you're sitting in jerusalem, who's far away?
  • 00:18:27.477 --> 00:18:30.513
  • Well, you got galatia, you got ephesus, you got corinth,
  • 00:18:30.513 --> 00:18:34.217
  • They're far away.
  • 00:18:34.217 --> 00:18:35.552
  • Who goes to preach to them?
  • 00:18:35.552 --> 00:18:37.387
  • The apostle paul.
  • 00:18:37.387 --> 00:18:38.855
  • And then people who are near, they were already near the
  • 00:18:38.855 --> 00:18:42.492
  • Gospel, who are they?
  • 00:18:42.492 --> 00:18:44.394
  • Well, they're the jews.
  • 00:18:44.394 --> 00:18:46.262
  • So straightforward.
  • 00:18:46.262 --> 00:18:48.064
  • "for through him we both have our access in one spirit to
  • 00:18:48.064 --> 00:18:54.103
  • The father.
  • 00:18:54.103 --> 00:18:55.438
  • So then you," gentiles in green, green light for you, "you are no
  • 00:18:55.438 --> 00:19:01.644
  • Longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the
  • 00:19:01.644 --> 00:19:06.683
  • Saints, and are of god's household."
  • 00:19:06.683 --> 00:19:10.887
  • So, do you see it?
  • 00:19:10.887 --> 00:19:13.223
  • The apostle paul has a master plan of unfolding what he's
  • 00:19:13.223 --> 00:19:18.261
  • Gonna call in just a minute as we conclude our time
  • 00:19:18.261 --> 00:19:21.531
  • Together today.
  • 00:19:21.531 --> 00:19:22.865
  • You're gonna see a word and it's one of my favorites in the
  • 00:19:22.865 --> 00:19:24.601
  • New testament.
  • 00:19:24.601 --> 00:19:25.935
  • It's the word mystery.
  • 00:19:25.935 --> 00:19:28.071
  • Because there was a mystery that was kept hidden and is
  • 00:19:28.071 --> 00:19:33.042
  • Now revealed.
  • 00:19:33.042 --> 00:19:34.877
  • Now it was right there in plain sight.
  • 00:19:34.877 --> 00:19:37.614
  • So, you could say the jews should have had a no duh moment.
  • 00:19:37.614 --> 00:19:41.050
  • I mean, there it was, literally in the old testament, "i will
  • 00:19:41.050 --> 00:19:45.388
  • Call a people who are not my people, my people."
  • 00:19:45.388 --> 00:19:50.927
  • And yet when the apostle paul goes out to preach to those
  • 00:19:50.927 --> 00:19:55.198
  • People, he gets grief.
  • 00:19:55.198 --> 00:19:57.800
  • So clearly, the jews staring at their own scriptures didn't
  • 00:19:57.800 --> 00:20:01.838
  • See it.
  • 00:20:01.838 --> 00:20:03.172
  • It's a mystery now revealed.
  • 00:20:03.172 --> 00:20:06.109
  • So, let's find out what this mystery is.
  • 00:20:06.109 --> 00:20:08.811
  • "in whom you also," you gentiles, you ephesians, "are
  • 00:20:08.811 --> 00:20:12.782
  • Being built together into a dwelling of god in the spirit.
  • 00:20:12.782 --> 00:20:18.021
  • For this reason," paul in chapter 3 will conclude
  • 00:20:18.021 --> 00:20:22.625
  • This way.
  • 00:20:22.625 --> 00:20:23.960
  • Watch it, "i, paul, the prisoner of christ jesus for the sake of
  • 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:27.463
  • You gentiles," green light for them.
  • 00:20:27.463 --> 00:20:31.868
  • He says, "if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of
  • 00:20:31.868 --> 00:20:35.838
  • God's grace which was given to me for you," that's paul's
  • 00:20:35.838 --> 00:20:39.942
  • Polite way of saying, "get off my back.
  • 00:20:39.942 --> 00:20:43.746
  • I've been given a stewardship.
  • 00:20:43.746 --> 00:20:45.882
  • I've been given a mission.
  • 00:20:45.882 --> 00:20:47.483
  • I've been given a message. leave me alone.
  • 00:20:47.483 --> 00:20:49.852
  • Hey corinthians, you keep looking for super apostles.
  • 00:20:49.852 --> 00:20:53.156
  • I'm all you get.
  • 00:20:53.156 --> 00:20:54.490
  • I'm brought to you by god himself.
  • 00:20:54.490 --> 00:20:57.927
  • If you've heard of the stewardship given to me, i'm
  • 00:20:57.927 --> 00:21:00.963
  • Doing what i'm supposed to be doing.
  • 00:21:00.963 --> 00:21:02.865
  • I'm right in my sweet spot.
  • 00:21:02.865 --> 00:21:04.934
  • I'm ministering to you the mystery that the jews
  • 00:21:04.934 --> 00:21:08.171
  • Didn't see.
  • 00:21:08.171 --> 00:21:09.505
  • It was kept hidden and bam!
  • 00:21:09.505 --> 00:21:11.174
  • It is now revealed."
  • 00:21:11.174 --> 00:21:13.076
  • All right, "that by revelation there was made known to me the
  • 00:21:13.076 --> 00:21:17.647
  • Mystery, as i wrote before in brief," the mystery.
  • 00:21:17.647 --> 00:21:22.585
  • "by referring to this," by referring to this mystery, "you
  • 00:21:22.585 --> 00:21:26.489
  • Can understand my insight into the mystery of christ."
  • 00:21:26.489 --> 00:21:31.861
  • Now i got a question for you.
  • 00:21:31.861 --> 00:21:34.230
  • It's just a thought question.
  • 00:21:34.230 --> 00:21:35.565
  • I'm sure it's nearly irrelevant, but what would you call, i don't
  • 00:21:35.565 --> 00:21:39.402
  • Know, what would you call a mystery that was kind of
  • 00:21:39.402 --> 00:21:43.406
  • Preplanned, let's see, but it was kept secret for a while and
  • 00:21:43.406 --> 00:21:48.411
  • Then later on it was revealed?
  • 00:21:48.411 --> 00:21:51.080
  • You know what would be a good word for it if it was like a
  • 00:21:51.080 --> 00:21:53.750
  • Preplanned mystery that later got revealed and it was there
  • 00:21:53.750 --> 00:21:58.454
  • All the way?
  • 00:21:58.454 --> 00:21:59.789
  • It was the plan the whole time.
  • 00:21:59.789 --> 00:22:01.157
  • What what would you call that?
  • 00:22:01.157 --> 00:22:03.693
  • Maybe, oh i don't know, predestination.
  • 00:22:03.693 --> 00:22:07.430
  • Maybe that's the definition of predestination, the preplanned
  • 00:22:07.430 --> 00:22:11.701
  • Mystery that the gentiles would be included and now
  • 00:22:11.701 --> 00:22:15.571
  • It's revealed.
  • 00:22:15.571 --> 00:22:17.106
  • Hello, staring us in the face, no more thumb wrestling in the
  • 00:22:17.106 --> 00:22:21.844
  • Parking lot.
  • 00:22:21.844 --> 00:22:23.346
  • Here we go, "which in other generations was not made known
  • 00:22:23.346 --> 00:22:30.153
  • To the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy
  • 00:22:30.153 --> 00:22:35.625
  • Apostles and prophets in the spirit."
  • 00:22:35.625 --> 00:22:37.827
  • Was it there the whole time?
  • 00:22:37.827 --> 00:22:39.462
  • Yeah.
  • 00:22:39.462 --> 00:22:40.797
  • Could you read it in the old testament?
  • 00:22:40.797 --> 00:22:42.165
  • Oh, it was there.
  • 00:22:42.165 --> 00:22:43.499
  • Was it predestined?
  • 00:22:43.499 --> 00:22:44.867
  • You better believe it was.
  • 00:22:44.867 --> 00:22:46.202
  • How is it revealed?
  • 00:22:46.202 --> 00:22:47.570
  • Through paul and ephesians.
  • 00:22:47.570 --> 00:22:48.905
  • How is it revealed?
  • 00:22:48.905 --> 00:22:50.273
  • Through paul and romans.
  • 00:22:50.273 --> 00:22:51.607
  • What's it about?
  • 00:22:51.607 --> 00:22:52.942
  • Is it about the you's and the me's and i got lucky?
  • 00:22:52.942 --> 00:22:55.044
  • No, it's about the jews and the gs.
  • 00:22:55.044 --> 00:22:58.181
  • And we're putting the nation back in predestination.
  • 00:22:58.181 --> 00:23:02.952
  • So, "to be specific," final verse of the day, if you didn't
  • 00:23:02.952 --> 00:23:07.890
  • Catch it, he's gonna make you catch it.
  • 00:23:07.890 --> 00:23:10.526
  • "to be specific, that the gentiles are fellow heirs and
  • 00:23:10.526 --> 00:23:15.765
  • Fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise
  • 00:23:15.765 --> 00:23:20.603
  • In christ jesus through the gospel."
  • 00:23:20.603 --> 00:23:23.506
  • Holy smokes, folks, we got clarity.
  • 00:23:23.506 --> 00:23:28.044
  • And now i don't have to sit there going, "am i chosen?
  • 00:23:28.044 --> 00:23:31.514
  • I mean, i kind of feel chosen, but on tuesday i didn't
  • 00:23:31.514 --> 00:23:34.183
  • Feel chosen.
  • 00:23:34.183 --> 00:23:35.518
  • I mean, i'm not sure i am chosen.
  • 00:23:35.518 --> 00:23:36.853
  • I'd like to be chosen, but if i wasn't chosen, even if i wanted
  • 00:23:36.853 --> 00:23:39.322
  • To be chosen, i couldn't be chosen because it's not up
  • 00:23:39.322 --> 00:23:41.924
  • To me."
  • 00:23:41.924 --> 00:23:43.292
  • I mean, it is up to you today.
  • 00:23:43.292 --> 00:23:45.895
  • If you hear his voice, don't harden your heart.
  • 00:23:45.895 --> 00:23:49.065
  • Oh, it's up to you.
  • 00:23:49.065 --> 00:23:50.433
  • You get to decide.
  • 00:23:50.433 --> 00:23:51.767
  • He will knock at the door, but he will not knock down the door,
  • 00:23:51.767 --> 00:23:56.038
  • And he will pursue you to the end of the earth with his giant
  • 00:23:56.038 --> 00:23:59.475
  • Heart for you and the whole world.
  • 00:23:59.475 --> 00:24:01.944
  • He wants none to perish and all to believe and it's not mental
  • 00:24:01.944 --> 00:24:05.882
  • Gymnastics and it's not two things true at the same time
  • 00:24:05.882 --> 00:24:09.485
  • That you can't understand, it is clarity.
  • 00:24:09.485 --> 00:24:13.022
  • The jews, don't be surprised you were chosen.
  • 00:24:13.022 --> 00:24:15.925
  • Even in the old testament, you were god's chosen people, but
  • 00:24:15.925 --> 00:24:19.629
  • Newsflash, the gentiles, the dirty rotten gentiles, look at
  • 00:24:19.629 --> 00:24:24.934
  • You, it's god's big fat greek wedding.
  • 00:24:24.934 --> 00:24:29.038
  • The bride of christ is even gonna come from those dirty
  • 00:24:29.038 --> 00:24:33.543
  • Greeks and the americans and the canadians and you get it.
  • 00:24:33.543 --> 00:24:38.814
  • It's john 3:16.
  • 00:24:38.814 --> 00:24:40.750
  • It's god so loved the world, not just some elect group.
  • 00:24:40.750 --> 00:24:45.454
  • Here's what we saw today, chapter 1, he chose us, jews.
  • 00:24:45.454 --> 00:24:49.325
  • He predestined us.
  • 00:24:49.325 --> 00:24:51.928
  • We were the first to hope in christ.
  • 00:24:51.928 --> 00:24:54.630
  • You also were included.
  • 00:24:54.630 --> 00:24:56.766
  • As for you, you gentiles were dead.
  • 00:24:56.766 --> 00:25:00.803
  • All of us also like the rest, we, well, he says formerly you
  • 00:25:00.803 --> 00:25:06.409
  • Who are gentiles by birth, you were separate, you were far
  • 00:25:06.409 --> 00:25:10.379
  • Away, but what did god do?
  • 00:25:10.379 --> 00:25:12.014
  • Chapter 2, he made the two groups into one to reconcile
  • 00:25:12.014 --> 00:25:17.620
  • Both of them, make sure we're showing this to the folks at
  • 00:25:17.620 --> 00:25:20.222
  • Home, this whole snapshot.
  • 00:25:20.222 --> 00:25:22.558
  • God made the two groups into one to reconcile both of them.
  • 00:25:22.558 --> 00:25:28.264
  • Peace to you who were far away and peace to those who
  • 00:25:28.264 --> 00:25:32.134
  • Were near.
  • 00:25:32.134 --> 00:25:33.502
  • Through him we both have access to the father.
  • 00:25:33.502 --> 00:25:37.640
  • You, gentiles, are no longer foreigners and strangers in him.
  • 00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:43.179
  • You too are being built together for the sake of you gentiles.
  • 00:25:43.179 --> 00:25:49.185
  • Gentiles are now fellow heirs together in the body of christ
  • 00:25:49.185 --> 00:25:55.524
  • Together with israel.
  • 00:25:55.524 --> 00:25:57.994
  • Grab your phone, take a snapshot of that one, all right?
  • 00:25:57.994 --> 00:26:00.997
  • Because there you have it in context, the apostle paul with
  • 00:26:00.997 --> 00:26:05.301
  • The most beautiful message on the planet that unifies us
  • 00:26:05.301 --> 00:26:09.305
  • Rather than divides us.
  • 00:26:09.305 --> 00:26:10.740
  • And suddenly, world missions become important.
  • 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:15.277
  • Because it's not just destiny, que sera sera, whatever will be
  • 00:26:15.277 --> 00:26:18.981
  • Will be.
  • 00:26:18.981 --> 00:26:20.316
  • Who knows? nothing matters.
  • 00:26:20.316 --> 00:26:21.651
  • Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.
  • 00:26:21.651 --> 00:26:24.520
  • The pre-chosen are chosen anyway, so let's just sit in the
  • 00:26:24.520 --> 00:26:27.390
  • La-z-boy--
  • 00:26:27.390 --> 00:26:28.724
  • No, let's get the message out because it's for whoever will
  • 00:26:28.724 --> 00:26:34.063
  • Call upon him.
  • 00:26:34.063 --> 00:26:36.132
  • Dr. farley: your next sin is already forgiven.
  • 00:26:36.132 --> 00:26:39.101
  • You don't have to live under the 10 commandments, and you don't
  • 00:26:39.101 --> 00:26:42.038
  • Have to wake up every day and try to die to self.
  • 00:26:42.038 --> 00:26:45.708
  • The gospel, it's a whole lot better than you ever imagined.
  • 00:26:45.708 --> 00:26:50.012
  • I'm excited to tell you about a brand new resource called "the
  • 00:26:50.012 --> 00:26:53.182
  • Gospel they never told you about!"
  • 00:26:53.182 --> 00:26:55.718
  • It's all about god's forgiveness of you and me, what it means to
  • 00:26:55.718 --> 00:26:59.655
  • Live under the radical message of god's grace and to be a new
  • 00:26:59.655 --> 00:27:03.759
  • Creature in christ, not trying to get rid of yourself.
  • 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:07.430
  • God doesn't want to replace you, he wants to embrace you, and
  • 00:27:07.430 --> 00:27:11.834
  • Discover why in this new resource.
  • 00:27:11.834 --> 00:27:14.336
  • Make sure to request your copy of "the gospel they never told
  • 00:27:14.336 --> 00:27:18.407
  • You about!" when you give your gift this month to "the grace
  • 00:27:18.407 --> 00:27:21.143
  • Message," and thank you so much for your support.
  • 00:27:21.143 --> 00:27:25.214
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:25.214 --> 00:27:29.999