The Doctrine Of Election - Part 5 — John Piper

Election Through Christ Jesus

And planned how to make us his own, and who would be his own, he had Christ in mind. Chosen in Christ Jesus. Chosen in relationship to Christ Jesus. He knew that when he called us decisively to himself, he would call us through Jesus.

Believing in the Son Rather Than Presuming Election

Which means that he never seeks to save anybody by revealing to them ahead of time that they are elect. That would completely short-circuit the centrality of Christ. Rather, what he does is send Christ into the world and then say, he who believes on the Son has everlasting life.

The Spirit's Testimony of Belonging to Christ

That's the way he says it. Or here's a more significant one from 1 John 5, what's the verse, 10, whoever believes on the Son has the testimony in himself. To what? I'm a sheep. I'm chosen. I'm his. The testimony is within me now.

It's rising up and crying out, Abba, Father. The testimony of the Holy Spirit bearing witness with my spirit that I belong to him because I have seen the Son and loved him and trusted him and embraced him and treasured him.

Embracing Jesus for Forgiveness and Eternal Life

So that's my closing exhortation to you. Don't turn away from the Son tonight. Embrace the Son of God tonight. Everyone who believes in the Son, everyone who believes that Jesus is their Savior, their Lord and embraces him as their treasure freely is forgiven for all your sins.

Imputed Righteousness and Love for Others

Righteousness from him is imputed to you freely, not your own. You have a standing before God that can withstand the worst justice and he pours his spirit into your life and he gives you a heart for street kids or neighbors in wealthy suburbs or urban kids here or who knows where love may lead you if you are gripped and embraced like this.

Hearing the Shepherd's Voice and Security in God's Hands

My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me and I give them eternal life and they shall never perish and nobody will ever pluck them out of my Father's hands. I and the Father are one. If you have the Son, you have the Father.

Do you hear the voice of Jesus tonight? I know my own and they know my voice and they follow me. Let's pray. Father in heaven, I pray that tonight and tomorrow morning as this message has been heard, there would be ears given to hear the voice of Jesus as the distinguishing shepherd voice among all the false shepherds in the world, the money shepherds, the power shepherds, the lost shepherds.

Prayer for Ears to Hear and Freedom for Love

Oh Father, come grant ears so that we will follow and we'll have the testimony within ourselves that we are His chosen before the foundation of the world and would you Lord set us free, set us free for love like Kristen.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.