Insight on Two Sermons

There are always points that you can't get to when preaching a sermon. Either you forgot, you didn't have time, the Holy Spirit takes you in another direction or, like this morning, you skip to page three of your notes before preaching from page 2!

This past Friday, I preached from Galatians 2:19-21 which is Paul's rebuke of the Apostle Peter for disregarding grace and continuing to follow Jewish dietary laws. What I didn't mention which I really wished I had was that there is evidence that Peter did accept Paul's teachings. Check out II Peter 3:16 sometime. Peter, once again did turn from his ways and embraced grace once again.

This morning, I was preaching from John 10 on Limited Atonement. I didn't really get to that accept very briefly. I do plan to get to it next week. Notice that in John 10 Jesus calls HIS SHEEP and they and they alone hear his name. He also talks about laying down his life for HIS SHEEP. This passage is very exclusive. I do plan to get to this next week as we finish up particular redemption, what it means to your every day life as a Christian and what the Scriptures say about it. I know I mentioned it briefly, but thought it was worth noting for those who are interested.

John 10 is a very important passage for those who hold to the Limited Atonement of Jesus. Using the word "limited" can be decieving. That is why you will often hear a preacher saying "particular" redemption. Either way, whether you are Arminian or Reformed you are limiting the atonement. The Arminian limits the work on the cross by saying that Jesus died for all but did not actually save anyone. The believer makes a decision for Christ and in effect saves himself. It is also limited in that not every single person is saved even though Jesus died for them. This means that the atonement is limited in power.

The Reformed thinker limits the atonement in who it was intended for rather than it's actual power to save. It surely will save all of the Good Shepherd's sheep--every last one of them. That is why we say that Jesus only died for the chosen ones of God. More on this later--next week in fact.

In the mean time, have a Happy Easter and enjoy the time with your family and friends. Christ is Risen! Alleluia!