Chosen and Redeemed

Pastor Dan's sermon from 4/08/2007

Scripture Reference: John 10:11, 14-18, 24-29

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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!

Preparing for Easter Sunday

As many of you know, I have been preaching a series about the major points of the Reformed perspective on salvation. The general skeleton has been the "five points of Calvinism". When I set out on this journey I didn't know how long the series would be and now that I am on "limited atonement" I still couldn't tell you when it will come to end. It has been a real joy.

This Sunday I am preaching on John 10:1-18. This passage is beloved by many Christians. Jesus proclaims himself to be the Good Shepherd. But what about Easter? Shouldn't I take a break from this series and preach a special holiday message? Not so much. Every sermon should be about the Risen Lord! This Sunday will be no different. After all the Good Shepherd is the only Shepherd that can not only lay down his life for HIS SHEEP (notice particular redemption!) but he also takes his own life back up again! This is the Easter message...Christ has risen!

On another note, my wife and I must give a prayer of thanks to the Lord. After a great worship service on Friday night with all of you, we came home and were preparing to relax. I was talking with my daughter on the top flight of our steps when I noticed my baby boy, Caleb, beginning to climb the last flight of stairs towards us. I thought in my mind that I needed to go grab him. We don't like seeing him on the steps. As soon as the thought entered my mind, Caleb began to fall down the tallest part of the steps--head over heels. I began to chase after him, screaming for him to stop, pleading for him to stop. I was helpless and just one step behind him the entire time. Just as I was about to reach him, Caleb hit the bottom step and floor. My wife was there on the spot. We just sat there and hugged him as he sobbed.

Here is the funny thing. Not a bruise on his body. Not a scratch. In fact as he was falling it was almost as if he was floating. He fell so softly and gently that it was as if an angel were lightly lowering him to his destination. We just praise the Lord that this weekend could have been so different but God chose to spare us any grief. Praise God for His love endures forever! See you this Easter!

Rescued by Sovereignty - II

Pastor Dan's sermon from 4/01/2007

Scripture Reference: Romans 8:28-30

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Ordination Sunday

It is 2:30pm on March 25th after the installation and ordination service at GRPC. I am a little more than wiped. I just wanted to take a few moments and just thank the congregation of GRPC for participating in the service, for calling me, and for supporting me and my family through all of this. What an outpouring of worship we had this morning as the Lord Jesus Christ was lifted high.

I want to thank all of the men and women who planned the service and refreshments and countless details. Of course I will be sure to thank you in person, but while things are still fresh in my mind I wanted to share with you my gratitude.

God has truly been faithful throughout this entire journey. He has continued to refine me in the fire as all of my imperfections and sin are constantly at war with the Spirit. He has changed me in many ways and continues to work out His will in my life. We are in this together. We are in the battle together and I couldn't be any more joyful than to be fighting the good fight, side by side with my brothers and sisters of GRPC.

Thanks again for encouraging me on and spurring my family on toward love and good deeds. I pray we will do it all the more as we see the great Day of the Lord approaching.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Dan Betters

How Does It Feel?

Friday Night, the ice storm came in and shut down Delaware. I was lying down on my couch with my PDA in hand as I was going through each section of power point slides--theology, English Bible, Church History, PCA History, the Sacraments, back to Presbyterian History--ugh, I am tired of these slides...so I stopped in the middle of Presbyterian History and came to the realization that if I passed the ordination exam the following day, I would never have to see those slides again. I was a bit sad in that these power point slides on my PDA have been a part of my life for almost 3 years now! Should I keep studying? Nah, they probably wouldn't ask too many Presbyterian History questions. It was time to relax and go to bed.

Saturday didn't start off so great. 2 inches of solid ice on my wife's car made me think that the Presbytery meeting for my ordination might be cancelled or at least postponed indefinitely. It was freezing cold and I was getting frustrated as my nerves were rattled.

However, we were able to make it out of the treacherous neighborhood and make it to the church with time to spare. Of course, attendance was light. This was to be expected at a specially called meeting and especially with an ice storm. But you know what was really awesome? Many of the presbyters had called me as soon as they heard about the special called meeting to let me know why they couldn't be there and that they were praying for me. That was a real encouragement.

The meeting went as scheduled once we had more than a quorum requirement. The Bible and Theology exams zipped by. The sacrament questions were interesting as I discussed with the brothers what I might do in certain situations. The final oral exam was the history exam and guess what question came up? That's right. Presbyterian European History. My weakest point and the exact area I stopped studying from the night before. After stumbling and mumbling through a few points I finally conceded and said, "This isn't my best area of history." The brothers were gracious enough to move on in the exam and I did a fine job through the rest of history.

All the exams were sustained and I was asked to leave the room for the vote. The rest is history. What an incredible experience. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I started out on this journey knowing nothing and now I begin a new journey knowing I don't know enough. The study of God, theology, is humbling. It is never finished. It is incomprehensible. We can't qualify everything even though we try. We find out how insignificant our knowledge is in the face of the knowledge of God.

Do I feel good? You betcha! I was driving into work today and another pastor brother's family pulled up beside us at a red light. She rolled down her window and was so happy and congratulating that I had passed the exams. You see, she went through this with her family years ago. A man couldn't possibly serve without his completer. My wife is my completer. I never could have done this without her total support. There was a particular night where I was having a tough time studying and had to devote more time to studying than the family. I told her how sorry I was and she just kissed me and said, "I will be here waiting for you." My wife truly is my completer.

Thank you brothers and sisters for your prayers through all of this. You have been encouraging, sharpening and a huge support as you always have throughout my entire life. I am looking forward to serving the Lord with you in this role as a pastor. To God be all the glory forever and ever, Amen!