Summary: The will of man is actually never actually "free." It is in bondage to either Satan, sin, and the flesh, or it is at war with them and in bondage with God, righteousness, and the Spirit. Our covenant membership, either in Adam or in Christ, determines the will. In Adam, there is death, there is a stony heart, and the will is in bondage to sin. In Christ, there is life, there is a heart of flesh, and the will is in bondage to righteousness. Introduction. What is free will? How does the will interact with desires vs obedience? What are the common confusions around the will? How is the reformed view a middle ground between the hyper Calvinism and Arminianism? Who we serve is ultimately the measure of the wills desires. The will is also described as alive or dead depending on who it serves. Headship, bondage, heart all linked to these conditions Covenant Membership Innocent- Covenant of Works Fallen- In Adam Redeemed- In Christ Glorified- In Christ Relationship to Sin, Satan, Death, the Flesh Innocent- Neutral- sinless able to sin and notice relationship between will and obedience (Adam walked with God in the cool of that day) Fallen- sinful and unable to not sin (genesis 3:15 becomes a promise to be enemies with Satan, breaking the bondage of the will and making it possible to love, enjoy and please God. "Slaves of sin satan and death" Redeemed- sinful but able to not sin. (Romans 7 shows a state of man's soul in constant struggle between the flesh and the spirit) "slaves of righteousness" and life Glorified- sinless and unable to sin. (Our promise of no tears etc means no more struggle with sin or the consequences of it.) Relationship to Righteousness,

1st Main Point of Doctrine (Election and Reprobation), Article 16

"Effectually Called" – John 5:25 I. The true church hears the voice of the Son of God and lives (Eph. 2:1-6; 1 Sam. 3:7; Mk. 1:16-20; Rom. 1:6-7; Rom. 8:29-30; Rom. 9:10-13; 1 Cor. 1:22-24; Eph. 4:1-4; Rev. 14:4) II. The true church recognizes the voice of Christ and follows Him, not strangers (Jn. 10:1-8, 14-16, 24-28; 1 Jn. 4:1-6; 2 Tim. 4:1-4; 1 Jn. 2:18-21; Jn. 8:43-47; Col. 1:21-23) III. The true church hears the voice of Christ and follows Him in obedience (1 Thes. 4:3-7; 2 Thes. 2:13-14; Eph. 4:1-3; Mt. 28:19-20) IV. Questions and Answers (Mt. 24:4-5; Acts 20:28-31; 2 Cor. 11:3-4)

1st Main Point of Doctrine (Election and Reprobation), Article 15

"Chosen and Called to be Holy" – 1 Peter 2:9-10 I. What a true church is not II. The church is a chosen race (Jn. 15:6; Rom. 11:5-6) III. The church is a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:5; Heb. 13:5-6; Rev. 20:6; Rev. 1:4-6) IV. The church is a holy nation (2 Tim. 2:3-4; Mt. 21:43; Eph. 1:3-4; Eph. 2:19-22; Rom. 12:1; 1 Pet. 1:14-16; 2 Pet. 3:10-11) V. The church is a people for God's own possession (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:18-20; 1 Pet. 1:17-19; Rev. 5:9-10; Acts 9:1-6, 15-16) VI. The church proclaims the excellencies of Christ

The doctrine of God's sovereign election is taught here by Paul with crystal clarity. The false teachings of Arminianism necessarily must twist and distort these verses. Salvation is entirely of the Lord and not due to anything to be found in us. God loved Jacob and hated Esau before they were even born.

The sermon explores the biblical concept of foreknowledge not as a cold decree of predestination, but as a warm, covenantal expression of God's sovereign, purposeful, and initiating love for His people. Rooted in 1 Peter 1:1–2, it affirms that God's foreknowledge is inseparable from His eternal plan—evidenced in election, sanctification, and the call to obedience—while emphasizing that this divine initiative does not negate genuine human response or moral responsibility. The preacher gently challenges the idea of double predestination, arguing that Scripture's urgent calls to repentance and obedience imply real human accountability, which contradicts a fatalistic view of divine decree. Drawing from historical examples like Whitefield and Wesley, the message calls for humility, love, and unity over doctrinal triumphalism, urging believers to embrace biblical tensions without reducing God to a theological system. Ultimately, foreknowledge is presented not as a puzzle to solve, but as a promise to rest in—a foundation for assurance, joy, and worship in the midst of trial.

1st Main Point of Doctrine (Election and Reprobation), Articles 11-14

Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ: You heard why you need to receive the Lord's Supper (to grow), how you were able to receive the benefits of the Lord's Supper (by faith), and what the elements of the Lord's Supper are (bread and wine). But because there have been many serious errors taught regarding this doctrine, we will take some time to correct them. Your Father has the answers to all 3 errors we will examine today. Our headings are: 1. Transubstantiation 2. Overestimation 3. Underestimation Our goals are: That you will properly view the Lord's Supper, that you will receive its benefits, and that you will then be strengthened to fight for Christ's kingdom.