https://youtu.be/RFMSXpbI9Hc

Election: its your turn!

This year marks one of the most contested elections in the modern eraNot since the final episode of Seinfeld, or the demise of the Twinkie have people been so worked up over somethingDon’t worry if you haven’t filled out your ballot. Get out your Bible and vote your valuesBut here’s an election that is monumentally more important- Your election in Christ- that is- are you the elect? Have you appropriated Christ’s forgiveness by turning from your sin?2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

IN just a moment, we’re going to get into our scripture- and here’s the key verse today- Mark 4:12 “Lest they should turn”The hope of Jesus is that ALL would become the ELECTION and TURN to HIMAnd that my friends is the most important election of AllTitle- Election- Its your turn!Mark 4:10-12 But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. 11 And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, 12 so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.’”

These are some difficult verses!What does it sayBasically, what Jesus is telling his disciples is this- You guys know what I’m talking about because you’re on my team, but to those that aren’t on my team? They are only going to get parables.Do you know why? Because they have been hearing the truth for so long, and since they’ve rejected it for so long, I’m not even going to speak clearly to them, they are going to become more blinded.  And now? Its going to cost them their soul because they refuse to repent.

What does it mean1.Anyone CAN be saved“to you it has been given the mystery of the kingdom of heaven”Jesus makes it clear to these disciples- they have been given a gift , a mystery. They know the truth of  kingdom of God.Some versions say “Secret” Secret- but in the greek a secret to be shared not to be keptAnd Jesus hope- is that everyone will come to faith in Him. That all would be saved.V12 he says “lest they should turn” that idea of “should turn”The idea of repentance is that ANYONE that turns to God can be saved- ANYONEIt doesn’t matter the sin that you have committed, the pain you’ve caused- the issues you’ve been a part of. By accident or by design- If you turn to God- you can be saved from your sin

Luke 24:47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.Romans 10:13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”Acts 16:31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.What does it mean to you?If you are a believer in Jesus Christ- be excited about it- You know the truth and you should walk in itI think sometimes people don’t realize what a gift it is that we’re saved and know the truthThis is where a heart of worship comes from- understanding that we are saved because of JesusIsn’t it the greatest thing when someone realizes what you’ve done for them?