We study, preach and teach what the Bible actually says, not what we want it to say.----As we study the Doctrines of Grace, we come to the second point...----The Second Point - Unconditional Election - unearned, undeserved, unconditional----The words we choose - unconditional election - will cause many to cry out, -Wait a minute- But what about unconditional love------In the moments of pain and tears, in loneliness and despair - is there a greater need than a love that will not let us go- A love not dependent on our fickle feelings or erratic behavior. That someone, somewhere, would know me- my secrets, my sins, my weakness, my ugliness- and love me anyway-------Definition- Unconditional election is God-s free choice before creation, not based on foreseen faith, to which traitors he will grant faith and repentance, pardoning them and adopting them into his everlasting family of joy.

The -Doctrines of Grace- is a five part sermon looking at five particular points of theology which push us to embrace the grace of God as the source of our salvation, our hope, and our eternal life.----In these five points- we see our sin and our extreme need of God-s grace- we experience the complete grace of God which brings us to faith- we trust in the sufficient and complete work of Christ -not making salvation possible but making it real and actual-- we see the Holy Spirit acting to effect our salvation, not merely encouraging it- we trust that, by His strength, that we will persevere to the end.----We begin with the depravity of man - in essence - we cannot save ourselves - Romans 3-10-11 - -None is righteous, no, not one- no one understands- no one seeks for God.-

Hear the Lord Jesus deal with the question of how David, His ancestor, would refer to Him as 'My Lord.-

Love, as the Father has shown to us, is the faithful summary of the duty of man and the whole of the moral-spiritual law.--Heart, soul, mind, and strength all have their role in loving God. God is not content to be just part of your life. One vivid way our love for God is shown is the love we have for others.

The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, yet they posed a hypothetical situation to Jesus about the status of marriages in the resurrection. Their desire was to trap Jesus - to undermine His impact and authority among the crowds. His reply to them pointed out that they were -badly mistaken.- How sad it is to see people wrapped up in hypotheticals and rabbit trails, when the truth of eternity is right there in their face.

Simeon sings a song of praise and contentment when he gazes upon the face of Jesus. Through millennia, men and women have awaited the coming Messiah. When Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple, Simeon sees the fulfillment of God's promises-

An interesting season of the year - the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas - Advent. Historically a time in which the church reflected on the millenia of anticipation from creation until Christ.----But what is it we reflect most on- What do I want for Christmas- What does my wife want for Christmas- What do my children want for Christmas-----What do you want for Christmas- Not what is on your Amazon wish list. Not the letter you mailed to Santa care of the north pole. Let me suggest an item for your list.

This passage is often reduced to an essay about righteous indignation, the fact that Jesus was no wimp, and that anger is no sin when it is prompted by an offence to the glory of God.--But, what was the greatest concern of the Savior- The way priests washed their hands- The number of steps allowable on the Sabbath- No, His concern was the heart. Particularly the hearts of the people and their leaders in what was set apart as the house of God.--But here's what I want to concentrate on and it's this - in the cleansing of the temple, Jesus is indicating that His people are in the grip of the sin of religious hypocrisy. They gather for public worship, they go through the motions of worshipping the living God, but they do not live in such a way to indicate that they-re really worshipping the living God.--They show up and busy themselves in the activities of the temple. They rush and hurry and not only fail to worship but they prevent others.

What does Jesus find when He looks upon His church today- Across the country and around the world- Sure. But how about right here- Will he find a tree that is full of leaves but devoid of fruit- A church that esteems entertainment and personal satisfaction higher than worship and sacrifice- A spiritual massage and a pious spa for a few moments-----Francis Schaeffer said were the two great values that shape our culture - still valid today. And they are personal peace - -Don't bother me. Leave me alone. Don't involve me.- And affluence - -Give me more, more, more of what I want.-----Will He find comfortable business or mountain moving faith- Will He find the chaotic busy-ness of the money changers or the sweat and labor of prayer, meditation in the word- Men and women who wake each morning and trust in the Lord with all their hearts, leaning not on their own understanding, acknowledging God in all their ways-