The Canons of Dort- The Fifth Points of Doctrine- The Perseverance of the Saints----Article 6- God-s Saving Intervention----For God, who is rich in mercy, according to his unchangeable purpose of election does not take his Holy Spirit from his own completely, even when they fall grievously. Neither does he let them fall down so far that they forfeit the grace of adoption and the state of justification, or commit the sin which leads to death -the sin against the Holy Spirit-, and plunge themselves, entirely forsaken by him, into eternal ruin.----Article 7- Renewal to Repentance----For, in the first place, God preserves in those saints when they fall his imperishable seed from which they have been born again, lest it perish or be dislodged. Secondly, by his Word and Spirit he certainly and effectively renews them to repentance so that they have a heartfelt and godly sorrow for the sins they have committed- seek and obtain, through faith and with a contrite heart, forgiveness in the blood of the Mediator- experience again the grace of a reconciled God- through faith adore his mercies- and from then on more eagerly work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.----Article 8- The Certainty of This Preservation----So it is not by their own merits or strength but by God-s undeserved mercy that they neither forfeit faith and grace totally nor remain in their downfalls to the end and are lost. With respect to themselves this not only easily could happen, but also undoubtedly would happen- but with respect to God it cannot possibly happen, since his plan cannot be changed, his promise cannot fail, the calling according to his purpose cannot be revoked...

In this Dort at 400 series installment, Brian Lee teaches on what the Canons of Dort have to say about sin.

Brian Lee continues his Psalm series with Psalm 50.

Brian Lee teaches on what the Canons of Dort have to say on the topic of the new birth.

Brian Lee continues his Psalms series with Psalm 49

Psalm 49----To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.----Hear this, all peoples--- Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,--both low and high,-- rich and poor together---My mouth shall speak wisdom--- the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.--I will incline my ear to a proverb--- I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.--Why should I fear in times of trouble,-- when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,--those who trust in their wealth-- and boast of the abundance of their riches---Truly no man can ransom another,-- or give to God the price of his life,--for the ransom of their life is costly-- and can never suffice,--that he should live on forever-- and never see the pit.--For he sees that even the wise die--- the fool and the stupid alike must perish-- and leave their wealth to others.--Their graves are their homes forever,-- their dwelling places to all generations,-- though they called lands by their own names.--Man in his pomp will not remain--- he is like the beasts that perish.--This is the path of those who have foolish confidence--- yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah--Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol--- death shall be their shepherd,--and the upright shall rule over them in the morning.-- Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell.--But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,-- for he will receive me. Selah--Be not afraid when a man becomes rich,-- when the glory of his house increases.--For when he dies he will carry nothing away--- his glory will not go down after him.--...

The Canons of Dort- The Third and Fourth Points of Doctrine-----Article 16- Regeneration-s Effect----However, just as by the fall man did not cease to be man, endowed with intellect and will, and just as sin, which has spread through the whole human race, did not abolish the nature of the human race but distorted and spiritually killed it, so also this divine grace of regeneration does not act in people as if they were blocks and stones- nor does it abolish the will and its properties or coerce a reluctant will by force, but spiritually revives, heals, reforms, and - in a manner at once pleasing and powerful - bends it back. As a result, a ready and sincere obedience of the Spirit now begins to prevail where before the rebellion and resistance of the flesh were completely dominant. It is in this that the true and spiritual restoration and freedom of our will consists. Thus, if the marvelous Maker of every good thing were not dealing with us, man would have no hope of getting up from his fall by his free choice, by which he plunged himself into ruin when still standing upright.

Drawing on the Canons of Dort, Brian Lee teaches on the monergistic, Reformed view of how the Holy Spirit works in conversion.

Brian Lee continues his Psalm series with Psalm 48

Psalm 48----A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.----Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised-- in the city of our God---His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation,-- is the joy of all the earth,--Mount Zion, in the far north,-- the city of the great King.--Within her citadels God-- has made himself known as a fortress.--For behold, the kings assembled--- they came on together.--As soon as they saw it, they were astounded--- they were in panic- they took to flight.--Trembling took hold of them there,-- anguish as of a woman in labor.--By the east wind you shattered-- the ships of Tarshish.--As we have heard, so have we seen-- in the city of the Lord of hosts,--in the city of our God,-- which God will establish forever. Selah--We have thought on your steadfast love, O God,-- in the midst of your temple.--As your name, O God,-- so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth.--Your right hand is filled with righteousness.-- Let Mount Zion be glad---Let the daughters of Judah rejoice-- because of your judgments---Walk about Zion, go around her,-- number her towers,--consider well her ramparts,-- go through her citadels,--that you may tell the next generation-- that this is God,--our God forever and ever.-- He will guide us forever.