Thoughts on Predestination

I recently Skyped into a high school classroom in Nairobi, Kenya to answer Bible questions from students. The prominent question had to do with God’s election of those who would be saved, or predestination. They wondered if humans had any choice in their eternal destination if God was the only one deciding the matter and did He pick who went to heaven and who went to hell.

Mentally, I reviewed my own journey through this question. It is probably the most unsolved argument among theological circles and probably will never be answered to everyone’s satisfaction. On one hand is Calvinism that proposes that humans have no part in the process because God has already decided beforehand who will be saved and who will not be saved. On the other hand is the Arminian view that leaves the choice to the freewill of humans. There are varying levels of proposals in both views, from extremes to compromise.

As a young man, I felt compelled to decide what I felt to be the truth about salvation and eternity as it relates to humanity. Somewhere between Calvinism and Arminianism lay the truth. That both God and man were involved in their relationship together. What needed to be reconciled in my mind was the pre-election found in passages like Ephesians 1 where believers were known from before time and Revelation 22 where all are invited to come. I knew that it was not God’s will that any perish as 2 Peter stated and Paul said to Timothy. I also knew that Jesus died for all mankind.

My search led me to Romans 8:29-30 and that passage brought the reconciliation to me that I needed. God based His decisions of the elect based on what He knew rather than what He willed. I remembered that it was not His will that any perish (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4) but many will perish. What God knows and acts on is far different than randomly choosing who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. God has made random, unexplained choices before, as with choosing Abraham to be the father of a nation, but the salvation or condemnation of millions is not a random choice with God.

Romans 8:29 begins by stating that God predestined those that He foreknew. God is not bound by time so He knows the end from the beginning. I don’t fear going into tomorrow because God has already been there. Time is a creation of God and He will do away with it in the last days. God knows who is going to respond to His call and who will reject it. Based on what He already knows, He has already chosen the willing to be saved. He didn’t will their response; He simply knows what it will be.

 

It is like someone watching a movie. When the movie is over, the viewer knows the end from the beginning. He knows at what point he will laugh, cry, or be tense. He hasn’t willed these things, he simply knows it. When he invites someone to watch the movie with him, he already knows the outcome and bases his reaction on what he already knows, not on what he wills.

I was chosen before time began according to Ephesians 1:4-5. He knew before creation that in time, I would respond to His call to me out of my lostness and give Him total control of my life through faith and repentance. Knowing this, my salvation was a “done deal” before time began based on what God already knew. In God’s mind and economy, I was already saved before there was an earth.

Romans 8:30 states that whom He predestined, in time He called. He knew when He called that I would answer. Whom He called, He justified (declared innocent, forgave) and salvation was set. Whom He justified, He also glorified. For a saved one to be glorified points to his end, meaning he has been transformed in eternity, heaven and has become like Jesus (1 John 3:2). Glorification is the end state of the believer. Notice that being glorified is in the past tense, already done in God’s mind before it happens.

 

To summarize, God knew ahead of time who would respond to His call of salvation. He chose them as the elect before time began based on His foreknowledge rather than His foreordination. Those whom He had predestined based on what He knew, in time He called them, saved them, and set their end state. This reconciles the difference between God has chosen a select group and whosoever will may come.

Romans 8:29-30 is a chain of five links that connects eternity past with eternity future. He predestined in eternity past, called and saved in time, and set our glorification for eternity future.

Chosen in Him before time,

I chose Him in time.

This is the skinny version of my thinking about the sovereignty of God concerning salvation. Many will have other thoughts. This brings reconciliation of truth to my heart.

HeartLand Christmas Schedule

Wednesday, December 22 Christmas Service at 7 pm. Childcare provided through 4th grade. HeartRock Café Closed.

Friday, December 24 Christmas Service at 6 pm. No childcare to allow volunteers to attend with their family. These are identical services. Childcare is the only difference.

Beginning Sunday, Dec. 26
HeartLand Church will host a single service on Sunday mornings in order for the congregation to all be together at one time.

Sunday, December 26 Only Children grades Kindergarten and up will attend service with their family. An exciting activity packet will be provided. Regular KidzKlub activities will resume on Sunday, January 2 at 10 am.

Wednesday, December 29
No service/activities to allow time with family and friends.

HeartLand Hands will be closed:
Thursday, December 23
Tuesday, December 28
Thursday, December 30
Reopens Tuesday, January 4

Fusion will not meet:
Wednesday, December 22
Sunday, December 26
Wednesday, December 29
Sunday, January 2
Resumes Wednesday, January 5

No men’s small group until January 6.

 

HeartLand Hands Update

During the month of October, 2010, HeartLand Hands served 246 families consisting of 769 individuals.  An average of 16 volunteers a day served 516 hours.

We were delighted to celebrate our 4^th anniversary with the entire church on Sunday, Oct. 10.

On Oct. 28^th, HeartLand Hands sponsored the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) training for North MS agencies at our pantry.  One representative from MS Food Network explained how we could help expedite paper work for the food stamp office by making our clients aware of the qualifications for food stamps and the initial forms that their office requires.  HeartLand Hands volunteers were gracious to clean, mop, decorate, and host this event.  Nine volunteers stayed for the afternoon training along with 20 volunteers from other agencies across North MS.

We were thrilled to received authorization Heartland to construct a wall that will allow us to lock all HeartLand Hands food and offices.  This will offer a measure of security for the interviewing offices and the lobby, as well as bring us into compliance that all food be locked.

We were the grateful recipients of very successful food drives by Quilting in the Grove organization and Weight Watchers/Southaven.  We also had donations of bath tissue, bath soap, dish detergent, Christmas gift bags and hygiene items.

Starbucks donated a total of 345 pastries and one bag of coffee.

A working washer and dryer were donated to us and within a few days we passed them on to a client who desperately needed them.  This same client had a refrigerator, microwave and other items that she wanted to donate to us, and we were able to pass these on to another client in need.

HeartLand Hands has delivered 2 emergency boxes this month.

Several days this month we have had 9 new clients per day to register.   This is in addition to our regular clients.

A trucker found our phone number on the internet and delivered 20 cases of apples to us on a Thursday afternoon.  We were able to share them with Olive Branch Food Pantry and Samaritans.

We have been able to have staff devotional time.  We will be opening the doors at 9:45 during the winter months to allow clients to sit in on these devotions.  A volunteer has agreed to be available both Tuesdays and Thursdays to our clients for spiritual questions and /or counseling as needed. This will provide a much needed spiritual dimension upon request only.  He has been able to encourage 3 families this month – two in crisis situations and one for spiritual direction.  What a wonderful asset for Heartland Hands!

 

Reasons

Since the sin and fall of man in Eden, people have walked by faith with an unseen God. He spoke, acted, and moved among them, usually without being visible. When God decided to step out of heaven, He came as a man, born a child in Bethlehem. Why did He decide to come among His creation? There are definite reasons why Jesus came to earth to live and die. In this new series that begins Sunday we discuss several of those reasons.

Uniqueness

5 Ways To Show Your Kids They Are Unique

Happy November! You know what that means – Election Day, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, but most importantly, a brand new virtue for Studio252. So while you prepare to stuff yourself with turkey and sweet potato soufflé, we hope you also set aside some time to talk to your kids about this month’s virtue – Uniqueness.

Uniqueness is learning more about others so you can know more about yourself.

We believe that when you take the time to get to know someone – really understand what makes that person unique – you actually start to discover what makes you unique, too! And as a child begins to understand just how unique we all are, he starts down a path of discovering his own niche or significance in the world. Here are just a few ways you can help your child learn more about the people around him and even discover his own uniqueness in the process!

* Make a unique Peanut Butter & Cheese sandwich for lunch
* Look in a mirror with your child and write down all the differences you see
* Help your child construct a list of things he wants to do in his life
* Share unique tricks or talents with your family
* Go on a scavenger hunt to find even more unique things God made

For these activities and more visit our website studio252.tv. Register to gain access to this month’s CueBox, weekly bedtime stories on what God says about uniqueness, interactive devotionals for your children, questions to start meaningful conversations about uniqueness, even blogs and videos from your favorite Studio252 characters!

Studio252.tv and CueBox is designed to help you as the parent connect with your child in a fun way to discuss virtues, like Uniqueness, that will ultimately play a significant part in your child growing into the person God made him to be.
See you Sunday!

What is this with the candy?

Halloween is on a Sunday this year and for about 8 months I have pondered about what to do as a children’s pastor. Do you have something at the church? or Do you let your church members be the salt and Light in our world? I opted for salt and light. Every year my light is off in my neighborhood because we are off doing the Lord’s work. This year I want to turn on my light! and be a part of the Light in my neighborhood. I don’t know if you noticed the boxes in the foyer areas of the church building. They are there because Unity Church, our sister church that meets on Saturday nights, is having a block party in a trailer park subdivision on Hwy. 51 in Nesbit. This is going to be next Saturday, October 9th. They are choosing to be salt and Light in this neighborhood. So it is time to candy up! I’m always looking for an excuse to buy Snickers! LOL Elaine, at the HeartMarket has purchased some stretchy bands that are designed to be given out with or without candy for Halloween. They come individually wrapped and with scripture on them. Real cute and a real witness. Tonight is Wednesday at HeartLand and time for KidJam Lite. I look forward to it every week. The kids are excited to be there to learn and worship. They are great kids. Our Wall of Champions will start to fill up tonight with a picture of each child that memorizes scripture. I can’t wait!

HeartMarket Newsletter

News Flash! Hurry to see the selection of music on sale at the HeartMarket. Now thru the end of September selected CD’s will be priced at only $5. At these prices they won’t last long.

Markdowns on Clearance Items
The HeartMarket has a clearance table with a variety of items priced to sell. All items on the clearance table will be an additional 20% off the lowest ticketed price now thru the end of September.

New Items at the HeartMarket
Suggested Reading By Steve Bennett: Percy Ray – A Ray for God by Dr. Estus Pirkle
New selection of Faith Bands (Silly Bands)
Larger selection of Christian Fiction Books
Children’s novelty items, books and video’s
New Bibles including some in Giant Print

Save the Date, February 25-27, 2011

I think it is really cool how couples who are going to get married send out postcards asking you to “Save the Date” of their wedding so that when there is a really important event you will have it already marked on your calendar. So now I’m asking you to Save the Date because on February 25- 27, 2010 we will be having our first Women’s Retreat.

Here are a few details: Theme: Wonder Full World of Women

Place: Cossar State Park near Oakland Mississippi

Cost: $55.00 which covers 2 nights, food, Bible Study Materials and a gift bag with a Music CD

and other cute stuff.

FYI: Preacher is cooking!!!!

So write in on the calendar registration forms will be out November 7th.

Heartland Hands Update and Needs

During the month of August, 2010, HeartLand Hands served 246 families consisting of 749 people.  We are continuing to have new clients.  This month we averaged 6 new families each week.  Approximately 15 volunteers per day served a total of 489 hours.

We have been blessed with 3 new volunteers.  One volunteer liked us so much she brought her husband.Three volunteers attended the annual Mid-South Food Bank training.

We were contacted by Harvest Support to begin receiving out-of-date pastries and coffee from Starbuck’s in Southaven.  Ms Pat picks this up on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  This month we have picked up a total of 106 pastries.  These are offered first to the volunteers and then to the clients.

Early in August one of our volunteers was at Schnuck’s purchasing bath soap for the pantry and a lady in the store inquired about the amount of soap she was buying.  When she explained the situation the lady gave her $20 to donate to the pantry.

Petco has been collecting pet food from their customers to give to us.  They wanted this project to be more visible at their store so we took our HeartLand Hands banner to the store for them to display and hopefully draw more attention to the donation box.

We have provided emergency boxes to 7 different families.  There is one homeless lady on her way to the pantry now and she is the second homeless female we have served since we closed today.  One other lady who was homeless and without a job last month brought a Thank You note in telling us how grateful she was for the help she received here.

This month our volunteers and others have donated: cash, bath soap, food items, shampoo, dish detergent, eggs, laundry detergent, and hygiene items.  One person donated 27 cases of individual boxes of laundry detergent.  We are so very grateful.  The last two ladies we served requested shampoo.  Preacher, you will be pleased to know that 50 bottles of shampoo was donated in your honor from the HeartLand Hands volunteers for your Birthday…Hope you had a nice one!

Summer in the Scriptures

This week we have been listening to some of my favorite passages in the Bible. Paul was such an amazing example of what God can do in a person’s life. The amazing thing to remember is that Jesus rescued Paul while he was out to destroy the Way. The Spirit of God completely transformed Paul’s heart. “For God who said, “Let light shine out of the darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). It so amazing to watch how Paul becomes completely consumed with spreading the gospel when at one time he tried to destroy it. This week we listened to 3 of the prison epistles. Even as Paul was in prison, he could not think of anything but how good and merciful God is and about the mission that we have to spread the gospel. When he wrote the words “to live is Christ and to die is gain,” he meant every word of it. I encourage you to watch for his devotion to the gospel as you continue to listen to his letters. It is so challenging think about, and yet we are called to the same level of devotion.