Can My Silence Cost Souls?

[music] [music] >> God places lost souls into our lives. >> God places lost souls into our lives. >> God places lost souls into our lives. Not to mock them, Not to mock them, Not to mock them, not to shun them, not to shun them, not to shun them, but to share the love of Christ that we but to share the love of Christ that we but to share the love of Christ that we have with them. have with them. have with them. But what happens if I don't send the But what happens if I don't send the But what happens if I don't send the text I know I should send text I know I should send text I know I should send to reach my unbelieving friend? What if to reach my unbelieving friend? What if to reach my unbelieving friend? What if I don't make the phone call I know I I don't make the phone call I know I I don't make the phone call I know I need to make to the neighbor who doesn't need to make to the neighbor who doesn't need to make to the neighbor who doesn't know the gospel? know the gospel? know the gospel? What if I stop praying for my family and What if I stop praying for my family and What if I stop praying for my family and my neighbors who need Christ? my neighbors who need Christ? my neighbors who need Christ? As a Calvinist, if I never do these As a Calvinist, if I never do these As a Calvinist, if I never do these things, things, things, does it really matter in the end? Today does it really matter in the end? Today does it really matter in the end? Today on Ask Pastor John, can my silence cost on Ask Pastor John, can my silence cost on Ask Pastor John, can my silence cost souls souls souls eternally? eternally? eternally? Today's question comes from an aspiring Today's question comes from an aspiring Today's question comes from an aspiring missionary who sees two biblical truths missionary who sees two biblical truths missionary who sees two biblical truths in tension. in tension. in tension. First, Paul tells us that God saved us First, Paul tells us that God saved us First, Paul tells us that God saved us and called us to a holy calling, not and called us to a holy calling, not and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, because of our works, because of our works, but because of his own purposes and but because of his own purposes and but because of his own purposes and grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus before before before the ages began. the ages began. the ages began. That's 2 Timothy 1:9, a beautiful That's 2 Timothy 1:9, a beautiful That's 2 Timothy 1:9, a beautiful picture of election and predestination picture of election and predestination picture of election and predestination behind our personal calling.

behind our personal calling. behind our personal calling. But if that is the case, he wonders, why But if that is the case, he wonders, why But if that is the case, he wonders, why was Paul's pain so necessary? was Paul's pain so necessary? was Paul's pain so necessary? Just a chapter lower, Paul writes this Just a chapter lower, Paul writes this Just a chapter lower, Paul writes this quote, "Therefore I endure. Therefore I quote, "Therefore I endure. Therefore I quote, "Therefore I endure. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the endure everything for the sake of the endure everything for the sake of the elect, elect, elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that they also may obtain the salvation that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus that is in Christ Jesus that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." with eternal glory." with eternal glory." End quote. End quote. End quote. "I endure everything for the sake of the "I endure everything for the sake of the "I endure everything for the sake of the elect." That's 2 Timothy 2:10. So, if elect." That's 2 Timothy 2:10. So, if elect." That's 2 Timothy 2:10. So, if God's holy people will obtain salvation, God's holy people will obtain salvation, God's holy people will obtain salvation, why must Paul suffer to bring about the why must Paul suffer to bring about the why must Paul suffer to bring about the same end? same end? same end? To make it personal, he asks, To make it personal, he asks, To make it personal, he asks, "Does someone's eternity actually hang "Does someone's eternity actually hang "Does someone's eternity actually hang on my willingness to suffer as a on my willingness to suffer as a on my willingness to suffer as a messenger?" messenger?" messenger?" >> There are two really good questions in >> There are two really good questions in >> There are two really good questions in this one question, at least as I hear this one question, at least as I hear this one question, at least as I hear them. One is fairly common, and the them. One is fairly common, and the them. One is fairly common, and the other's less common. The common question other's less common. The common question other's less common. The common question is, if God decreed is, if God decreed is, if God decreed whatever will come to pass from whatever will come to pass from whatever will come to pass from eternity, eternity, eternity, does my effort to change things in the does my effort to change things in the does my effort to change things in the present make a difference? Specifically, present make a difference? Specifically, present make a difference? Specifically, does does anyone's eternal destiny hang does does anyone's eternal destiny hang does does anyone's eternal destiny hang on my willingness to be a messenger?

on my willingness to be a messenger? on my willingness to be a messenger? That's the first question. That's the first question. That's the first question. The less common question is, The less common question is, The less common question is, if God decrees all things from eternity if God decrees all things from eternity if God decrees all things from eternity to be passed, and and my life really to be passed, and and my life really to be passed, and and my life really does make a difference, does make a difference, does make a difference, and things happen or don't happen and things happen or don't happen and things happen or don't happen because of my effort, why did God set it because of my effort, why did God set it because of my effort, why did God set it up this way? That's the why question. I up this way? That's the why question. I up this way? That's the why question. I think the answer to the first question think the answer to the first question think the answer to the first question is yes. Your life and effort and prayer is yes. Your life and effort and prayer is yes. Your life and effort and prayer and witness make a difference, a huge and witness make a difference, a huge and witness make a difference, a huge difference in what happens in the world. difference in what happens in the world. difference in what happens in the world. And yes, And yes, And yes, there will be people there will be people there will be people who are not saved who are not saved who are not saved because some Christians failed [snorts] because some Christians failed [snorts] because some Christians failed [snorts] to share the gospel with them. to share the gospel with them. to share the gospel with them. I know that sounds contradictory to some I know that sounds contradictory to some I know that sounds contradictory to some Calvinists, and I am one, Calvinists, and I am one, Calvinists, and I am one, and I say it believing totally and I say it believing totally and I say it believing totally that the Bible teaches God plans and that the Bible teaches God plans and that the Bible teaches God plans and predestines all things before they predestines all things before they predestines all things before they happen. I believe that. Revelation 13:8 happen. I believe that. Revelation 13:8 happen. I believe that. Revelation 13:8 says, "There are names written from the says, "There are names written from the says, "There are names written from the foundation of the world in the book of foundation of the world in the book of foundation of the world in the book of the life of the lamb who was slain."

the life of the lamb who was slain." the life of the lamb who was slain." So, some names are there in the book So, some names are there in the book So, some names are there in the book from eternity, from eternity, from eternity, and some names are not there. and some names are not there. and some names are not there. These are the ones whose rebellion These are the ones whose rebellion These are the ones whose rebellion God plans to overcome God plans to overcome God plans to overcome and bring to himself. The names in the and bring to himself. The names in the and bring to himself. The names in the book are God's elect. These are the ones book are God's elect. These are the ones book are God's elect. These are the ones Luke was talking about in Acts 13:48, Luke was talking about in Acts 13:48, Luke was talking about in Acts 13:48, when he says, when he says, when he says, "As many as were appointed to eternal "As many as were appointed to eternal "As many as were appointed to eternal life life life believed. believed. believed. God appointed them God appointed them God appointed them and so they believed. and so they believed. and so they believed. These are the elect that Paul is These are the elect that Paul is These are the elect that Paul is referring to in Ephesians 1:4. He chose referring to in Ephesians 1:4. He chose referring to in Ephesians 1:4. He chose us. He elected us, selected us us. He elected us, selected us us. He elected us, selected us in Christ before the foundation of the in Christ before the foundation of the in Christ before the foundation of the world. world. world. And a few verses later, verse 11 of And a few verses later, verse 11 of And a few verses later, verse 11 of Ephesians 1, he says that these elect Ephesians 1, he says that these elect Ephesians 1, he says that these elect are predestined according to the purpose are predestined according to the purpose are predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things of him who works all things of him who works all things all things according to the counsel of all things according to the counsel of all things according to the counsel of his will.

his will. his will. It is a faithful biblical teaching It is a faithful biblical teaching It is a faithful biblical teaching that God governs all things that God governs all things that God governs all things and that he decides from eternity and that he decides from eternity and that he decides from eternity whose rebellion whose rebellion whose rebellion he will overcome he will overcome he will overcome and save. and save. and save. And it is equally biblical to say And it is equally biblical to say And it is equally biblical to say that God uses human means that God uses human means that God uses human means human instruments human instruments human instruments to accomplish to accomplish to accomplish those eternal purposes. Jesus says to those eternal purposes. Jesus says to those eternal purposes. Jesus says to Paul, "I am sending you to open their Paul, "I am sending you to open their Paul, "I am sending you to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness eyes so that they may turn from darkness eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light. You do that, Paul. You're my to light. You do that, Paul. You're my to light. You do that, Paul. You're my instrument. Go. Make that happen. I will instrument. Go. Make that happen. I will instrument. Go. Make that happen. I will give you the power." give you the power." give you the power." Paul says, "I endure everything Paul says, "I endure everything Paul says, "I endure everything for the sake of the elect that they may for the sake of the elect that they may for the sake of the elect that they may obtain obtain obtain salvation." Paul is the means of the salvation." Paul is the means of the salvation." Paul is the means of the salvation of the elect who have been salvation of the elect who have been salvation of the elect who have been destined to salvation before the destined to salvation before the destined to salvation before the foundation of the world. In Romans 10:1, foundation of the world. In Romans 10:1, foundation of the world. In Romans 10:1, he says, "My heart's desire he says, "My heart's desire he says, "My heart's desire Paul says this. My heart's desire Paul says this. My heart's desire Paul says this. My heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is that and my prayer to God for them is that and my prayer to God for them is that they may be saved."

they may be saved." they may be saved." He says he magnifies his ministry as an He says he magnifies his ministry as an He says he magnifies his ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles, to make his apostle to the Gentiles, to make his apostle to the Gentiles, to make his fellow Jews jealous, if by any means he fellow Jews jealous, if by any means he fellow Jews jealous, if by any means he might save some of them. might save some of them. might save some of them. He is a real instrument by prayer and by He is a real instrument by prayer and by He is a real instrument by prayer and by witness, witness, witness, a real instrument in the salvation of a real instrument in the salvation of a real instrument in the salvation of his kinsmen. James says, "You do not his kinsmen. James says, "You do not his kinsmen. James says, "You do not have because you do not ask." James 4:2. have because you do not ask." James 4:2. have because you do not ask." James 4:2. And when Paul addressed the elders in And when Paul addressed the elders in And when Paul addressed the elders in Acts 20, he said, "I'm innocent of the Acts 20, he said, "I'm innocent of the Acts 20, he said, "I'm innocent of the blood of all of you. blood of all of you. blood of all of you. For I did not shrink from declaring to For I did not shrink from declaring to For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God." Had he you the whole counsel of God." Had he you the whole counsel of God." Had he not told them the truth, their blood not told them the truth, their blood not told them the truth, their blood would be on his hands. would be on his hands. would be on his hands. That's what he implies. [clears throat] That's what he implies. [clears throat] That's what he implies. [clears throat] From these texts and many like them, From these texts and many like them, From these texts and many like them, we learn that God has set up the world we learn that God has set up the world we learn that God has set up the world in such a way that we human beings bear in such a way that we human beings bear in such a way that we human beings bear the burden of real causality.

the burden of real causality. the burden of real causality. We are causes in the world. We make We are causes in the world. We make We are causes in the world. We make things happen under God's providence. things happen under God's providence. things happen under God's providence. Our actions make things happen. Our Our actions make things happen. Our Our actions make things happen. Our failure to act fails to make things failure to act fails to make things failure to act fails to make things happen. And therefore, it is not right happen. And therefore, it is not right happen. And therefore, it is not right to say, "Because of predestination, to say, "Because of predestination, to say, "Because of predestination, my failure to act will not prevent my failure to act will not prevent my failure to act will not prevent someone's salvation." someone's salvation." someone's salvation." We don't know that. We don't know that. We don't know that. We cannot see into God's book of decrees We cannot see into God's book of decrees We cannot see into God's book of decrees and plans. and plans. and plans. What we're told is that we should pray What we're told is that we should pray What we're told is that we should pray for lost people, for lost people, for lost people, evangelize, evangelize, evangelize, tell the gospel to lost people, do good tell the gospel to lost people, do good tell the gospel to lost people, do good to lost people because that's how they to lost people because that's how they to lost people because that's how they are saved. are saved. are saved. And we're told, "You have not because And we're told, "You have not because And we're told, "You have not because you ask not." you ask not." you ask not." Prayer makes a difference, and we are Prayer makes a difference, and we are Prayer makes a difference, and we are told we will be innocent of the blood of told we will be innocent of the blood of told we will be innocent of the blood of them if we tell them the truth. So, our them if we tell them the truth. So, our them if we tell them the truth. So, our friend asks us in this question, does friend asks us in this question, does friend asks us in this question, does someone's This is his very question.

someone's This is his very question. someone's This is his very question. Does someone's eternity Does someone's eternity Does someone's eternity actually hang on my willingness to actually hang on my willingness to actually hang on my willingness to suffer as a messenger? And I answer, suffer as a messenger? And I answer, suffer as a messenger? And I answer, yes. yes. yes. We don't know who or when that is the We don't know who or when that is the We don't know who or when that is the case, but that it can be the case is case, but that it can be the case is case, but that it can be the case is what the Bible teaches. what the Bible teaches. what the Bible teaches. Which is sobering, and I hope he takes Which is sobering, and I hope he takes Which is sobering, and I hope he takes it to heart, and that if God is calling it to heart, and that if God is calling it to heart, and that if God is calling him, that he will follow. Which brings him, that he will follow. Which brings him, that he will follow. Which brings us now to the second question, well, why us now to the second question, well, why us now to the second question, well, why did God set set it up this way? He asked did God set set it up this way? He asked did God set set it up this way? He asked this, if the finish line was decided by this, if the finish line was decided by this, if the finish line was decided by a sovereign God in eternity past, why is a sovereign God in eternity past, why is a sovereign God in eternity past, why is Paul's He's Why? He's asking the why Paul's He's Why? He's asking the why Paul's He's Why? He's asking the why question. Why is Paul's suffering question. Why is Paul's suffering question. Why is Paul's suffering now required to get them there? now required to get them there? now required to get them there? That's That's his why question. And That's That's his why question. And That's That's his why question. And here's Here's how I would go about here's Here's how I would go about here's Here's how I would go about trying to answer a question that may trying to answer a question that may trying to answer a question that may partly lie We just have to admit this.

partly lie We just have to admit this. partly lie We just have to admit this. It may partly lie hidden in God's mind, It may partly lie hidden in God's mind, It may partly lie hidden in God's mind, and that he he just is going to let us and that he he just is going to let us and that he he just is going to let us look through a glass dimly and not see look through a glass dimly and not see look through a glass dimly and not see the whole picture yet. the whole picture yet. the whole picture yet. But, I think part of the picture at But, I think part of the picture at But, I think part of the picture at least is visible. Paul says in Ephesians least is visible. Paul says in Ephesians least is visible. Paul says in Ephesians 1:6 that the aim of God's election, 1:6 that the aim of God's election, 1:6 that the aim of God's election, God's choosing a people for himself God's choosing a people for himself God's choosing a people for himself before eternity or in eternity The aim, before eternity or in eternity The aim, before eternity or in eternity The aim, he says in Ephesians 1:6, of God's he says in Ephesians 1:6, of God's he says in Ephesians 1:6, of God's eternal decrees before the foundation of eternal decrees before the foundation of eternal decrees before the foundation of the world is, quote, the praise of the the world is, quote, the praise of the the world is, quote, the praise of the glory of the grace of God. What an glory of the grace of God. What an glory of the grace of God. What an important phrase. In other words, God important phrase. In other words, God important phrase. In other words, God created and governs the world so as to created and governs the world so as to created and governs the world so as to maximize maximize maximize the authenticity the authenticity the authenticity and the intensity and the intensity and the intensity of our praise for the beauty of his of our praise for the beauty of his of our praise for the beauty of his grace. grace. grace. Now, how is that grace manifest in the Now, how is that grace manifest in the Now, how is that grace manifest in the world? And at the end of the world so world? And at the end of the world so world? And at the end of the world so that it can be praised with maximum that it can be praised with maximum that it can be praised with maximum authenticity and intensity. And of authenticity and intensity. And of authenticity and intensity. And of course the center of the answer is Jesus course the center of the answer is Jesus course the center of the answer is Jesus Christ crucified and risen. That's the Christ crucified and risen. That's the Christ crucified and risen. That's the most beautiful manifestation of God's most beautiful manifestation of God's most beautiful manifestation of God's grace that ever was or will be.

grace that ever was or will be. grace that ever was or will be. But that's not the only place where But that's not the only place where But that's not the only place where God's grace is manifest in the world for God's grace is manifest in the world for God's grace is manifest in the world for our admiration and our our praise. It's our admiration and our our praise. It's our admiration and our our praise. It's manifest in the humble, happy service of manifest in the humble, happy service of manifest in the humble, happy service of God's servants who are called stewards God's servants who are called stewards God's servants who are called stewards of God's grace. When they suffer in of God's grace. When they suffer in of God's grace. When they suffer in order to make him known, that's a order to make him known, that's a order to make him known, that's a beautiful thing. That's a beautiful beautiful thing. That's a beautiful beautiful thing. That's a beautiful demonstration of grace. In other words, demonstration of grace. In other words, demonstration of grace. In other words, when when God plans that humans become when when God plans that humans become when when God plans that humans become the instruments to bring about his the instruments to bring about his the instruments to bring about his eternal purposes, eternal purposes, eternal purposes, he also plans that in that very action, he also plans that in that very action, he also plans that in that very action, they are beautiful demonstrations they are beautiful demonstrations they are beautiful demonstrations of the grace of God. So the very means, of the grace of God. So the very means, of the grace of God. So the very means, for example, missionaries, the very for example, missionaries, the very for example, missionaries, the very means by which God pursues his final means by which God pursues his final means by which God pursues his final purpose, purpose, purpose, namely the praise of the glory of his namely the praise of the glory of his namely the praise of the glory of his grace, grace, grace, those means are themselves a those means are themselves a those means are themselves a demonstration of that final purpose.

demonstration of that final purpose. demonstration of that final purpose. Coming back into this world, it is a Coming back into this world, it is a Coming back into this world, it is a beautiful thing. Grace stands out as beautiful thing. Grace stands out as beautiful thing. Grace stands out as beautiful when a person lays down his beautiful when a person lays down his beautiful when a person lays down his life for another person in the cause of life for another person in the cause of life for another person in the cause of missions. missions. missions. So, Christians get to participate not So, Christians get to participate not So, Christians get to participate not only in real causation only in real causation only in real causation in bringing about God's final purposes, in bringing about God's final purposes, in bringing about God's final purposes, they also get to participate as they also get to participate as they also get to participate as manifestations of the beauty of God's manifestations of the beauty of God's manifestations of the beauty of God's grace in their sacrificial service, and grace in their sacrificial service, and grace in their sacrificial service, and thus they become a foretaste thus they become a foretaste thus they become a foretaste of the beauty of the grace of God. So, of the beauty of the grace of God. So, of the beauty of the grace of God. So, to put it in a sentence, to put it in a sentence, to put it in a sentence, Paul's suffering Paul's suffering Paul's suffering as a means of saving the elect as a means of saving the elect as a means of saving the elect is required is required is required because that suffering for Christ is because that suffering for Christ is because that suffering for Christ is itself itself itself a beautiful manifestation of the grace a beautiful manifestation of the grace a beautiful manifestation of the grace we are being saved to praise. we are being saved to praise. we are being saved to praise. >> Thank you, Pastor John. Yeah, God has >> Thank you, Pastor John. Yeah, God has >> Thank you, Pastor John. Yeah, God has set up the world in such a way that we set up the world in such a way that we set up the world in such a way that we human beings bear the burden of real human beings bear the burden of real human beings bear the burden of real causality.

causality. causality. We are causes in the world. We make We are causes in the world. We make We are causes in the world. We make things happen under God's providence. things happen under God's providence. things happen under God's providence. Our actions make things happen. Our Our actions make things happen. Our Our actions make things happen. Our failures to act fails to make things failures to act fails to make things failures to act fails to make things happen. happen. happen. And therefore, it is not right to say And therefore, it is not right to say And therefore, it is not right to say that because of predestination, my that because of predestination, my that because of predestination, my failure to act will not prevent failure to act will not prevent failure to act will not prevent someone's salvation. someone's salvation. someone's salvation. End quote. End quote. End quote. That's Roy Southering in motivating. That's Roy Southering in motivating. That's Roy Southering in motivating. God's overriding sovereignty in his God's overriding sovereignty in his God's overriding sovereignty in his decree does not mean that human means decree does not mean that human means decree does not mean that human means are pointless. We pray and we text and are pointless. We pray and we text and are pointless. We pray and we text and we speak and we witness and we suffer as we speak and we witness and we suffer as we speak and we witness and we suffer as instruments God designed to reach the instruments God designed to reach the instruments God designed to reach the lost. lost. lost. And so, well then if the stakes are this And so, well then if the stakes are this And so, well then if the stakes are this high, if God's plan requires my high, if God's plan requires my high, if God's plan requires my ministry, then should any of us be ministry, then should any of us be ministry, then should any of us be employed in any vocation other than employed in any vocation other than employed in any vocation other than missions? missions? missions? Uh this topic entails just a lot of Uh this topic entails just a lot of Uh this topic entails just a lot of other related questions to answer, like other related questions to answer, like other related questions to answer, like is the missionary greater than the is the missionary greater than the is the missionary greater than the algebra teacher? algebra teacher? algebra teacher? And am I wasting my life in any other And am I wasting my life in any other And am I wasting my life in any other vocation other than missions? vocation other than missions? vocation other than missions? And then of course, how can I climb the And then of course, how can I climb the And then of course, how can I climb the corporate ladder and reach the lost at corporate ladder and reach the lost at corporate ladder and reach the lost at the same time? Those are three follow-up the same time? Those are three follow-up the same time? Those are three follow-up topics that can be found in succession topics that can be found in succession topics that can be found in succession in the Ask Pastor John book on pages 73 in the Ask Pastor John book on pages 73 in the Ask Pastor John book on pages 73 to 76 to get into to 76 to get into to 76 to get into more issues related to this episode more issues related to this episode more issues related to this episode today.

today. today. And speaking of motivation to share the And speaking of motivation to share the And speaking of motivation to share the gospel, if you need more motivation gospel, if you need more motivation gospel, if you need more motivation after today, the very nicest unbeliever after today, the very nicest unbeliever after today, the very nicest unbeliever that you know that you know that you know will one day stand before God will one day stand before God will one day stand before God to face eternal judgment. to face eternal judgment. to face eternal judgment. That's next time, when nice people face That's next time, when nice people face That's next time, when nice people face God. God. God. I'm Tony Ranki. We'll see you back here I'm Tony Ranki. We'll see you back here I'm Tony Ranki. We'll see you back here on Monday.