Proverbs: The Fear of the Lord and Wisdom: Can We All Just Get Along?

A Cause To Celebrate - Part 1 of 2

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Old Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2021-08-17

Synopsis: In this sermon, Pastor John Weaver explores the biblical concept of 'cause' and argues that the greatest cause for celebration is God's sovereign choice in salvation. He contrasts unrighteous causes with righteous ones, emphasizing that believers should bring their causes before the Lord. The central focus is on 2 Thessalonians 2:13, which states that God chose believers to salvation from the beginning. Weaver explains that this divine election is a debt of gratitude that accrues over time, and he distinguishes four types of election: national, vocational, messianic, and soteriological. He stresses that salvation is entirely God-centered, that humans contribute nothing but sin, and that this truth should produce humility and praise rather than arrogance.

[John Weaver] Day to 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2 and we're going to read verses 13 through 17 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2 verses 13 through 17 the title of the message is a cause to celebrate This message will be in two parts. The larger explanation will be next week, Lord willing. But notice, if you would, 2 Thessalonians 2, beginning there with verse 13, the apostles writes, But we're bound to give thanks all the way to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth.

[John Weaver] Where unto he called you by our gospel? To the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God, even our Father, which has loved us and given us an everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

[John Weaver] It appears today that everyone has a cause. There are many causes that are righteous and there are many causes that are unrighteous. Some have standing and some certainly have absolutely no standing. But have you ever thought about the word cause? And have you ever thought about how the word cause is used in the Bible? I suppose that we probably use the word cause or because hundreds of times each day, especially if you have little children, because they're going to ask and the answer that you're going to give is, because I said so, you know, or because this is right or because this is what we're doing. So we use that term frequently. But when the Bible talks about causes, sometimes it is given in a negative situation and sometimes in a positive. situation. So let me ask you just by way of introduction to turn in your Bibles to the book of Exodus chapter 23 and let's look if you would about some negations when we're talking about causes. So notice if you would in Exodus chapter 23 at verses 2 and 3.

[John Weaver] So here is the Bible speaking negatively in one sense concerning a cause. God says thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil, neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to rest judgment, neither shall thou countenance a poor man in his cause."

[John Weaver] Now the interesting thing is the Hebrew word for cause in this passage refers to a strife, a contention, a controversy, an argument, and even a case of at law. So this passage then appears not only for the sake of Christians but I would also say for the sake of attorneys as well that they should take these verses to heart. So God is telling us that one does not support evil and one does not support evil simply because one is poor or deprived or agitated or vindictive or numerous or demanding God says thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to rest judgment we want judgment we do not want it to decline then he said neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause in other words just because someone is poor or someone has some disabilities God said if the cause is wrong you don't countenance him just because he's poor, just because he has disabilities. In other words, right is right, wrong is wrong.

[John Weaver] It doesn't matter if he's rich or poor, if they're numerous or not numerous, that's immaterial. Then if you look down in verse six, he says this again, thou shalt not rest the judgment of the poor in his cause. In other words, just because a poor man is poor and unable to fight and defend himself, God says, he still must have judgment. He still must have justice. And so we're not to rest a poor man in his cause. And unhappily, there are many individuals that make their living and make their livelihood by taking the money away from poor people who cannot fight and who cannot defend themselves.

[John Weaver] Now, when you go through the Bible, there were some cases that were so complicated that they had to bring them before the Lord. One such illustration It's found in the book of Numbers, chapter 27. And I want you to turn there because this deals with the children of Zelophehad. Now, Zelophehad had only daughters. He did not have any sons. You say, well, what is so complicated about that? Well, the complication was very simple because property in the Old Testament was passed through the sons, from the father to the sons. And so here then is a case where this man had no sons whatsoever, only daughters. So if you look in Numbers chapter 27 verse 3, the daughters say, our father died in the wilderness and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah, but died in his own sin and had no sons. Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family?

[John Weaver] Because he has no son. Given to us therefore possession among the brethren of our father. So the daughters then wanted the inheritance of the father. So Moses then takes it to the Lord. Look in verse 5. And Moses brought their cause before the Lord. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, The daughters of Zilopahad speak right. Thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren, and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them."

[John Weaver] You know, I think one of the biggest problems that we have is this, that we seldom ever bring our problems, our controversies, and our complicated issues before the Lord and His Word. What we try to do is work them out in the arm of the flesh. We try to work them out to the best of our ability, the best we can, and consequently, we usually end up very miserably.

[John Weaver] We fail to take into account Proverbs chapter 3, verses 5 through 7 there, where the Bible says, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes, fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

[John Weaver] Now, there's another passage, I think, that will go along with what I'm saying. And that passage is found in 1 Peter 5 and verse 7, where the Bible says, casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. Someone has noted, and I think very accurately, that usually when we cast our cares, when we cast our burdens upon the Lord, And we turn to walk away, we trip over the strings that we left attached to them. The implication is we never really cast them upon Him to begin with. Because if we had really cast them upon Him, they would no longer be our burdens. They'd no longer be our problems. They would be His.

[John Weaver] And it would be up to Him to work them out the way He desired and the way He wanted to. And of course, He would lead us in that way and direct us in that way. I find it absolutely astounding that there are very few Christians that really and truly bring their problems to the Lord. Very few really say, Lord, I need help. I need wisdom. I need direction. And something else is astounding is this. Very few Christians really pray concerning these problems. Now, it's very easy for someone to say, pray for me. I'm facing surgery. But how about, pray for me, I'm facing financial problems. Pray for me, I'm facing family problems. Pray for me, I'm facing problems with my children. I'm just simply saying, when it comes to our troubles, when it comes to our problems, very few really consult the Word of God, and very few really truly pray and ask the Lord to solve those problems. Now, there are some biblical causes that we should never, ever hesitate to bring before the Lord.

[John Weaver] In fact, I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, to Psalms, and begin reading there with Psalm 9. I want to show you several passages, just trying to prepare you for the message I'm going to be dealing with. But look in Psalm 9, if you would please, and verse 4, just to show you that, yes, there are indeed biblical causes, right causes. In Psalm 9 and verse 4, David says this. For thou hast maintained my right and my cause, thou saddest in the throne judging right. So David is saying that God had maintained his right and his cause because his cause was biblical and it was right. And he brought it to the Lord as the judge and he judged rightly and maintained that cause. If you would look in your Bibles to Psalm 35 and verse one, Psalm 35 and verse 1. Look at this prayer request. David prays, plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me.

[John Weaver] Fight against them that fight against me. Look at that. Plead my cause, O Lord. In other words, the position that David was holding, the truth that he was speaking, the way that he was living, The cause that he was standing for, he just simply asked the Lord to plead his cause, to take my case. And you fight against them, but fight against me. In other words, I'm in the right, Lord. And Lord, I want you to help me with my enemies and my adversaries.

[John Weaver] In the same psalm, skip down if you would please to verse 23. Psalm 35 and verse 23, he says it like this, stir up thyself and awake to my judgment. even unto my cause, my God and my Lord." So he's asking the Lord to stir himself up and come and help him because he needs help desperately. And then if you look in Psalm 43 in verse 1, I think this is a psalm that you and I need to pray, especially in light of today's situation. Look at this prayer request in Psalm 43 in verse 1. David prays, Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation, O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man." And certainly we have an ungodly nation. And our nation is filled with deceitful and unjust men. And so David is taking this cause to the Lord and he's asking Him to plead that cause and to deliver him from the deceitful and unjust man.

[John Weaver] Now, there are many causes in the Bible. Unless someone thinks, well, there's not a real cause. Yes, there is. In fact, in John 18, you don't have to turn there, but in John 18 in verse 37, our Lord was standing before Pilate. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king.

[John Weaver] Now listen to what he said, to this end I was born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is of truth heareth my words. So our Lord said, for this cause came I into the world. I came to bear witness to the truth. And he should bear witness to the truth, for he himself is truth incarnate. And he does have a cause to judge, because he is king of kings, and lord of lords, and god of gods, and judge of judges. He also has a cause to save. Why?

[John Weaver] Because he is the Redeemer. He's the reconciler. He's the Messiah. He is salvation, and he is in salvation alone.

[John Weaver] Now, there are many causes in the Bible. There are causes also to celebrate. When you stop and think about the celebrations that go on in our world. Think with me just for a moment. People celebrate their birthday. They will celebrate anniversaries. They'll celebrate promotions. They will celebrate if their team wins the championship. And sometimes those celebrations really get out of hand. But a lot of people will celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving. an Easter, and any other day that they want to celebrate, and men think nothing of celebrating in these areas.

[John Weaver] And yet the truth of the matter is this. There is one cause to celebrate that most people never ever really think about, and they hardly ever celebrate it.

[John Weaver] Now before I show it to you, I want to give you some definitions of celebrate. You can look on the online dictionary, you can look at Oxford's, Cambridge, Merriam-Webster, it doesn't matter. You're going to come up with some definitions of celebrate, and I want you to listen to four of them. The first one is this, to observe a day, to commemorate an event with ceremonies or festivities, and then they give the illustration to celebrate Christmas or to celebrate a new play. So basically to observe a day or to commemorate an event with ceremonies and with festivities. That's the first one.

[John Weaver] Number two, to make known publicly to proclaim. And then they give an illustration. The newspaper celebrated the end of the war in red headlines. But Note, if you would please, the definition means to make known publicly, to proclaim. The third one is to praise widely or to present to widespread and favorable public notice. And then the last one, number four, is this, to perform with appropriate rites and ceremonies. And then the illustration they give is to solemnize or to celebrate a marriage.

[John Weaver] So here's what I want to emphasize. I want to emphasize that the word celebrate for us means to observe, to commemorate, to make known publicly, to proclaim, and to praise widely, and even perform rites or ceremonies appropriate for that celebration.

[John Weaver] Now, with that in mind, I want you to look back in your Bibles, to 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and verse 13 because out of four points I'm only going to be covering one today okay so look if you would please at verse 13 here the Apostle writes but we are bound to give thanks all the way to God for you brother and beloved of the Lord because here's the reason because God had from the beginning chosen you salvation.

[John Weaver] Now when you stop and think about this, when you meditate upon it, you should have a cause to celebrate and commemorate and to make known, to praise and to be thankful and perform appropriate ceremonies of thanksgiving because of this is what I'm going to deal with today, a divine choice. He says, God hath chosen you to salvation.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to go back to verse 13. There's a word I've got to emphasize. He says, but we are bound to give thanks all the way to God. The word bound is the Greek word of fellow, which literally means, listen carefully, to owe, to be bound. to be bound to a duty and to be a debtor. Still further, it even has the meaning to accrue. So simply stated, it means this debt of gratitude, this debt of thanksgiving and praise grows over time. In other words, your debt increases. You never ever get out of this debt. You never ever pay this debt off. He says we're bound, we owe, we owe thanks all the way to God. I think that you can see that it is indeed a debt of gratitude and praise because he says in verse 13, but we're bound to give thanks. And the Greek word for thanks, there was the word Eucharisto, And it literally means to be grateful, to be thankful, to be appreciative. The word occurs 39 times in the New Testament.

[John Weaver] So he's telling us now this is a cause to celebrate, to be thankful. So what is that cause? It is a divine choice. Now look at it. He says, but we're bound to give thanks all the way to God for you, brother and beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation.

[John Weaver] Now let me say something. I do not know how much simpler, plainer, or clearer this truth could be. It is just said straight forward. God hath chosen you to salvation. So let me make this exceedingly clear. We did not choose Him. He chose us. Hold on. I want you to hold this passage, but I want you to turn back, if you would, to the book of John, chapter 15, and let's look at several passages. Look in John, chapter 15, and notice, if you would, first of all, verse 16. John 15 and verse 16. Look what our Lord tells His disciples. He said, You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it to you." Notice if you would, He said, You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you. Now He says it again in verse 19. Skip down.

[John Weaver] He said, if you were of the world, the world would love his own. But because you're not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. So the Bible tells us very plainly that we did not choose Christ, that Christ chose us.

[John Weaver] Now, if you would turn right over to 1 Peter and look in chapter 2 and verse 9. 1 Peter chapter 2 and verse 9. Because it is not only spoken of individually, but also collectively. Look, if you would, in 1 Peter chapter 2 and verse 9. He says, but you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. A peculiar people that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

[John Weaver] Now watch, which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God, which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Note if you would, he says you're a chosen generation and you were chosen that you might obtain mercy and be a people of God. Then if you look in Revelation chapter 17 and verse 14, our Lord, of course, is coming back to destroy his enemies.

[John Weaver] And there are individuals with him. But I want you to notice how these individuals are labeled. Note Revelation chapter 17 and verse 14. The Bible says these, that is, his enemies, shall make war with the Lamb. And the Lamb shall overcome them. For he is Lord of lords, and King of kings, and they that are with him are called, chosen, and faithful." Called, chosen, and faithful.

[John Weaver] Now someone's going to say, but pastor, I did choose Jesus Christ, and I chose to come to Him. And the answer is, Yes, you did. But the only reason you chose to come to Him was because He chose you first. It's like the verse in 1 John chapter 4 and verse 19, when the Bible says we love Him because He first loved us. We would never ever be able to love Him if He did not first love us. That's why He said in 1 John 4 and verse 10, herein is love not that we loved him but that he loved us and sent his son to be a propitiation for our sins herein is love not that we loved him but that he loved us we would never love him unless he first loved us we would have never come to him unless he had not first chosen us so let me put this very plainly Salvation is always theocentric.

[John Weaver] Theos is the Greek word for God. Theocentric means salvation is always God-centered. Salvation originated with God. He is the initiator of salvation. Without Him, there would be no salvation. If He did not move first, there would be no hope, there would be no help, there would be no salvation.

[John Weaver] Now an interesting study would be for you to go back and read how God gave Moses directions for the tabernacle. It's very interesting. When God told Moses how to build the tabernacle, and he gave patterns for that tabernacle, and he warned Moses, be sure that thou make all things according to the pattern which is given thee in the mount. But when you read how God gave Moses, the pattern, listen to me, he began with a holy of holies, that would be with himself, and he worked his way out to the last court. When Moses set up the tabernacle, he began with the outer court and worked his way in. In other words, had God not come out and proceeded there would never have been an entrance to God in the first place.

[John Weaver] Now, when he says in 2 Thessalonians 2 and verse 13, but we're bound to give thanks unto God always for you brother and beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation. Let me mention this, I've said this before but I want you to think about it in this light. When you think of election, There are four different types of election in the Bible. And each one of these, it is God who does the choosing. For instance, first of all, there was a national election. God chose Israel to be his nation.

[John Weaver] He did not choose the Babylonians or the Egyptians or the Assyrians or the Moabites or the Ammonites. He chose Israel. And that's why the Bible says in Amos 3 and verse 2, God spoke to Israel. He said, and thee only have I known out of all the families of the earth. Well, surely God knew all the other families. I mean, He judged them. He created them. He judged them.

[John Weaver] He destroyed many of them. Surely He knew who they were. But what does it mean when He said, you only have I known of all the families of the earth? He is saying you only have I chosen. You only have I entered into a covenant with. You only have I revealed myself unto. You only have I given my word. So Israel as a nation was unique in the sense that God chose them to be his national and peculiar treasure.

[John Weaver] That's what he said in the book of Exodus chapter 19. God chose them. So there is a national election. There is secondly what you and I would call a vocational election as well. Because in the Bible, in the Old Testament, God chose the tribe of Levi to minister unto him. No other tribe could minister unto God in the tabernacle and the temple. You'll find that in numerous places, but one of them happens to be Numbers chapter 3 and verse 41. And here's what God said.

[John Weaver] and thou shalt take the Levites for me, I am the Lord, instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites, instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel." So notice, if you would please, God chose the Levites. You remember in Numbers chapter 16, when Dathan and Byron and Korah all united together and wanted the priesthood.

[John Weaver] Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Even though some of them were Levites, no. The Levites had the opportunity to serve, but God chose Aaron to be the high priest, and you could not intrude upon an office of which God did not call you. In fact, the truth of the matter is this. God still does the same today. He calls whom He wills vocationally. In other words, he called me to be a preacher. He calls some folks to be doctors, some folks to be engineers, some to be teachers, some to be mechanics. It's astounding to me how God prepares a person for his vocation, for his life's work.

[John Weaver] You know the Bible tells us in Mark chapter 3 verses 13 and 14, and this is still true by the way, the Bible says concerning Jesus Christ, and he goeth up into a mountain and calleth unto himself whom he would, and he ordained twelve that they might be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach the gospel. He ordained twelve. He called unto himself whom he would. He still does that today. I realize that when it comes to preachers, when it comes to pastors, there are some that are mama called and papa sent. I know that there are some that have entered into the ministry as a profession.

[John Weaver] It's just a job to some of them. But there are those that God has called like he did Aaron. In fact, the Bible says in Hebrews chapter 5 and verse 4, talking, listen carefully, And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." Aaron was specifically called of God. The Levites were specifically called of God. So the truth of the matter is this. God not only chooses when it comes to a national election, He chooses when it comes to a vocational election.

[John Weaver] Does that mean that I did not want to preach? The truth of the matter is, yes, I wanted to preach because God chose me and He put the desire in me to preach and to teach His Word. Just like when He chooses some to be a doctor, He puts the desire in them to be a doctor. So, but it is a vocational election. There's a third election and that is a messianic election. God the Father chose the Lord Jesus Christ to be the Messiah.

[John Weaver] No one else was chosen. In fact, you will find that particular statement in Isaiah 42 and verse 1. Listen to what God the Father says about the Lord Jesus Christ. So I must point out that salvation does not exist anywhere else or in anyone else except the Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Because God the Father chose Him to be the mediator. He chose Him to be the Messiah. He chose Him to be the Redeemer. Therefore, salvation is in Him and Him alone.

[John Weaver] And by the way, it goes even further than that. Because God the Father even chose the tribe from which Jesus Christ was to come. You have to remember that in the Old Testament, the two leading tribes were Ephraim and Manasseh, who happened to have been the sons of Joseph. You remember he got the double portion. But when you get to Psalm 78 in verse 67, the Bible says this, moreover, he refused the tabernacle of Joseph and chose not the tribe of Ephraim, but chose the tribe of Judah, the Mount Zion, which he loved." Do you realize that everything about the Lord Jesus Christ was ordained to the detail?

[John Weaver] Nothing was left to accident. If you will look in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 4, and let's begin reading there with verse 26. Acts 4, watch verse 26. The scripture says, the kings of the earth stood up and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus whom thou hast anointed Both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done." So the life of Jesus Christ was mapped out exactly and perfectly the way God ordained it. There was no accidents whatsoever in his life. And I might point out, there are no accidents in our lives, only incidents which God uses to bring his providence to pass in our lives.

[John Weaver] So, you have a national election, you have a vocational election, you also have a messianic election. Now, if you look back in your Bibles to 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and verse 13, our text tells us that there is a soteriological election that is an election unto salvation and this election is by God's choice look at it but we're bound to give thanks always to God for you brother and beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation Now the word salvation is the Greek word soteria in the Greek and it refers to salvation, messianic salvation, and preservation. Arthur W. Pink states in his fourfold salvation that this word means salvation or being saved from the penalty, power, presence, and ultimately even the pleasure of sin. So we're not only saved from the penalty of sin, we're saved from the power of sin. That power has been broken according to Romans chapter six. We'll be saved from its presence when we are with the Lord. And he says, most importantly, we are now even being saved from the pleasure of sin.

[John Weaver] Now, look, if you would, back at verse 13 again, he says, but we're bound to give thanks always to God for you, brother and beloved of the Lord, because God from the beginning hath chosen you from the beginning chosen you to salvation. I want to ask a question. Why? Why did he choose us? Why did he choose you? Why did he choose me? Now it is true that his choice is always in him and in Him alone.

[John Weaver] We could answer, and answer truthfully, that He chose us for His own honor and His own glory. And that is true. But here's the truth. We have nothing in ourselves. We have nothing in us to commend us unto God. There's absolutely nothing in which we can boast And there is absolutely nothing outside of His sovereign grace and mercy for Him choosing any of us. We were sinners, and still are, rebels, transgressors, iniquitous, disobedient, hateful, and wicked, and yet He chose us in His mercy and His grace. Nothing good in us.

[John Weaver] When you stop and think about God's omniscience, he knows everything. He knows the end from the beginning, according to the Bible. And God in his omniscience looked down through eternity and saw us and saw all of our sins, all of our wickednesses, all of our disobediences, all of our lusts. And still he said, it's love upon us. chose us anyway I want you to listen to Romans 5 in fact turn there I want you to see it look in Romans chapter 5 notice if you would beginning there with verse 7 Romans 5 verse 7 an astounding truth for scarcely For a righteous man will one die, scarcely, might happen occasionally. Yet perventure for a good man, some would even dare to die. But God committeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. while we were yet sinners, while we were yet His enemies, while we were yet in our sins, while we were yet in our wickedness and in our rebellion, Christ died for us. When we stop and think of the fact and the reality that we deserve nothing but the justice of God, it makes the truth of Isaiah And the truth of the Apostle Paul come alive in our hearts.

[John Weaver] What truth is that? Well, you're in the book of Romans. Look in Romans chapter 9 and verse 29. Look at what is said, Romans 9 verse 29. For as Isaiah said before, so he's quoting Isaiah. As Isaiah said before, except the Lord of the Sabbath had left us a seed, we had been as Sodom and been made like into Gomorrah. What? He said if God had not left us a seed, we would have been absolutely, totally, completely destroyed. We'd have been wiped out just like Sodom and Gomorrah. So let me put it to you like this. If God had not chosen some to be saved, none would be saved.

[John Weaver] How can I say that? Well, look back in your Bibles to Romans chapter 3, and let's begin reading there with verse 10. Romans 3, verse 10, we'll read through verse 18. Watch this carefully. Romans chapter 3, beginning there with verse 10. Look what the scripture says. As it is written, there is none righteous, No, not one. Nobody deserves to be saved. No one was righteous. There is none that understandeth. Not one. There is none that seeketh after God.

[John Weaver] They're all going out of the way. They're together become unprofitable. There is none that doeth good. No, not one. Here's our description. Their throat is an open sepulcher, where their tongues they have used as seat. The poison of asp is under their lips, whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood. Destruction and misery are in their ways, and the way of peace they have not known.

[John Weaver] There is no fear of God before their eyes." This is what we are by nature. This is what we were when Christ died for us. This is what we were when God chose us. Let me tell you something. I can understand how God can condemn, doom, and destroy sinners. But how He could love us and choose us. There's no explanation other than just the sovereign grace and mercy of God.

[John Weaver] So let me ask you a question. I want you to think with me, please. Why did God save you? Why did God choose you? I want you to stop and think of the multitudes that hate God. They hate His Word. They hate His people. They hate His salvation. They have no interest in the things of God. They have no interest in reading the Scripture. They have no interest in going to church. They have no interest in learning anything right. And it's not just the multitudes. Sometimes it's our own family. I have family members.

[John Weaver] They care nothing about Christ. I have family members that I witnessed to in time past. They are now dead. But boy, they told me very quickly they didn't want anything to do with Jesus Christ. And when you look at your own family, your own friends, your own neighborhood, Why did God choose you? Why did God save you? Why are you here? Understand something. Once you see this truth, it will humble you. It will make you bow before God in the dust with adoration and praise and gratitude in your heart for His so great salvation.

[John Weaver] Let me give you another picture. I want you to turn to the book of Ephesians chapter 2 Galatians Ephesians look if you would in Ephesians chapter 2 and let's begin reading there with verse 1 watch if you would please the Bible says and you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins so God made us alive when we were dead in trespasses and in sins.

[John Weaver] In other words, we were helpless. We were hopeless. We could not do one thing for ourselves. But although we were dead in trespasses and sins, according to verse 1, verses 2 and 3 tells us we were quite alive. What does it mean to be dead in trespasses and sins? Well, here's what it means. Look in verse 2. Wherein time passed, you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience, among whom also we all had our conversation in times past, in the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."

[John Weaver] Let me ask you a question. Would I have any volunteers to stand up in this room and just tell me all the sordid details and sins and wickednesses that have been in your life since you were, say, ten years old? And I would not have any takers, because you would be embarrassed to do so, and so would I be embarrassed to do so. All I'm trying to point out is each one of us lived exactly like this until the grace of God came in our hearts.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to watch this. Go back to verse 3. Verse 1 tells us we were dead. Verse 2 tells us we walked according to the course of this world, the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in children of disobedience, which we were. Then in verse 3 he says, among whom also we all had our conversation, that is our conduct, in times past, in the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and whereby nature, that's our nature, whereby nature, the children of wrath, even as others, that is deserving of doom, death, condemnation, watch, but God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace are ye saved." Do you see, when he says, but God, that is a divine intervention.

[John Weaver] That is what changed our lives. That is what made us what we are. But God. You know, when you read through the book of Ezekiel, In the book of Ezekiel chapter 8 and chapter 9, the people in the city are so wicked and so vile, God is sending an angel with a sword to slay all the wicked. And God tells the angel to wait until the man with the ink horn puts a mark on the forehead of his people.

[John Weaver] Those are not to be slain. Everybody else is to be slain. In Ezekiel 9, 8, let me just read it. In Ezekiel 9, 8, Ezekiel said, and it came to pass, while they were slaying them, that is in the middle of the death, And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, I fell on my face and cried, O Lord God."

[John Weaver] When I realized I was spared, I fell on my face. Now let me ask you a question. Why? Why are you saved? Let me show you. I want you to go back in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 4. And look if you would please at verse 7. Here's some questions that you need to ponder. And you need to be able to answer these questions biblically. 1 Corinthians 4 and verse 7, look what the Apostle asked, For who maketh thee to differ from another?

[John Weaver] And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?

[John Weaver] Now watch, for who maketh thee to differ from another? So let me ask this question again, why are you saved and others are not? Why do you understand truth when others do not? Why do you have a hunger for the Word of God when others do not? Who made you to differ? In other words, if there's a difference in your life, someone made that difference. And that difference was made by God alone. Now he asks this question next.

[John Weaver] And what is thou that thou didst not receive? You say, well, wait a minute. Wait a minute. You've got to understand, preacher, I repented and I believed. Wonderful. Where did you get repentance from? Who gave it to you? Read Acts 5, read Acts 11. Repentance is the gift of God. Read 2 Timothy chapter 2. Repentance is the gift of God. Faith is a gift of God. Everything that you have Spiritually speaking, physically and mentally and economically as well, everything you have, God gave you.

[John Weaver] And he said, if you have received it, why do you glory or boast as if you had not received it? Everything that we have, God gave us. It was God who made the difference. Let me show you. I want you to turn back to Romans chapter 9, and I want to begin reading with verse 10. You see, this is a divine choice. We have to understand that we have a reason to celebrate, a cause to celebrate. Watch this. Romans 9, verse 10.

[John Weaver] And not only this, but when Rebekah also had conceived by one, even by her father Isaac, for the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand not of works, but of him that calleth. This had nothing to do with Jacob and Esau. They weren't even born. They had not done any good or evil. It had to do with the purpose of God. According to the election might stand not of works, but of him that calleth.

[John Weaver] And it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but he so have I hated. Now watch. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? And then he says, God forbid. You'll find that expression a number of times in the Bible, especially from the Apostle Paul. Here's what it means. Perish the thought. Don't even think that way. Don't let that thought enter in your mind. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. Don't think that. Here's the answer.

[John Weaver] For he said to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy. And I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then, it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth." You know, We like to take this to ourselves and forbid it to God.

[John Weaver] So, if I happen to have $10,000 in my pocket and I walk outside, and there are 20 homeless people, sickly, hungry, And I take that money and I give it to five of them. Are the rest going to complain I didn't give to them? Let me ask you a question. How many of them deserved a gift from me? None. When I gave, I had compassion on whom I would have compassion on.

[John Weaver] I had mercy on whom I would have mercy on. We do that all the time. You'll pass people by, and there's others that you won't pass by. God said, I will have mercy on whom I'll have... It's God's mercy. He can give it to whomever He pleases. It's His compassion. He can exercise it whenever He sees fit. He did not see fit to exercise it on Pharaoh. He hardened Pharaoh's heart, but he had mercy upon us.

[John Weaver] Do you understand something, folks? This is what I'm trying to share with you, that your election, your calling, your salvation, and ultimately your glorification are only due to the grace and mercy of God. It is a cause to celebrate, but it's also a cause to be humble, to be thankful and appreciative, And to celebrate with praise and thanksgiving that great salvation that God has given to us. If we understand our vileness, if we understand our wickedness, if we understand our just desserts, if we understand the holiness and grace and mercy of God, it will throw us on our face before Him. Listen carefully.

[John Weaver] Again, 2 Thessalonians 2 and verse 13. But we're bound that is here's a debt we owe this debt. To give thanks all the way to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation. Here's my first application. I want you to listen carefully. God's salvation. does not make one arrogant, haughty, and proud. God's salvation brings us in the dust before Him, recognizing that we deserve nothing but death and judgment, and that everything we have comes from His grace and His mercy.

[John Weaver] He saved us, and to Him alone belongs the glory and the honor. Jonathan Edwards said it like this. You contribute nothing to your salvation but the sin which made it necessary. And that's a fact. Remember he says we are bound to give thanks. We're bound. It's a duty. It's an obligation. It's a It's a debt that accrues. The longer God lets us live and the more understanding and the more light that He gives us, the more we ought to praise Him and adore Him and worship Him and glorify Him.

[John Weaver] Let me show you something. I want you to hold 2 Thessalonians 2 just for one second and go ahead and find Psalm 50. Psalm 50. I want to show you this. We're going to look at verse 23, OK? Psalm 50, verse 23. Watch carefully. He says, 2 Thessalonians 2 and verse 13. But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brother and beloved of the Lord. We're bound. We owe it because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation. Now look at Psalm 15 verse 23 where God says, whosoever offereth praise glorifyeth me. And to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God. Whosoever offereth praise glorifyeth me. We ought to be praising the Lord daily for his so great salvation in Jesus Christ. We ought to praise Him for first loving us. We ought to praise Him for first choosing us. We ought to praise Him for sending His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. We ought to praise Him that He's opened our eyes and granted us understanding.

[John Weaver] We ought to praise Him that there is a desire in us to live holy and obediently and godly before Him and walk pleasing in His sight. We are bound. We are indebted. to praise Him. And we are to glorify Him by offering Him all the praise in our lives. I mentioned Alice. I've been mentioned a number of times. I'm thankful the Lord has let me live as long as I've lived and have the help that I have. And I want to praise Him for that. But I especially want to praise Him for His so great salvation and Jesus Christ. For without Christ, we are lost.

[John Weaver] We love Him only because He first loved us. And we chose Him only because He first chose us. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee. We thank You for Your Word. We thank You for Your truth. wonderful grace and mercy. We're thankful for your so great salvation in Jesus Christ. Help us, Father, to love Thee, to live for Thee, to honor Thee. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

[John Weaver] so so

A Cause To Celebrate - Part 1 of 2

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	rmv1xAxI2K0
Subject	Old Testament Studies
Course	Proverbs: The Fear of the Lord and Wisdom: Can We All Just Get Along?
Genre	Sermon
Date	2021-08-17
Dictation Name
Book	Book 123: A Cause To Celebrate — Chapter 1
Source Timed Segments	80

Formatted Transcript

Opening

Turn to 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, and we're going to read verses 13 through 17. 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, verses 13 through 17. The title of the message is "A Cause to Celebrate." This message will be in two parts. The larger explanation will be next week, Lord willing. But notice, if you would, 2 Thessalonians 2, beginning there with verse 13, the apostle writes,

Scripture Reading — 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

"But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." "Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work."

Introduction: The Meaning of 'Cause'

Weaver introduces the topic by noting that everyone has a cause, and he examines the biblical use of 'cause' in both negative and positive contexts, citing Exodus 23:2-3 and Numbers 27.

It appears today that everyone has a cause. There are many causes that are righteous, and there are many causes that are unrighteous. Some have standing, and some certainly have absolutely no standing. But have you ever thought about the word "cause"? And have you ever thought about how the word "cause" is used in the Bible? I suppose that we probably use the word "cause" or "because" hundreds of times each day, especially if you have little children, because they're going to ask, and the answer that you're going to give is, "Because I said so," you know, or "Because this is right," or "Because this is what we're doing." So we use that term frequently. But when the Bible talks about causes, sometimes it is given in a negative situation and sometimes in a positive situation. So let me ask you, just by way of introduction, to turn in your Bibles to the book of Exodus chapter 23, and let's look, if you would, about some negations when we're talking about causes. So notice, if you would, in Exodus chapter 23 at verses 2 and 3.

So here is the Bible speaking negatively in one sense concerning a cause. God says, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause." Now the interesting thing is, the Hebrew word for "cause" in this passage refers to a strife, a contention, a controversy, an argument, and even a case at law. So this passage then appears not only for the sake of Christians, but I would also say for the sake of attorneys as well, that they should take these verses to heart. So God is telling us that one does not support evil, and one does not support evil simply because one is poor or deprived or agitated or vindictive or numerous or demanding. God says, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment." We want judgment; we do not want it to decline. Then he said, "Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause." In other words, just because someone is poor or someone has some disabilities, God said, if the cause is wrong, you don't countenance him just because he's poor, just because he has disabilities. In other words, right is right, wrong is wrong.

It doesn't matter if he's rich or poor, if they're numerous or not numerous, that's immaterial. Then if you look down in verse 6, he says this again, "Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of the poor in his cause." In other words, just because a poor man is poor and unable to fight and defend himself, God says, he still must have judgment. He still must have justice. And so we're not to wrest a poor man in his cause. And unhappily, there are many individuals that make their living and make their livelihood by taking the money away from poor people who cannot fight and who cannot defend themselves.

Bringing Our Causes Before the Lord

Using the example of the daughters of Zelophehad, Weaver urges believers to bring their complicated issues to God rather than relying on their own understanding, referencing Proverbs 3:5-7 and 1 Peter 5:7.

Now, when you go through the Bible, there were some cases that were so complicated that they had to bring them before the Lord. One such illustration is found in the book of Numbers, chapter 27. And I want you to turn there because this deals with the children of Zelophehad. Now, Zelophehad had only daughters. He did not have any sons. You say, well, what is so complicated about that? Well, the complication was very simple, because property in the Old Testament was passed through the sons, from the father to the sons. And so here then is a case where this man had no sons whatsoever, only daughters. So if you look in Numbers chapter 27 verse 3, the daughters say, "Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah, but died in his own sin, and had no sons. Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family?

Because he hath no son. Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father." So the daughters then wanted the inheritance of the father. So Moses then takes it to the Lord. Look in verse 5. "And Moses brought their cause before the Lord. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them." You know, I think one of the biggest problems that we have is this, that we seldom ever bring our problems, our controversies, and our complicated issues before the Lord and His Word. What we try to do is work them out in the arm of the flesh. We try to work them out to the best of our ability, the best we can, and consequently, we usually end up very miserably.

We fail to take into account Proverbs chapter 3, verses 5 through 7 there, where the Bible says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil." Now, there's another passage, I think, that will go along with what I'm saying. And that passage is found in 1 Peter 5 and verse 7, where the Bible says,

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 5:7

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

Someone has noted, and I think very accurately, that usually when we cast our cares, when we cast our burdens upon the Lord, and we turn to walk away, we trip over the strings that we left attached to them. The implication is we never really cast them upon Him to begin with. Because if we had really cast them upon Him, they would no longer be our burdens. They'd no longer be our problems. They would be His.

And it would be up to Him to work them out the way He desired and the way He wanted to. And of course, He would lead us in that way and direct us in that way. I find it absolutely astounding that there are very few Christians that really and truly bring their problems to the Lord. Very few really say, "Lord, I need help. I need wisdom. I need direction." And something else is astounding is this: Very few Christians really pray concerning these problems. Now, it's very easy for someone to say, "Pray for me. I'm facing surgery." But how about, "Pray for me, I'm facing financial problems. Pray for me, I'm facing family problems. Pray for me, I'm facing problems with my children." I'm just simply saying, when it comes to our troubles, when it comes to our problems, very few really consult the Word of God, and very few really truly pray and ask the Lord to solve those problems. Now, there are some biblical causes that we should never, ever hesitate to bring before the Lord.

Biblical Causes That Are Righteous

Weaver highlights several Psalms where David pleads his cause before God, showing that there are righteous causes worth defending, and notes Jesus' own cause to bear witness to the truth.

In fact, I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, to Psalms, and begin reading there with Psalm 9. I want to show you several passages, just trying to prepare you for the message I'm going to be dealing with. But look in Psalm 9, if you would please, and verse 4, just to show you that, yes, there are indeed biblical causes, right causes. In Psalm 9 and verse 4, David says this:

Scripture Reading — Psalm 9:4

"For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right."

So David is saying that God had maintained his right and his cause because his cause was biblical and it was right. And he brought it to the Lord as the judge, and he judged rightly and maintained that cause. If you would look in your Bibles to Psalm 35 and verse 1, Psalm 35 and verse 1. Look at this prayer request. David prays, "Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me.

Fight against them that fight against me." Look at that.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 35:1, 23

"Plead my cause, O Lord."

In other words, the position that David was holding, the truth that he was speaking, the way that he was living, the cause that he was standing for, he just simply asked the Lord to plead his cause, to take my case. And

Scripture Reading — Psalm 35:1, 23

"you fight against them that fight against me."

In other words, I'm in the right, Lord. And Lord, I want you to help me with my enemies and my adversaries. In the same psalm, skip down if you would please to verse 23. Psalm 35 and verse 23, he says it like this, "Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord." So he's asking the Lord to stir himself up and come and help him because he needs help desperately. And then if you look in Psalm 43 in verse 1, I think this is a psalm that you and I need to pray, especially in light of today's situation. Look at this prayer request in Psalm 43 in verse 1. David prays, "Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man." And certainly we have an ungodly nation. And our nation is filled with deceitful and unjust men. And so David is taking this cause to the Lord and he's asking Him to plead that cause and to deliver him from the deceitful and unjust man.

Now, there are many causes in the Bible. Unless someone thinks, "Well, there's not a real cause." Yes, there is. In fact, in John 18, you don't have to turn there, but in John 18 in verse 37, our Lord was standing before Pilate. "Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king.

Now listen to what he said, "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." So our Lord said, "For this cause came I into the world." I came to bear witness to the truth. And he should bear witness to the truth, for he himself is truth incarnate. And he does have a cause to judge, because he is King of kings, and Lord of lords, and God of gods, and Judge of judges. He also has a cause to save. Why? Because he is the Redeemer. He's the reconciler. He's the Messiah. He is salvation, and he is in salvation alone.

Defining 'Celebrate'

Weaver provides four definitions of 'celebrate'—to observe, to make known publicly, to praise widely, and to perform rites—and applies them to the believer's response to salvation.

Now before I show it to you, I want to give you some definitions of "celebrate." You can look on the online dictionary, you can look at Oxford's, Cambridge, Merriam-Webster, it doesn't matter. You're going to come up with some definitions of "celebrate," and I want you to listen to four of them. The first one is this: to observe a day, to commemorate an event with ceremonies or festivities, and then they give the illustration "to celebrate Christmas" or "to celebrate a new play." So basically to observe a day or to commemorate an event with ceremonies and with festivities. That's the first one. Number two: to make known publicly; to proclaim. And then they give an illustration: "The newspaper celebrated the end of the war in red headlines." But note, if you would please, the definition means to make known publicly, to proclaim. The third one is to praise widely or to present to widespread and favorable public notice. And then the last one, number four, is this: to perform with appropriate rites and ceremonies. And then the illustration they give is "to solemnize" or "to celebrate a marriage."

So here's what I want to emphasize. I want to emphasize that the word "celebrate" for us means to observe, to commemorate, to make known publicly, to proclaim, and to praise widely, and even perform rites or ceremonies appropriate for that celebration. Now, with that in mind, I want you to look back in your Bibles to 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and verse 13, because out of four points I'm only going to be covering one today, okay? So look, if you would please, at verse 13. Here the apostle writes, "But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because"—here's the reason—"because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation."

The Divine Choice: God Chose Us to Salvation

Focusing on 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Weaver explains that believers are bound to give thanks because God chose them to salvation, emphasizing that the choice originates with God, not man.

Now when you stop and think about this, when you meditate upon it, you should have a cause to celebrate and commemorate and to make known, to praise and to be thankful and perform appropriate ceremonies of thanksgiving because of this—what I'm going to deal with today—a divine choice. He says, "God hath chosen you to salvation." Now, I want you to go back to verse 13. There's a word I've got to emphasize. He says, "But we are bound to give thanks always to God." The word "bound" is the Greek word opheilō, which literally means, listen carefully, to owe, to be bound, to be bound to a duty, and to be a debtor. Still further, it even has the meaning to accrue. So simply stated, it means this debt of gratitude, this debt of thanksgiving and praise grows over time. In other words, your debt increases. You never ever get out of this debt. You never ever pay this debt off. He says we're bound, we owe, we owe thanks always to God. I think that you can see that it is indeed a debt of gratitude and praise because he says in verse 13, "But we are bound to give thanks." And the Greek word for "thanks" there was the word eucharisteō, and it literally means to be grateful, to be thankful, to be appreciative. The word occurs 39 times in the New Testament.

So he's telling us now this is a cause to celebrate, to be thankful. So what is that cause? It is a divine choice. Now look at it. He says, "But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation."

Now let me say something. I do not know how much simpler, plainer, or clearer this truth could be. It is just said straight forward: "God hath chosen you to salvation." So let me make this exceedingly clear. We did not choose Him. He chose us. Hold on. I want you to hold this passage, but I want you to turn back, if you would, to the book of John, chapter 15, and let's look at several passages. Look in John, chapter 15, and notice, if you would, first of all, verse 16. John 15 and verse 16. Look what our Lord tells His disciples. He said, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." Notice if you would, He said, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you." Now He says it again in verse 19. Skip down.

Four Types of Election in the Bible

Weaver outlines four biblical elections: national (Israel), vocational (Levites, apostles), messianic (Christ), and soteriological (salvation), all demonstrating God's sovereign choice.

He did not choose the Babylonians or the Egyptians or the Assyrians or the Moabites or the Ammonites. He chose Israel. And that's why the Bible says in Amos 3 and verse 2, God spoke to Israel. He said, "You only have I known of all the families of the earth." Well, surely God knew all the other families. I mean, He judged them. He created them. He judged them.

He destroyed many of them. Surely He knew who they were. But what does it mean when He said, "You only have I known of all the families of the earth"? He is saying, "You only have I chosen. You only have I entered into a covenant with. You only have I revealed myself unto. You only have I given my word." So Israel as a nation was unique in the sense that God chose them to be his national and peculiar treasure.

That's what he said in the book of Exodus chapter 19. God chose them. So there is a national election. There is secondly what you and I would call a vocational election as well. Because in the Bible, in the Old Testament, God chose the tribe of Levi to minister unto him. No other tribe could minister unto God in the tabernacle and the temple. You'll find that in numerous places, but one of them happens to be Numbers chapter 3 and verse 41. And here's what God said.

"And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the Lord) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel." So notice, if you would please, God chose the Levites. You remember in Numbers chapter 16, when Dathan and Abiram and Korah all united together and wanted the priesthood. Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Even though some of them were Levites, no. The Levites had the opportunity to serve, but God chose Aaron to be the high priest, and you could not intrude upon an office of which God did not call you. In fact, the truth of the matter is this: God still does the same today. He calls whom He wills vocationally. In other words, he called me to be a preacher. He calls some folks to be doctors, some folks to be engineers, some to be teachers, some to be mechanics. It's astounding to me how God prepares a person for his vocation, for his life's work.

You know the Bible tells us in Mark chapter 3 verses 13 and 14, and this is still true by the way, the Bible says concerning Jesus Christ,

Scripture Reading — Mark 3:13-14

"And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach."

He ordained twelve. He called unto himself whom he would. He still does that today. I realize that when it comes to preachers, when it comes to pastors, there are some that are mama called and papa sent. I know that there are some that have entered into the ministry as a profession. It's just a job to some of them. But there are those that God has called like he did Aaron. In fact, the Bible says in Hebrews chapter 5 and verse 4, talking, listen carefully, "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." Aaron was specifically called of God. The Levites were specifically called of God. So the truth of the matter is this: God not only chooses when it comes to a national election, He chooses when it comes to a vocational election.

Does that mean that I did not want to preach? The truth of the matter is, yes, I wanted to preach because God chose me and He put the desire in me to preach and to teach His Word. Just like when He chooses some to be a doctor, He puts the desire in them to be a doctor. So, but it is a vocational election. There's a third election and that is a messianic election. God the Father chose the Lord Jesus Christ to be the Messiah. No one else was chosen. In fact, you will find that particular statement in Isaiah 42 and verse 1. Listen to what God the Father says about the Lord Jesus Christ. So I must point out that salvation does not exist anywhere else or in anyone else except the Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Because God the Father chose Him to be the mediator. He chose Him to be the Messiah. He chose Him to be the Redeemer. Therefore, salvation is in Him and Him alone.

And by the way, it goes even further than that. Because God the Father even chose the tribe from which Jesus Christ was to come. You have to remember that in the Old Testament, the two leading tribes were Ephraim and Manasseh, who happened to have been the sons of Joseph. You remember he got the double portion. But when you get to Psalm 78 in verse 67, the Bible says this, "Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: but chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved." Do you realize that everything about the Lord Jesus Christ was ordained to the detail? Nothing was left to accident. If you will look in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 4, and let's begin reading there with verse 26. Acts 4, watch verse 26. The scripture says,

Scripture Reading — Acts 4:26-28

"The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done."

So the life of Jesus Christ was mapped out exactly and perfectly the way God ordained it. There was no accidents whatsoever in his life. And I might point out, there are no accidents in our lives, only incidents which God uses to bring his providence to pass in our lives.

So, you have a national election, you have a vocational election, you also have a messianic election. Now, if you look back in your Bibles to 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and verse 13, our text tells us that there is a soteriological election, that is an election unto salvation, and this election is by God's choice. Look at it: "But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation." Now the word "salvation" is the Greek word sōtēria in the Greek, and it refers to salvation, messianic salvation, and preservation. Arthur W. Pink states in his fourfold salvation that this word means salvation or being saved from the penalty, power, presence, and ultimately even the pleasure of sin. So we're not only saved from the penalty of sin, we're saved from the power of sin. That power has been broken according to Romans chapter 6. We'll be saved from its presence when we are with the Lord. And he says, most importantly, we are now even being saved from the pleasure of sin.

Why Did God Choose Us?

Weaver explores the question of why God chose sinners, citing Romans 5:8 and Romans 3:10-18 to show human depravity, and concludes that election is solely due to God's grace and mercy.

We could answer, and answer truthfully, that He chose us for His own honor and His own glory. And that is true. But here's the truth. We have nothing in ourselves. We have nothing in us to commend us unto God. There's absolutely nothing in which we can boast. And there is absolutely nothing outside of His sovereign grace and mercy for Him choosing any of us. We were sinners, and still are, rebels, transgressors, iniquitous, disobedient, hateful, and wicked, and yet He chose us in His mercy and His grace. Nothing good in us.

When you stop and think about God's omniscience, he knows everything. He knows the end from the beginning, according to the Bible. And God in his omniscience looked down through eternity and saw us and saw all of our sins, all of our wickednesses, all of our disobediences, all of our lusts. And still he said, "I love you," and chose us anyway. I want you to listen to Romans 5, in fact turn there, I want you to see it. Look in Romans chapter 5, notice if you would beginning there with verse 7. Romans 5 verse 7, an astounding truth: "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." While we were yet sinners, while we were yet His enemies, while we were yet in our sins, while we were yet in our wickedness and in our rebellion, Christ died for us. When we stop and think of the fact and the reality that we deserve nothing but the justice of God, it makes the truth of Isaiah and the truth of the Apostle Paul come alive in our hearts.

What truth is that? Well, you're in the book of Romans. Look in Romans chapter 9 and verse 29. Look at what is said, Romans 9 verse 29: "And as Esaias said before," so he's quoting Isaiah. "As Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha." What? He said if God had not left us a seed, we would have been absolutely, totally, completely destroyed. We'd have been wiped out just like Sodom and Gomorrah. So let me put it to you like this: If God had not chosen some to be saved, none would be saved.

How can I say that? Well, look back in your Bibles to Romans chapter 3, and let's begin reading there with verse 10. Romans 3, verse 10, we'll read through verse 18. Watch this carefully. Romans chapter 3, beginning there with verse 10. Look what the scripture says: "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one." Nobody deserves to be saved. No one was righteous. "There is none that understandeth." Not one. "There is none that seeketh after God.

They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Here's our description: "Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: their feet are swift to shed blood: destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace have they not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes." This is what we are by nature. This is what we were when Christ died for us. This is what we were when God chose us. Let me tell you something. I can understand how God can condemn, doom, and destroy sinners. But how He could love us and choose us—there's no explanation other than just the sovereign grace and mercy of God.

So let me ask you a question. I want you to think with me, please. Why did God save you? Why did God choose you? I want you to stop and think of the multitudes that hate God. They hate His Word. They hate His people. They hate His salvation. They have no interest in the things of God. They have no interest in reading the Scripture. They have no interest in going to church. They have no interest in learning anything right. And it's not just the multitudes. Sometimes it's our own family. I have family members.

The Humbling Effect of Election

Using Ephesians 2:1-5 and 1 Corinthians 4:7, Weaver argues that understanding election should produce humility, not pride, because everything we have is received from God.

Let me give you another picture. I want you to turn to the book of Ephesians chapter 2. Galatians, Ephesians, look if you would in Ephesians chapter 2 and let's begin reading there with verse 1. Watch if you would please. The Bible says, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." So God made us alive when we were dead in trespasses and in sins. In other words, we were helpless. We were hopeless. We could not do one thing for ourselves. But although we were dead in trespasses and sins, according to verse 1, verses 2 and 3 tells us we were quite alive. What does it mean to be dead in trespasses and sins? Well, here's what it means. Look in verse 2: "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."

Let me ask you a question. Would I have any volunteers to stand up in this room and just tell me all the sordid details and sins and wickednesses that have been in your life since you were, say, ten years old? And I would not have any takers, because you would be embarrassed to do so, and so would I be embarrassed to do so. All I'm trying to point out is each one of us lived exactly like this until the grace of God came in our hearts.

Now, I want you to watch this. Go back to verse 3. Verse 1 tells us we were dead. Verse 2 tells us we walked according to the course of this world, the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in children of disobedience, which we were. Then in verse 3 he says, "Among whom also we all had our conversation"—that is our conduct—"in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature"—that's our nature—"by nature the children of wrath, even as others," that is deserving of doom, death, condemnation. Watch: "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)." Do you see, when he says, "But God," that is a divine intervention.

That is what changed our lives. That is what made us what we are. "But God." You know, when you read through the book of Ezekiel, in the book of Ezekiel chapter 8 and chapter 9, the people in the city are so wicked and so vile, God is sending an angel with a sword to slay all the wicked. And God tells the angel to wait until the man with the ink horn puts a mark on the forehead of his people. Those are not to be slain. Everybody else is to be slain. In Ezekiel 9:8, let me just read it. In Ezekiel 9:8, Ezekiel said, "And it came to pass, while they were slaying them," that is in the middle of the death, "and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord God!"

When I realized I was spared, I fell on my face. Now let me ask you a question. Why? Why are you saved? Let me show you. I want you to go back in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 4. And look if you would please at verse 7. Here's some questions that you need to ponder. And you need to be able to answer these questions biblically. 1 Corinthians 4 and verse 7, look what the Apostle asked: "For who maketh thee to differ from another?

And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" Now watch, "For who maketh thee to differ from another?" So let me ask this question again: Why are you saved and others are not? Why do you understand truth when others do not? Why do you have a hunger for the Word of God when others do not? Who made you to differ? In other words, if there's a difference in your life, someone made that difference. And that difference was made by God alone. Now he asks this question next.

"And what hast thou that thou didst not receive?" You say, "Well, wait a minute. Wait a minute. You've got to understand, preacher, I repented and I believed." Wonderful. Where did you get repentance from? Who gave it to you? Read Acts 5, read Acts 11. Repentance is the gift of God. Read 2 Timothy chapter 2. Repentance is the gift of God. Faith is a gift of God. Everything that you have—spiritually speaking, physically and mentally and economically as well—everything you have, God gave you.

And he said, "If you have received it, why do you glory or boast as if you had not received it?" Everything that we have, God gave us. It was God who made the difference. Let me show you. I want you to turn back to Romans chapter 9, and I want to begin reading with verse 10. You see, this is a divine choice. We have to understand that we have a reason to celebrate, a cause to celebrate. Watch this. Romans 9, verse 10.

God's Sovereign Mercy

Weaver expounds Romans 9:10-18 to show that God has mercy on whom He wills, and that salvation is not of human will or effort but of God who shows mercy.

"And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (for the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)" This had nothing to do with Jacob and Esau. They weren't even born. They had not done any good or evil. It had to do with the purpose of God. According to the election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth. "It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." Now watch. "What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God?" And then he says, "God forbid." You'll find that expression a number of times in the Bible, especially from the Apostle Paul. Here's what it means: Perish the thought. Don't even think that way. Don't let that thought enter in your mind. "What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid." Don't think that. Here's the answer.

"For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth." You know, we like to take this to ourselves and forbid it to God.

So, if I happen to have $10,000 in my pocket and I walk outside, and there are 20 homeless people, sickly, hungry, and I take that money and I give it to five of them. Are the rest going to complain I didn't give to them? Let me ask you a question. How many of them deserved a gift from me? None. When I gave, I had compassion on whom I would have compassion on. I had mercy on whom I would have mercy on. We do that all the time. You'll pass people by, and there's others that you won't pass by. God said, "I will have mercy on whom I'll have mercy." It's God's mercy. He can give it to whomever He pleases. It's His compassion. He can exercise it whenever He sees fit. He did not see fit to exercise it on Pharaoh. He hardened Pharaoh's heart, but he had mercy upon us.

Application: A Debt of Praise

Weaver concludes that believers are indebted to praise God continually for His sovereign grace in salvation, and that this praise glorifies God, as stated in Psalm 50:23.

Again, 2 Thessalonians 2 and verse 13: "But we are bound"—that is, here's a debt we owe this debt—"to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation." Here's my first application. I want you to listen carefully. God's salvation does not make one arrogant, haughty, and proud. God's salvation brings us in the dust before Him, recognizing that we deserve nothing but death and judgment, and that everything we have comes from His grace and His mercy. He saved us, and to Him alone belongs the glory and the honor. Jonathan Edwards said it like this: "You contribute nothing to your salvation but the sin which made it necessary." And that's a fact. Remember he says we are bound to give thanks. We're bound. It's a duty. It's an obligation. It's a debt that accrues. The longer God lets us live and the more understanding and the more light that He gives us, the more we ought to praise Him and adore Him and worship Him and glorify Him.

Let me show you something. I want you to hold 2 Thessalonians 2 just for one second and go ahead and find Psalm 50. Psalm 50. I want to show you this. We're going to look at verse 23, OK? Psalm 50, verse 23. Watch carefully. He says, 2 Thessalonians 2 and verse 13: "But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord." We're bound. We owe it because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation. Now look at Psalm 50 verse 23 where God says, "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God." Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me. We ought to be praising the Lord daily for his so great salvation in Jesus Christ. We ought to praise Him for first loving us. We ought to praise Him for first choosing us. We ought to praise Him for sending His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. We ought to praise Him that He's opened our eyes and granted us understanding.

We ought to praise Him that there is a desire in us to live holy and obediently and godly before Him and walk pleasing in His sight. We are bound. We are indebted to praise Him. And we are to glorify Him by offering Him all the praise in our lives. I mentioned, I guess, I've been mentioned a number of times. I'm thankful the Lord has let me live as long as I've lived and have the help that I have. And I want to praise Him for that. But I especially want to praise Him for His so great salvation in Jesus Christ. For without Christ, we are lost.

We love Him only because He first loved us. And we chose Him only because He first chose us. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee. We thank You for Your Word. We thank You for Your truth, wonderful grace and mercy. We're thankful for Your so great salvation in Jesus Christ. Help us, Father, to love Thee, to live for Thee, to honor Thee. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

Sovereign Election

Summary: God's choice of individuals to salvation is the central cause for celebration, rooted in His sovereign will and not in human merit.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation' (2 Thessalonians 2:13) and emphasizes that 'we did not choose Him. He chose us.'

Human Depravity

Summary: Humans are utterly sinful and incapable of seeking God, making divine election necessary for anyone to be saved.

Evidence: Weaver reads Romans 3:10-18, describing humanity as 'none righteous, no, not one' and 'there is no fear of God before their eyes.'

Grace and Mercy

Summary: Salvation is entirely a work of God's grace and mercy, not based on human works or will.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy' (Romans 9:16) and 'everything we have comes from His grace and His mercy.'

Humility in Salvation

Summary: Understanding election should produce humility, not pride, because believers contribute nothing but sin.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Jonathan Edwards: 'You contribute nothing to your salvation but the sin which made it necessary.'

Praise and Thanksgiving as a Debt

Summary: Believers are bound by a growing debt of gratitude to praise God continually for their salvation.

Evidence: Weaver explains the Greek word opheilō in 2 Thessalonians 2:13 means 'to owe, to be bound to a duty, and to be a debtor' and that this debt 'accrues over time.'

Theocentric Salvation

Summary: Salvation is God-centered; He is the initiator, and without His first move, there would be no salvation.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'Salvation is always theocentric... Salvation originated with God. He is the initiator of salvation.'

Key Arguments

God's choice is the basis for thanksgiving

Summary: Paul says believers are bound to give thanks because God chose them to salvation, making election a cause for celebration.

Evidence: 2 Thessalonians 2:13: 'But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you... because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation.'

Humans did not choose God; He chose them

Summary: Jesus explicitly states that He chose His disciples, not vice versa, establishing the priority of divine choice.

Evidence: John 15:16: 'Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.'

Election is not based on foreseen merit

Summary: God's choice of Jacob over Esau before they were born shows election is according to His purpose, not works.

Evidence: Romans 9:11: 'For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand.'

Salvation is entirely by grace through divine intervention

Summary: Ephesians 2 shows that while we were dead in sins, God made us alive, highlighting the 'But God' intervention.

Evidence: Ephesians 2:4-5: 'But God, who is rich in mercy... even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ.'

No one would be saved without election

Summary: Because all are sinful and none seek God, if God had not chosen some, all would be like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Evidence: Romans 9:29: 'Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.'

Everything believers have is received from God

Summary: Paul's questions in 1 Corinthians 4:7 emphasize that any difference in believers is due to God's grace, not personal merit.

Evidence: 1 Corinthians 4:7: 'For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?'

Scripture References

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Context: The main text of the sermon, emphasizing thanksgiving for God's choice of believers to salvation.

Exodus 23:2-3, 6

Context: Used to show negative biblical causes: not following a multitude to do evil or perverting justice for the poor.

Numbers 27:1-7

Context: The case of Zelophehad's daughters, illustrating bringing a complicated cause before the Lord.

Proverbs 3:5-7

Context: Encouragement to trust in the Lord and not lean on one's own understanding.

1 Peter 5:7

Context: Casting all care upon God because He cares for us.

Psalm 9:4

Context: David acknowledges God maintained his right and cause.

Psalm 35:1, 23

Context: David prays for God to plead his cause and fight against his enemies.

Psalm 43:1

Context: A prayer for God to plead one's cause against an ungodly nation.

John 18:37

Context: Jesus states He came into the world for the cause of bearing witness to the truth.

John 15:16, 19

Context: Jesus tells His disciples they did not choose Him, but He chose them.

1 Peter 2:9-10

Context: Believers are a chosen generation, called out of darkness into light.

Revelation 17:14

Context: Those with Christ are called, chosen, and faithful.

1 John 4:19, 10

Context: We love God because He first loved us; love is not that we loved God but that He loved us.

Amos 3:2

Context: God's unique knowledge of Israel as His chosen nation.

Numbers 3:41

Context: God chose the Levites for service instead of the firstborn.

Mark 3:13-14

Context: Jesus called whom He would to be apostles.

Hebrews 5:4

Context: No one takes the honor of priesthood unless called by God as Aaron was.

Isaiah 42:1

Context: God the Father chose the Messiah.

Psalm 78:67-68

Context: God refused the tabernacle of Joseph and chose the tribe of Judah.

Acts 4:26-28

Context: The actions of Herod, Pilate, and others were determined by God's counsel.

Historical References

Jonathan Edwards

Context: Weaver quotes Edwards: 'You contribute nothing to your salvation but the sin which made it necessary.'

Arthur W. Pink

Context: Weaver references Pink's 'fourfold salvation' regarding being saved from the penalty, power, presence, and pleasure of sin.

Important Quotes

But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation.

Significance: This is the central verse of the sermon, establishing the cause for celebration: God's sovereign election.

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.

Significance: Jesus' words emphasize that the initiative in salvation belongs to God, not man.

Salvation is always theocentric.

Significance: Weaver succinctly states that salvation is God-centered, originating with Him.

You contribute nothing to your salvation but the sin which made it necessary.

Significance: A quote from Jonathan Edwards that captures the total depravity of man and the sole work of God in salvation.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ.

Significance: Highlights the divine intervention that brings spiritual life to dead sinners.

I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Significance: God's declaration of His sovereign freedom in dispensing mercy, central to the doctrine of election.

Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

Significance: Connects the believer's praise with glorifying God and experiencing His salvation.

Discussion Questions

What does it mean that believers are 'bound' to give thanks, and how does this debt of gratitude grow over time?

Context: Weaver explains the Greek word opheilō as a debt that accrues, implying increasing obligation to praise God.

How does understanding that God chose us before we chose Him affect our view of salvation and personal humility?

Context: Weaver emphasizes that we love and choose God only because He first loved and chose us, which should produce humility.

In what ways do the four types of election (national, vocational, messianic, soteriological) demonstrate God's sovereignty?

Context: Weaver outlines these elections to show that God consistently chooses according to His will in various realms.

Why is it important to recognize that we contribute nothing to our salvation but sin?

Context: Weaver quotes Jonathan Edwards to stress that salvation is entirely of grace, leaving no room for boasting.

How should the truth of election influence our prayer life and our approach to bringing causes before God?

Context: Weaver earlier urged believers to bring their complicated issues to God, and election reinforces God's sovereign care.

What is the relationship between God's mercy and His hardening of hearts, as seen in Pharaoh's example?

Context: Weaver discusses Romans 9:18, noting that God has mercy on whom He wills and hardens whom He wills.

How can we practically 'offer praise' to glorify God in our daily lives?

Context: Weaver cites Psalm 50:23 and urges continual praise for God's salvation, love, and revelation.

Applications

Cultivate a habit of thanksgiving

Summary: Believers should continually give thanks to God for their salvation, recognizing it as a growing debt of gratitude.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'We are bound to give thanks always to God... this debt of gratitude and praise grows over time.'

Bring your problems to God in prayer

Summary: Instead of relying on human wisdom, believers should bring their complicated causes before the Lord and His Word.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'We seldom ever bring our problems, our controversies, and our complicated issues before the Lord and His Word.'

Embrace humility in light of election

Summary: Understanding that salvation is entirely God's work should lead to humility, not arrogance.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'God's salvation does not make one arrogant, haughty, and proud. God's salvation brings us in the dust before Him.'

Praise God for His sovereign grace

Summary: Believers are to offer praise continually, glorifying God for His mercy and salvation.

Evidence: Weaver exhorts, 'We ought to be praising the Lord daily for his so great salvation in Jesus Christ.'

Recognize that all spiritual good is a gift from God

Summary: Acknowledge that repentance, faith, and any spiritual desire are gifts from God, not self-generated.

Evidence: Weaver asks, 'Where did you get repentance from? Who gave it to you? ... Everything that you have, God gave you.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T18:00:26Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T10:01:03Z

Clean Transcript

A Cause To Celebrate - Part 1 of 2

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

Turn to 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, and we're going to read verses 13 through 17. 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, verses 13 through 17. The title of the message is "A Cause to Celebrate." This message will be in two parts. The larger explanation will be next week, Lord willing. But notice, if you would, 2 Thessalonians 2, beginning there with verse 13, the apostle writes, "But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth."
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"Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work."
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It appears today that everyone has a cause. There are many causes that are righteous, and there are many causes that are unrighteous. Some have standing, and some certainly have absolutely no standing. But have you ever thought about the word "cause"? And have you ever thought about how the word "cause" is used in the Bible? I suppose that we probably use the word "cause" or "because" hundreds of times each day, especially if you have little children, because they're going to ask, and the answer that you're going to give is, "Because I said so," you know, or "Because this is right," or "Because this is what we're doing." So we use that term frequently. But when the Bible talks about causes, sometimes it is given in a negative situation and sometimes in a positive situation. So let me ask you, just by way of introduction, to turn in your Bibles to the book of Exodus chapter 23, and let's look, if you would, about some negations when we're talking about causes. So notice, if you would, in Exodus chapter 23 at verses 2 and 3.
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So here is the Bible speaking negatively in one sense concerning a cause. God says, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause."
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Now the interesting thing is, the Hebrew word for "cause" in this passage refers to a strife, a contention, a controversy, an argument, and even a case at law. So this passage then appears not only for the sake of Christians, but I would also say for the sake of attorneys as well, that they should take these verses to heart. So God is telling us that one does not support evil, and one does not support evil simply because one is poor or deprived or agitated or vindictive or numerous or demanding. God says, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment." We want judgment; we do not want it to decline. Then he said, "Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause." In other words, just because someone is poor or someone has some disabilities, God said, if the cause is wrong, you don't countenance him just because he's poor, just because he has disabilities. In other words, right is right, wrong is wrong.
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It doesn't matter if he's rich or poor, if they're numerous or not numerous, that's immaterial. Then if you look down in verse 6, he says this again, "Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of the poor in his cause." In other words, just because a poor man is poor and unable to fight and defend himself, God says, he still must have judgment. He still must have justice. And so we're not to wrest a poor man in his cause. And unhappily, there are many individuals that make their living and make their livelihood by taking the money away from poor people who cannot fight and who cannot defend themselves.
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Now, when you go through the Bible, there were some cases that were so complicated that they had to bring them before the Lord. One such illustration is found in the book of Numbers, chapter 27. And I want you to turn there because this deals with the children of Zelophehad. Now, Zelophehad had only daughters. He did not have any sons. You say, well, what is so complicated about that? Well, the complication was very simple, because property in the Old Testament was passed through the sons, from the father to the sons. And so here then is a case where this man had no sons whatsoever, only daughters. So if you look in Numbers chapter 27 verse 3, the daughters say, "Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah, but died in his own sin, and had no sons. Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family?
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Because he hath no son. Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father." So the daughters then wanted the inheritance of the father. So Moses then takes it to the Lord. Look in verse 5. "And Moses brought their cause before the Lord. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them."
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You know, I think one of the biggest problems that we have is this, that we seldom ever bring our problems, our controversies, and our complicated issues before the Lord and His Word. What we try to do is work them out in the arm of the flesh. We try to work them out to the best of our ability, the best we can, and consequently, we usually end up very miserably.
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We fail to take into account Proverbs chapter 3, verses 5 through 7 there, where the Bible says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil."
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Now, there's another passage, I think, that will go along with what I'm saying. And that passage is found in 1 Peter 5 and verse 7, where the Bible says, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." Someone has noted, and I think very accurately, that usually when we cast our cares, when we cast our burdens upon the Lord, and we turn to walk away, we trip over the strings that we left attached to them. The implication is we never really cast them upon Him to begin with. Because if we had really cast them upon Him, they would no longer be our burdens. They'd no longer be our problems. They would be His.
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And it would be up to Him to work them out the way He desired and the way He wanted to. And of course, He would lead us in that way and direct us in that way. I find it absolutely astounding that there are very few Christians that really and truly bring their problems to the Lord. Very few really say, "Lord, I need help. I need wisdom. I need direction." And something else is astounding is this: Very few Christians really pray concerning these problems. Now, it's very easy for someone to say, "Pray for me. I'm facing surgery." But how about, "Pray for me, I'm facing financial problems. Pray for me, I'm facing family problems. Pray for me, I'm facing problems with my children." I'm just simply saying, when it comes to our troubles, when it comes to our problems, very few really consult the Word of God, and very few really truly pray and ask the Lord to solve those problems. Now, there are some biblical causes that we should never, ever hesitate to bring before the Lord.
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In fact, I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, to Psalms, and begin reading there with Psalm 9. I want to show you several passages, just trying to prepare you for the message I'm going to be dealing with. But look in Psalm 9, if you would please, and verse 4, just to show you that, yes, there are indeed biblical causes, right causes. In Psalm 9 and verse 4, David says this: "For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right." So David is saying that God had maintained his right and his cause because his cause was biblical and it was right. And he brought it to the Lord as the judge, and he judged rightly and maintained that cause. If you would look in your Bibles to Psalm 35 and verse 1, Psalm 35 and verse 1. Look at this prayer request. David prays, "Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me.
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Fight against them that fight against me." Look at that. "Plead my cause, O Lord." In other words, the position that David was holding, the truth that he was speaking, the way that he was living, the cause that he was standing for, he just simply asked the Lord to plead his cause, to take my case. And "you fight against them that fight against me." In other words, I'm in the right, Lord. And Lord, I want you to help me with my enemies and my adversaries.
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In the same psalm, skip down if you would please to verse 23. Psalm 35 and verse 23, he says it like this, "Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord." So he's asking the Lord to stir himself up and come and help him because he needs help desperately. And then if you look in Psalm 43 in verse 1, I think this is a psalm that you and I need to pray, especially in light of today's situation. Look at this prayer request in Psalm 43 in verse 1. David prays, "Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man." And certainly we have an ungodly nation. And our nation is filled with deceitful and unjust men. And so David is taking this cause to the Lord and he's asking Him to plead that cause and to deliver him from the deceitful and unjust man.
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Now, there are many causes in the Bible. Unless someone thinks, "Well, there's not a real cause." Yes, there is. In fact, in John 18, you don't have to turn there, but in John 18 in verse 37, our Lord was standing before Pilate. "Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king.
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Now listen to what he said, "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." So our Lord said, "For this cause came I into the world." I came to bear witness to the truth. And he should bear witness to the truth, for he himself is truth incarnate. And he does have a cause to judge, because he is King of kings, and Lord of lords, and God of gods, and Judge of judges. He also has a cause to save. Why?
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Because he is the Redeemer. He's the reconciler. He's the Messiah. He is salvation, and he is in salvation alone.
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Now, there are many causes in the Bible. There are causes also to celebrate. When you stop and think about the celebrations that go on in our world. Think with me just for a moment. People celebrate their birthday. They will celebrate anniversaries. They'll celebrate promotions. They will celebrate if their team wins the championship. And sometimes those celebrations really get out of hand. But a lot of people will celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving and Easter, and any other day that they want to celebrate, and men think nothing of celebrating in these areas.
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And yet the truth of the matter is this: There is one cause to celebrate that most people never ever really think about, and they hardly ever celebrate it.
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Now before I show it to you, I want to give you some definitions of "celebrate." You can look on the online dictionary, you can look at Oxford's, Cambridge, Merriam-Webster, it doesn't matter. You're going to come up with some definitions of "celebrate," and I want you to listen to four of them. The first one is this: to observe a day, to commemorate an event with ceremonies or festivities, and then they give the illustration "to celebrate Christmas" or "to celebrate a new play." So basically to observe a day or to commemorate an event with ceremonies and with festivities. That's the first one.
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Number two: to make known publicly; to proclaim. And then they give an illustration: "The newspaper celebrated the end of the war in red headlines." But note, if you would please, the definition means to make known publicly, to proclaim. The third one is to praise widely or to present to widespread and favorable public notice. And then the last one, number four, is this: to perform with appropriate rites and ceremonies. And then the illustration they give is "to solemnize" or "to celebrate a marriage."
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So here's what I want to emphasize. I want to emphasize that the word "celebrate" for us means to observe, to commemorate, to make known publicly, to proclaim, and to praise widely, and even perform rites or ceremonies appropriate for that celebration.
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Now, with that in mind, I want you to look back in your Bibles to 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and verse 13, because out of four points I'm only going to be covering one today, okay? So look, if you would please, at verse 13. Here the apostle writes, "But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because"—here's the reason—"because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation."
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Now when you stop and think about this, when you meditate upon it, you should have a cause to celebrate and commemorate and to make known, to praise and to be thankful and perform appropriate ceremonies of thanksgiving because of this—what I'm going to deal with today—a divine choice. He says, "God hath chosen you to salvation."
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Now, I want you to go back to verse 13. There's a word I've got to emphasize. He says, "But we are bound to give thanks always to God." The word "bound" is the Greek word opheilō, which literally means, listen carefully, to owe, to be bound, to be bound to a duty, and to be a debtor. Still further, it even has the meaning to accrue. So simply stated, it means this debt of gratitude, this debt of thanksgiving and praise grows over time. In other words, your debt increases. You never ever get out of this debt. You never ever pay this debt off. He says we're bound, we owe, we owe thanks always to God. I think that you can see that it is indeed a debt of gratitude and praise because he says in verse 13, "But we are bound to give thanks." And the Greek word for "thanks" there was the word eucharisteō, and it literally means to be grateful, to be thankful, to be appreciative. The word occurs 39 times in the New Testament.
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So he's telling us now this is a cause to celebrate, to be thankful. So what is that cause? It is a divine choice. Now look at it. He says, "But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation."
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Now let me say something. I do not know how much simpler, plainer, or clearer this truth could be. It is just said straight forward: "God hath chosen you to salvation." So let me make this exceedingly clear. We did not choose Him. He chose us. Hold on. I want you to hold this passage, but I want you to turn back, if you would, to the book of John, chapter 15, and let's look at several passages. Look in John, chapter 15, and notice, if you would, first of all, verse 16. John 15 and verse 16. Look what our Lord tells His disciples. He said, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." Notice if you would, He said, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you." Now He says it again in verse 19. Skip down.
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He said, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." So the Bible tells us very plainly that we did not choose Christ, that Christ chose us.
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Now, if you would turn right over to 1 Peter and look in chapter 2 and verse 9. 1 Peter chapter 2 and verse 9. Because it is not only spoken of individually, but also collectively. Look, if you would, in 1 Peter chapter 2 and verse 9. He says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."
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Now watch, "Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." Note if you would, he says you're a chosen generation and you were chosen that you might obtain mercy and be a people of God. Then if you look in Revelation chapter 17 and verse 14, our Lord, of course, is coming back to destroy his enemies.
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And there are individuals with him. But I want you to notice how these individuals are labeled. Note Revelation chapter 17 and verse 14. The Bible says, "These"—that is, his enemies—"shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." Called, chosen, and faithful.
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Now someone's going to say, "But pastor, I did choose Jesus Christ, and I chose to come to Him." And the answer is, yes, you did. But the only reason you chose to come to Him was because He chose you first. It's like the verse in 1 John chapter 4 and verse 19, when the Bible says, "We love him, because he first loved us." We would never ever be able to love Him if He did not first love us. That's why He said in 1 John 4 and verse 10, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." Herein is love, not that we loved him, but that he loved us. We would never love him unless he first loved us. We would have never come to him unless he had not first chosen us. So let me put this very plainly: Salvation is always theocentric.
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Theos is the Greek word for God. Theocentric means salvation is always God-centered. Salvation originated with God. He is the initiator of salvation. Without Him, there would be no salvation. If He did not move first, there would be no hope, there would be no help, there would be no salvation.
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Now an interesting study would be for you to go back and read how God gave Moses directions for the tabernacle. It's very interesting. When God told Moses how to build the tabernacle, and he gave patterns for that tabernacle, and he warned Moses, "Be sure that thou make all things according to the pattern which is given thee in the mount." But when you read how God gave Moses the pattern, listen to me, he began with the holy of holies, that would be with himself, and he worked his way out to the last court. When Moses set up the tabernacle, he began with the outer court and worked his way in. In other words, had God not come out and proceeded, there would never have been an entrance to God in the first place.
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Now, when he says in 2 Thessalonians 2 and verse 13, "But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation," let me mention this. I've said this before, but I want you to think about it in this light. When you think of election, there are four different types of election in the Bible. And each one of these, it is God who does the choosing. For instance, first of all, there was a national election. God chose Israel to be his nation.
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He did not choose the Babylonians or the Egyptians or the Assyrians or the Moabites or the Ammonites. He chose Israel. And that's why the Bible says in Amos 3 and verse 2, God spoke to Israel. He said, "You only have I known of all the families of the earth." Well, surely God knew all the other families. I mean, He judged them. He created them. He judged them.
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He destroyed many of them. Surely He knew who they were. But what does it mean when He said, "You only have I known of all the families of the earth"? He is saying, "You only have I chosen. You only have I entered into a covenant with. You only have I revealed myself unto. You only have I given my word." So Israel as a nation was unique in the sense that God chose them to be his national and peculiar treasure.
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That's what he said in the book of Exodus chapter 19. God chose them. So there is a national election. There is secondly what you and I would call a vocational election as well. Because in the Bible, in the Old Testament, God chose the tribe of Levi to minister unto him. No other tribe could minister unto God in the tabernacle and the temple. You'll find that in numerous places, but one of them happens to be Numbers chapter 3 and verse 41. And here's what God said.
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"And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the Lord) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel." So notice, if you would please, God chose the Levites. You remember in Numbers chapter 16, when Dathan and Abiram and Korah all united together and wanted the priesthood.
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Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Even though some of them were Levites, no. The Levites had the opportunity to serve, but God chose Aaron to be the high priest, and you could not intrude upon an office of which God did not call you. In fact, the truth of the matter is this: God still does the same today. He calls whom He wills vocationally. In other words, he called me to be a preacher. He calls some folks to be doctors, some folks to be engineers, some to be teachers, some to be mechanics. It's astounding to me how God prepares a person for his vocation, for his life's work.
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You know the Bible tells us in Mark chapter 3 verses 13 and 14, and this is still true by the way, the Bible says concerning Jesus Christ, "And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach." He ordained twelve. He called unto himself whom he would. He still does that today. I realize that when it comes to preachers, when it comes to pastors, there are some that are mama called and papa sent. I know that there are some that have entered into the ministry as a profession.
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It's just a job to some of them. But there are those that God has called like he did Aaron. In fact, the Bible says in Hebrews chapter 5 and verse 4, talking, listen carefully, "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." Aaron was specifically called of God. The Levites were specifically called of God. So the truth of the matter is this: God not only chooses when it comes to a national election, He chooses when it comes to a vocational election.
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Does that mean that I did not want to preach? The truth of the matter is, yes, I wanted to preach because God chose me and He put the desire in me to preach and to teach His Word. Just like when He chooses some to be a doctor, He puts the desire in them to be a doctor. So, but it is a vocational election. There's a third election and that is a messianic election. God the Father chose the Lord Jesus Christ to be the Messiah.
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No one else was chosen. In fact, you will find that particular statement in Isaiah 42 and verse 1. Listen to what God the Father says about the Lord Jesus Christ. So I must point out that salvation does not exist anywhere else or in anyone else except the Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Because God the Father chose Him to be the mediator. He chose Him to be the Messiah. He chose Him to be the Redeemer. Therefore, salvation is in Him and Him alone.
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And by the way, it goes even further than that. Because God the Father even chose the tribe from which Jesus Christ was to come. You have to remember that in the Old Testament, the two leading tribes were Ephraim and Manasseh, who happened to have been the sons of Joseph. You remember he got the double portion. But when you get to Psalm 78 in verse 67, the Bible says this, "Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: but chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved." Do you realize that everything about the Lord Jesus Christ was ordained to the detail?
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Nothing was left to accident. If you will look in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 4, and let's begin reading there with verse 26. Acts 4, watch verse 26. The scripture says, "The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done." So the life of Jesus Christ was mapped out exactly and perfectly the way God ordained it. There was no accidents whatsoever in his life. And I might point out, there are no accidents in our lives, only incidents which God uses to bring his providence to pass in our lives.
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So, you have a national election, you have a vocational election, you also have a messianic election. Now, if you look back in your Bibles to 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and verse 13, our text tells us that there is a soteriological election, that is an election unto salvation, and this election is by God's choice. Look at it: "But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation." Now the word "salvation" is the Greek word sōtēria in the Greek, and it refers to salvation, messianic salvation, and preservation. Arthur W. Pink states in his fourfold salvation that this word means salvation or being saved from the penalty, power, presence, and ultimately even the pleasure of sin. So we're not only saved from the penalty of sin, we're saved from the power of sin. That power has been broken according to Romans chapter 6. We'll be saved from its presence when we are with the Lord. And he says, most importantly, we are now even being saved from the pleasure of sin.
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Now, look, if you would, back at verse 13 again, he says, "But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation." I want to ask a question. Why? Why did he choose us? Why did he choose you? Why did he choose me? Now it is true that his choice is always in him and in Him alone.
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We could answer, and answer truthfully, that He chose us for His own honor and His own glory. And that is true. But here's the truth. We have nothing in ourselves. We have nothing in us to commend us unto God. There's absolutely nothing in which we can boast. And there is absolutely nothing outside of His sovereign grace and mercy for Him choosing any of us. We were sinners, and still are, rebels, transgressors, iniquitous, disobedient, hateful, and wicked, and yet He chose us in His mercy and His grace. Nothing good in us.
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When you stop and think about God's omniscience, he knows everything. He knows the end from the beginning, according to the Bible. And God in his omniscience looked down through eternity and saw us and saw all of our sins, all of our wickednesses, all of our disobediences, all of our lusts. And still he said, "I love you," and chose us anyway. I want you to listen to Romans 5, in fact turn there, I want you to see it. Look in Romans chapter 5, notice if you would beginning there with verse 7. Romans 5 verse 7, an astounding truth: "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." While we were yet sinners, while we were yet His enemies, while we were yet in our sins, while we were yet in our wickedness and in our rebellion, Christ died for us. When we stop and think of the fact and the reality that we deserve nothing but the justice of God, it makes the truth of Isaiah and the truth of the Apostle Paul come alive in our hearts.
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What truth is that? Well, you're in the book of Romans. Look in Romans chapter 9 and verse 29. Look at what is said, Romans 9 verse 29: "And as Esaias said before," so he's quoting Isaiah. "As Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha." What? He said if God had not left us a seed, we would have been absolutely, totally, completely destroyed. We'd have been wiped out just like Sodom and Gomorrah. So let me put it to you like this: If God had not chosen some to be saved, none would be saved.
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How can I say that? Well, look back in your Bibles to Romans chapter 3, and let's begin reading there with verse 10. Romans 3, verse 10, we'll read through verse 18. Watch this carefully. Romans chapter 3, beginning there with verse 10. Look what the scripture says: "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one." Nobody deserves to be saved. No one was righteous. "There is none that understandeth." Not one. "There is none that seeketh after God.
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They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Here's our description: "Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: their feet are swift to shed blood: destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace have they not known.
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There is no fear of God before their eyes." This is what we are by nature. This is what we were when Christ died for us. This is what we were when God chose us. Let me tell you something. I can understand how God can condemn, doom, and destroy sinners. But how He could love us and choose us—there's no explanation other than just the sovereign grace and mercy of God.
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So let me ask you a question. I want you to think with me, please. Why did God save you? Why did God choose you? I want you to stop and think of the multitudes that hate God. They hate His Word. They hate His people. They hate His salvation. They have no interest in the things of God. They have no interest in reading the Scripture. They have no interest in going to church. They have no interest in learning anything right. And it's not just the multitudes. Sometimes it's our own family. I have family members.
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They care nothing about Christ. I have family members that I witnessed to in time past. They are now dead. But boy, they told me very quickly they didn't want anything to do with Jesus Christ. And when you look at your own family, your own friends, your own neighborhood, why did God choose you? Why did God save you? Why are you here? Understand something. Once you see this truth, it will humble you. It will make you bow before God in the dust with adoration and praise and gratitude in your heart for His so great salvation.
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Let me give you another picture. I want you to turn to the book of Ephesians chapter 2. Galatians, Ephesians, look if you would in Ephesians chapter 2 and let's begin reading there with verse 1. Watch if you would please. The Bible says, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." So God made us alive when we were dead in trespasses and in sins.
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In other words, we were helpless. We were hopeless. We could not do one thing for ourselves. But although we were dead in trespasses and sins, according to verse 1, verses 2 and 3 tells us we were quite alive. What does it mean to be dead in trespasses and sins? Well, here's what it means. Look in verse 2: "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."
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Let me ask you a question. Would I have any volunteers to stand up in this room and just tell me all the sordid details and sins and wickednesses that have been in your life since you were, say, ten years old? And I would not have any takers, because you would be embarrassed to do so, and so would I be embarrassed to do so. All I'm trying to point out is each one of us lived exactly like this until the grace of God came in our hearts.
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Now, I want you to watch this. Go back to verse 3. Verse 1 tells us we were dead. Verse 2 tells us we walked according to the course of this world, the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in children of disobedience, which we were. Then in verse 3 he says, "Among whom also we all had our conversation"—that is our conduct—"in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature"—that's our nature—"by nature the children of wrath, even as others," that is deserving of doom, death, condemnation. Watch: "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)." Do you see, when he says, "But God," that is a divine intervention.
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That is what changed our lives. That is what made us what we are. "But God." You know, when you read through the book of Ezekiel, in the book of Ezekiel chapter 8 and chapter 9, the people in the city are so wicked and so vile, God is sending an angel with a sword to slay all the wicked. And God tells the angel to wait until the man with the ink horn puts a mark on the forehead of his people.
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Those are not to be slain. Everybody else is to be slain. In Ezekiel 9:8, let me just read it. In Ezekiel 9:8, Ezekiel said, "And it came to pass, while they were slaying them," that is in the middle of the death, "and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord God!"
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When I realized I was spared, I fell on my face. Now let me ask you a question. Why? Why are you saved? Let me show you. I want you to go back in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 4. And look if you would please at verse 7. Here's some questions that you need to ponder. And you need to be able to answer these questions biblically. 1 Corinthians 4 and verse 7, look what the Apostle asked: "For who maketh thee to differ from another?
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And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?"
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Now watch, "For who maketh thee to differ from another?" So let me ask this question again: Why are you saved and others are not? Why do you understand truth when others do not? Why do you have a hunger for the Word of God when others do not? Who made you to differ? In other words, if there's a difference in your life, someone made that difference. And that difference was made by God alone. Now he asks this question next.
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"And what hast thou that thou didst not receive?" You say, "Well, wait a minute. Wait a minute. You've got to understand, preacher, I repented and I believed." Wonderful. Where did you get repentance from? Who gave it to you? Read Acts 5, read Acts 11. Repentance is the gift of God. Read 2 Timothy chapter 2. Repentance is the gift of God. Faith is a gift of God. Everything that you have—spiritually speaking, physically and mentally and economically as well—everything you have, God gave you.
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And he said, "If you have received it, why do you glory or boast as if you had not received it?" Everything that we have, God gave us. It was God who made the difference. Let me show you. I want you to turn back to Romans chapter 9, and I want to begin reading with verse 10. You see, this is a divine choice. We have to understand that we have a reason to celebrate, a cause to celebrate. Watch this. Romans 9, verse 10.
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"And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (for the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)" This had nothing to do with Jacob and Esau. They weren't even born. They had not done any good or evil. It had to do with the purpose of God. According to the election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.
#69 | 52:37 to 53:15 | cleaned
"It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." Now watch. "What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God?" And then he says, "God forbid." You'll find that expression a number of times in the Bible, especially from the Apostle Paul. Here's what it means: Perish the thought. Don't even think that way. Don't let that thought enter in your mind. "What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid." Don't think that. Here's the answer.
#70 | 53:15 to 53:56 | cleaned
"For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth." You know, we like to take this to ourselves and forbid it to God.
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So, if I happen to have $10,000 in my pocket and I walk outside, and there are 20 homeless people, sickly, hungry, and I take that money and I give it to five of them. Are the rest going to complain I didn't give to them? Let me ask you a question. How many of them deserved a gift from me? None. When I gave, I had compassion on whom I would have compassion on.
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I had mercy on whom I would have mercy on. We do that all the time. You'll pass people by, and there's others that you won't pass by. God said, "I will have mercy on whom I'll have mercy." It's God's mercy. He can give it to whomever He pleases. It's His compassion. He can exercise it whenever He sees fit. He did not see fit to exercise it on Pharaoh. He hardened Pharaoh's heart, but he had mercy upon us.
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Do you understand something, folks? This is what I'm trying to share with you, that your election, your calling, your salvation, and ultimately your glorification are only due to the grace and mercy of God. It is a cause to celebrate, but it's also a cause to be humble, to be thankful and appreciative, and to celebrate with praise and thanksgiving that great salvation that God has given to us. If we understand our vileness, if we understand our wickedness, if we understand our just desserts, if we understand the holiness and grace and mercy of God, it will throw us on our face before Him. Listen carefully.
#74 | 56:18 to 57:09 | cleaned
Again, 2 Thessalonians 2 and verse 13: "But we are bound"—that is, here's a debt we owe this debt—"to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation." Here's my first application. I want you to listen carefully. God's salvation does not make one arrogant, haughty, and proud. God's salvation brings us in the dust before Him, recognizing that we deserve nothing but death and judgment, and that everything we have comes from His grace and His mercy.
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He saved us, and to Him alone belongs the glory and the honor. Jonathan Edwards said it like this: "You contribute nothing to your salvation but the sin which made it necessary." And that's a fact. Remember he says we are bound to give thanks. We're bound. It's a duty. It's an obligation. It's a debt that accrues. The longer God lets us live and the more understanding and the more light that He gives us, the more we ought to praise Him and adore Him and worship Him and glorify Him.
#76 | 58:01 to 58:56 | cleaned
Let me show you something. I want you to hold 2 Thessalonians 2 just for one second and go ahead and find Psalm 50. Psalm 50. I want to show you this. We're going to look at verse 23, OK? Psalm 50, verse 23. Watch carefully. He says, 2 Thessalonians 2 and verse 13: "But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord." We're bound. We owe it because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation. Now look at Psalm 50 verse 23 where God says, "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God." Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me. We ought to be praising the Lord daily for his so great salvation in Jesus Christ. We ought to praise Him for first loving us. We ought to praise Him for first choosing us. We ought to praise Him for sending His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. We ought to praise Him that He's opened our eyes and granted us understanding.
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We ought to praise Him that there is a desire in us to live holy and obediently and godly before Him and walk pleasing in His sight. We are bound. We are indebted to praise Him. And we are to glorify Him by offering Him all the praise in our lives. I mentioned, I guess, I've been mentioned a number of times. I'm thankful the Lord has let me live as long as I've lived and have the help that I have. And I want to praise Him for that. But I especially want to praise Him for His so great salvation in Jesus Christ. For without Christ, we are lost.
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We love Him only because He first loved us. And we chose Him only because He first chose us. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee. We thank You for Your Word. We thank You for Your truth, wonderful grace and mercy. We're thankful for Your so great salvation in Jesus Christ. Help us, Father, to love Thee, to live for Thee, to honor Thee. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
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so so
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T18:00:26Z

A Cause To Celebrate - Part 1 of 2

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

In this sermon, Pastor John Weaver explores the biblical concept of 'cause' and argues that the greatest cause for celebration is God's sovereign choice in salvation. He contrasts unrighteous causes with righteous ones, emphasizing that believers should bring their causes before the Lord. The central focus is on 2 Thessalonians 2:13, which states that God chose believers to salvation from the beginning. Weaver explains that this divine election is a debt of gratitude that accrues over time, and he distinguishes four types of election: national, vocational, messianic, and soteriological. He stresses that salvation is entirely God-centered, that humans contribute nothing but sin, and that this truth should produce humility and praise rather than arrogance.

Opening

Scripture Reading — 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

"But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." "Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work."

Introduction: The Meaning of 'Cause'

Weaver introduces the topic by noting that everyone has a cause, and he examines the biblical use of 'cause' in both negative and positive contexts, citing Exodus 23:2-3 and Numbers 27.

Bringing Our Causes Before the Lord

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 5:7

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

Biblical Causes That Are Righteous

Weaver highlights several Psalms where David pleads his cause before God, showing that there are righteous causes worth defending, and notes Jesus' own cause to bear witness to the truth.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 9:4

"For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right."

Fight against them that fight against me." Look at that.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 35:1, 23

"Plead my cause, O Lord."

Scripture Reading — Psalm 35:1, 23

"you fight against them that fight against me."

Defining 'Celebrate'

Weaver provides four definitions of 'celebrate'—to observe, to make known publicly, to praise widely, and to perform rites—and applies them to the believer's response to salvation.

The Divine Choice: God Chose Us to Salvation

Focusing on 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Weaver explains that believers are bound to give thanks because God chose them to salvation, emphasizing that the choice originates with God, not man.

Four Types of Election in the Bible

Weaver outlines four biblical elections: national (Israel), vocational (Levites, apostles), messianic (Christ), and soteriological (salvation), all demonstrating God's sovereign choice.

You know the Bible tells us in Mark chapter 3 verses 13 and 14, and this is still true by the way, the Bible says concerning Jesus Christ,

Scripture Reading — Mark 3:13-14

"And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach."

Scripture Reading — Acts 4:26-28

"The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done."

Why Did God Choose Us?

Weaver explores the question of why God chose sinners, citing Romans 5:8 and Romans 3:10-18 to show human depravity, and concludes that election is solely due to God's grace and mercy.

The Humbling Effect of Election

Using Ephesians 2:1-5 and 1 Corinthians 4:7, Weaver argues that understanding election should produce humility, not pride, because everything we have is received from God.

God's Sovereign Mercy

Weaver expounds Romans 9:10-18 to show that God has mercy on whom He wills, and that salvation is not of human will or effort but of God who shows mercy.

Application: A Debt of Praise

Weaver concludes that believers are indebted to praise God continually for His sovereign grace in salvation, and that this praise glorifies God, as stated in Psalm 50:23.

A Cause To Celebrate - Part 1 of 2

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	rmv1xAxI2K0
Subject	Old Testament Studies
Course	Proverbs: The Fear of the Lord and Wisdom: Can We All Just Get Along?
Genre	Sermon
Date	2021-08-17
Dictation Name
Book	Book 123: A Cause To Celebrate — Chapter 1
Source Timed Segments	80

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Meaning of 'Cause': Weaver introduces the topic by noting that everyone has a cause, and he examines the biblical use of 'cause' in both negative and positive contexts, citing Exodus 23:2-3 and Numbers 27.
Bringing Our Causes Before the Lord: Using the example of the daughters of Zelophehad, Weaver urges believers to bring their complicated issues to God rather than relying on their own understanding, referencing Proverbs 3:5-7 and 1 Peter 5:7.
Biblical Causes That Are Righteous: Weaver highlights several Psalms where David pleads his cause before God, showing that there are righteous causes worth defending, and notes Jesus' own cause to bear witness to the truth.
Defining 'Celebrate': Weaver provides four definitions of 'celebrate'—to observe, to make known publicly, to praise widely, and to perform rites—and applies them to the believer's response to salvation.
The Divine Choice: God Chose Us to Salvation: Focusing on 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Weaver explains that believers are bound to give thanks because God chose them to salvation, emphasizing that the choice originates with God, not man.
Four Types of Election in the Bible: Weaver outlines four biblical elections: national (Israel), vocational (Levites, apostles), messianic (Christ), and soteriological (salvation), all demonstrating God's sovereign choice.
Why Did God Choose Us?: Weaver explores the question of why God chose sinners, citing Romans 5:8 and Romans 3:10-18 to show human depravity, and concludes that election is solely due to God's grace and mercy.
The Humbling Effect of Election: Using Ephesians 2:1-5 and 1 Corinthians 4:7, Weaver argues that understanding election should produce humility, not pride, because everything we have is received from God.
God's Sovereign Mercy: Weaver expounds Romans 9:10-18 to show that God has mercy on whom He wills, and that salvation is not of human will or effort but of God who shows mercy.
Application: A Debt of Praise: Weaver concludes that believers are indebted to praise God continually for His sovereign grace in salvation, and that this praise glorifies God, as stated in Psalm 50:23.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

God's choice is the basis for thanksgiving

Paul says believers are bound to give thanks because God chose them to salvation, making election a cause for celebration.

2 Thessalonians 2:13: 'But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you... because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation.'

Humans did not choose God; He chose them

Jesus explicitly states that He chose His disciples, not vice versa, establishing the priority of divine choice.

John 15:16: 'Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.'

Election is not based on foreseen merit

God's choice of Jacob over Esau before they were born shows election is according to His purpose, not works.

Romans 9:11: 'For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand.'

Salvation is entirely by grace through divine intervention

Ephesians 2 shows that while we were dead in sins, God made us alive, highlighting the 'But God' intervention.

Ephesians 2:4-5: 'But God, who is rich in mercy... even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ.'

No one would be saved without election

Because all are sinful and none seek God, if God had not chosen some, all would be like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Romans 9:29: 'Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.'

Everything believers have is received from God

Paul's questions in 1 Corinthians 4:7 emphasize that any difference in believers is due to God's grace, not personal merit.

1 Corinthians 4:7: 'For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?'

Scripture References

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17: The main text of the sermon, emphasizing thanksgiving for God's choice of believers to salvation.
Exodus 23:2-3, 6: Used to show negative biblical causes: not following a multitude to do evil or perverting justice for the poor.
Numbers 27:1-7: The case of Zelophehad's daughters, illustrating bringing a complicated cause before the Lord.
Proverbs 3:5-7: Encouragement to trust in the Lord and not lean on one's own understanding.
1 Peter 5:7: Casting all care upon God because He cares for us.
Psalm 9:4: David acknowledges God maintained his right and cause.
Psalm 35:1, 23: David prays for God to plead his cause and fight against his enemies.
Psalm 43:1: A prayer for God to plead one's cause against an ungodly nation.
John 18:37: Jesus states He came into the world for the cause of bearing witness to the truth.
John 15:16, 19: Jesus tells His disciples they did not choose Him, but He chose them.
1 Peter 2:9-10: Believers are a chosen generation, called out of darkness into light.
Revelation 17:14: Those with Christ are called, chosen, and faithful.
1 John 4:19, 10: We love God because He first loved us; love is not that we loved God but that He loved us.
Amos 3:2: God's unique knowledge of Israel as His chosen nation.
Numbers 3:41: God chose the Levites for service instead of the firstborn.
Mark 3:13-14: Jesus called whom He would to be apostles.
Hebrews 5:4: No one takes the honor of priesthood unless called by God as Aaron was.
Isaiah 42:1: God the Father chose the Messiah.
Psalm 78:67-68: God refused the tabernacle of Joseph and chose the tribe of Judah.
Acts 4:26-28: The actions of Herod, Pilate, and others were determined by God's counsel.

Historical References

Jonathan Edwards: Weaver quotes Edwards: 'You contribute nothing to your salvation but the sin which made it necessary.'
Arthur W. Pink: Weaver references Pink's 'fourfold salvation' regarding being saved from the penalty, power, presence, and pleasure of sin.

Important Quotes

But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation.

This is the central verse of the sermon, establishing the cause for celebration: God's sovereign election.

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.

Jesus' words emphasize that the initiative in salvation belongs to God, not man.

Salvation is always theocentric.

Weaver succinctly states that salvation is God-centered, originating with Him.

You contribute nothing to your salvation but the sin which made it necessary.

A quote from Jonathan Edwards that captures the total depravity of man and the sole work of God in salvation.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ.

Highlights the divine intervention that brings spiritual life to dead sinners.

I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

God's declaration of His sovereign freedom in dispensing mercy, central to the doctrine of election.

Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

Connects the believer's praise with glorifying God and experiencing His salvation.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

What does it mean that believers are 'bound' to give thanks, and how does this debt of gratitude grow over time?

[Context]

Weaver explains the Greek word opheilō as a debt that accrues, implying increasing obligation to praise God.

[Question]

How does understanding that God chose us before we chose Him affect our view of salvation and personal humility?

[Context]

Weaver emphasizes that we love and choose God only because He first loved and chose us, which should produce humility.

[Question]

In what ways do the four types of election (national, vocational, messianic, soteriological) demonstrate God's sovereignty?

[Context]

Weaver outlines these elections to show that God consistently chooses according to His will in various realms.

[Question]

Why is it important to recognize that we contribute nothing to our salvation but sin?

[Context]

Weaver quotes Jonathan Edwards to stress that salvation is entirely of grace, leaving no room for boasting.

[Question]

How should the truth of election influence our prayer life and our approach to bringing causes before God?

[Context]

Weaver earlier urged believers to bring their complicated issues to God, and election reinforces God's sovereign care.

[Question]

What is the relationship between God's mercy and His hardening of hearts, as seen in Pharaoh's example?

[Context]

Weaver discusses Romans 9:18, noting that God has mercy on whom He wills and hardens whom He wills.

[Question]

How can we practically 'offer praise' to glorify God in our daily lives?

[Context]

Weaver cites Psalm 50:23 and urges continual praise for God's salvation, love, and revelation.

Applications

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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T10:01:03Z