For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.

Romans 10:13

The preaching of the Gospel is the growing up of Christians.  It is to enlighten and to encourage.

II Timothy 3:16  "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

On one of the Sunday mornings when we were snowed in, I turned on the television and watched a preacher with what I feel is a questionable doctrine.  This religion is defined by two words -- predestination and divine selection.  This doctrine teaches that only a few people are predestined to go to Heaven, and that these few people area already chosen by God before they are born.  In other words, God will hand pick only a few people to go to Heaven.  It also teaches that man does not choose God; rather, God chooses man.

Listening to these words, I felt something run up and down my spine.  I cannot believe this is a true doctrine of God.  God does not play a game of "pick and choose."  He clearly says in His word, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved."  This should erase every word of that preacher's sermon.

I challenge the believers of Calvinism.  I am aware that there are churches in the area that believe this same doctrine and I feel this is why so many people have become confused.  Man's word often does not match up with God's word.  You may disagree with me, but you can never disagree with God and His Word.  My teacher is the Holy God and my textbook is the Bible.  He tells me that ALL men can be saved if they call upon His name.

I Timothy 2:3-4  "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

Now, I have a very important question -- when did "ALL" stop meaning "ALL"?  This verse alone goes against that preacher's statement.  It is God's will for ALL men to go to Heaven.

II Peter 3:9  "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance."

The opportunity to be saved is there for everyone; but the sad part is that although the opportunity is there for everyone, many choose not to receive Christ.  I believe in almighty God.  There is none greater, none more powerful, and certainly none more forgiving than God.  He is an omniscient (all-knowing) God and an omnipresent God -- He is everywhere.  God looked ahead in time before my entrance on earth and saw me, JR Fields, and He knew that I would be preaching to this very congregation on February 18, 2007, at 7:30pm.  He saw you, too, my friend.  Knowing this, do you think a loving God would allow someone to be born and never give them the chance to be saved?  I think not!  To believe otherwise is a slap in the face of God.

Isaiah 46:10  "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.'"

Some believe they are the chosen few and are the only ones to go to heaven.  They don't think heaven will be crowded.  I don't like to think that; I believe heaven will be wall-to-wall people as far as the eye can see.  I believe there will be those present from all walks of life; the rich and famous, as well as the simple man with no title or fame.

If we don't make it to heaven it will not be because God said, "No, you can't go because you haven't been chosen."  It will be because we don't choose Him.  God gave us the same privileges and it is not His desire that any should perish.  His hand is extended to ALL.

Bro. Earnest Fields Jr.
Evening service on February 18, 2007

Sermon edited by Mary King

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