OUTLINE:

“by name” (Jn 10:3)
means that Jesus, our Great Shepherd (Heb 13:20) has called every individual personally; our calling is not a “group calling”, it is absolutely precise, based on the heart of the individual

To synthesize Jn 10:3 & 17:6:  Jesus calls each sheep the Father has given Him “by name”.

The Book of Life
Believers names are already written in the book of life, Phil 4:3. The book of life contains the names of all those believers elected by God, "from the creation of the world" even, Rev 17:8.

Basic Truths About Election
- God chooses whomever He desires (there are no “mandates” that man can impose on Him on the subject of salvation)
- Every believer has already been chosen (even before they repent/believe in time)
- Repentance is a heart issue, as is faith in Christ (we are not sin-counters; we are saved by grace through faith)

1Ti 4:1
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,

“doctrines of demons”
- What’s the best way to counterfeit something?
- Where are true godly doctrines found?
- If demons are intelligent, then what do you think they are going to twist to formulate the “doctrines of demons”?

Acts 20:21 NIV
I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

Basic Truths About Election
- God chooses whomever He desires (there are no “mandates” that man can impose on Him on the subject of salvation)
- Every believer has already been chosen (even before they repent/believe in time)
- Repentance is a heart issue, as is faith in Christ (we are not sin-counters; we are saved by grace through faith)

Ex:  Poorly Formed Question
“If a homosexual doesn’t repent of their sinful lifestyle, and theologically, repentance precedes faith in Christ, then can they be saved?” Problem: multiple bad presuppositions!!!

Ex: Poorly Formed Question (cont.)
The bad presupposition is that to “satisfy” the call for repentance, a person must repent from every sin; and, until a person does so, they are “unsavable”. This is a “doctrine of demons”!

With God All Things Are Possible
Our flesh tells us that we must find a way to be “good enough” to “get into Heaven”. The Word tells us that Jesus was looking to save “sinners”. While the latter seems impossible, all we have to do is remember the words of Jesus, “with God all things are possible” (Mt 19:26), including saving a homosexual.

Humility Must Exist
The issue is not repentance “from every sin” (known or unknown), but rather the issue is a dialogue with the Holy Spirit.

A Willingness to Turn
Salvation is preceded by a certain decision against one’s flesh (the “old sin nature”, the wellspring of sin in each of us) and towards Jesus Christ, as Savior.

Being Born Again
Remember, the result of salvation is a change in one’s nature…so it’s the nature that is under consideration when one repents, not just the sin it produces.

The Fairness of God
In order for us to be aware of a sin and repent from it, we must be convicted of it, have faith that it’s a sin in the first place, before God will hold us accountable to it.

What is Repentance?
God is looking for a humble ATTITUDE of repentance, not for some perfect confession of sins. He is looking for the attitude of the heart.

The Gospel Truth
If a person arrives at the conclusion that they are a sinner (not even understanding every sin), the Holy Spirit will convict them of their need to repent (God grants repentance - Ac 11:18). Furthermore, He will convict them of their need for a Savior (Ro 10:8-10). “With God, all things are possible!”

With God All Things Are Possible
Are we to postulate that a person who doesn’t repent of something like homosexuality is “unsavable”??? MAY IT NEVER BE!!!

Mk 2:17
And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

What Is a Repentant Heart?
Since no man knows every sin (commission + omission), it’s impossible for him to repent from every sin. God saves the willing, the humble, the repentant, it’s true; however, much of our conviction regarding sin arrives after salvation, as we grow in the grace and knowledge of God.

Big Picture
Remember, the Gospel means "the good news"! The minute it ceases to be good news, then we are getting in the way of the simple call to repentance and trusting faith in Christ.

Sharing the Gospel in Love
We are told to do all things in love. Let's not stray away from sharing the proper heart, while discussing the tough realities of the sin nature. 1Co 16:13-14