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Chosen but not Coerced
In this message, Pastor Nathan unpacks the tension and beauty of being chosen but not coerced—that salvation is fully a work of God’s grace, yet we are called to believe. This teaching reminds us that providence is not fate, but the wise, holy, and gracious outworking of God’s sovereignty for His glory and our good. If you want life—believe in Christ. And if you believe, it is evidence that God has already been pursuing you.
The Bread of Life Declaration
In John chapter 6, Jesus makes the profound statement: "I am the bread of life." He declares that whoever comes to Him shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Him shall never thirst.
Jesus reveals the mystery of divine providence: "All that the Father gives me will come to me. Whoever comes to me, I will never cast out." No one can come unless the Father draws them.
"It is the Spirit who gives life. The flesh is no help at all."
The Great Departure
01
Many Disciples Turn Away
After Jesus' hard teaching about being the bread of life, many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.
02
Jesus Questions the Twelve
"Do you want to go away as well?" Jesus asked his closest followers, testing their commitment.
03
Peter's Bold Confession
"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God."
Divine Providence and Human Responsibility
When we think about the providence of God in salvation, it humbles us and moves us to worship. Like Paul in Ephesians chapter one, we must ask: Why did God shower me with grace?
The answer is profound in its simplicity: I don't know. But that response humbles me and teaches me to lift my hands and voice and say, praise be to God that He would give me such grace.
Salvation is of God
Divine providence in pursuit - God moves first in drawing the sinner to believe.
Disbelief is Our Choice
Condemnation results from our own disobedience and rejection of Christ.
We Are Chosen
Jesus declares: "Did I not choose you, the twelve?" - salvation by divine selection.
Jesus Corrects Peter's Pride
When the crowds left and Peter declared their faithfulness, Jesus immediately corrected him: "Did I not choose you?"
Peter's response revealed human pride - suggesting they were somehow better than those who left. But Jesus redirected the glory to divine grace.

If we believe salvation comes from the strength of our own belief, we look at the world condescendingly. But those who truly understand grace say: "But for the grace of God, there I would be."
The middle voice verb Jesus used emphasizes: "I chose you for myself" - completely removing human contribution from salvation.
The Mystery of Judas
Jesus already identified Judas as not belonging to Him, yet his betrayal wasn't because God coerced sin in his heart. His betrayal is attributed to his own actions - acting in concert with his fallen nature.
1
Divine Foreknowledge
Jesus knew from the beginning who would betray Him
2
Human Agency
Judas freely chose his path of betrayal and destruction
3
God's Sovereignty
Even betrayal serves God's ultimate plan for redemption
Fate vs Divine Providence
Divine providence is not fate. Fate says "what will be, will be" without purpose. But providence says things happen because God planned them for His glory and our good.
Sovereignty
God's right to be God - He can do whatever He pleases because He is God.
Providence
The outworking of His sovereignty in a wise, good, perfect way for His glory and our good.
Primary vs Secondary Causes
God ordains good things directly, but works through human agents who remain responsible for their choices.
The Father's Loving Persuasion
God doesn't coerce the will - He persuades it. Like a loving father who knows how to move his child's heart without violating their will, our Heavenly Father draws us with infinite wisdom and power.
If a finite, fallen human father can successfully persuade his child's will, cannot our infinite God absolutely and certainly persuade the will of those He determines to save?
He who is infinitely powerful and knowledgeable, who created us, can accomplish this without treating us as robots.
From Mystery to Worship
The mystery of divine providence isn't for academic curiosity - it's fuel for worship. When Paul contemplates God's providence in Romans 11, he bursts into praise.
"Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, how inscrutable his ways!"
Humility
Providence destroys our centrality but doesn't remove our responsibility.
Security
God's providence preserves us from despair in deep darkness.
Gratitude
We lift our hands and say, "Praise be to God who opened my eyes."
The Call to Believe
No matter who you are, where you're from, no matter what your week's been like, no matter your language or ethnicity - believe. If you want to believe, you can believe. God is on your trail.
Will You Respond?
Will you respond in belief or exercise your sinful nature unto damnation?
Lift Your Hands
If you believe, lift up your hands and say, "Praise be to God, who opened my eyes."
Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace and goodness. Help us to be fervent to the nations, knowing that by your providence you will draw people from every tribe, tongue and nation.