Jesus Gathers the Children of God

I. You cannot be neutral with Jesus — either receive or reject Him (vv. 45-53, 57).
A. Many believed.
B. Some did not believe.

1. How easily unbelief can suppress the truth.
2. How easily hatred of Christ can unite enemies.
3. How easily we can justify wicked sins to maintain our unbelief.
   C. Indifference is not an option.
   II. God uses the sinful motives and actions of wicked men to accomplish His purpose (vv. 49-53).
4. All the evil events, however horrendous, are under God’s sovereign control.
5. All evil intent against God and His people will always ultimately fail.
6. The truth of Rom. 8:28 is illustrated in this passage.
7. It is no sign of grace that you exercised a spiritual gift.
   III. God’s purpose in Christ is to gather one people to Himself.
   The way He does it is through vicarious atonement
8. It is substitutionary.
9. It is definite.
10. It is extensive.
11. It is sovereign.