Peter Barnes | Ephesians 2:1; 1 Corinthians 2:14
SERMON NOTES
TOTAL INABILITY
Eph.2:1; 1 Cor.2:14
TULIP stands for Total Depravity; Unconditional Election; Limited Atonement; Irresistible Grace; Perseverance of the Saints. It constitutes a defensive doctrine, and is not really a summary of Calvinism.
1. Human nature can do some limited good, even in its fallen state.
– Luke 6:33; Acts 28:1-6.
2. Human nature is radically corrupt.
(a) We are born in sin – Ps.51:5;
(b) There is madness in our hearts – Eccles.9:3;
(c) Our hearts are deceitful – Jer.17:9;
(d) We are unable to do good – Jer.13:23; Rom.8:7-8;
(e) We are unable to believe Christ – John 6:44, 65; 1 Cor.2:14;
(f) We are slaves to sin – John 8:34;
(g) Our minds and hearts are darkened and hard – Eph.4:17-19;
(h) We are spiritually dead – Eph.2:1-3; Col.2:13.
‘Tis not that I did choose Thee,
For, Lord, that could not be;
This heart would still refuse Thee
Hadst Thou not chosen me (Josiah Conder).
– John 15:16.
3. Three conclusions.
(a) We ought not to be surprised at human sin.
(b) We need to correct free will evangelism.
(c) We must not distort this truth – 2 Tim.2:10; 1 Cor.4:7.