I wonder what this Pastor understands regarding the doctrine of reprobation, if anything at all. This is one fundamental piece to understanding soteriology. God is active when the Word is preached, both to soften and to harden. Both are works of the Spirit actively wrought in the hearts of men through the hearing of the Word. A couple of proof texts include:

I Corinthians 1:18: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

II Corinthians 2:15-16 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life.



Christ is lovely, Christ is very lovely, Christ is most lovely, Christ is always lovely, Christ is altogether lovely. --Thomas Brooks