INTRO:   What do we mean when we speak of the “Effectual Call”

1.         Other titles:

a.  Irresistible grace

b.  Efficacious grace

2.  Definition: It is a gracious work of the Holy Spirit when he causes us to embrace Christ freely, as he is offered to us in    the gospel.

3.  The plan of salvation.
God unconditionally chose in eternity past and gave some to His Son.  Man fell and all are lost into total inability to come to His Son.

God draws us with an effectual call unto salvation through the Word and the Spirit.

God causes the true believer to preserve in holiness in this life and receives us into glory

Proposition: Four thoughts that will help us to understand God’s effectual call.

I.  The two call given

A.  The outward and general call
Matt.  20:16  – So the last shall be first and the first least; for many are called but few chosen.

1.  This call brings conviction without conversion

a.  It shows men what they ought to do for salvation

b.  It renders them inexcusable

c.  It often causes men to make professions without regeneration

    *They become the stony-ground hearers

 2. It is heard by anyone under the sound of the gospel

Mark 2:17 – When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, they are well have no need of the physician, but they that are sick.  I came not to call the righteous, but sinner to repentance.

Acts 17:30 – And the times of this ignorance god overlooked, but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent

B.  The inward and effectual call

1.  This call brings conviction and conversion

a.  It offers grace while working grace

b.  The individual freely comes to Christ and embraces Him

 2.  This call never fails

     *Everyone so called is justified

Romans 8:30 – Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and who he called, them he also justified; and who he justified, them he also glorified.

John 10:27 – My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me

John 6:37a – All that the Father giveth me shall come to me

II.  The ordained instruments of the effectual call

*There are many calls in the world but not every call converts.  There is the call of the heavens to behold  God’s glory; there is the call of a female lion to her cubs; there is the call of the trumpet at boot camp to get out of bed, but none of these can convert.

God has ordained two instruments in perfect harmony to convert those He calls.

A.  The instrument of the Word of God

1.  The man of God using the Word of God
*As the ambassador represents the king so we represent the King of Kings

2.  The Word of God is as if Christ speaks today

I Peter 1:23 – Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever

James 1:18 – Of his own will begot he us with the word of truth, that we should be kind of first fruits of his creatures

 B. The instrument of the Holy Spirit
Acts 10:44 – While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them who heard the word.

Acts 16:44 – And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken by Paul.

1. The effectually called will respond in faith
John 1:12-13  Eph 2: 8-9

2. The effectually called will respond in holiness
I Peter 1:15 – But, as he who hath  call you is holy, so be ye holy in all man of life.

I Thessalonians  4:7 – For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness

III.  The example of the effectual call
John 6 (bread of life discourse)

A.  Who comes to Christ

1.  The ones given to Him (John 6:37)

2.  Those taught of God (John 6:45)
*The Spirit of God using the Word of God gives the inward call (inward because of regeneration)

CF Matthew 16:17 – And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father, who is in heaven

B.  Who don’t come to Christ

1.  The ones not drawn by this inward Call      (John 6:44)

 2.  The ones hearing only with fleshly ears     (John 6:60-63)

 3.  The ones not ordained unto life                  (John 6:64-65)     *Acts 13:48

IV.  The cause of the effectual call
“Love”

A.  The love of God

1.  Not our worthiness?

a.  Mary Magdalene was called
*Of whom were seven demons

b.  The Corinthians were called
I Corinthians 6:9-11a – Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, (10) Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God (11a) And such were some of you.

c.  Paul was called   “Chief of sinners”

 2.  But a love that chooses and draws
Jeremiah 31:3 – The Lord hat appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore, with loving kindness have I drawn thee

John 6:44 – No man can come to me except the Father, who hath sent me, draw him; and I will raise up at the last day

 Romans 8:29-39

B.  The plan of God in love

1.  The objects of His love are glorified
Romans 8:29-30

2.  The objects of His love are without condemnation
Romans 8:1

3.  The objects of His love never ceases to be loved
Romans 8:31-39