The Holy Spirit's Role in Effectual Calling

 

Summary

In this sermon, I explored the profound work of the Holy Spirit in the application of redemption, emphasizing the distinction between the general call of the Gospel and the effectual call that leads to salvation. The Holy Spirit's role is crucial in making the Gospel effective in the hearts of believers, transforming the general call into an effectual one. This transformation is not merely a result of human understanding or effort but is a supernatural work of God within the individual. The effectual call is an internal, spiritual call that goes beyond the external hearing of the Gospel. It is the Holy Spirit's direct operation in the soul, enabling a person to respond to the Gospel with faith and repentance.

I highlighted that while the Gospel is proclaimed to all, only some respond positively due to this internal work of the Spirit. This is evident in the scriptural examples where the same message leads to different responses among listeners. The effectual call is characterized by the Spirit's power, which opens the heart and mind to the truth of the Gospel, making spiritual understanding and acceptance possible. This work is essential because, without it, the natural human mind, which is at enmity with God, cannot comprehend or accept spiritual truths.

The sermon also addressed the necessity of this internal work for salvation, as the natural man is incapable of receiving the things of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit's work is not about coercion but about enabling and persuading the will to desire and embrace the truth. This divine operation results in a new spiritual vitality and activity, making the call of the Gospel effectual and certain.

Key Takeaways:

1. The distinction between the general and effectual call of the Gospel lies in the Holy Spirit's internal work, which transforms the external message into a personal, life-changing experience. This internal call is essential for true conversion and spiritual understanding. [06:52]

2. The effectual call is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that enables individuals to respond to the Gospel with faith. It is not merely a moral influence but a direct operation of the Spirit that opens the heart to spiritual truths. [12:30]

3. Without the Holy Spirit's internal work, the natural human mind remains at enmity with God and cannot comprehend spiritual truths. This highlights the necessity of divine intervention for genuine faith and repentance. [23:21]

4. The Holy Spirit's work in the effectual call is not coercive but persuasive, leading the will to desire and embrace the truth. This divine operation results in a new spiritual vitality and activity, making the Gospel call effective. [38:38]

5. Scriptural examples, such as Lydia's conversion, illustrate the effectual call's power, where the Lord opens the heart to attend to the Gospel message, resulting in faith and transformation. [33:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to the Recording
- [00:41] - The Work of the Holy Spirit
- [01:45] - Understanding the Order of Salvation
- [02:19] - Timeless Nature of God's Work
- [03:26] - The Importance of Knowing Our Experience
- [04:44] - The General Call of the Gospel
- [05:31] - The Effectual Call Explained
- [07:07] - Scriptural Basis for the Effectual Call
- [09:37] - The Church as the Called-Out Ones
- [12:14] - Difference Between External and Internal Call
- [14:06] - Spiritual Teaching by God
- [17:45] - The Gospel's Power and the Holy Spirit
- [20:41] - Necessity of the Internal Work
- [27:25] - The Nature of the Effectual Call
- [32:03] - Lydia's Conversion as an Example
- [35:11] - Spiritual Revelation by the Holy Spirit
- [38:07] - The Certainty of God's Work

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 8:28-30
2. John 6:63-65
3. Acts 16:14

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Observation Questions:

1. In Romans 8:28-30, what does Paul say about those who are "called according to his purpose"? How does this relate to the concept of the effectual call? [07:07]

2. According to John 6:63-65, what role does the Spirit play in enabling belief in Jesus' words? How does this passage illustrate the difference between the external and internal call? [15:12]

3. In Acts 16:14, what specific action did the Lord take in Lydia's conversion, and how does this demonstrate the effectual call? [33:39]

4. How does the sermon describe the difference between those who respond to the Gospel and those who do not, using the example of the disciples in John 6? [05:59]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of the effectual call in Romans 8:28-30 challenge or affirm your understanding of salvation? What implications does this have for the assurance of salvation? [07:07]

2. In John 6:63-65, Jesus mentions that "no man can come unto me except it were given unto him of my Father." How does this statement affect the understanding of human responsibility in responding to the Gospel? [15:39]

3. Reflecting on Lydia's conversion in Acts 16:14, what does it mean for the Lord to "open the heart"? How does this influence the way we view evangelism and sharing the Gospel? [33:39]

4. The sermon mentions that the Holy Spirit's work is not coercive but persuasive. How does this understanding of the Spirit's work affect the way we pray for others' salvation? [38:38]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt the Holy Spirit working in your life. How did this experience change your understanding or response to the Gospel? How can you remain open to the Spirit's work in your daily life? [06:52]

2. Considering the necessity of the Holy Spirit's internal work for salvation, how can you pray more effectively for friends or family members who have not yet responded to the Gospel? [23:21]

3. The sermon highlights the importance of spiritual understanding and acceptance. What steps can you take to deepen your spiritual understanding and ensure that your faith is not just an external response? [12:30]

4. How can you cultivate a heart that is open to the Holy Spirit's persuasion, especially in areas of your life where you might be resistant to change or growth? [38:38]

5. Reflect on the scriptural example of Lydia's conversion. How can you be more attentive to the ways God might be opening your heart or the hearts of those around you to His message? [33:39]

6. The sermon discusses the distinction between the general and effectual call. How does this distinction impact your approach to sharing the Gospel with others? [06:52]

7. In what ways can you actively seek the Spirit's guidance in your daily decisions and interactions, ensuring that your actions align with the truth of the Gospel? [12:30]

Devotional

Day 1: The Holy Spirit's Transformative Call
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in transforming the general call of the Gospel into an effectual call that leads to salvation. This transformation is not a result of human effort or understanding but is a supernatural work of God within the individual. The effectual call is an internal, spiritual call that goes beyond the external hearing of the Gospel. It is the Holy Spirit's direct operation in the soul, enabling a person to respond to the Gospel with faith and repentance. This internal call is essential for true conversion and spiritual understanding, as it turns the external message into a personal, life-changing experience. [06:52]

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Reflection: Consider a time when you felt a profound change in your understanding or acceptance of the Gospel. How did the Holy Spirit work in your heart to bring about this transformation?


Day 2: The Supernatural Work of the Spirit
The effectual call is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that enables individuals to respond to the Gospel with faith. It is not merely a moral influence but a direct operation of the Spirit that opens the heart to spiritual truths. This divine intervention is necessary because, without it, the natural human mind remains at enmity with God and cannot comprehend spiritual truths. The Holy Spirit's work is essential for genuine faith and repentance, as it empowers individuals to embrace the truth of the Gospel. [12:30]

1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV): "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you struggle to understand or accept spiritual truths. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind to these truths today?


Day 3: The Necessity of Divine Intervention
Without the Holy Spirit's internal work, the natural human mind remains at enmity with God and cannot comprehend spiritual truths. This highlights the necessity of divine intervention for genuine faith and repentance. The Holy Spirit's work is not about coercion but about enabling and persuading the will to desire and embrace the truth. This divine operation results in a new spiritual vitality and activity, making the call of the Gospel effectual and certain. [23:21]

Romans 8:7-8 (ESV): "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God."

Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where you feel resistant to God's will. How can you ask the Holy Spirit to help you overcome this resistance and embrace His truth?


Day 4: The Persuasive Work of the Spirit
The Holy Spirit's work in the effectual call is not coercive but persuasive, leading the will to desire and embrace the truth. This divine operation results in a new spiritual vitality and activity, making the Gospel call effective. The Spirit's power opens the heart and mind to the truth of the Gospel, making spiritual understanding and acceptance possible. This work is essential because, without it, the natural human mind cannot comprehend or accept spiritual truths. [38:38]

Philippians 2:13 (ESV): "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Reflection: Think of a decision or change you are hesitant to make. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and persuade your heart towards God's will in this matter?


Day 5: The Power of the Effectual Call
Scriptural examples, such as Lydia's conversion, illustrate the effectual call's power, where the Lord opens the heart to attend to the Gospel message, resulting in faith and transformation. The Holy Spirit's role is crucial in making the Gospel effective in the hearts of believers, transforming the general call into an effectual one. This transformation is not merely a result of human understanding or effort but is a supernatural work of God within the individual. [33:39]

Acts 16:14 (ESV): "One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you witnessed or experienced a transformation in response to the Gospel. How can you be open to the Holy Spirit's work in your life to bring about further transformation?

Quotes


The call of the Gospel which has been given to all is effectual only in some. Now this chapter, which a portion of scripture which we read together at the beginning tonight, is a perfect illustration of that. You saw that those followers of Christ who were even described as disciples were divided up into two groups. [00:05:25]

The one group disbelieved and went home, the others who heard exactly the same things stay with him, want to hear more, and rejoice in it. What makes the difference? Well, I say it's inter read this that the word has been effectual in the case of the saved in a way that it do not been effectual in the case of the unsaved. [00:06:07]

In addition to the external call, there is this effectual call, and that what makes anybody a saved person and a true Christian is that the call of the Gospel has come to them effectually. Now let me give you some scriptures that establish that. The first one you will find in the epistle to the Romans in the 8th chapter. [00:06:37]

The church means the Ecclesia, and the Ecclesia means the called forth ones. That's what a church is. A church is a gathering of people who've been called forth, called out, as Peter has just put it, who ha called you out of Darkness into His Marvelous Light. Now that's the whole meaning of this term church. [00:11:05]

The call is an internal, a spiritual call. It isn't really something that comes to a man from the outside. It does that, of course, that's common to all. But in addition to that external call which comes to all, there is an internal call which comes to those who are going to be Christian, and it is an effectual call. [00:12:19]

Without this work of the spirit, we cannot attain un such knowledge. Or take another one in the second EP second chapter of Ephesians, verse 8, the famous statement for by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God. And then of course Philippians 2:13 rarely says the same thing. [00:17:00]

The carnal mind is enmity against God. Well, that's a very strong statement, but it's true. Man, he is by nature as the result of the fall and the and of sin is that enmity against God. It is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, so that they that are in the flesh cannot please God. [00:22:24]

The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them because they are spiritually deserved. Now that's a categorical statement. The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God. They are foolishness unto him, neither can he know because they are spiritually deserved. [00:23:39]

The Holy Spirit implants this principle within me which enables me for the first time in my life to discern and to desire and to apprehend something of this glorious wondrous truth. He works upon my will. It is God that worketh in you both to Will and to do. He doesn't strike me, he doesn't beat me, he doesn't coers me. [00:38:38]

The Holy Spirit implants this principle within me which enables me for the first time in my life to discern and to desire and to apprehend something of this glorious wondrous truth. He works upon my will. It is God that worketh in you both to Will and to do. He doesn't strike me, he doesn't beat me, he doesn't coers me. [00:38:38]

The Lord did something in her heart, this internal work, and the result of that was she paid attention, and she saw it and received it. The call, the external call, became the internal call. The General became effectual. She believed and was baptized and her household, unmistakable. It was the Lord opening her heart that made the difference. [00:33:39]

The spirit searcheth all things, ye the Deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so, listen, even so the things of God knowth no man but the spirit of God. No man can know them. It's the spirit of God Alone can know. [00:35:11]

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Transcript
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