The Holy Spirit's Transformative Work in Redemption
Summary
In this message, we delve into the profound work of the Holy Spirit in applying the redemption purchased by Jesus Christ. The focus is on understanding the order and nature of this divine work, acknowledging that while different theologians may arrange these concepts differently, the essence remains unchanged. The Holy Spirit's work is timeless, transcending our human understanding of chronological order. It is crucial to recognize that the order in which we perceive these spiritual truths may not reflect the actual sequence of divine action.
The central theme is the distinction between the general call of the Gospel and the effectual call. While the Gospel is proclaimed to all, only some respond with faith and transformation. This difference is attributed to the effectual call, an internal and spiritual work of the Holy Spirit that makes the Gospel effective in the hearts of believers. This call is not merely an external invitation but a profound internal transformation that enables individuals to respond to God's truth.
Scripture provides numerous examples of this effectual call, emphasizing that it is a work of God, not of human effort. The Apostle Paul and other biblical writers highlight that this call is a gift from God, a supernatural work that opens hearts and minds to the truth of the Gospel. Without this divine intervention, no one would naturally seek God or understand spiritual truths.
The necessity of this internal work is underscored by the natural state of humanity, which is at enmity with God. The carnal mind cannot comprehend spiritual things, and it is only through the Holy Spirit's work that individuals are enabled to understand and embrace the Gospel. This transformation is not a coercion but a gracious act of God that aligns our will with His, leading us to desire and rejoice in His truth.
Key Takeaways:
- The Holy Spirit's work in applying redemption is timeless and transcends human understanding of chronological order. It is essential to recognize that our perception of spiritual truths may not reflect the actual sequence of divine action. [02:19]
- The distinction between the general call of the Gospel and the effectual call lies in the internal work of the Holy Spirit. While the Gospel is proclaimed to all, only some respond with faith due to this effectual call. [06:48]
- The effectual call is a supernatural work of God, not a result of human effort. It is an internal transformation that enables individuals to respond to God's truth, as seen in the example of Lydia in Acts 16. [33:42]
- Humanity's natural state is at enmity with God, unable to comprehend spiritual truths. The Holy Spirit's work is necessary to open hearts and minds to the Gospel, aligning our will with God's. [22:42]
- The transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit is not coercion but a gracious act of God. It leads us to desire and rejoice in His truth, making the Gospel effectual in our lives. [38:40]
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 Approach to Understanding
[04:44] - The General and Effectual Call
[05:14] - Distinction Between the Saved and Unsaved
[06:48] - Scriptural Basis for Effectual Call
[09:00] - The Role of the Church
[12:12] - Internal and Spiritual Call
[14:04] - Taught by God
[16:10] - The Necessity of the Spirit's Work
[20:23] - Many Called, Few Chosen
[23:25] - The Natural Man's Inability
[27:25] - The Effectual Internal Call
[31:51] - Proofs of the Spirit's Work
[34:29] - Lydia's Conversion
[38:09] - The Nature of God's Work
[40:13] - Conclusion and Prayer
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. What is the distinction between the general call of the Gospel and the effectual call as described in the sermon? [06:48]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in making the Gospel effective in the hearts of believers? [06:48]
3. According to the sermon, what is the natural state of humanity in relation to God, and how does this affect their ability to comprehend spiritual truths? [22:42]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon explain the necessity of the Holy Spirit's work in enabling individuals to understand and embrace the Gospel? [23:25]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the effectual call is a supernatural work of God rather than a result of human effort? [06:48]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit using the example of Lydia in Acts 16? [33:42]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a profound internal transformation in your spiritual journey. How did you recognize the Holy Spirit's work in that experience? [38:40]
2. The sermon emphasizes the distinction between the general and effectual call. How can you discern whether you are responding to God's call in your life?
3. Considering the natural state of humanity as described in the sermon, what steps can you take to align your will with God's and open your heart to His truth? [22:42]
4. How can you actively seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily life to make the Gospel more effectual in your actions and decisions? [38:40]
5. The sermon mentions that the transformation by the Holy Spirit is not coercion but a gracious act of God. How can you cultivate a heart that desires and rejoices in God's truth? [38:40]
6. Reflect on the example of Lydia's conversion. How can you be more attentive to the ways God might be opening your heart to new spiritual insights or directions? [33:42]
7. In what ways can you support others in your community to recognize and respond to the effectual call of the Gospel in their lives?
Devotional
Day 1: The Timeless Work of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit's work in applying redemption is not bound by human concepts of time or sequence. While theologians may debate the order of salvation, the essence of the Holy Spirit's work remains unchanged. This divine work transcends our understanding, reminding us that God's actions are not limited by our perceptions of time. It is crucial to recognize that our understanding of spiritual truths may not align with the actual sequence of divine action. This timeless nature of God's work invites us to trust in His perfect timing and wisdom, knowing that He orchestrates all things for His purposes. [02:19]
"For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night." (Psalm 90:4, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God's timing? How can you surrender these areas to His eternal perspective today?
Day 2: The Distinction Between General and Effectual Call
The Gospel is proclaimed to all, yet only some respond with faith and transformation. This difference is attributed to the effectual call, an internal work of the Holy Spirit that makes the Gospel effective in the hearts of believers. Unlike the general call, which is an external invitation, the effectual call is a profound internal transformation that enables individuals to respond to God's truth. This supernatural work of God is not a result of human effort but a gift that opens hearts and minds to the Gospel. [06:48]
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt a profound internal change in your spiritual journey. How did this transformation impact your response to God's call?
Day 3: The Supernatural Work of the Effectual Call
The effectual call is a supernatural work of God, not a result of human effort. It is an internal transformation that enables individuals to respond to God's truth. Scripture provides numerous examples of this effectual call, emphasizing that it is a work of God, not of human effort. Without this divine intervention, no one would naturally seek God or understand spiritual truths. This call is a gift from God, a supernatural work that opens hearts and minds to the truth of the Gospel, as seen in the example of Lydia in Acts 16. [33:42]
"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a moment when you experienced God's supernatural work in your life. How can you remain open to His ongoing transformation in your heart?
Day 4: Humanity's Natural State and the Need for the Spirit
Humanity's natural state is at enmity with God, unable to comprehend spiritual truths. The carnal mind cannot understand the things of the Spirit, and it is only through the Holy Spirit's work that individuals are enabled to understand and embrace the Gospel. This transformation is not coercion but a gracious act of God that aligns our will with His, leading us to desire and rejoice in His truth. The necessity of this internal work is underscored by the natural state of humanity, which is at odds with God. [22:42]
"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." (1 Corinthians 2:14, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself resisting spiritual truths? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind to God's wisdom today?
Day 5: The Gracious Transformation by the Holy Spirit
The transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit is not coercion but a gracious act of God. It leads us to desire and rejoice in His truth, making the Gospel effectual in our lives. This divine work aligns our will with God's, enabling us to embrace His truth with joy and gratitude. The Holy Spirit's work is necessary to open hearts and minds to the Gospel, transforming our natural enmity with God into a harmonious relationship with Him. This gracious transformation is a testament to God's love and mercy, drawing us closer to Him. [38:40]
"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." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)
Reflection: How has the Holy Spirit transformed your desires and attitudes towards God's truth? What steps can you take to nurture this transformation in your daily life?
Quotes
The Holy Spirit's work is timeless or outside time. You and I, of course, become aware of it in time, but that doesn't mean that the order in which you and I become aware of things is the exact order in which these things happen. [00:02:27]
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. [00:05:25]
What makes the difference? Well, I say it's 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, those who go back and who refuse it. [00:06:15]
There is the truth of the gospel, and we've seen already that it is a part of the work of the Holy Spirit to see that that truth is proclaimed to all. Surely that is what we called the general thought, a kind of universal author of the Gospel. [00:04:31]
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. [00:12:19]
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. [00:23:36]
The carnal mind is enmity against God. That's a very strong statement, but it's true. Man, he is by nature, as the result of the fall and of sin, is that enmity against God. It is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. [00:22:49]
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. [00:38:31]
The Holy Spirit's work is necessary to open hearts and minds to the Gospel, aligning our will with God's. Without this work of the spirit, we cannot attain such knowledge. [00:16:56]
The greatest natural intellect can't receive this. He's a natural man, and you need a spiritual faculty to receive this true, this wonderful truth about the two Natures in the one person, the astounding Doctrine about the trity, the whole doctrine of the Inc of the Incarnation. [00:30:39]
The Holy Spirit implants within us this new spiritual principle, this principle of spiritual vitality and activity, and it is as the result of that that the general call of the Gospel comes to us in an effectual manner. [00:31:49]
The transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit is not coercion but a gracious act of God. It leads us to desire and rejoice in His truth, making the Gospel effectual in our lives. [00:38:40]
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