The Transformative Work of the Holy Spirit

 

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 actions.

The central theme is the distinction between the general call of the Gospel, which is extended to all, and the effectual call, which is transformative for those who are saved. This effectual call is an internal, spiritual work of the Holy Spirit, making the Gospel effective in the hearts of believers. The difference between those who respond to the Gospel and those who do not lies in this internal work, which is essential for true spiritual understanding and acceptance.

Scriptural references, such as Romans 8:28-30 and 1 Corinthians 1:24, illustrate that those who are called according to God's purpose experience a unique, effectual call. This call is not merely an external invitation but a profound internal transformation, enabling believers to comprehend and embrace spiritual truths. The natural man, without this divine intervention, cannot understand or accept the things of the Spirit.

The necessity of this internal work is underscored by the inherent enmity of the natural mind against God, as described in Romans 8:5-8 and 1 Corinthians 2:14. Without the Holy Spirit's intervention, no one can truly believe and rejoice in the Gospel. This work is not a coercive force but a gentle, persuasive influence that aligns our will with God's, allowing us to desire and delight 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 actions. [02:19]

- The distinction between the general call of the Gospel and the effectual call lies in the internal, spiritual work of the Holy Spirit. This effectual call transforms the hearts of believers, making the Gospel effective and life-changing. [06:48]

- Scriptural references, such as Romans 8:28-30, highlight that those called according to God's purpose experience a unique, effectual call. This call is not merely an external invitation but a profound internal transformation. [07:03]

- The natural mind is at enmity with God and cannot understand spiritual truths without the Holy Spirit's intervention. This internal work is essential for true belief and acceptance of the Gospel. [22:18]

- The Holy Spirit's work is not coercive but a gentle, persuasive influence that aligns our will with God's. It enables us to desire and delight in His truth, making the Gospel call effectual and transformative. [39:00]

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 Internal and External Call
[05:14] - Distinction Between Saved and Unsaved
[06:48] - The Effectual Call Explained
[07:03] - Scriptural Basis for the Effectual Call
[09:49] - The Church as the Called-Out Ones
[12:12] - Internal vs. External Call
[14:04] - Spiritual Teaching and Understanding
[20:38] - Necessity of the Internal Work
[23:21] - The Natural Man's Inability
[27:25] - The Supernatural Work of the Spirit
[31:51] - Practical Illustrations and Proofs
[39:37] - Conclusion and Reflection
[42:17] - Benediction and Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 8:28-30
2. 1 Corinthians 1:24
3. John 6:63-65

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 8:28-30, what is the sequence of actions that God takes for those who are called according to His purpose? How does this passage describe the effectual call? [07:03]

2. In 1 Corinthians 1:24, how does Paul describe the difference in perception of Christ between those who are called and those who are not? What does this imply about the effectual call? [09:00]

3. In John 6:63-65, what does Jesus say about the role of the Spirit in understanding His words? How does this relate to the concept of the effectual call? [15:10]

4. How does the sermon describe the difference between the general call of the Gospel and the effectual call? What role does the Holy Spirit play in this distinction? [06:48]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean for the Holy Spirit's work to be timeless and transcend human understanding of chronological order? How might this affect our perception of spiritual truths? [02:19]

2. How does the internal work of the Holy Spirit transform the hearts of believers, making the Gospel effective and life-changing? What implications does this have for understanding salvation? [06:48]

3. Why is the natural mind described as being at enmity with God, and how does the Holy Spirit's intervention change this state? What does this suggest about the necessity of divine intervention for belief? [22:18]

4. How does the sermon explain the gentle, persuasive influence of the Holy Spirit in aligning our will with God's? What does this reveal about the nature of God's call? [39:00]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt a gentle, persuasive influence in your spiritual journey. How did this experience align your will with God's, and how can you remain open to such influences in the future? [39:00]

2. The sermon emphasizes the necessity of the Holy Spirit's internal work for true belief. How can you cultivate a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit in your daily life? [22:18]

3. Consider the distinction between the general call and the effectual call. How can you discern when the Holy Spirit is working internally in your life or the lives of others? [06:48]

4. How can you better recognize and respond to the effectual call in your life? Are there specific areas where you feel resistant to God's call, and how can you address this resistance? [06:48]

5. The sermon suggests that our perception of spiritual truths may not reflect the actual sequence of divine actions. How can you remain humble and open-minded in your understanding of God's work in your life? [02:19]

6. How can you support others in your community who may be struggling to understand or accept the Gospel? What role can you play in helping them experience the effectual call? [06:48]

7. Reflect on the idea that the Holy Spirit's work is not coercive but aligns our will with God's. How can you practice surrendering your will to God in practical ways this week? [39:00]

Devotional

Day 1: The Timeless Work of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit's work in applying redemption is not bound by time or human understanding. It transcends our chronological perceptions, reminding us that divine actions may not follow the sequence we imagine. This timeless nature of the Holy Spirit's work emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's perfect plan, even when it seems beyond our comprehension. As believers, we are called to recognize that our understanding of spiritual truths is limited and to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us in discerning God's will. [02:19]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God's timing? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you rest in His perfect plan today?


Day 2: The Transformative Effectual Call
The distinction between the general call of the Gospel and the effectual call lies in the internal, spiritual work of the Holy Spirit. While the general call is extended to all, the effectual call is transformative for those who are saved. This internal work of the Holy Spirit makes the Gospel effective in the hearts of believers, leading to a profound change in their lives. It is through this effectual call that believers are able to truly comprehend and embrace spiritual truths, setting them apart from those who do not respond to the Gospel. [06:48]

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: Reflect on a time when you experienced a significant transformation in your spiritual life. How did the Holy Spirit play a role in that change, and how can you remain open to His transformative work today?


Day 3: The Unique Effectual Call
Scriptural references, such as Romans 8:28-30, highlight that those called according to God's purpose experience a unique, effectual call. This call is not merely an external invitation but a profound internal transformation that enables believers to comprehend and embrace spiritual truths. The effectual call is a testament to God's sovereign grace, drawing individuals into a deeper relationship with Him and equipping them to live out their faith in meaningful ways. [07:03]

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (ESV): "But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Reflection: How have you experienced the unique call of God in your life? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him and live out your faith more fully?


Day 4: The Necessity of the Holy Spirit's Intervention
The natural mind is at enmity with God and cannot understand spiritual truths without the Holy Spirit's intervention. This internal work is essential for true belief and acceptance of the Gospel. Without the Holy Spirit, individuals remain unable to grasp the depth of God's love and the transformative power of the Gospel. It is through the Spirit's gentle, persuasive influence that believers are able to align their will with God's and experience the fullness of His truth. [22:18]

1 Corinthians 2:12-14 (ESV): "Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 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: In what ways do you find yourself relying on your own understanding rather than seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance? How can you cultivate a greater dependence on the Spirit in your daily life?


Day 5: The Gentle Influence of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit's work is not coercive but a gentle, persuasive influence that aligns our will with God's. It enables us to desire and delight in His truth, making the Gospel call effectual and transformative. This gentle influence invites us to willingly submit to God's will and experience the joy and peace that come from living in alignment with His purposes. As we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to live out our faith with authenticity and grace. [39:00]

Galatians 5:22-25 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to gently influence your thoughts and actions today? What specific steps can you take to align your will with God's and experience the fruit of the Spirit in your 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. You saw that those followers of Christ who are even described as disciples were divided up into two groups. [00:05:25]

The natural man, the one after the flesh, is not interested in the things of the spirit at all. He finds them dull and boring and uninteresting. He finds them ridiculous. He regards them as a waste of time, and he hates them. But they that are after the spirit are interested in the things of the spirit. [00:22:04]

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 discerned. Now, that's a categorical statement. The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God. [00:23:38]

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. [00:38:31]

The Holy Spirit's work is not coercive but a gentle, persuasive influence that aligns our will with God's. It enables us to desire and delight in His truth, making the Gospel call effectual and transformative. [00:39:00]

The Holy Spirit does an internal work, and as the result of that, we are enabled to will and to do of His good pleasure. It's the internal work that brings us to them. [00:17:24]

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. [00:31:51]

The Holy Spirit's work is an immediate, direct operation within us. It is immediate, it is spiritual, it is supernatural, miraculous, if you know, and what it does is to make within us a new mode of spiritual activity possible. [00:27:25]

The Holy Spirit's work is essential for true belief and acceptance of the Gospel. Without this work within, no one would ever become a Christian. It is an utter absolute necessity. [00:22:18]

The Holy Spirit's work is an internal, 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. [00:12:12]

The Holy Spirit's work is an internal operation upon the soul and the heart of men that brings him into a condition in which the call can become effectual. [00:37:25]

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Transcript
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