Understanding God's Call: Authority, Responsibility, and Grace

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Authority in Creation and Calling

From the very beginning, God’s authority is displayed in His act of calling creation into existence—He names the light “day,” the darkness “night,” the expanse “heaven,” and the dry land “earth.” No one could contest or alter His decree; His word alone established reality and purpose. This same authority undergirds His call to salvation, reminding us that God’s invitation is not a suggestion but a sovereign act. As we reflect on the power of God’s word in creation, we are invited to consider the weight and certainty of His call in our own lives, knowing that His purposes cannot be thwarted. [01:27]

Genesis 1:5, 8, 10 (ESV)
5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
8 And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to submit to God’s authority, trusting that His word and His call are final and good?

Day 2: The Distinction Between the External and Internal Call

Scripture teaches that the message of Christ crucified is proclaimed to all, but only those who are called by God experience its power and wisdom. The external call goes out broadly through preaching and witness, yet the internal call is the work of God’s Spirit making hearts alive to respond in faith. This distinction should stir us to examine whether we have truly believed the gospel and been made new in Christ, and to recognize the responsibility we bear when we hear the message of salvation. [06:08]

1 Corinthians 1:23-24 (ESV)
23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Reflection: Have you personally responded to the call of Christ, not just hearing the message but being made new in Him? If not, what is holding you back from surrendering to Him today?

Day 3: The Urgency and Responsibility of the General Call

God’s general revelation in creation and His external call through the gospel leave all people without excuse; every sunset, every season, and every day’s end is a reminder that there is a beginning and an end, and that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. The weightiness of this truth should awaken us from complacency, reminding us that rejecting God’s call leads to eternal ruin. Let the certainty of God’s appointed time move you to reflect on your response to His invitation and the reality of standing before Him. [18:40]

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

Reflection: As you witness the rhythms of creation today, how does the reality of an appointed end shape your priorities and your response to God’s call?

Day 4: The Miracle of the Internal Call and New Birth

The internal call of God is an almighty act, bringing the spiritually dead to life and making them new creations in Christ. This miracle is greater than the creation of the world itself, as God alone can awaken hearts, renew wills, and grant the freedom to choose Him. Those who are called according to His purpose are justified and glorified, and this truth shifts our focus from ourselves to Christ, the object of our faith. Pray that you would know the hope of His calling and rest in the assurance that your salvation originates in God’s sovereign grace. [44:21]

Romans 8:28-30 (ESV)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from your own efforts to the hope and assurance found in God’s calling and Christ’s finished work?

Day 5: Living for God’s Glory in Response to His Call

The special or internal call originates in God for His own glory, and those who are called into union with Christ are called to live for His glory. The essence of the Christian life is not arrogance but gratitude, responding to grace with thankfulness and a desire to make Christ known. As you consider the miracle of your calling, let it move you to embrace your identity as one forgiven and to live each day as an aroma of Christ to those around you, inviting others to come and take the water of life freely. [47:00]

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (ESV)
13 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.
14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection: How can you intentionally live today in a way that reflects gratitude for God’s grace and invites others to experience the hope of Christ?

Sermon Summary

The doctrine of calling is deeply rooted in the authority of God, beginning with His creative acts in Genesis, where He called light, day, and earth into being by His word. This same authority undergirds the way God calls people to Himself in salvation. There is a distinction between the general (external) call, which goes out to all people through creation and the proclamation of the gospel, and the special (internal) call, which is the work of the Spirit in the hearts of God’s elect, making them alive in Christ. The general call convicts all people of their guilt before a holy God through general revelation—what is plainly seen in creation—and is clarified by special revelation, the Scriptures, which reveal Christ as Savior.

Everyone is responsible for the revelation they receive. The external call is not just a formality; it carries real weight and responsibility. To hear the gospel and not respond is to increase one’s accountability before God. The reality of beginnings and endings in creation—sunrises and sunsets, life and death—reminds us that there will be a final judgment, and all must appear before Christ. Rejection of the external call leads to eternal ruin, and no one can escape the presence of Christ, even in judgment.

Yet, God’s call to all is sincere, even though humanity, in its fallen will, is unable to respond apart from divine intervention. The analogy of the archer missing the mark illustrates that while God calls, we are unable to hit the target of perfect obedience. Only Christ has done so, and only in Him can we find true life. God’s will of disposition is that all would be saved, but His hidden will of decree brings about the salvation of His elect. We must never presume upon God’s grace or think He owes us mercy.

The internal call is a miraculous act of God, originating in His own glory, by which He makes the sinner alive in Christ. This is not a cooperative effort but an almighty act that restores the will and brings about new birth. The Spirit’s inward call infallibly accomplishes its purpose; God’s grace is effectual, prevailing over our resistance. As those who have received this call, we are to live for God’s glory, stand in His grace, and humbly call all people everywhere to come to Christ, knowing that we are the aroma of Christ to both the saved and the perishing. The invitation remains: “Come, whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

Key Takeaways

1. God’s authority in creation is the foundation for understanding His call in salvation. Just as God called light and earth into existence by His word, so too does He call people to Himself with sovereign authority. This means that our response to the gospel is not a matter of human initiative, but a response to God’s authoritative summons, which carries both comfort and responsibility. [01:27]
2. The distinction between the general (external) and special (internal) call is crucial. The external call goes out to all through creation and gospel proclamation, convicting all of sin and pointing to Christ, but only the internal call by the Spirit brings about new life. This should humble us, reminding us that salvation is not merely about hearing the truth, but about God’s gracious work in the heart. [04:07]
3. The weight of the external call is real: to hear the gospel and not respond is to increase one’s accountability before God. Creation itself testifies to God’s reality and our need for Him, and every day is a reminder that there will be an end and a judgment. This sense of urgency should awaken us from spiritual complacency and drive us to examine whether we have truly been made new in Christ. [18:40]
4. God’s call is sincere, even though humanity is unable to respond apart from grace. The analogy of the archer missing the mark shows that while God invites all, our fallen nature ensures we always fall short. Only Christ has perfectly fulfilled God’s law, and only in Him can we find rest from our striving and the futility of self-righteousness. [28:09]
5. The internal call is an almighty, effectual act of God that brings the dead to life. It is not a result of our cooperation or merit, but originates in God’s own glory and purpose. This should lead us to deep gratitude, humility, and a life lived for God’s glory, as well as a passion to invite others to Christ, knowing that the Spirit’s call will infallibly accomplish its purpose. [45:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:27] - God’s Authority in Creation and Calling
[02:48] - Creation Authority and Salvation
[04:07] - External vs. Internal Call
[06:08] - The Weight of the External Call
[09:44] - General and Special Revelation
[13:17] - The Necessity of Preaching and Evangelism
[16:18] - The Universal Scope of the External Call
[18:40] - The Certainty of Judgment
[22:49] - The Consequences of Rejection
[27:03] - The Sincerity of God’s Call
[31:42] - God’s Will and Human Responsibility
[36:34] - The Internal Call and New Birth
[40:10] - The Miracle of New Creation
[45:51] - God’s Glory in Effectual Calling
[48:07] - The Infallible Accomplishment of the Spirit’s Call
[53:51] - Our Call to Invite All to Christ
[54:27] - Living as the Aroma of Christ

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 1:1-5, 8, 10 (ESV) — > In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. ... And God called the expanse Heaven. ... God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV) — > For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:28-30 (ESV) — > And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Observation Questions

In Genesis 1, what does it mean that God “called” the light Day and the darkness Night? What does this show about God’s authority?
According to 2 Corinthians 4:6, how does Paul connect God’s act of creation to the way He works in salvation?
In Romans 8:28-30, what is the sequence of actions God takes in the lives of those He calls?
The sermon described two types of calling: general (external) and special (internal). What is the difference between these two, based on the teaching? [[04:07]]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important that God’s authority in creation is the foundation for understanding His call in salvation? How does this affect the way we view our response to the gospel? [[01:27]]
The sermon says the general call goes out to all people, but only the internal call brings new life. Why do you think God’s call works this way? [[04:07]]
The analogy of the archer missing the mark was used to describe our inability to respond to God’s call apart from grace. What does this analogy teach us about our need for Christ? [[28:09]]
Romans 8:28-30 describes a chain of God’s actions (foreknew, predestined, called, justified, glorified). How does this passage help us understand the certainty and security of salvation for those who are called?

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that to hear the gospel and not respond increases our accountability before God. Have you ever felt complacent or numb to the gospel message? What would it look like to “wake up” spiritually in your current season of life? [[18:40]]
The general call of God is sincere, even though we cannot respond apart from grace. Are there areas in your life where you are striving in your own strength instead of resting in Christ’s finished work? What would it look like to shift from striving to resting? [[28:09]]
The reality of judgment was highlighted as a motivation to examine ourselves. When you think about the certainty of standing before Christ, does it create urgency or fear in you? How might this truth change the way you live this week? [[19:59]]
The internal call is described as a miraculous, almighty act of God that brings the dead to life. If you are a believer, how does knowing your salvation is God’s work (not your own) affect your gratitude, humility, or confidence? [[45:51]]
The sermon called us to humbly invite all people to Christ, knowing we are the aroma of Christ to both the saved and the perishing. Who in your life needs to hear the invitation to “come”? What is one step you can take this week to share Christ with them? [[53:51]]
The analogy of the archer missing the mark shows that only Christ has perfectly obeyed God. Are there ways you are tempted to trust in your own “arrows” (good works, religious activity) instead of Christ? How can you remind yourself of the sufficiency of Jesus? [[28:09]]
The invitation remains: “Come, whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Is there anything holding you back from coming to Christ or from inviting others? What would it look like to respond to this invitation today? [[54:27]]

Sermon Clips

We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. We're reminded every day, and I just look at creation, that every now and then when I see a sunset, I remind myself, wow, this day is ending. What have I done today? It's been valuable. But most importantly, what God is reminding us every single day, the way the sun goes up and the sun goes down, is that there is a beginning, and there will be an end. And this application here is that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. That is as certain as the sun will go down. [00:18:50] (44 seconds) #JudgmentSeatAwareness

Sin, we know, is an archery term. And so sin, it's like God calling sinners up. It's like step right up, take your shots, bring up your bow and arrows. And so you have sinners coming up and then failure after failure after failure. Well, God is still calling people to come, but they're coming and they're failing every single time. It doesn't mean that God is making them miss or responsible for having a failure in the first place. He is calling them to the place to be able to shoot, to be able to live their life, right? But this analogy kind of helps explain that, to be able to say how many times that the sinner will come up and shoot their arrow and miss, right? So the law is we shall love the Lord with God with all your heart, soul, and mind. That's the bullseye. Every time that we're firing, we're all over the place. We may hit that bullseye one out of a million times, you know, if we shoot as many arrows as we can. But even that doesn't measure up to all our heart, soul, and mind, and strength, right? And so that's why it glorifies Christ, because every arrow that Christ shot was a bullseye, right? And so he was, he's the only one. [00:28:45] (78 seconds) #SinAsFailedShots

The way that we proclaim is is jumping up and down preaching the gospel christ crucified we say god saves sinners that's all if that's all you need to say god saves sinners run to him run to christ have some scripture ready you know may you decrease and him increase right whatever it takes to be able to to for for that proclamation to be able to to be in effect go into the highways and as many as you can find and invite to the wedding [00:36:43] (36 seconds) #ProclaimChristSaves

The special or internal call is given to god's elect whereby they are made alive in christ alive in christ the spirit's inward call creates the spirit's inward call creates in man a new disposition of the heart and a new activity of the will by which the sinner accepts christ it is not man reviving his own will nor is it mere cooperation with the will of god it is an almighty act of god that blank is almighty it is an almighty act of godit is an almighty act of god in the will of man by which the freedom to choose god as its end is restored and rightly exercised and what a what a glorious steps of faith that those are [00:37:38] (63 seconds) #AlmightyInternalCall

I think it's more of a miracle to be the new birth than the actual creation itself the new birth is a is a is a tremendous miracle uh to be able to i think you know to be able to speak things from nothing to something is a pretty amazing miracle but to bring the dead to life and the new birth so spiritually, now that you're awakened, now that you know that you're a sinner, now that you know who Jesus is and what he's done, and you respond to that, and you know who you once were, that's a very glorious miracle. You know, I mean, it's something that is quite amazing. [00:39:01] (46 seconds) #NewBirthMiracle

The essence of the Christian faith is grace. The essence of the Christian ethic is not arrogance, but gratitude. And so when we think about Christ and when we think about what he has done, it's grace. We are forgiven. And so we respond with thankfulness and we live. His glory. [00:47:31] (20 seconds) #GraceLeadsToGratitude

When we think about this, and we think about Christ crucified, and we're standing in that grace, it is one of the hardest things to be able to come around to, but we receive it with thankfulness. We receive what God has done, became a God -man, and all the things that he did that we learned about in Christology with the incarnation coming into him as a regular man, and he shot those arrows, all the works that he did were perfect. And so we have to be reminded to be able to stand on the rock where what he did on the cross, it doesn't make sense for us to be able to stand on him, but we must. That is the call today, to stand on the rock, to stand as conquerors on the cross, to stand on the grave. It's an open grave. It's a grave where he has walked out. [00:51:43] (67 seconds) #StandOnTheRock

We must humbly call all men everywhere to come to Christ. On the, on the front there, we have 2nd Corinthians chapter 2, verse 15 through 16. Read that with me here. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the, to the one we are the aroma of death leading to death. And to the other, the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? That's just a little tip to be able, tip the iceberg there, to be able to understand who we are, whoever we talk to, whether they're, we are an aroma in some sort. We're an aroma where we're leading someone to life or it's an aroma of leading someone to death. And we need to be prepared for that. We need to be prepared for both. [00:53:51] (64 seconds) #AromaOfLifeOrDeath

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