Disciple Hour: Systematic Theology (The Doctrine Of Redemption – Chapter 33)

The Doctrine of God[1]

Lecture Notes[2] Chapter 33-The Doctrine Of Redemption

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.

Romans 8:29-30 (ESV) 

The Effective Call of the Gospel

The word “effective” means: Adequate to accomplish a purpose; producing the intended result. Effectual refers to something that produces a decisive outcome or result.

A couple of weeks ago, Pastor Brian gave us what can be considered the “order” of salvation. Here is what it looked like:

1. Election *(We looked at that the last 2 weeks)
2. The Gospel Call *(We’ll look at that today)
3. Regeneration
4. Conversion
5. Justification
6. Adoption
7. Sanctification
8. Preservation *(Perseverance)
9. Death
10. Glorification

Now we talked about then that this specific order isn’t decreed by God. In a couple of places here, there could be some variations to this list, depending on who you are or who you listen to. God does, however, give us a specific list through Paul in Romans.

1. The Call

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.

(This list is not exhaustive but it IS chronological. There are no variations in this particular list Paul gives us)

This is talking about God the Father, specifically, and that He who elected us ALSO called us.

This word call means invited or summoned. Can we concentrate for just a few minutes on what it means to be invited by God to visit Him? Can we meditate for a bit this week on the fact that we have been summoned by the King; the Creator of the universe? God calls us to……

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
⁹ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

THAT’S WHY WE HAVE GOT TO BELIEVE THAT THIS CALL IS EFFECTIVE! IT IS A SUMMONS FROM THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH INTO A DEAD TOMB WITH ALL THE POWER IT TOOK TO CREATE THE HEAVEN AND EARTH AND IT WILL BE FOLLOWED!! It comes with an ABSOLUTE GUARANTEE that there will be a response.

So how in the world can people ever reject this type of calling? They can’t if they have this type of calling! This is not the general call of the Gospel. Even Christians often get confused with this. The general call goes out to the entire world. ALL will hear it. Because of its power, all will fall under the hearing of this good news. But that’s not the same as being summoned by the King.

There’s a difference between going out in the rain and taking a shower. Everyone who goes out into the rain gets wet, but not everyone is allowed in my shower! All the kingdom hears the decree of the King but few are they who are summoned by him!!

Matthew 22:14 (ESV)
¹⁴ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Definition: Effective calling is an act of God the Father, speaking through the human proclamation of the Gospel, in which He summons people to Himself in such a way that they respond in saving faith.

God does not save us without calling us. He could if He wanted to, but He has chosen NOT to do it that way.

John 6:44 (ESV)
⁴⁴ No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

“…UNLESS THE FATHER DRAWS HIM.”

Jeremiah 31:3 (ESV)
³ the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

Hosea 11:4 (ESV)
⁴ I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.

There still must be a call AND A WILLING response on those that the Father brings to Himself! Opponents of election have this idea that there are scores of people who want to be saved but God won’t let them. But on the other hand, many who believe in election have this idea that God saved them without them ever being a part of the conversation. When speaking about how long they’ve known Christ, I’ve heard a number of reformers say that they’ve been saved all their lives or they’ve been saved since birth. Listen; don’t confuse God’s eternal decree with our “in time” decision.

I was counseling to a woman in our home who told me that she never really prayed to receive Christ; that she had never really felt called, she’s just always known that she belonged to Christ. Sorry, Miss, but that goes against Scripture; a LOT of Scripture!!

Romans 10:8-14 (ESV)
⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);
⁹ because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
¹¹ For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
¹³ For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
¹⁴ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

1. The Gospel

Let’s talk about what all is involved in receiving/sharing the Gospel.

1. All have sinned (Rom. 3:23)
2. The payment for sin is death (Rom. 6:23)
3. Jesus paid that penalty (Rom. 5:8)
4. God invites each one personally to believe and repent
5. He then promises forgiveness and eternal life

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

1. Come to Me-The Gospel invitation/call (4)
2. All who are weary and heavy-laden–The sin/death (1 & 2)
3. And I will give you rest–The promise (5)
4. Take My yoke upon you–Another invitation. The yoke represents a weight; a weight of repentance. (4)
5. And learn from Me—The belief. We see an invitation for a relationship. (4)
6. For I am gentle and humble (lowly) in heart—The sacrifice. The paying for our sins. (3)
7. And YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS—The eternal life. (5)
   ³⁰ “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

 

This call is according to God’s own choosing, it WILL come, and it WILL result in eternal life to those it goes out to. Finally then, let us heed strongly this warning from Peter………

2 Peter 1:10 (ESV)
¹⁰ Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 

[1] Based on and various Quotes from Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology, Zondervan

[2] All Scripture from ESV Bible, Crossway