The sermon presents humanity as legally condemned and spiritually dead because of sin, unable and unwilling by nature to come to Christ. It emphasizes that Christ alone provides justification, spiritual renewal, and eternal life, with no condemnation for those who are in Him. Although the gospel is freely proclaimed to everyone who comes, the sinner’s coming is itself attributed to God’s sovereign, effectual grace. The appropriate response is repentance, humility, and faith in Christ rather than confidence in morality or human free will.
Theological center: Salvation is entirely grounded in Christ’s atoning work and God’s sovereign grace, because fallen sinners will not come to Christ apart from the Spirit’s drawing.
Applications: Come to Christ for life · Humble yourself before Christ · Recognize humanity’s bondage · Feel the seriousness of sin
Primary texts: John 5:40 · Romans 8:1 · John 6:44
“And ye will not come unto me, that ye might have life.” John 5:40 THIS is one of the great guns of the Arminians, mounted upon the top of their walls, and often discharged with terrible noise against the poor Christians called Calvinists. I intend to spike the gun this morning, or rather, to turn it on the enemy, for it was never theirs. It was never cast at their foundry at all, but was intended to teach the very opposite doctrine to that which they assert. Usually, when the text is taken, the divisions are—first, that man has a will. Secondly, that he is entirely free. Thirdly, that men must make themselves willing to come to Christ, otherwise they will not be saved. Now, we shall have no such divisions. But we will endeavor to take a more calm look at the text and not because there ha…