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The sermon presents a Reformed doctrine of salvation in which God’s eternal election is accomplished in history through an effectual call by sovereign grace. It distinguishes the sincere outward Gospel invitation given to all from the inward Spirit-empowered call that raises spiritually dead sinners to life and brings them to Christ. Genuine calling is identified by holiness, freedom from sin, fellowship with Christ, and persevering obedience rather than mere profession. Because calling is inseparably connected to election, justification, and glorification, believers may possess strong assurance and hope in God’s preserving love.
Theological center: God’s sovereign election is made knowable through effectual calling, which unites sinners to Christ and guarantees their justification and final glorification.
Applications: Come to Christ through the Gospel · Examine the marks of your calling · Forsake continuing sin · Cultivate fellowship with Christ
Primary texts: Romans 8:30 · 2 Timothy 1:9 · Isaiah 55:1
“Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called.” Romans 8:30 THE great book of God’s decrees is fast closed against the curiosity of man. Vain man would be wise, he would break the seven seals thereof, and read the mysteries of eternity. But this cannot be, the time has not yet come when the book shall be opened, and even then the seals shall not be broken by mortal hand, but it shall be said, “The Lion of the tribe of Judah hath prevailed to open the book and break the seven seals thereof.” “Eternal Father, who shall look Into Thy secret will? None but the Lamb shall take the book, And open every seal.” None but He shall ever unroll that sacred record and read it to the assembled world. How then am I to know whether I am predestinated by God unto eternal life or no? It is a question in which my eternal interests are involved, am I among that unhappy number who shall be left to live in sin and reap the due reward of their iniquity, or do I belong to that goodly company who, albeit that they have sinned, shall nevertheless be washed in the blood of Christ, and shall in white robes walk the golden streets of paradise? Until this question be answered my heart cannot rest, for I am intensely anxious about it. My eternal destiny infinitely more concerns me than all the affairs of time. Tell me, oh, tell me if you know, seers and prophets, is my name recorded in that book of life? Am I one of those who are ordained unto eternal life, or am I to be left to follow my own lusts and passions, and to destroy my own soul? Oh! man, there is an answer to your inquiry, the book cannot be opened, but God Himself has published many a page thereof. He has not published the page whereon the actual names of the redeemed are written, but that page of the sacred decree whereon their character is recorded is published in His Word, and shall be proclaimed to you this day. The sacred record of God’s hand is this day published everywhere under heaven, and he that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto him. O my hearer, by your name I know you not, and by your name God’s Word does not declare you, but by your character you may read your name, and if you have been a partaker of the calling which is mentioned in the text, then may you conclude beyond a doubt that you are among the predestinated— “For whom he did predestinate, them he also called.” And if you are called, it follows as a natural inference you are predestinated. Now, in considering this solemn subject, let me remark that there are two kinds of callings mentioned in the Word of God. The first is th…