Kingdom Principle: God is actively working to save the nations. Jesus message of salvation is not only for the Jewish people it is also for the Gentiles. The deciding factor among all peoples is whether or not they embrace the Son. To embrace Jesus is to embrace the Father’s plan. God is actively calling a people to himself through the preaching of the gospel and the drawing of the Spirit.
-
Jesus __________ in the _________________ Truth of God’s Effectual Call
Luke 10:21 (ESV) — 21 In that same hour he rejoiced (Jesus) in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father…
Rejoiced is far too colorless a translation for ēgalliasato, which means a positive exultation (‘thrilled with joy’, Moffatt).
Baptist Confession of Faith 1689 Chapter 10 – Of Effectual Calling
“Those whom God hath predestinated unto life, he is pleased in his appointed and accepted time, effectually to call, by his Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death, in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God; taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them a heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and by his almighty power determining them to that which is good; and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ; yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by his grace.”
John 10:25–30 (ESV) — 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
-
Jesus ___________ the ______________ of this Truth to the Effectually Called
Luke 10:23–24 (ESV) — 23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
Matthew 13:10–17 (pg 768); Matthew 16:13–17 (pg 771)
What Jesus is saying in principle is also true in practice. That is to say that Jesus turns to the disciples directly and says, you have received this revelation because you have seen me and believed in me and therefore you are blessed by God.
1 Thessalonians 1:4–5 (ESV) 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction…
We are responsible to preach the Gospel to all peoples everywhere. We do not have to persuade others of Christ’s worthiness, we preach Christ and trust that God is working to call those whom he has chosen to himself. God is the one who does the impressing. God is the one who does the convincing through his Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is there is power.
1 Corinthians 2:1–5 (ESV) — 1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Questions to Consider
-
Are you preaching the good news of Christ to all without discrimination?
-
Are you trusting the work of the Holy Spirit to draw individuals to Christ?
-
Where have you seen this truth demonstrated in your own evangelistic efforts?
