The sermon by Eric Bechler, based on the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession, discusses the concept of effectual calling as described in Chapter 10, Paragraph 1. Effectual calling is explained as a divine process where those predestined by God are called out of their natural state of sin and death to grace and salvation through Jesus Christ. This calling is distinct from the outward gospel call, as it involves the Holy Spirit working inwardly to regenerate and transform the individual's heart and will, making them receptive to faith. Biblical references support the idea of predestination and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The sermon emphasizes God's timing in calling individuals and elaborates on the inward change from a 'heart of stone' to a 'heart of flesh', reflecting a spiritual rebirth that precedes faith. The effectual call results in a visible change in one's life, and believers are encouraged to respond with gratitude, humility, and a commitment to live according to their high calling.

Our second London Baptist Confession of 1689 reading this morning comes from chapter 10 of effectual calling paragraph 1 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 them unto a heart of flesh, renewing their wills and by His mighty 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. Before jumping into our paragraph this morning, I'd like to reiterate a higher level observation of where we've been and where we're going. In chapter 8 of Christ the Mediator, we focused on the accomplishment of our redemption by Christ Jesus. In chapter 9 of free will, we concluded that our free will is not able to gain us that redemption accomplished by Christ.

Our redemption only comes from the Holy Spirit work in us. In chapters 10 through 18, we cover the application of that redemption accomplished by Christ, from the effectual call to the assurance of grace and salvation. In fact, we could state that chapters 10 through 18 cover the Holy Spirit's work in our redemption. We'll spend the next four weeks covering what the effectual calling is and to whom it is applied, how it is monergistic and what that means, and how to handle those incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word and those who respond to the ministry of the Word and are not of the elect. So let's begin with effectual calling.

What is this and what does it mean? R.C. Sproul explains the degenerate experienced the outward call of the gospel. This outward call will not affect salvation unless the call is heard and embraced in faith. Effectual calling refers to the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration.

Here the call is within. The regenerate are called inwardly. Everyone who receives the inward call of regeneration responds in faith. Thomas Watson explains similarly, effectual calling is a gracious work of the Spirit whereby he causes us to embrace Christ freely as he is offered to us in the gospel. By this call the heart is renewed and the will is effectually drawn to embrace Christ.

In this there's a twofold call. There's an outward call which is God's offer of grace to sinners, inviting them to come and to accept of Christ and salvation. Many are called, but few are chosen. We read in Matthew 2016. This call shows men that they ought to do in order to gain salvation and renders them inexcusable in case of disobedience.

There's also an inward call when God wonderfully overpowers the heart and draws the will to embrace Christ. This is, as Augustine speaks, an effectual call. God, by the outward call, blows a trumpet in the ear. By the inward call, he opens the heart, as he did the heart of Lydia in Acts 16, 14. The outward call may bring men to a profession of Christ.

The inward call brings them to a possession of Christ. The outward call curbs a sinner. The inward call changes him. Let's dig into our paragraph this morning. As it walks us through the effectual call, we begin with the first phrase, those whom God hath predestinated unto life.

Not everyone will be saved, for there are many called, but few are chosen, that we just read out of Matthew. Those chosen are those who God had foreordained before the foundations of the world were laid. We covered predestination in chapter three of God's decree, but here are some verses supporting this in 2 Thessalonians 2, 13-14, but we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, whereunto he called you by our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. In 2 Timothy 1, 9, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began. And finally, in Ephesians chapter one verses four and five, according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundations of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love, having predestinated us into the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

What does Paul say about who will be saved? In Romans 8, 28 through 30, he says, and we know, Well, what do we know? We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. Here we have the called, not just anyone, but those who are called according to God's purpose. The called are those that love God.

Paul continues, for whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. God had chosen them. He foreknew them, he predestinated them to be saved. Paul continues, moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called, and whom he called, them he also justified, and whom He justified, them He also glorified. He glorified them into life.

And this calling was not just of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles. We read in Acts 13, 48, and when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord, as many as were ordained to eternal life believed." And in 1 Corinthians 1, 23 and 24, But we preach Christ crucified unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness, but them unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." Our confession continues, He is pleased in his appointed and accepted time effectually to call by his word and spirit. In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he tells us that those chosen are effectually called according to his good pleasure and according to the counsel of his will. In Ephesians 1-5 again, having predestinated us into the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will. In Ephesians 1-11, in whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

What about his appointed and accepted time? God works on his own clock. We feel that in our own lives. When God gives you a new heart, you will hear the internal call, the effectual call, and you will be drawn to him. For some, it is early in life.

For some, it is closer to the end of life. No matter when, God's timing is perfect. We read in 2 Peter 3, 9, the Lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. In 2 Corinthians 6 2, for he says, At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is the acceptable time.

Behold, now is the day of salvation." And finally in John 5 25, Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live. How is God effectually calling those who have been predestinated unto life? Our confession states by His word and spirit. There is a distinction we need to note here between the effectual call of the Holy Spirit and the general call, which is an outward proclamation of the gospel. Paul tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God in Romans 10 17.

And how do we hear the word of God? Through its proclamation, the outward call to the whole world. In Romans 10-14, how then shall they call on Him whom they have not believed, and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard, And how shall they hear without a preacher? In Matthew 28, 19, go therefore ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. The author of Hebrews tells us of the power of God's Word, in Hebrews 4, 12, for the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the driving asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

God's word endures forever and is the power of God into salvation. We read in 1 Peter 1, 23 through 25, being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. For all flesh is grass, is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away, but the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." We'll read also in Romans 1, 16, and 17.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith. As it is written, the just shall live by faith." But not everyone who hears the gospel outwardly responds to it. R.C. Sproul comments here, the proclamation of the gospel is an outward call and can by itself have no effect.

But the call of God when he works inwardly by the Holy Spirit in the soul and in the heart of an unregenerate person is effective every time. That cannot fail. It is the recreative agency of God's power. So we have here, by His Word and Spirit in the Confession, and we read from the Gospel of John, John 3, 5 through 6. Jesus answered, Verily, I say unto thee, accept a man be born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

That which is born of flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. The second Corinthians 3.3, for as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God, not in tables of stone, but in the fleshy tables of the heart." And from Paul's letters to the Corinthians, we read, in 3, 6, 2 Corinthians 3, 6, "'Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament, not of the letter, but of the Spirit, for the latter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life." And second, 1 Corinthians 2-12, now we have received not the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Before moving on to the next phrase, I'd like to share a response to a question relating to the external, the effectual call and the word and spirit from Martin Lloyd-Jones. So then the next step which we take is this. We have seen that the scripture teaches that the saved are the effectually called and that they are effectually called because of the work that goes on within them.

But someone may say, why all this? And the answer is that this is absolutely essential. Without this work within, no one would ever become a Christian. It is an utter necessity. And let me give you my proof for that.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. That's Roman 8.5. Now in the Revised Standard Version, it puts it like this. They that are after the flesh are interested in the things of the flesh. And they that are after the Spirit or in the Spirit are interested in the things of the flesh, and they that are after the Spirit or in the Spirit are interested in the things of the Spirit.

But the natural man or woman, those after the flesh, are not interested in the things of the Spirit at all. They find them dull and boring and uninteresting. They regard them as a waste of time and they hate them. But they that are after the Spirit are interested in the things of the Spirit, for to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace, because, and this is the final argument, the carnal mind is enmity against God." And that's Romans 8, 6, and 7. So we have both the Word and the Spirit working in the effectual call.

Now from where are those being effectually called coming from and being effectually called to? Our confession continues. He is pleased effectually to call out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ. By nature, we are all in a state of sin and death. We are carnal and at enmity with God.

We were dead in trespasses and sin. We were in darkness. We love the darkness. Paul tells us of what God has done for us through the work of Christ our Lord in Romans 8, 2. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Ephesians 2, 1 through 6.

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins, wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the Prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience, among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and the mind. And we're by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God who is rich in mercy for his great love, wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, he hath quickened us together with Christ. By grace ye are saved, and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. In 1 Peter 2 9, but ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that you should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

In 1 Corinthians 1 9, God is faithful by whom you were called unto the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through God's effectual calling, we are brought to faith. We are brought into the fellowship of his son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Let's talk more about how he does this. Our confession continues, enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God.

Paul compares God's work in creation, let there be light to the creative work he does in our hearts. In 2 Corinthians 4, 6, for God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. And in 2nd Timothy 1 10, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Not only are our hearts enlightened, but God also opens our eyes to see and understand. In Acts 26 18, to open their eyes and to turn them from the darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." In Ephesians 1, 18, the eyes of your understanding be enlightened that you may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.

Our confession continues in its explanation of how the effectual call is working inside of us by taking away their heart of stone and giving unto them a heart of flesh. Before we can respond in faith, we must have a new heart. We must be regenerated. Regeneration comes before faith. Ezekiel repeats this promise of a new heart, both in chapter 11, 9 and 36, 26.

He says, and a new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you a heart of flesh. The effectual call is also working in us by renewing their wills and by his almighty power, determining them to that which is good and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ. It's so as they come most freely being made willing by His grace. Those who are effectually called are predestinated.

They're given a new heart. God renews their wills and draws them to Christ. There are so many verses in scripture that I cannot refer to them all here. I'll just read a few. In Titus 3, 5, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy, He saved us by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.

In John 6 44 through 45, No man can come to me except the Father which had sent me draw him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets that They shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me. In Philippians 2.13, for it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure. And in Ephesians 2.8, for by grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourselves.

It is the gift of God I'll continue with a question posed to Thomas Watson with his answer the question, But how shall I know I am effectually called? Answer, he who is savingly called is called out of himself, not only out of sinful self, but out of righteous self. He denies his duties and moral endowments, not having mine own righteousness. He whose heart God has touched by his Spirit lays down the idol of self-righteousness at Christ's feet for him to tread upon. For he uses morality and duties of piety, but does not trust to them.

Noah's dove made use of her wings to fly, but trusted to the ark for safety. This is excellent when a man is called out of himself. This self-renunciation is, as Augustine says, the first step of saving faith. He who is effectually called has a visible change wrought, not a change of faculties, but of the qualities. He is altered from what he was before.

His body is the same, but not his mind. He has another spirit. Paul was so changed after his conversion, the people did not know him. Acts 921. Oh, what a metamorphosis does grace make.

In 1 Corinthians 6, 11, and such were some of you, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified. Grace changes the heart. So how do we respond? How should we respond? We should be thankful to God for such an unspeakable blessing.

Consider what you were before God called you. And God didn't need another saint to praise him in heaven, and yet he still called you. We should walk humbly. It's so easy to get self-righteous and prideful, but it is by grace you are saved, God's free grace. You had no part in it until God did a work in you.

How might your life look had God not effectually called you? We should live up to our calling. Paul tells us in Ephesians to walk worthy. In Ephesians 4, 1 through 3, I therefore the prisoner of the Lord beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We should walk compassionately.

As He who has called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. That's 1 Peter 1 15. Abhor all motions to sin because of your high calling. You are consecrated persons. Your bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost.

Don't dishonor your high calling. Amen.