The Call of GodDoctrine 2 Unit 7

Ordo Salutis (order of salvation):

Before we continue…

- Define the term

- Understand the implications- For salvation- For relationship with God now- For our commission as Jesus’ disciples

The Call of God

Romans 5:2

Centrality of the word?◦ 2 Peter 3:5◦ Is 55:11◦ Jer 23:29◦ John 12:47-48

Conclusion? ______________________________

The Call of God

Indeed, the word of the Lord, in whatever form we find it – sustaining the universe, making wise the simple, ordering the unruly lives of his people, rebuking and admonishing, making promises – has the same impact as the Lord himself. To obey his word is to obey him, to trust his word is to trust him, to repudiate his word is to repudiate him. 

 Peter Jensen, At the heart of the universe

The Call of God

What happens when the word is displaced?

◦ Tendency to over emphasise sacraments

◦ Scripture = word about God, not word of God

◦ Mysticism: experiences/emotions considered chief source of revelation

- Terminology?!? What do we mean by ‘calling’

- Call of God in the Bible- 2 Thess 2:14

- Two Calls…- Acts 17:30, Matt 22:14- Romans 1:6-7, 1 Cor 7:18

The Gospel Call of God

We are called by God to…

- Heb 3:1- 2 Tim 1:9- 1 Thess 5:23-24- 1 Cor 1:9- Eph 1:18

God’s Effectual Call

- Reminds us…- Romans 8:7, 1 Cor 1:26-27, Acts 16:14

- Implications for evangelism?

- How does God call people unto himself…- Romans 10:14-17!- Encouragement: God will make it effective

God’s Effectual Call

- What is the effect of the powerful call of God on sinners (us)

Regeneration: Personal & Cosmic

Read John 3:1-8 What kind of person was Nicodemus? What sort of attitude does he have to Jesus? Why does Nicodemus seek Jesus out? (Look at Jesus' reply) What does Jesus answer reveal? What does Nicodemus understand at this point? (v4) According to Jesus, how can one enter the kingdom of God?

- What role does the Spirit play? So what do we learn about the new birth from this passage?

(cf. Titus 3:5)

A new birth; birth from above

The concept is of God renovating the heart, the core of a person’s being, by implanting a new principle of desire, purpose and action, a dispositional dynamic that finds expression in positive response to the gospel and its Christ. Jesus’ phrase “born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5) harks back to Ezekiel 36:25-27, where God is pictured as symbolically cleansing persons from sin’s pollution (by water) and bestowing a “new heart” by putting his Spirit within them. Because this is so explicit, Jesus chides Nicodemus, “Israel’s teacher”, for not understanding how new birth happens (John 3:9-10). Jesus’ point throughout is that there is no exercise of faith in himself as the supernatural Saviour, no repentance, and no true discipleship apart from this new birth.

    JI Packer - Concise Theology

A new birth; birth from above

Let’s take a break!

- Ephesians 2:1-7

Regeneration involves new life; life from the dead

Regeneration involves cosmic renewal promised by God

Read Ephesians 1:3-14 – ‘in Christ’?

Our New Relationship with Christ

First, we must understand that as long as Christ remains outside of us, and we are separated from Him, all that He has suffered and done for the salvation of the human race remains useless and of no value for us. Therefore, to share with us what He has received from the Father, He had to become ours and to dwell within us. For this reason, He is called ‘our Head’ (Eph. 4:15), and ‘the first-born among many brethren’ (Rom. 8:29). We also, in turn, are said to be ‘engrafted into Him’ (Rom. 11:17), and to ‘put on Christ’ (Gal. 3:27). For, as I have said, all that He possesses is nothing to us until we grow into one body with Him.

Our New Relationship with Christ

In what ways do these verses speak of us being united with Christ?

- Romans 8:33-36

- Ephesians 2:6

- Ephesians 1:19-21

- Ephesians 2:18

- Colossians 2:8-10

Our New Relationship with Christ

The work of the Spirit centres on ________◦ John 14:15-22, how do we see this?

The Spirit enables us to actually live for Jesus◦ Galatians 5:22-26

The Spirit enables us to be like Jesus◦ Character: 2 Cor 3:18◦ Relationship to his Father: Rom 8:14-17

Our new relationship with the Spirit

The highest perfection of the godly in this life is an earnest desire to make progress. This strengthening, he tells us, is the work of the Spirit; so that it does not proceed from man’s own ability. The increase, as well as the commencement, of everything good in us, comes from the Holy Spirit. That it is the gift of Divine grace...It is a mistake to imagine that the Spirit can be obtained without obtaining Christ; and it is equally foolish and absurd to dream that we can receive Christ without the Spirit.

Our new relationship with the Spirit

Ephesians 2:18

Transforms our attitudes to…- People?- Riches?- Ourselves?- Our world?- Our time?- Our death?

Our new relationship with the Father

The Mount Everest of salvation verses!

28 And we know that for those who love God (The Father) 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.

Our new relationship with the Father

- Read Unit 7 Notes

- Read NBD article: Regeneration (available @ equip.org.my student area)

- Study Ephesians 1:3-2:22 and briefly note the prominence and meaning of the expressions 'in Christ' and 'in him' 

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