Irresistible Grace

Calvinism Exposed (4)

Irresistible Grace

2005035

Topic # 1798 - Calvinism

Introduction:

A. Series continues on Calvinism.

B. Thus far – total hereditary depravity; unconditional election; limited atonement.

C. Tonight: irresistible grace.

I. What is it?

A. Calvinists believe an unregenerate person cannot voluntarily believe in God, but once God determines to save him, that same individual cannot overcome the power of God. He must be saved regardless of his desire.

B. In their own words:

1. Although the general outward call of the gospel can be, and often is, rejected, the special inward call of the Spirit never fails to result in the conversion of those to whom it is made.

2. This special call is not made to all sinners but is issued to the elect only! The Spirit is in no way dependent upon their help or cooperation for success in His work of bringing them to Christ.

C. This is why we hear Calvinists speak of the Spirit’s call and of God’s grace in saving sinners as being “efficacious,” “invincible,” or “irresistible.”

D. Illustrating this doctrine in laymen’s terms:

1. No matter how hard a cow tries to fly on its own, it is unable without a lot of outside help.

2. In the same way, the unsaved, Calvinists maintain, are unable to believe in Christ no matter how hard they try without the outside help of Holy Spirit.

3. God, they say, has a master "saved-lost list" that was compiled before creation.

a) God not only knew your name before creation but also whether you were "pre-destined" to be lost or saved.

b) If your name is on the "lost list", there is nothing you can do to go to heaven. God predestined you to go to hell.

c) But if you were on the "saved list" you cannot be saved until the Holy Spirit "re-wires" your brain which allows you the ability to believe.

4. Until the HS performs this work upon you directly, you are simply a "cow with high hopes".

II. Texts used to prove this doctrine:

A. Calvinists believe man has no freewill of his own.

B. Since man is born totally depraved, he cannot even desire to do good.

1. Yet, if he is one of the unconditionally elect, when God calls him, he cannot do anything but obey.

C. Acts 16:14

1. Argument: God opened her heart to receive the word, then she heard end then she was saved.

2. Lydia began as a worshiper of God (16:13-14).

a) After she heard Paul and Silas and Timothy preaching, then her heart was opened.

b) She responded and obeyed the Lord (13:15).

D. Romans 8:7

1. Answer: Read verses 1-8.

a) Here we see the free agency of man in choosing to obey or disobey God.

2. Those who are spiritually minded will be obedient to the commandments of God.

3. Those who are carnally minded will be disobedient.

a) God does not force anyone to accept or reject His will.

E. Eph. 2:8-10 - We are saved by the grace of Almighty God.

1. We accept this grace by our own faith, not because God forces us to accept it.

2. Salvation is not via direct operation of the Holy Spirit, but rather faith comes by obedience to the word of God!

III. The Bible says NOTHING about a special inward call on the elect sinner.

A. We are “called” by the gospel – 2 Thess. 2:14.

B. Those who have heard and learned come to Jesus – John 6:44-45.

C. We come to the Father as we are taught.

D. Every example of NT conversion recorded in Acts occurred as a result of the gospel being preached!

1. See Acts 8:5; 35; 9:6; 10:33; 16:32.

2. Whatever the Holy Spirit does relative to conviction and conversion of sinners is ascribed to God’s word.

3. The gospel of Christ is the instrument of the Holy Spirit’s operation.

IV. One of the consequences of this is the doctrine of being saved by grace only.

A. Their argument:

1. Eph. 2:8-9 says salvation is a gift of God. Isa. 59:1-2 says man is separated from God by sin. All sinners deserve death. (Ezek. 18:20; Rom. 6:23) By grace (underserved favor) God gave His Son to die for us. (Rom. 3:23-26; 5:6-11).

2. While salvation is by grace, salvation is not by grace only!

a) If this were true, all men would be saved! See Titus 2:11-14 – the grace of God appears to all.

b) If salvation depends solely upon God’s grace, then all would be saved because God is not a respecter of persons. (Rom. 2:11; Acts 10:34-35)

B. Not everyone will be saved. (Mt. 7:13-14)

C. We must conclude that man’s own action must be involved in whether one is saved or lost. God’s part in this matter (grace) is equally for all!

Conclusion:

A. No person in the apostolic age ever received a direct operation of the Holy Spirit in order to make him a Christian.

B. All were saved by grace through faith in the same manner we can be saved today.

C. God wants none to perish but the choice is now ours to make. Whosoever will can be saved (Rev. 22:17) but all who “obey not the gospel” will be lost. (2 Thess. 1:7-9).

D. Have you obeyed the gospel?

E. I N V I T A T I O N



Calvinism Exposed (4) Irresistible Grace 2005035 Topic # 1798 - Calvinism Introduction: A. Series continues on Calvinism. B. Thus far – total hereditary depravity; unconditional election; limited atonement. C. Tonight: irresistible grace. I. What is it? A. Calvinists believe an unregenerate person cannot voluntarily believe in God, but once God determines to save him, that same individual cannot overcome the power of God. He must be saved regardless of his desire. B. In their own words: 1. Although the general outward call of the gospel can be, and often is, rejected, the special inward call of the Spirit never fails to result in the conversion of those to whom it is made. 2. This special call is not made to all sinners but is issued to the elect only! The Spirit is in no way dependent upon their help or cooperation for success in His work of bringing them to Christ. C. This is why we hear Calvinists speak of the Spirit’s call and of God’s grace in saving sinners as being “efficacious,” “invincible,” or “irresistible.” D. Illustrating this doctrine in laymen’s terms: 1. No matter how hard a cow tries to fly on its own, it is unable without a lot of outside help. 2. In the same way, the unsaved, Calvinists maintain, are unable to believe in Christ no matter how hard they try without the outside help of Holy Spirit. 3. God, they say, has a master "saved-lost list" that was compiled before creation. a) God not only knew your name before creation but also whether you were "pre-destined" to be lost or saved. b) If your name is on the "lost list", there is nothing you can do to go to heaven. God predestined you to go to hell. c) But if you were on the "saved list" you cannot be saved until the Holy Spirit "re-wires" your brain which allows you the ability to believe. 4. Until the HS performs this work upon you directly, you are simply a "cow with high hopes". II. Texts used to prove this doctrine: A. Calvinists believe man has no freewill of his own. B. Since man is born totally depraved, he cannot even desire to do good. 1. Yet, if he is one of the unconditionally elect, when God calls him, he cannot do anything but obey. C. Acts 16:14 1. Argument: God opened her heart to receive the word, then she heard end then she was saved. 2. Lydia began as a worshiper of God (16:13-14). a) After she heard Paul and Silas and Timothy preaching, then her heart was opened. b) She responded and obeyed the Lord (13:15). D. Romans 8:7 1. Answer: Read verses 1-8. a) Here we see the free agency of man in choosing to obey or disobey God. 2. Those who are spiritually minded will be obedient to the commandments of God. 3. Those who are carnally minded will be disobedient. a) God does not force anyone to accept or reject His will. E. Eph. 2:8-10 - We are saved by the grace of Almighty God. 1. We accept this grace by our own faith, not because God forces us to accept it. 2. Salvation is not via direct operation of the Holy Spirit, but rather faith comes by obedience to the word of God! III. The Bible says NOTHING about a special inward call on the elect sinner. A. We are “called” by the gospel – 2 Thess. 2:14. B. Those who have heard and learned come to Jesus – John 6:44-45. C. We come to the Father as we are taught. D. Every example of NT conversion recorded in Acts occurred as a result of the gospel being preached! 1. See Acts 8:5; 35; 9:6; 10:33; 16:32. 2. Whatever the Holy Spirit does relative to conviction and conversion of sinners is ascribed to God’s word. 3. The gospel of Christ is the instrument of the Holy Spirit’s operation. IV. One of the consequences of this is the doctrine of being saved by grace only. A. Their argument: 1. Eph. 2:8-9 says salvation is a gift of God. Isa. 59:1-2 says man is separated from God by sin. All sinners deserve death. (Ezek. 18:20; Rom. 6:23) By grace (underserved favor) God gave His Son to die for us. (Rom. 3:23-26; 5:6-11). 2. While salvation is by grace, salvation is not by grace only! a) If this were true, all men would be saved! See Titus 2:11-14 – the grace of God appears to all. b) If salvation depends solely upon God’s grace, then all would be saved because God is not a respecter of persons. (Rom. 2:11; Acts 10:34-35) B. Not everyone will be saved. (Mt. 7:13-14) C. We must conclude that man’s own action must be involved in whether one is saved or lost. God’s part in this matter (grace) is equally for all! Conclusion: A. No person in the apostolic age ever received a direct operation of the Holy Spirit in order to make him a Christian. B. All were saved by grace through faith in the same manner we can be saved today. C. God wants none to perish but the choice is now ours to make. Whosoever will can be saved (Rev. 22:17) but all who “obey not the gospel” will be lost. (2 Thess. 1:7-9). D. Have you obeyed the gospel? E. I N V I T A T I O N