(Because of the wretched state of Red Deer’s
pulpit space, it is now, as predicted by Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3, the time to
‘pluck up that which is planted…a time to break down…a time to weep…a time to
cast away stones’ and even ‘a time to refrain from embracing.’ And it is
certainly more ‘a time to speak’ than ‘a time to keep silence.’ Be that as it
may, the wrecking ball of negative criticism should be followed by the laying
down of truth. To this end, we introduce the sermon sketch as an intermittent
blog feature. As the term ‘sketch’ implies, this kind of post, in distinction
from the usually lengthy analysis, will be pithy. The source for each sketch
will be indicated at the bottom of each post.)
Particular
Election
“Wherefore
the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure….”
(1 Peter 1.10, 11.)
Introduction. It is a hard thing, especially during election times,
to leave our worldly thoughts outside the sanctuary. I will not have you put
away thoughts of election altogether. As a matter of fact, let’s travel on this
election train, but in a new direction. As for politics, use your vote wisely,
may God help us, and may the result be for his glory. But now, to our points on
Election, Particular Election.
(1) Calling and Election. There are two important matters in
Religion—secrets, both of them, to the world—but understood by those who have
been made alive by divine grace. In the Scripture there is a general call, in
the preaching of the gospel. And there is a special call, an effectual call, a
call from death to life, from sins to righteousness, from loving the world to
loving Christ. By the irresistible power of the Spirit this call goes to our
hearts. The second matter is election. As without calling there is no
salvation, so without election there is no calling. As many as are appointed to
believe, have been so appointed from before all worlds. To dispute this is to
deny the holy Scriptures. Are you an Episcopalian? This teaching is taught in
your Articles. And it goes back from our day to Calvin to Augustine to Paul and
to the Lord Jesus himself. Calling is put before election in the text because
it is first to our experience. We see our election after we feel that we are
called. It is worth while to know ourselves elect, for nothing in this world,
election being from eternity to everlasting, can make man more happy and brave.
(2) Make your Calling and Election Sure. Make it sure to yourself. God
is already sure. Full assurance is an excellent acquirement. Do not seek it in
dreams, visions, and voices, etc. That is no sure ground. Full assurance of
faith comes by diligence. Take care that your faith results from necessity,
depending on Jesus Christ and him crucified. Plead with God for courage to
trust in the face of trouble. Get knowledge of doctrine. It will confirm you.
Get a system of theology out of the Bible. Then be moderate in life, heart, and
thought, and patient in affliction. Pray much, and God will nerve you to
endure. Be religious inwardly. Love
all of Christ’s members. Be charitable to all. In proportion to such heavenly
practice, so will your assurance be. And the only means to this assurance of
your calling and election, is the witness of the Spirit with your own. There is
a man who says he is elect. He gets drunk. Ah, you are elect, by the devil,
sir; that is about your only election. Out with an election that lets you live
in sin! Away with it! Away!
(3) The Apostle’s Reasons why you should make your Election Sure. Let
me put a reason of my own in first. It will make you so happy! Happiness and
faith are like Siamese twins. They flourish or decay together. Now Peter.
First, it is the best thing in the world to prevent you from falling. Second,
it will provide you an abundant entrance
into heaven. It is the difference between being tugged into harbor, and coming
in with the sail up and full of wind. If you have lived a consistent life of
holiness, by adding virtues to virtues, then this abundant entrance will be
yours. And if you have been the means of saving souls, this entrance will be
ministered to you by these saints.
Selection from Conclusion. “There are some of you with whom this
text has nothing to do. You can not make ‘your calling and election sure,’ for
you have not been called; and you have no right to believe that you are
elected, if you have never been called. To such of you, let me say, do not ask
whether you are elected first, but ask whether you are called. And go to God’s
house, and bend your knee in prayer; and may God, in his infinite mercy, call
you!”
{This sermon by C. H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) is sketched
by M. H. Gaboury.}
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