Bill Acton :: Romans 9:20-29 - God's Call to the Vessels of Mercy

Sermon Outline for Romans 9:20-29

God’s Call to the Vessels of Mercy

1. What is the Calling?
   1. Paul’s general use of the term
      1. All the work of God is saving sinners
      2. Changing the heart that hates God to love God
   2. The specific use of the term
      1. The work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration
      2. The work of the Holy Spirit in producing faith for salvation – Rom 8:28-30
   3. This Call of God is effective
      1. It is not a mere invitation
      2. It is a Divine summons
   4. The Call comes with authority
      1. The sinner on his own cannot obey the Call
      2. The sinner is enabled or empowered with the special Grace of God
         1. Common grace
         2. Special Grace – Act 13:48, 16:14, 18:9-11
   5. The Call is irresistible
      1. The non-elect will refuse
      2. The elect cannot refuse when it is God’s time to save – Jhn 11
   6. The content of the Call
      1. It is in the Word of God
      2. It is in the Gospel of Christ
2. What Is the Purpose of the Calling? – The quote from Hosea
   1. Those who were not God’s people are made the people of God
   2. Those who were not beloved are made the beloved of God
   3. Those who were not God’s people are called into sonship with God
   4. Jew and Gentile are now one – Gal 3; Eph 2;
   5. The saved Jew and the saved Gentile are now the true Israel of God
3. Who Are the Called?
   1. It is not all mankind
   2. It is not the nation of Israel
   3. It is not those who are deserving
   4. It is those individuals who have been chosen by God to receive His salvation as the gift of His Grace
4. God Called Individuals Throughout History
   1. Adam
   2. Abraham
   3. Noah
   4. Moses
   5. David
   6. Saul of Tarsus
   7. Martin Luther
5. God Is Still Calling