The sermon titled "The Golden Chain of Salvation" addresses the overarching Reformed doctrine of salvation, focusing on the sequence of God's sovereign work in the redemption of believers. It outlines the theological concepts of election, effectual calling, regeneration, conversion, justification, adoption, sanctification, and perseverance, presenting them as interconnected steps in the Ordo Salutis (Order of Salvation). Key Scripture references such as Ephesians 1:4-5 and Romans 8:28-30 are cited to support these points, illustrating how God's eternal decree leads to the believer's experience of redemption through the Holy Spirit's work. The practical significance of these doctrines highlights the assurance and security found in God's unchanging purposes, affirming that true believers are preserved and ultimately glorified in Christ.
Key Quotes
“He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before Him.”
“Effectual calling and regeneration are intimately connected. The call is the summons. Regeneration is the granting of life that makes response possible.”
“Justification is a judicial act of God by which He declares every true believer to be perfectly righteous and acceptable to Him, solely on the basis of Christ's spotless righteousness imputed to the believer.”
“The golden chain of salvation ends with the believer fully conformed to the image of Christ in resurrection glory.”
The Bible teaches that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world for holiness and blamelessness.
The doctrine of election is clearly outlined in Ephesians 1:4-5, where it states that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. This election designates us for holiness and blamelessness before Him, revealing God's purposeful will behind our salvation. The Father's decree is foundational; without election, there would be no effectual calling nor any assurance of salvation for believers. Therefore, election underscores the sovereignty of God in salvation, highlighting that our acceptance into His family is entirely based on His grace and purpose.
Ephesians 1:4-5
Effectual calling is validated in Romans 8:30, where it states that those whom God predestined, He also called and justified.
The truth of effectual calling is established in Romans 8:30, which outlines a sequence of God's sovereign work in salvation. This verse emphasizes that those whom God has predestined, He also effectually calls, justifies, and ultimately glorifies. The effectual call is distinct from a general call; it is the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit that brings the elect to a true and saving faith in Jesus Christ. With the Holy Spirit's inward call, the chosen are summoned to respond in faith, ensuring that God's purpose in salvation is executed perfectly and without fail.
Romans 8:30
Regeneration is essential because it grants new spiritual life, enabling believers to respond to God's call in faith.
Regeneration, or the new birth, is critically important in the salvation process as described in John 3:5, where Jesus emphasizes the necessity of being born of water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. This act of the Holy Spirit endows the believer with a new heart, making them capable of responding to God's effectual call. Regeneration connects intimately with faith and repentance, for it is through this transformative work that Jesus grants new life, allowing for earnest faith and turning away from sin. Thus, regeneration marks the beginning of the believer's journey toward sanctification and everlasting life.
John 3:5, Ezekiel 36
Justification is God declaring a believer to be righteous based on Christ's imputed righteousness.
In Christian theology, justification is a judicial act by which God declares the believer as righteous on the basis of faith in Christ Jesus. This declaration stems from the perfect righteousness of Christ being imputed to the believer as outlined in Romans 5:1, which states that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Justification is not based on any works or merits of our own; rather, it hinges solely on Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection. This truth provides believers with assurance of their status before God and underscores the grace alone principle, which is central to the Reformed faith.
Romans 5:1
Perseverance assures that those truly saved will continue in faith and ultimately receive God's promised inheritance.
Perseverance, the doctrine that true believers will continue in faith to the end, is vital within the framework of salvation. Philippians 1:6 assures us that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. This truth signifies that the Holy Spirit not only initiates the believer’s faith through effectual calling but also preserves it throughout their life. The promise of glorification for those justified confirms that God's work is complete and irrevocable, allowing believers to rest securely in the knowledge that they will be ultimately conformed to the image of Christ in resurrection glory.
Philippians 1:6, Romans 8:30
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