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I. THE NATURE OF THIS CALLING. There are two calls of God.

1. The outward call of the gospel. "Many are called, but few are chosen." To know how ineffectual this often is, I need only look around me. How many sat here ten, twenty, forty years ago, and here they still sit, quite unaffected (Ezekiel 33:31, 32).

2. An inward and effectual call. By this call the sinner's heart becomes softened, his mind enlightened, his will subdued. While others play about the net of the gospel, he enters into it, and is saved thereby. The outward call often brings men into the profession of Christ; the inward call always brings men into the possession of Christ. It is a call —

(1)  From sin to holiness.

(2)  From the world to Christ.

(3)  From danger to glory.

II. THE MEANS BY WHICH THIS IS EFFECTED.

1. The operations of God's providence.

(1) Everything in nature God makes to speak; the heavens declare His glory, the firmament showeth forth His handiwork.

(2) Then there is the voice of conscience, and God makes this a means of effectual calling, by making it speak so loud that the man cannot resist.

(3) Sometimes He employs the voice of affliction. "Hear ye the rod, and Him that hath appointed it."

2. The preaching of the gospel.

3. The influences of the Holy Spirit. Ministers knock at the door of men's hearts, but the Spirit keeps the key; and He unlocks the door and enters in.

III. THE PROPERTIES OF THIS CALLING.

1. It is a powerful call. The Turkish ambassador wished to see Mahomet the second's scimitar, by which it was said he had accomplished such wonderful exploits; when he showed it to him, he said, "I don't see anything different in it from others." And he immediately replied, "The virtue of the weapon depends upon the strength of my arm, and the wisdom and the power with which I have used it." It is precisely so with the gospel. In this call nothing less than "the arm of the Lord" will do. Must not that be mighty which conquers the proud heart, subdues the stubborn will, and enlightens the dark understanding?

2. A heavenly call (Hebrews 3:1).

3. "A high calling" (Philippians 3:14).

4. An immutable calling (Romans 11:29).Conclusion: Admire and magnify —

1. The exceeding grace of God towards you in —

(1)  The freeness of this call.

(2)  The honour of this call.

2. Take pains clearly to ascertain your calling. Two things certify it. He who is called of God —

(1)  Responds to God's call.

(2)  Is deaf to other calls. And further, shall I not say, pity such as are uncalled?

3. Those who feel you are still uncalled, see the misery of your condition. It is said that the cure is half effected when the physician or the patient knows what causes the disease.

(1) Put yourselves in the way to be called. The same feet that carry you to the theatre, and to places of wretchedness, can bring you to the house of God.

(2) Beg of God to call you effectually.

(J. Sherman.)

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KJV: Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

WEB: Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.