Sermon Tone Analysis

1. Salvation is the work of the Spirit as well as that of the Father and the Son (Romans 8:14; 1 Corinthians 2:10–14, 6:11, 12:3; 2 Corinthians 3:6, 3:17-18; 1 Peter 1:2)

[SIDE NOTE] Through regeneration or the new birth sinners are given spiritual life and made God’s children.

The Bible describes this process as a spiritual resurrection, a creation, the giving of a new heart, etc.

The inward change, which is thus wrought through the Holy Spirit, results from God’s power and grace, and in no way is He dependent upon man’s help for success in this work.

2. Sinners, through regeneration, are brought into God’s kingdom and are made His children.

The author of this “second” birth is the Holy Spirit; the instrument which He uses is the word of God (John 1:12-13, 3:3-8; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3, 23; 1 John 5:4)

3. Through the Spirit’s work the dead sinner is given a new heart (nature) and made to walk in God’s law.

In Christ he becomes a new creation (Deuteronomy 30:6; Ezekiel 36:26-27, 11:19 ; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18)

4. The Holy Spirit raises the sinner from his state of spiritual death and makes him alive (John 5:21; Eph 2:1, 5; Col 2:13)

5. God makes known to His chosen ones the secrets of the kingdom through the inward personal revelation given by the Spirit (Mt 11:25-27; Lk 10:21; Mt 13:10-11, 16; Lk 8:10; Mt 16:15-17; Jn 6:37, 44-45, 64-65; 1 Cor 2:14; Eph 1:17-18; John 10:3–6, 16, 26–29)

6. Faith and repentance are divine gifts and are wrought in the soul through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:31, 11:18, 13:48, 16:14, 18:27; Eph 2:8-9; Phil 1:29; 2 Tim 2:25-26)

7. The gospel invitation extends a general outward call to salvation to all who hear the message.

In addition to this external call, the Holy Spirit extends a special inward call to the elect only.

The general call of the gospel can be, and often is, rejected, but the special call of the Spirit cannot be rejected; it always results in the conversion of those to whom it is made (Rom 1:6-7, 8:30, 9:23-24; 1 Cor 1:1-2, 9, 23-31; Gal 1:15-16; Eph 4:4; 2 Tim 1:9; Heb 9:15; Jude 1; 1 Pet 1:15, 2:9, 5:10; 2 Pet 1:3; Rev 17:14)

8.

The application of salvation is all of grace and is accomplished solely through the almighty power of God (Isa 55:11; John 3:27, 17:2; Rom 9:16; 1 Cor 3:6-7, 4:7; Phil 2:12-13; James 1:18; 1 John 5:20)