Irresistable Grace

John 6:37, 44 Jacob: A Pattern of Salvation by Grace

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds on the doctrine of Irresistible Grace, the fourth point of Calvinism, primarily drawing from John 6:37, 44, John 10:16, and Acts 16:14. He defines it as the Holy Spirit's invincible work in the elect, overcoming their natural resistance and changing their hearts to willingly embrace Christ. Martin addresses common misunderstandings, such as the idea that God forces salvation against one's will, clarifying that God changes the will itself. The sermon emphasizes God's sovereignty in salvation and highlights that salvation is entirely by grace, leaving no room for human boasting.

4 illustrations in this sermon

Addressing the Misunderstanding: Resistance is Ineffective

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Apostle Paul's Conversion

Driving home: While the Arminians claim that people can actually and effectively resist the Spirit's operation and turn down the wonderful grace of Christ, we claim that no matter how strongly we may resist the Spirit's work, He wins …

Paul, a persecutor of Christians, dramatically encountered Christ on the road to Damascus, demonstrating that his strong resistance was ultimately overcome by God's grace.

He battled against God's grace. He had devoted his life to persecuting and murdering Christians. But in a dramatic moment, while journeying on the road to Christ, on the road to Damascus, he was halted in his tracks by the loving voice of the Lord Jesus. At that point, all of Paul's efforts to resist were in vain.

9:43 - 10:03 Read in full sermon

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St. Augustine's Conversion

Augustine, a young man engaged in rebellion and immorality, resisted the Spirit's work until God, through Ambrose's preaching, changed his heart, illustrating the melting away of resistance.

God's grace so overpowered him that he gladly responded to the Lord and faithfully served Him for the rest of his days. Or take the example of St. Augustine, who as a young man had no use for Christ. He engaged in rebellion and immorality.

10:04 - 10:22 Read in full sermon

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Stubborn Mule and Tractor

In this part of the sermon: Martin addresses the first misunderstanding: whether irresistible grace means no human resistance. He clarifies that humans do resist, but God's grace is 'invincible,' overcoming…

A neighbor's stubborn mule, enticed by grain but ultimately moved by a tractor and rope, illustrates that while humans resist, God's invincible grace (the tractor) ultimately wins, unlike the Arminian view of mere enticement.

The Lord's grace wins out. When I was a boy living out in the country our neighbor had a mule. It was an absolutely stubborn animal. It wasn't mean. It didn't run away.

11:04 - 11:16 Read in full sermon

Addressing the Misunderstanding: God Changes the Will, Not Forces It

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Child Overcoming Fear of Water

Driving home: No one is a child of God against his will. The Lord changes a person's will to want to be his child.

A child initially petrified of water is gently coaxed and secured by his father until he desires to stay in the pool, illustrating that God changes our will so we gladly receive His grace, rather than being forced against our will.

And he gladly responded to the Lord's grace operative within him. Perhaps this mundane illustration may help us. A small child is petrified of the water. He is deathly scared of it.

15:09 - 15:23 Read in full sermon

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