Sermon for Sunday, December 7th, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church at Unionville, NY (BPC)
Old Testament Reading:
[Isaiah 42:1-4 ESV] 1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3 a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.
New Testament Reading:
[2 Peter 1:3-11 ESV] 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Gospel Reading:
[Matthew 22:11-14 ESV] 11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Sermon Text:
[Matthew 11:25-30 ESV] 25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Introduction
Today we have every “on demand.”
But when I was a child, tv shows, like Star Trek, the Next Generation would have a “cliffhanger” making you wait till next time to get a resolution to the show. I remember as a kid watching an episode of Punky Brewster that said “to be continued.” And you’d have to wait a full WEEK for the conclusion.
Well, a week has passed for us, and we now come to Part II of this sermon on “Election and Calling, Together.”
PART II. Call
Last week we look at the doctrine of Election; the Biblical teaching that God chooses the elect for eternal life and that he withholds or hides the knowledge of salvation to the reprobate who think themselves “wise and understanding” but lack true knowledge.
So we looked at Election.
And in this second part, I want to look today at Calling. The doctrine of calling.
a. The Effectual Call and the General Call.
First we must note a distinction.
The doctrine of election can itself be called a calling. It is “effectual calling.” And Scripture often speaks of this “effectual calling.” This is the teaching that Jesus “draws in” his disciples (John 6), and its in view when we hear in 2 Peter 1:10 that we ought to “be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election.”
But the calling I want to focus on today, from our text, is not the Effectual Call, but the General Call.
This is the command that goes to ALL that they are to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
This distinction between the effectual call (that outworking of election) and the general call is seen in a number of places, but especially in Matthew 22:14 – “many are called, but few are chosen.”
“Few are chosen” is the effectual call.
“Many are called” is the general call.
This is the great general call of the Gospel; which brings out evangelism as the disciples (and all Christians alike) were commanded to “make disciples of ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Because we don’t know who will be effectually called (as that is God’s business), we are to proclaim the Gospel generally, promiscuously, to all people. That is our job. We plant, we water, but God makes it grow.
And the farmer is such a good illustration. He doesn’t control the weather, nor does he control the biological processes of growth. But he does plant (and harrow, and plow, and sow, and reap). I think those are some of the right terms!
Well we have that general call in verse 28; not at this point OUR proclaiming the Gospel to all, but Christ proclaiming it.
b. All who labor, a general call or particular?. (v. 28)
So Jesus says:
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
This is generally (no pun intended) thought to be a General Call. It is “ALL.” Come to me “ALL.”
A stickler, or a difficult person, might say, “well, there is a limiting factor.” It is not “come to me ALL, PERIOD,” it is “Come to me ALL WHO LABOR AND ARE HEAVEY LADEN.”
In that sense, ONLY the elect recognize their sin and need for a savior, so only they “labor and are heavy laden.”
Matthew Henry takes that position:
Note, All those, and those only, are invited to rest in Christ, that are sensible of sin as a burthen, and groan under it; that are not only convinced of the evil of sin, of their own sin, but are contrite in soul for it; that are really sick of their sins, weary of the service of the world and of the flesh; that see their state sad and dangerous by reason of sin, and are in pain and fear about it.
As does the great (or greatest) Baptist theologian John Gill:
The persons invited are not “all” the inhabitants of mankind, but with a restriction: “all ye that labor and are heavy laden,” meaning not those who labor in the service of sin and Satan, are laden with iniquity and insensible of it: those are not weary of sin nor burdened with it, nor do they want or desire any rest for their souls; but such who groan, being burdened with the guilt of sin on their consciences and are pressed down with the unsupportable yoke of the Law and the load of their trespasses, and have been laboring till they are weary, in order to obtain peace of conscience and rest for their souls by the observance of these things, but in vain. These are encouraged to come to Him, lay down their burdens at His feet and look to Him, and lay hold by faith on His person, blood and righteousness (John Gill).
We have a similar idea in John 7:37 – a calling with a restriction: – “IF ANYONE THIRSTS, let him come to me and drink.”
There also we see that it this is a call only to those who thirsts; who recognizes their sin and desires salvation. So we can see some of these calls as limited or particular.
But even if there is some particular idea here, the General Call of the Gospel is evident in other places in the Scripture. Even the strongest of Calvinists agree that there is a General Call, that God commands ALL people to repent and believe.
And Christ is speaking to a general audience, even if the “come to me” is modified by the clause “all who labor and are heavy laden.” That is a general call.
c. What does it mean to labor and be heavy laden?
But what does it mean to labor and be heavy laden?
Those who work hard (and who doesn’t?) know about the grind, the tiring weariness of work. And wasn’t THAT part of the curse on Adam? That he would work and it wouldn’t be easy anymore like in the garden!
But the burden Jesus is speaking of here is not physical but spiritual.
The burden is sin.
The burden could also include the yoke of man-made religions. “Do this, don’t do that.” The type of legalism that the Pharisees advocate.
But more than anything else, it is sin.
Think of the lead character Pilgrim in Pilgrim’s progress. He was literally “heavy ladened” with a great burden on his shoulders. This burden that came off of him when he came to the cross. The guilt and shame of his sins came off his shoulders.
That is the only solution to this problem. We are laboring and heavy ladened with sin.
If you don’t think you’re included, then I say with the Southerner’s “bless your heart.” But I also say “wake up to the reality of sin effecting us all.” And in doing so I’m not adding a burden onto your shoulders, but helping you to recognize that it is there, so that you can dispose of it!
You know, hikers have this silly habit of putting rocks in other hikers bags. A joke of sorts. But not particularly funny when you’re carrying weight on your shoulders.
We don’t need more burdens. They are weighing us down, resulting in many issues. The hikers get shin splits, fractures in their foot-bones, and sore feet in general. We sinners get guilt, shame, and exhaustion from sin as we circle it round and round, thinking the same false thoughts over and over.
So we need to bring that burden to Christ. All who labor and are heavy laden. That is all people who are honest and recognize their sin.
That is Christ’s command: come to me.
d. Additional commands (v. 29a)
There are additional commands in the passage:
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
What is it to “take my yoke upon you.” What is it to “come unto me?”
They are one and the same.
It is faith.
To Come unto Jesus is TO BELIEVE. In John 6:35 he that believeth IS he that cometh.
[John 6:35 KJV] 35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
And believing in Christ is resting in Him.
We find in the shorter catechism:
Q. 86. What is faith in Jesus Christ?
A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.
These are not two separate things – receive and rest – but two aspects of the totality of one things, faith. Faith is receiving and resting on Christ.
So an old hymn (the Haven of Rest) says:
“My soul in sad exile was out on life’s sea,
So burdened with sin and distressed
Till I heard a sweet voice saying,
‘Make Me Your choice’;
And I entered the Haven of Rest.”
e. Rest for your souls (v. 29b, v. 30)
Then this is the great conclusion:
and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
What is “rest for your souls?”
When we rest in Christ by faith, we get true rest.
Consider this:
[Romans 5:1 ESV] 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus GIVES US peace. It is not earned. We have peace with God THROUGH Jesus Christ.
And Christ’s yoke is easy because he frees us from all the law of man, and helps us to see the goodness of the laws of God.
[1 John 5:3 ESV] 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
III. Election and Call Together
Then finally, we have “election and call together.” We had “election,” then “call,” now let us look at them together.
And this is so perplexing, because didn’t we just hear that only those whom God has chosen will come to him? Why the call?
Here then is the oft-perceived problem:
God chooses salvation.
Yet, God calls you to come to him.
How can both be true?
a. God Ordains both Means and Ends
The answer is this: It is BY MEANS OF the General Call that God actualizes the Particular Call.
REPEAT: “It is BY MEANS OF the General Call that God actualizes or brings about the Particular Call.”
Here is how the Westminster Confession puts it:
WCF 3:6 As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto.
So God’s activity in time is aligned with his decree before all time.
We are INDEED called, asked, even commanded to have faith. And it is by this call and through this call WITH the Holy Spirit working in us, that we believe and our election is carried out. Not apart from the Spirit, but with the Spirit. The spirit works in us to WILL and to DO the things of God. The call provides the occasion bringing us to faith, but the Spirit is the power by which we believe.
The hyper-Calvinist says “We don’t need to preach to all people because God will convert them if He wants to.”
But the Calvinist says “We DO need to preach the all people because that is God’s ordained means to convert people.” We are commanded to preach the Gospel, and the Lord promises that it will not come back void. His word is powerful.
How would they hear unless the Gospel is sent to them? Yes, it could be done by a miracle of God, but God’s plan is to use the preaching of the Word to create disciples.
b. The Purpose of the General Call
Now, what then is the purpose of the General Call, if there is election? Well, for one, as we saw, it is part of the ordained means towards God’s ends.
Then, we can consider the General Call with respect to each the Elect and the Reprobate.
For the elect, the General Call is instrumental in the effectual call. It is used to call in His sheep.
Then, for the reprobate, the General Call, which they do not heed, only makes them further without excuse.
And all of this is ultimately to the purpose of God’s glory, as Romans 9 explains. Particularly Romans 9:22-23
[Romans 9:22-23 ESV] 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory–
c. The ability objection.
A common objection to this teaching is to say “God wouldn’t command us to do something that we don’t have the ability to do.”
But, that is false. God does it all the time – Matthew 5:48 – Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect.
Responsibility does not imply ability. This is one of the most important things to remember theologically, and logically, “responsibility does not imply ability.” God commands us to do things; it doesn’t mean we are able to do them. In fact, the all of Scripture is how we are sinful, and need the holy Christ to take our place, to be our representative, that we may be seen as holy for his sake.
So YES, God calls us to COME TO HIM. Of course he does! But this doesn’t mean that we are able to do so. Such confidence in humanity would extend to us not even needing a call; for if we can “get there” on our own, we need neither the Spirit nor even the call! But, now we have both, the call and the Spirit.
In fact, it is that ability objection that Paul deals with in Romans 9. The ability objection is the opponent of Paul.
[Romans 9:19 ESV] 19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?”
And the answer is essentially “that is God’s prerogative.”
[Romans 9:20-21 ESV] 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?
But while all of this theology is of great importance, ultimately the main point of the text can’t be missed. We need to take our burdens to Christ, and trust in Him.
Application: Heavy Burdens?
Do you have heavy burdens?
Some of these are added by others; the expectations of the pharisees.
But ultimately our heavy burdens are our sins.
Psalm 55:22
1 Peter 5:7
The heavy burden is that we are GUILTY before a HOLY God and we deserve condemnation. And no matter what we do, we will never find rest under the bondage of the law.
But God comes in, having elected his people, and He reveals knowledge of salvation to us, bringing us faith through the Holy Spirit and saving us through the blood of Christ, so that we have true rest.
What is your burden? Your anxieties? Your cares?
It is something of the deep dark past?
It is something of today?
It is a sin of commission?
Or a sin of omission?
How are you treating others?
How are you treating yourself?
Whatever the sin is, there is only one solution:
Take your heavy burdens to the Lord.
Know that his burden is light.
This isn’t to say that it is a new burden, but that it is a different kind of burden entirely. Yes, living for Christ may have its difficulties and troubles, but that is nothing compared to the difficulties that will come to those who do not know the Lord.
But “how can I take my burdens to the Lord” if I am not able!
Indeed, we are not able. Even that — even faith — is something we are not able to do.
The Confession says that Saving Faith is a WORK OF GOD.
“The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts,”
WE believe, WE CAST OUR BURDENS, because the Spirit works in us to do so.
[Ephesians 1:16-18 ESV] 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
GOD, brings to us (grants to us) and works in us to have faith and “to will and to do for his good pleasure.” God works in us, and we “cast our burdens on the Lord because of God’s causing us to do so with the Holy Spirit working in us. So, EVEN our faith, EVEN OUR CASTING OUR BURDENS ON THE LORD is truly the work of God. And in this we recognize that CHRIST HAS ALREADY TAKEN OUR BURDEN OF SIN UPON HIMSELF.
God works together HIS SPIRIT with HIS WORD. The word calls us and informs us, while the spirit enables us and causes us to do that which the WORD commands. It all works together in the plan of the Lord for the benefit of His people.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, we are, as the hymn says, to “Wholly Rest on Jesus Name”
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
Let us wholly rest on Christ, and Christ alone.
Let us pray.