Effectual Calling in Three Parables

EFFECTUAL CALLING IN THREE PARABLES
TEXT: Mark 4:21-34

Summary: In the three parables that follow the seed and the sower, Jesus illustrates the mystery of salvation both in the individual and in the world.

I. A PARABLE OF AN ENLIGHTENING CALL, vv. 21-25.
A. God is Light.
B. The Light Shines in Darkness.
C. Visible to the Elect.
—1689 Confession, "Of Effectual Calling," para. 1: Those whom God hath predestinated unto Life, he is pleased in his appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call by his word, and Spirit, out of that state of sin, and death, in which they are by nature, to grace and Salvation by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds, spiritually, and savingly to understand the things of God; taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them an heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and by his Almighty power determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ; yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by his Grace.
—French Confession, 1559, Article 21: We believe that we are enlightened in faith by the secret power of the Holy Spirit, that it is a gratuitous and special gift which God grants to whom he will, so that the elect have no  cause to glory, but are bound to be doubly thankful that they have been preferred to others. We believe also that faith is not given to the elect only to introduce them into the right way,  but also to make them continue in it to the end.  For as it is God who has begun the work, he will also perfect it.

II. A PARABLE OF AN EMERGING SALVATION, vv. 26-29.
A. The Scattering of Seed, v. 26.
B. The Germination of the Seed, v. 27. 1689 Confession, "Of Effectual Calling,