Considering the summons, the single greatest need of the non-believer is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Coincidentally, the single greatest need of the believer is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Both applications rest firmly within the summons of each passage of Scripture. The most significant issue then lies in the call of the text to respond. The summons—reproof, rebuke, and exhortation—is a call to the emotions and will, not just to inform the mind. The summons is pleading, persuading, and urging the hearer to respond in obedience to the Word of God by anchoring to the effect of Scripture upon the whole person. The summons precedes the suggestions of a personal application with the definitive call of the text. Richard Baxter charged, “Next this, conclude the whole [preaching] with a practical exhortation, which must contain two parts: (1) The duty of the heart in order to a closure with Christ, and that which is contained in that closure [salvation]. (2) The use of external means for the time to come, and the avoiding of former sins [sanctification].” Therefore, the summons of the text has implications for both the salvation and sanctification of the soul.
Salvation as a Product of the Summons
The primacy of the summons directs the unbeliever toward salvation. The essence of this assertion rests on the necessity of the heart’s transformation through the gospel prior to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit within the believer’s life. The Holy Spirit kindles faith before the works follow suit. The summons of the text, then, holds a salvific component. Hershael York and Bert Decker asserted that the goal of the sermon should be the production of practical application from the sermon. The central focus of salvation is the demonstration of God’s love for mankind through the sacrificial act of Christ. The means of salvation rest entirely upon the work of Christ. Therefore, the saving aspect of the summons anchors the connection of the text to the person and work of Jesus. For the unbeliever, the implication of the gospel is to repent and respond to the gospel message as recorded in the book of Acts (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 26:20). This salvation connotes the past, present, and future work of Christ within the dimensions of sanctification culminating in glorification. The implicit nature of the saving work of the gospel message nestled within the Word of God demands attention. The hope of Christ—as revealed in Scripture—poses a challenge to the hearer to embrace or reject. The gospel proclaims God’s glorification through his work of grace, demonstrated in the person and mission of Christ, offering humanity reconciliation and peace with him. Therefore, the call of the gospel must permeate the whole person—mind, emotions, and will—to the necessity of salvation through Christ.
Sanctification as a Product of the Summons
The summons of the text for those who already believe in Christ points to greater sanctification. The preacher must recognize the summons of the text toward greater obedience to the call of God to be set apart. The summons to obey exists throughout Scripture. Within the Old Testament, God spoke to Israel, instructing them to “be careful to do” all that He had commanded, culminating in the declaration: “Do not forget the Lord your God” (Deut 8:1–11). This passage sets the stage for the call to obedience. The prophets exhorted Israel to obedience. Samuel succinctly stated, “To obey is better than a sacrifice,” setting obedience as the greater goal (1 Sam 15:22). Finally, the leaders demonstrated the call to faithful obedience. Joshua declared, “Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you,” exemplifying the benefit of sanctification (Josh 1:7). The culmination of obedience drives believers toward further Christlikeness. Christ set the example that believers must follow.
The sanctifying application then anchors to the truth proposition about Christ uncovered in the text through exegesis. The sermon application for sanctification drives the practical need of the hearer, as revealed in the text. The summons of what the text calls the hearer to do meets the specifics of their spiritual journey toward sanctification. The summons results in sanctification revealed in the text through Christ’s nature and character, and the Holy Spirit compels the mind, heart, and will toward becoming more holy and Christlike.
Conclusion
In its fullest expression, The Summons of the Text is both an invitation and a commission—a divine call that beckons the reader toward salvation and sanctification. The Word does not merely inform; it confronts, convicts, and compels. It calls the unbeliever to repentance and faith, awakening the heart to the grace of God in Christ. Yet it also calls the believer onward, deeper into the lifelong journey of transformation, obedience, and holiness. The gospel that saves is the same gospel that sanctifies. David Helm refers to this process as synthesizing what is said and how to apply it. He asserted, “Synthesis must be done. And the biblical expositors who do it well do so, in part, because of the contextualized attention they give to the audience, arrangement, and application.” A proper understanding of the summons calls sinner to repentance while calling saints toward holiness.
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