Living Stones/Spir. House/Holy Priesthood

Driving home: The one says, do this. In order to live. And the other says, because you live, do this.

Martin contrasts two religions: 'do this to live' (self-effort) and 'because you live, do this' (grace). This analogy clarifies the fundamental difference between legalism and the Gospel.

The one says, do this. In order to live. And the other says, because you live, do this. The former is the religion of self-effort and self-righteousness and self-endeavor, in which men think by what they do, they will earn acceptance with God.

4:16 - 4:46 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The one says, do this. In order to live. And the other says, because you live, do this.

The Pharisee who thanks God he is not like other men illustrates the self-righteousness of the 'do this to live' religion, where acceptance is based on personal merit.

And if they gain acceptance with God, they can reach around and pat themselves on the back, because like that Pharisee who stood in the temple, you can say, I thank God I am not like other men, not because of your grace, but because of who and what I am in myself, and because of what I do.

4:47 - 5:04 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explores the 'startling metaphor' of Christ as the 'living stone,' drawing connections to Peter's previous uses of 'living' and emphasizing Christ's resurrection life and…

These contradictory phrases are used to highlight the startling nature of the metaphor 'living stone,' as stones are typically associated with lifelessness.

Now that's nothing short of a startling metaphor.

25:21 - 25:24 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: This section details the stark contrast in how Christ, the living stone, is assessed: 'rejected indeed of men' (regarded as worthless after examination) versus 'with God, elect…

This analogy illustrates the verb 'rejected' as examining something and casting it aside as worthless, like an egg deemed unfit for market. It clarifies how men assess and reject Christ.

And the application that our Lord, himself makes of it, with reference to himself being rejected by the religious leaders in Israel, and Peter says, rejected, indeed, of men. Mankind, in general, rejects this stone. The verb that he uses literally means to examine, and after examination, to reject or cast aside as worthless, or useless. It's the picture of what people do who are in the quality control section of a plant or a company.

31:22 - 31:59 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin outlines three results for those who come to Christ: they are made 'living stones' through union with Him, they are 'built into a spiritual house' (God's dwelling place)…

Martin uses the concept of a 'building that grows' to describe the church as a spiritual house, contrasting it with physical buildings that are enlarged but eventually stop growing, emphasizing the ongoing work of God in building His church.

Here you have Paul's description of a building that grows.

42:00 - 42:03 Read in full sermon

Driving home: God receives them. May I say it reverently, He savors. All of the perfection of the atonement of His Son and the intercession of His Son and our pathetic sacrifices are well pleasing in His sight because they are present…

Martin uses the example of singing hymns with stray thoughts or less-than-perfect devotion to illustrate that even believers' 'sacrifices of praise' have blemishes, but are acceptable to God through Christ.

All of the perfection of the atonement of His Son and the intercession of His Son and our pathetic sacrifices are well pleasing in His sight because they are presented through the Lord Jesus. Think of it. Sitting here this morning, if you sought to engage your heart in the singing of that opening section of Psalm 69, if you sought with all of your heart to say, yes, Jesus is my rock who was cleft for me, and I do desire to hide myself in Him, and in singing the hymn before the sermon, praising God for what His word is, if your heart was engaged, your conscience, there was still so much that wa...

53:01 - 53:56 Read in full sermon

Driving home: God receives them. May I say it reverently, He savors. All of the perfection of the atonement of His Son and the intercession of His Son and our pathetic sacrifices are well pleasing in His sight because they are present…

The act of giving an offering with gratitude, yet knowing one could have been more thankful, illustrates that even our giving has 'blemishes and spots,' but is pleasing to God through Christ.

The odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice well pleasing to God. And when you gave your offering this morning and you said, Lord, thank You. You blessed me. You provided my needs.

54:10 - 54:20 Read in full sermon

The point: Cast yourself upon Christ, value Him as God does, and make Him your chosen and highly valued one.

Martin quotes the Puritans' emphasis on 'Christ is freely preached in all of our assemblies every Lord's day' to underscore the centrality of Christ in the sermon's message.

And so once again, Christ is set before you as the old Puritan said, Christ is freely preached in all of our assemblies every Lord's day. This Christ whom God regards as His elect, His highly valued one. He says, cast yourself upon this Christ. Begin to value Him as I do.

56:36 - 56:59 Read in full sermon

The point: Lay hold of God's promise: 'Him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out.'

The parable of the pearl of great price is used to illustrate the supreme value of Christ and the necessity of valuing Him above all else, selling all to obtain Him.

He must become your chosen and your highly valued one. For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man seeking goodly pearls who when he found one pearl of great price sold all that he had that he might obtain it. May God grant that you will lay hold of His promise. Him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out.

56:59 - 57:20 Read in full sermon