What is the Straightened Way? Part 5

Mat. 7:14 Are You for Real?

In 'What is the Straightened Way? Part 5,' Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Matthew 6:5-15, focusing on the Lord's Prayer as a demonstration of gospel holiness. He argues that the petitions of the Lord's Prayer, particularly the primary concerns for God's name, kingdom, and will, cannot be prayed sincerely by those still under sin's dominion. Martin then briefly surveys the remainder of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:20-7:24) to show that Christ's description of His kingdom's subjects consistently demands a righteousness exceeding that of the Pharisees, rooted in transformed hearts and a pursuit of holiness. The sermon concludes with an application to the Lord's Table, emphasizing that the ability to pray the Lord's Prayer from the heart is evidence of God's transforming grace and Christ's atoning work, offering encouragement to persevere in the 'straightened way' of holiness.

1 illustration in this sermon

The Pattern of Life: Righteousness Exceeding the Pharisees

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Shaquille O'Neal Basketball Analogy

In this part of the sermon: Martin briefly surveys the rest of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:20-7:24) to show that Christ's description of His kingdom's subjects demands a righteousness that exceeds…

To illustrate the shock effect of Jesus' statement that disciples' righteousness must exceed the Pharisees', Martin uses an analogy of a basketball recruiter telling inner-city kids they must exceed Shaquille O'Neal's physical attributes to make an all-star team. This conveys the impossibility of achieving such righteousness in one's own strength.

And if so, the very words of Christ that you've heard tonight shall meet you in the last day. But then, very briefly, not only is this description validated in the activity of the people of God when they pray, but in their pattern of life. And here I just commend to you beginning with verse 20 of chapter 5, a careful study, even a cursory study of the remainder of the Sermon on the Mount, beginning with the words, I say unto you that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees, you shall in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven. Can you imagine the s...

30:16 - 31:44 Read in full sermon

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