What is the Straightened Way? Part 6

In this part of the sermon: Martin summarizes Paul's exposition of salvation in Romans 3-5, emphasizing that it is accomplished in Christ's death and resurrection and received by faith alone. He then…

An analogy used by the devil's logic to suggest that if grace abounds over a 5,000-foot mountain of sin, then sinning more (a 10,000-foot mountain) would cause grace to abound even more (15,000 feet), thereby magnifying God's grace. This illustrates the antinomian error Paul refutes.

And you mean that there's nothing I do that can add to it? Yes. Well then, obviously, if we want to magnify God's grace, let's go on sinning. Because you see, if I have a 5,000 foot mountain of sin and grace raises up a mountain of 10,000 feet, then if I raise up a mountain of 10,000 feet of sin, grace will have to go up to 15,000 to overshadow it.

42:55 - 43:22 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The master you obey is your true master, regardless of the sign you may have around your neck.

An analogy of a slave with a sign around their neck, but whose true master is revealed by whom they obey when orders are given. This illustrates that one's true master (sin or righteousness) is determined by one's actions, not mere profession.

You are really the slave of the master you obey. You can have a sign around your neck saying, I am so and so's slave and I am so and so's slave. But crunch time comes when the various masters in the town begin to give their orders. The master you obey is your true master, regardless of the sign you may have around your neck.

51:38 - 51:59 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The master you obey is your true master, regardless of the sign you may have around your neck.

The sinner is described as being 'taken and thrown into the mold of the gospel,' which then determines the contours of their life. This metaphor illustrates the transformative power of the gospel on a believer's life and identity.

But, now notice carefully, thanks be to God. God did something. That whereas you were, the slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching where unto you were delivered. Beautiful, beautiful picture of what happens when the gospel is preached and the spirit of God works upon the heart of the sinner.

52:28 - 52:55 Read in full sermon

The point: If you are still undisciplined and unconverted, you are killing yourself with pig slop, and God calls you to a banquet of choice things in Christ.

An analogy of a rational man eating rancid pig slop, thinking it's filet mignon, whose eyes are opened to a true banquet of choice foods. This illustrates the spiritual blindness of those clinging to worldly pleasures and the liberating joy of turning to Christ.

At the gate, there was not only a repudiation of our own righteousness. There was a repudiation of self-will and self-serving as the pattern of life. You now became the willing bondslaves of God. God revealed in Christ. God manifested in his overwhelming mercy in the person and work of Christ, having seen him by the illuminating work of the Spirit in the gospel. You willingly, joyfully, not grudgingly. Not like a kid being called away from a bowl of ice cream, but like a rational man who's been sitting at a table eating a bowl of rancid pig slop and thought he was having a filet mignon dinner,...

55:31 - 56:30 Read in full sermon