Christian Liberty #09

Driving home: One of those lawyers is named Mr. Legalism, and he would cause us to depreciate the grace of God with respect to how we are to deal with our sin, whether in forgiveness or in power, to overcome it.

Mr. Legalism and Mr. Libertinism are personified as lawyers setting up shop in believers' hearts, continually seeking to depreciate the true biblical doctrine of Christian liberty by twisting grace.

But alas, there is no truth, no matter how precious, revealed in the Word of God, appropriated by the people of God, but that our remaining sin and the influence of a devious devil can twist and take the most delicious, wholesome food and make it into poison. And understand, we are set free. Under the imagery of two naughty, devious advocates or lawyers, I said last week, they are continually setting up an office in our hearts, seeking to depreciate the true biblical doctrine of Christian liberty. One of those lawyers is named Mr. Legalism, and he would cause us to depreciate the grace of God ...

7:25 - 8:35 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He introduces 1 Peter 2:16 as the second sentinel text and provides a detailed explanation of its larger and immediate context, highlighting Peter's pastoral purpose to comfort…

Understanding a Bible verse is like understanding Earth's place in the solar system; one must back off and see its relationship to the larger context to avoid wrong thoughts.

With but few exceptions, the Bible does not come to us as a jumbled up bunch of spiritual snippets. Now, when you read the book of Proverbs, often you have little sententious statements that can be understood without much reference to the immediate context. But for much of the Bible, you must look at those individual statements when someone says, when someone's quoting them to you, or a preacher is quoting, and say, wait a minute, what is the universe of discourse? Just as you cannot understand our world if you think it's at the center, as people did for centuries, but you must back off and se...

12:33 - 13:46 Read in full sermon

Driving home: You see, the Christian life is a constant call, be what you are. Do what you do because you are who you are. Because you have what you have.

Martin uses the examples 'I am standing here behind this pulpit' (indicative) and 'get out of that pulpit' (imperative) to clarify Peter's use of these grammatical forms.

And how he goes about this is simply this. In the beginning of his letter, there are cycles of telling believers what they have in Christ, and then what they are to do in the light of what they have. He gives them the indicatives of Christian privilege. Now you know what an indicative is.

15:01 - 15:19 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He elaborates on what it means to be 'slaves of God,' explaining that believers are God's purchased property through Christ's blood and the objects of His radically transforming…

The Old Testament law of a Hebrew servant being freed after six years but choosing voluntary, permanent servitude out of love for his master (marked by a pierced ear) illustrates how God's grace makes believers willing slaves.

And I couldn't root around in this concept without my mind going back to Deuteronomy 15. I want you to turn there with me. As we look at the very method by which God makes us his slaves in grace.

33:50 - 34:03 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin vividly illustrates how believers might use the concept of 'Christian liberty' as a 'thick downy blanket' to cover up questionable activities (like certain TV programs…

When faced with questionable conduct, believers are tempted to manufacture a 'thick downy blanket' and paint 'Christian Liberty' on it, then throw it over the activity to cover up its wickedness.

It's at that point you will be tempted to manufacture a thick downy blanket.

54:44 - 54:52 Read in full sermon

The point: The Christian who does not believe he is in danger of using his liberty as a cover up for wickedness is in the greatest danger of doing so. Watch and pray.

A father warns his son to always keep contact with his hand at a crowded parade, illustrating that one is never more unsafe than when feeling most safe and relinquishing vigilance.

The Christian who does not believe he is in danger of using his liberty as a cover up for wickedness is in the greatest danger of doing that very thing. What did Jesus say in Matthew 26 41 watch watch as well as pray that you enter not into temptation the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak the word watch is a military term keep alert I've got this dangerous persuasive sophistical lawyer in my breast who is also on the side an excellent downy comforter maker and he's always got his big pale or red paint in his 12 inch brush ready to go to work would God I could say I don't know much...

59:16 - 60:46 Read in full sermon