Coming to Christ, Part 2

In this part of the sermon: Martin reviews the previous sermon's points, clarifying that coming to Christ is not a physical act, a mere mental assent to facts, a mystical experience, or an act of an…

Martin uses his son's question 'Daddy, can I go outside?' to distinguish between 'can' (ability) and 'may' (permission), clarifying that Jesus' statement 'no man can come' refers to an inability, not merely a lack of permission.

true again, John 6, 44, would be false. No man can come. And the word can is a word of ability. When my son says to me, Daddy, can I go outside? I say, no, Joel, what you mean is may I go outside? If you're healthy and well, of course you can. You are able to. It's a question of whether I will give you permission to. Jesus said no man can come.

4:36 - 4:58 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The second aspect is a revelation of Christ's perfect suitability to our needs, which is exclusively based on the Scriptures, as they bear witness to Him, and no other means (like…

The story of the rich man in hell (Luke 16) is used to illustrate that if people will not listen to Moses and the prophets (Scripture), they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead, emphasizing the sufficiency of God's Word.

But someone says, Wouldn't it be easier if God would send an angel to testify? Well, someone made that suggestion one time, or a suggestion similar to it. Wouldn't it be easier if someone came back from the dead and told us that we had better come to Christ, because death is sure and judgment is sure? There was a man in hell who made that suggestion.

9:01 - 9:28 Read in full sermon

The point: Pray that God will help you to see through the glitter of personality and objectively evaluate a man's ministry by the solid substance of truth he communicates from the pulpit.

Martin recounts listening to a sermon on Christian radio that, after 15 minutes, conveyed 'nothing' of solid biblical truth, illustrating the danger of religious entertainment over expository preaching.

That's the test by which we are to evaluate. The other night I was listening to a sermon over Christian radio station. I came in from ministering somewhere, and I kept listening and listening and listening. And after 15 minutes I said to Mrs. Martin, I said, Honey, it's amazing how long it takes some men to say nothing. I kept waiting for this man to give me something based upon this book that I could take hold of. And I kept reaching in vain. Reaching, reaching.

14:27 - 14:59 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: While Scripture provides the light and Christ is the object, the Holy Spirit is the indispensable agent who grants spiritual sight, as natural man is blind and cannot perceive the…

An analogy of needing both light and an organ of sight (eyes) to see an object is used to explain that while Scripture provides the 'light' of revelation, the Holy Spirit must provide the 'organ of sight' (spiritual eyes) for a person to truly see Christ.

It may not be a very pleasant sight, but you see me nonetheless. Now, you need two things to see any object. You need light and an organ that can perceive light. If we were to knock out all the lights, not knock them out to pull the switches, and the room were to become pitch black, you'd have an organ of sight, your eyes.

33:34 - 33:59 Read in full sermon

The point: Ensure all evangelism, whether personal, corporate, church, or backyard, is prayerful, recognizing that only the Holy Spirit gives sight.

Martin asks how eagerly people would listen to an infallible 'get rich quick scheme' to highlight the lack of interest many have in the gospel, which offers infinitely greater riches, thus testing their recognition of spiritual need.

Suppose I had announced tonight in very soft tones in the next 40 minutes I'm going to lay out a quick rich quick scheme that is infallible. And anyone who will listen to me over the next 40 minutes and do what I say I guarantee in three months you'll have $5,000 in the bank. How would you have listened? Why?

42:25 - 43:05 Read in full sermon

The point: Fall on your faces and say, 'Oh, God, why should you have drawn me?' in humility and gratitude for His grace.

Martin shares his personal testimony, describing how for 17 years, Christ, the cross, resurrection, and ascension were just 'words and names' until God did something, and he suddenly saw Christ crucified as his only hope, illustrating the Holy Spirit's work in granting sight.

For 17 years, the cross. Christ, the resurrection, ascension, words and names. That's all.

50:36 - 50:45 Read in full sermon