Submission to His Ways/Apprehension of Promises

The point: Listen to the tape of this morning's message to get the full exposition of the themes.

The analogy of a ticket marked 'invalid or void if detached' is used to explain that tonight's sermon is a continuation of the morning's message and cannot be properly understood in isolation.

Now I'm sure that most of you at one time or another have held in your hand, as I have done, a ticket or some kind of a voucher of one kind or another that had on it printed in bold letters, invalid or void if detached. And what that little printed statement was saying is that you can't separate one part of that voucher or ticket from another. If you do, it is rendered invalid. It won't give you the goods.

2:12 - 2:44 Read in full sermon

The point: Submit to the ways of Christ even when they are inscrutable, baffling, confusing, and disturbing, trusting that He knows what He is doing and has not ceased to love us.

The story of Jesus delaying His arrival when Lazarus was sick, leading to his death, illustrates how Christ's ways can appear contradictory to His love but are part of a greater, more glorious plan.

Think of the incident in John chapter 11, when his dealings with those for whom he had a peculiar love seemed to be a contradiction of that peculiar love. Note with me in John chapter 11, Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha. And it was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. The sister was sick.

12:51 - 13:23 Read in full sermon

The point: Walk by faith, not by sight, seeing that Christ orders all affairs of individual believers and the church, maintaining His absolute authority.

Paul's persistent prayer for the removal of his 'thorn in the flesh' and God's response ('My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness') illustrates how God uses weakness to manifest His power and prevent pride.

One other example. Think of Paul with his thorn in the flesh. Second Corinthians chapter 12. Verses 8 and following.

20:33 - 20:40 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The sermon applies the concept of inscrutable ways to the church's current trials, using a poem by Samuel Rutherford to encourage corporate submission and praise for God's chosen…

A poem by Samuel Rutherford, written during a deep personal trial, is quoted to express submission to God's inscrutable ways and praise Him for the 'furnace and this flame,' connecting it to the congregation's current trials.

By Samuel Rutherford.

24:29 - 24:30 Read in full sermon

Driving home: No we are not submitting to blind faith. But to a sovereign omnipotent wise Christ. Whose ways are above our ways. And who does all things well.

The proverbial story of a Muslim saying 'what will be will be' after falling down stairs is used to contrast fatalism with believing submission to a sovereign, wise Christ.

You've heard the proverbial story about the Muslim. What will be will be. And the guy fell down the stairs. And said well I'm glad that's over with for the day.

26:20 - 26:27 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The third point is introduced: trials test the reality of our believing apprehension (laying hold of) the promises of Christ. Martin explains that promises often remain 'pious…

The analogy of police 'apprehending' a felon (catching, seizing, cuffing) is used to explain that 'apprehension' of promises means actively laying hold of them, not just intellectually understanding them.

The word apprehend. Is not a synonym with comprehend. To comprehend means you understand. To apprehend means to lay hold of.

29:35 - 29:43 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The promises of God are little more than pious slush. Until we are thrown into a crucible where they become the handles by which we are kept from sinking into despair.

The experience of gospel promises (e.g., 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved') becoming a 'lifeline' for a convicted sinner illustrates how trials make God's promises vital and tangible.

Now may I say. Now many of the promises of God are little more than pious words on a plaque. Until they are tested in the crucible of trial. For example, many of us heard gospel promises all our lives.

32:20 - 32:34 Read in full sermon

The point: Believe, plead, and apprehend the promise that Christ will build His church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The analogy of a man who committed manslaughter running to a city of refuge is used to illustrate the urgency and active nature of 'apprehending' God's promises.

Are you apprehending that promise? Taking hold of it? Like the man who was conscious that he had committed manslaughter. Not willful murder.

34:53 - 35:04 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Abraham is presented as a prime example from Romans 4, who 'in hope believed against hope,' considering his and Sarah's 'dead' bodies yet being fully assured of God's promise to…

Abraham's faith, believing God's promise of a son despite his and Sarah's 'dead' bodies, is presented as a prime example of apprehending promises against all human odds.

Let's look at this one other passage. Romans chapter 4. He's a beautiful example of this apprehending of the promises of God. Against the backdrop of circumstances that in themselves would cause nothing but despair.

40:31 - 40:47 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The Emmaus disciples' 'slowness of heart to believe' is used as a warning against failing to apprehend promises. Martin then quotes Charles Spurgeon on the 'Downgrade…

The story of the Emmaus disciples, whose hearts were 'slow to believe' all that the prophets had spoken, is used to illustrate the danger of not apprehending God's word and promises.

Remember. Those. Two. Men.

44:45 - 44:49 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The Emmaus disciples' 'slowness of heart to believe' is used as a warning against failing to apprehend promises. Martin then quotes Charles Spurgeon on the 'Downgrade…

A lengthy quotation from Charles Spurgeon, written during the 'Downgrade Controversy' when many left his church, is used to encourage the congregation that thinning ranks can lead to greater reliance on God's power and a more effective fight against the true spiritual foe.

Downgrade. Controversy. Or. English.

47:24 - 47:28 Read in full sermon

The point: Read Hebrews 11 to see examples of people who believed God as He revealed Himself.

A personal anecdote about Trinity Church facing large construction bills with no money, leading to prayer meetings and God's provision, illustrates how past trials forced dependence on God and developed faith.

And meet the budget. I'm thankful we're back to that place. Some of us remember when we would have construction bills coming due. Fifty thousand. No money in the checking account.

51:41 - 51:51 Read in full sermon