All Things in Subjection

Driving home: The figure here is not that of a warrior in the field of battle, triumphing over his foes, but a prince, secure upon his throne, his enemies being so far from being able to disturb him or overturn his throne that they we…

Martin quotes John Brown's commentary on Hebrews to explain the imagery of enemies becoming Messiah's footstool, emphasizing complete subjection and inability to oppose, not military conquest but a prince secure on his throne.

For these enemies to become the footstool of Messiah is plainly equivalent to their being completely subjected to his dominion, entirely deprived of all power to oppose his purposes. The figure here is not that of a warrior in the field of battle, triumphing over his foes, but a prince, secure upon his throne, his enemies being so far from being able to disturb him or overturn his throne that they were, as it were, his footstool, so completely subjected to him that he can employ them in any way he pleases, however degrading to them, which may be subservient to his dignity or to his comfort. Yo...

17:29 - 18:34 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The figure here is not that of a warrior in the field of battle, triumphing over his foes, but a prince, secure upon his throne, his enemies being so far from being able to disturb him or overturn his throne that they we…

The analogy of a footstool used at the end of the day illustrates how Christ's enemies are completely subjected to His will, serving His designs of comfort and ease, however degrading to them.

For these enemies to become the footstool of Messiah is plainly equivalent to their being completely subjected to his dominion, entirely deprived of all power to oppose his purposes. The figure here is not that of a warrior in the field of battle, triumphing over his foes, but a prince, secure upon his throne, his enemies being so far from being able to disturb him or overturn his throne that they were, as it were, his footstool, so completely subjected to him that he can employ them in any way he pleases, however degrading to them, which may be subservient to his dignity or to his comfort. Yo...

17:29 - 18:34 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Everything is presently under his feet really and powerfully though to us secretly and mysteriously.

This extended analogy of a king conquering enemies, bringing them back in chains, assigning them tasks under surveillance, and eventually executing them, illustrates how Christ's enemies are already under His feet by powerful providence, even if their final, visible execution is yet to come.

A king goes forth to battle and on the battlefield he conquers his enemies and he takes some of the choice men specimens of solid humanity who can serve him in his palatial structure and so the news goes out that the king has conquered and all of the people in the area of his kingdom line the roads as he comes back a conquering king with his army and he drags behind him in chains and manacles those whom he has chosen to bring and make subject to him and he brings them into his walled city and into the walled courts of his palace and he assigns to one a certain task and to another and under the...

26:55 - 28:23 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin summarizes that God's power to believers is measured by Christ's elevation to supreme authority to carry out His mediatorial task. Christ rules 'in the midst of his…

The conversion of Saul of Tarsus is used as an example of King Jesus ruling 'in the midst of his enemies,' calling in one of His sheep despite intense opposition and prejudice.

in the midst of his enemies the great shepherd is calling in his sheep against all the ragings of hell and the ragings of their unregenerate heart for instance Saul of Tarsus breathing out threatenings and slaughters against the church in with him and behind him and around him all the decadent apostate system of Judaism and what does King Jesus do? He says time to get him time to get him time to bring one of my sheep in the prejudice of that Pharisee's he is driven out in a moment when the Lord of Glory reveals himself to Saul of Tarsus he's ruling where in midst of his enemies and those same ...

31:21 - 32:43 Read in full sermon

The point: Recognize that the power that enthroned Christ is the same power operative in drawing you to faith.

Martin recounts visiting Voltaire's former residence in Geneva, noting the proximity of a Baptist church, to illustrate God's laughter at the raging of intellectuals against Him, as His people still gather to worship Him.

Thinking of the raging of atheists, who say the only way to understand life is to positively rule out God. And I couldn't help but laugh, I hope it was the laughter of God, when visiting in Geneva, just a few weeks ago. We went down the little street where the Baptist Church in Geneva meets, in a second, in a second room, second floor, and I've got slides, I hope eventually to show you, in a lovely little room, and they pack in about 70 or 80 people. And three doors away from there, there's a plaque up on the wall.

38:13 - 38:49 Read in full sermon