What Constitutes a Man a Christian?

In this part of the sermon: Martin transitions to the 'how' of God's transformative work, outlining three major strands of emphasis in Ephesians 2:4-10 that will be explored before delving into specifics.

This metaphor is used to explain the sermon's approach: first grasping the major themes (the 'woods') before delving into specific details (the 'trees') of the passage, to ensure the overall message isn't lost.

Created us anew in Christ. And we'll enter into some of the most profound concepts to be found anywhere in the word of God. But before we begin a detailed exposition of these things that the apostle teaches us, what I want us to do is to stand as it were back at a distance and go through the passage and catch the major strands of emphasis in answer to the question, how does God transform dead sinners into living saints? In other words, we're going to look at the woods before we examine the individual trees so that we won't fail to see the woods

9:04 - 9:47 Read in full sermon

The point: Don't be deceived by life-changing experiences outside biblical Christianity; they are not the same as transformation centered in Jesus Christ.

This story illustrates a life-changing experience that is not rooted in Jesus Christ, showing that transformation can occur outside biblical Christianity, but it is not the same as the spiritual transformation Paul describes.

There are life changing experiences to be had outside the orbit of biblical Christianity. And they may or may not have the name of Jesus in them. There are young men whose lives have been utterly transformed simply because they fell in love. Here's a young man shiftless, irresponsible never holds a job for longer than three weeks.

20:29 - 20:54 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin applies this truth by contrasting genuine Christian transformation with other life-changing experiences (falling in love, humanitarianism, false religions) that lack…

Schweitzer's life change, motivated by human need rather than biblical Christ, serves as another example of non-Christian transformation, highlighting that not all profound life changes are Christian.

Many a young man has been transformed because he fell in love. That's right. Other people have been transformed because they saw something that deeply moved them. Albert Schweitzer for instance.

21:49 - 22:01 Read in full sermon

The point: Apply the acid test to your own so-called experience of transformation and to all teaching and preaching: What place does Jesus Christ (the historic God-man, anointed Prophet, Priest, and King) have in it?

People transformed by Christian Science are cited as an example of religious conversion that is not biblical Christianity, underscoring the need to test the source and nature of transformation.

There are people that are transformed when they get hold of a religious idea. I've met people who've never been the same since they came in contact with Christian science and Mary Baker Eddy's thoughts and writings. Transformed. I mean it's transformed them.

22:32 - 22:46 Read in full sermon

The point: Apply the acid test to your own so-called experience of transformation and to all teaching and preaching: What place does Jesus Christ (the historic God-man, anointed Prophet, Priest, and King) have in it?

Moon's teachings are used as an example of false teaching that uses religious language but omits the centrality of Jesus Christ, serving as a warning to listeners to discern true from false.

When the apostle says as he does in verse 5, even when we were dead made us alive together with Christ by grace ye have been saved. He is paralleling salvation by grace and salvation by Christ. Now dear people, apply that to some of the most popular religious leaders of our day and what do you come up with? I had in my notes before I had in my hands the sheet of paper I now have to speak just a moment about Reverend Sun Myung Moon who is being pushed upon us from every corner, television, radio paper and his radio,

24:39 - 25:23 Read in full sermon

The point: If Jesus Christ is central in the transformation wrought in your heart, then feed upon Him, love Him, serve Him, and pray to live to His praise.

Armstrong's ministry is cited as another example of teaching that lacks the 'fragrance of the name of Christ,' focusing instead on authoritative interpretations of problems, which is a bait to draw people away from historic Christianity.

And God is only brought into the issue as a springboard to bring people to his own feet. Herbert W. Armstrong The World Tomorrow Listen to that word making machine for a half an hour and if you're listening for anything of the fragrance of the name of Christ you'll listen in. What is central his authoritative interpretation of contemporary problems which is all bait to get you to buy the literature that will hook you into their particular deflection from historic Christianity.

26:04 - 26:45 Read in full sermon

The point: Your hope is to be found in the fact that God is a gracious God; if you are ever to be saved, it will be by grace and grace alone.

The lyrics of 'Amazing Grace' are quoted to illustrate the song of gratitude and wonder that God puts in the heart of every person saved by grace, emphasizing the dominance of grace in salvation.

Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my friend, if you are ever to be saved, it will be by grace and grace alone. The song that God will put into the heart of every person who comes from verses 1 to 3 and to verses 4 to 10 is the song of John Newton.

35:54 - 36:11 Read in full sermon

The point: Pity those who know nothing of grace (like Jehovah's Witnesses) and seek by God's grace to show them the glories of sovereign mercy.

A hypothetical encounter with a Jehovah's Witness is used to illustrate how asking about the place of grace can expose the lack of true grace in false religious systems, whose adherents are bound by works.

Grace? What's grace? The poor Jehovah's Witness's conscience is bound to feel that somehow he's going to escape Armageddon. He's got to put in his 20 hours a week peddling his trashy heresy.

37:48 - 38:00 Read in full sermon