That He Might Show His Grace

In this part of the sermon: The sermon transitions to Ephesians 2:7, emphasizing the word 'that' (or 'in order that') to introduce God's ultimate purpose in salvation. Martin poses the question 'Why did God…

A story about John's journey to buy bread illustrates how the word 'that' or 'in order that' points to a specific, well-defined goal, clarifying the purpose of preceding actions.

Suppose I were to make the statement something like this. John, conscious of his own hunger and desiring to have some food for himself and his friends, got into his car, drove three miles to the nearest store, changed the flat tire on the way, and finally arrived at the store in order to purchase a loaf of bread. Now if I asked you the question from this simple statement, it's a rather long sentence, but it's simple, it's not complicated. If I were to ask you what was John's purpose in leaving the house, you would say his purpose is defined in this phrase,

6:07 - 6:48 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin identifies God as the sole determiner and executor of this purpose, stressing that salvation begins and ends with God. He critiques views that place man at the center of…

Martin quotes Charles Spurgeon's sermon on Ephesians 2:7, where Spurgeon expresses his awe and inability to fully plumb the depths of the text, highlighting its richness and vastness.

The Lord willing today and next Lord's day, it will be my attempt to open up this text, though I must confess when late last night after my preparation was basically in hand as far as the form and structure is concerned, I turned to Spurgeon to read a sermon on this text and this is what he said as he stood before this text in the presence of God and the Lord's people. This morning I have before me a text which is a great deal too full for me. I can never draw out of it all its supplies. I've gone round the walls of this city text and counted its towers and marked well its bulwarks and I'm utt...

12:20 - 13:04 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Now let me qualify that. It is not grace, not grace negating holiness, but grace finding channels consistent with unblemished holiness. It is not grace eclipsing justice, but grace contriving a way for justice to exhaust…

The analogy of a display window (like in a fancy shop or museum) is used to explain that 'display' means putting something of intrinsic worth and beauty in a place for public appreciation and admiration. This illustrates God's purpose to showcase His grace.

was given its fullest and its most complete expression and standing as capstone over every exercise of every attribute of the living God in the redemption of sinners is the capstone of grace, in order that He might display His grace. Now look at the word display. What is a display window? You kids, when you go window shopping with Mom and Dad at Willowbrook, and you go by all those fancy shops and you look at the display windows, what's the purpose of a display window?

23:19 - 23:57 Read in full sermon

Driving home: In the scheme of salvation by Jesus Christ, His purpose was to put His grace in the display case for men and angels, yes, and even reprobates and devils to see, and to force the reprobates and devils to acknowledge with …

Martin uses the metaphor of dead sinners (like the Ephesians) as God's 'display case' for His grace, emphasizing the unlikeliness and amazing nature of this choice.

In the scheme of salvation by Jesus Christ, His purpose was to put His grace in the display case for men and angels, yes, and even reprobates and devils to see, and to force the reprobates and devils to acknowledge with bent knee the glory of that display and to capture the hearts of all the redeemed before the amazing measure of that display. And my friend, you know what His display case is? The likes of you and me. He took dead sinners,

25:00 - 25:45 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explores the phrase 'in the ages to come,' discussing three interpretations: between Christ's first and second comings, after Christ's return into eternity, or all future…

The analogy of a one-eighth carat diamond versus a five-carat diamond illustrates the difference between the 'down payment' of grace believers have now and the full measure they will experience in eternity, supporting the idea that the display of grace extends beyond this life.

It doesn't violate any language, but does it do justice to the language? Is God's use of you and me as a display case of grace to end when the Savior comes? The Bible says all I have of what grace has provided now is a little down payment. Well, if I'm a showcase and all I am is a one-eighth carat diamond, what will I be when I'm five carats?

29:53 - 30:21 Read in full sermon

The point: When you come to worship God, have a sense of perspective and stability, understanding that you are caught up in God's greater purpose to make you an eternal showcase of His grace, even through suffering.

The example of Job's response to suffering, praising God despite His hand seeming to be against him, illustrates how God's character is vindicated through the trials of His people.

God's character is vindicated. Look at Job. His wife came along and says, God treats you like that. Man, have nothing to do with him.

48:51 - 48:59 Read in full sermon