Nature of Saving Faith, Part 1

The point: Allow for nothing to become a substitute for faith, beware of anything added to faith, anything that exalts faith to the place of a Savior, anything that degrades faith to a mere notion, or anything that negates the nece…

A cryptic statement from an author is quoted to underscore the unique damning power of unbelief, emphasizing its singular ability to condemn a person regardless of other sins.

that unbelievers have their part in the lake of fire. I read an interesting, a cryptic, gripping statement this past week in which one author said this, No other sin by itself will damn a man. But unbelief.

5:22 - 5:38 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains that the Bible does not offer a formal definition of saving faith but provides a richer, many-sided description through various figures. He presents seven New…

The Old Testament account of the bronze serpent in Numbers 21 is used as an analogy for saving faith, where looking upon the uplifted Son of God brings life, just as looking at the serpent brought healing.

John 3 and verse 14. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, a reference to Deuteronomy chapter 21, even so, I'm sorry, I think it's Numbers 21, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in Him may not perish or may in Him have eternal life. As Moses lifted, so must the Son of Man be lifted that whosoever believeth. And our Lord is drawing, an analogy.

18:06 - 18:40 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains that the Bible does not offer a formal definition of saving faith but provides a richer, many-sided description through various figures. He presents seven New…

The Old Testament concept of cities of refuge for those who committed accidental murder is used to illustrate saving faith as a hunted soul fleeing for refuge into Christ, the appointed place of protection.

That by two immutable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. He describes believers as those who have fled for refuge. And the picture, of course, goes back again to the Old Testament when a man unwittingly killed someone. God made provision that one who committed unpremeditated or accidental murder, what we would call manslaughter, could go to one of the cities appointed in the various places of Israel.

21:03 - 21:40 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin elaborates on the third common denominator, asserting that the object of saving faith is always Christ himself, not merely His work or promises. He emphasizes that faith is…

A quotation from Puritan divine Clarkson is used to explain that while Christ comes to us on the 'platter of the promise,' faith feeds on Christ himself (the manna), not merely the promise (the dish).

I read a quaint thing this morning, earlier this morning, that really has gripped my own mind and spirit. And I hope it will stick with you. Clarkson, one of the great old Puritan divines, said this. He said that when God comes to us with the gospel, it comes like a dish with manna upon it.

36:28 - 36:53 Read in full sermon

Driving home: But my friend, you can't snatch at one iota of his dowry if you won't have him.

The analogy of a bride embracing the bridegroom, not just his dowry, is used to illustrate that saving faith embraces Christ himself, and His 'dowry' (forgiveness, justification, etc.) is conferred with Him.

The feet that run to him. The lips that kiss him. In the language of Psalm 2, kiss the son. Again, as one has quaintly said, we do not embrace the dowry of the bridegroom but with the bridegroom himself and his dowry is conferred with him.

38:13 - 38:32 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin clarifies that saving faith is not absolute confidence in one's own forgiveness, but rather going to Christ to be forgiven. He uses an illustration of a healing machine to…

Dabney's illustration of a town afflicted with a deadly malady and a healing machine is used to explain that the efficacy of faith lies in the power of its object (Christ), not in the strength or certainty of the believer's faith itself, whether one approaches with bounding step or trembling hand.

And I may not be sure that I truly am His. But with all of my heart, I'm set in the direction of trusting Him and Him alone. The illustration that Dabney uses is a masterful one. I may have used it on one other occasion.

47:15 - 47:32 Read in full sermon