Not of Works, Part 2

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains that Paul discovered ceremonial laws were 'shadows' pointing to Christ, the 'substance,' as taught in Colossians 2:16-17 and Hebrews 8:5. He uses the analogy of…

Martin uses the analogy of children chasing their shadows to explain that ceremonial laws are insubstantial 'shadows' cast by the 'body' of Christ. Just as one cannot build with or rely on a shadow, one cannot gain salvation through ceremonial observances, which merely point to the true reality in Christ.

Colossians, chapter 2. Colossians, chapter 2. He's dealing now with some of the details of the Levitical system and he finds people trying to weave them into the fabric of their acceptance with God and what does he say? Let no man, Colossians 2.16, let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day. All of these things that God had laid out in the old Levitical system which are a shadow of the things to come but the body is Christ's. Now, you kids, have you ever had fun chasing your shadow? Any kids here who haven't chased your shadow...

24:50 - 25:43 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not seek acceptance before God through meticulous obedience to external religious practices or ceremonies, as they cannot give you one whit of acceptance.

He describes Paul's former view of his moral obedience as building a 'stairway to God' with 'concrete blocks.' Upon understanding the true meaning of the law, these blocks 'turned to sand,' leaving him in a 'sand heap' and realizing the impossibility of bridging the distance to God with his own works.

before almighty God by grace are you saved through faith not of works not of works not of ceremonial works that's how this man came to that discovery he saw that ceremonial works were a finger pointing at a potential reality well what about the repudiation of legal works here's a man who could say look touching the standard of the law my life was blameless nobody could point the finger at me and say you picked my pocket cheated on my wife and the rest no no not a one not a one not a one well what happened to him out of which he was building a stairway to God he was doing pretty good in fact ac...

31:58 - 33:27 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Because he discovered that his standing, if it was going to hold in the day of judgment, had to be absolutely perfect.

To explain why Paul repudiated evangelical works, Martin uses the metaphor of a 'garment' covering a person before God. This garment must be 'absolutely perfect,' without 'one minute imperfection,' to withstand the 'scrutinizing eye of the omniscient God,' a standard no human work can meet.

Why no confidence in these works as procuring, securing, or adding to his acceptance before God? Because he discovered that his standing, if it was going to hold in the day of judgment, had to be absolutely perfect. And my friend, once that grips you, you don't want anything that comes from you, or any other creature, to be added into your standing before God. When you stand before the perfect God of the universe, you've got to have a standing that is absolutely perfect.

40:44 - 41:17 Read in full sermon

The point: Pray for God to put a 'worm in the gourd of your creature pride' and show you how bad you are, to humble you.

In a pastoral application to young men preparing for ministry, Martin uses the metaphor of God putting a 'worm in the gourd of your creature pride' to illustrate the painful but necessary process of humility and self-discovery required for powerful preaching of grace.

You're asking for God to put a worm in the gourd of your creature pride and begin to show you how bad you are.

51:01 - 51:08 Read in full sermon

The point: Pray for God to turn the searchlight on and ransack the murky corners of your heart.

Continuing the application to aspiring preachers, he uses the metaphor of God turning a 'searchlight on and to ransack the murky corners of your heart' to describe the deep self-examination and conviction of sin necessary for authentic ministry.

You're asking God to turn the searchlight on and to ransack the murky corners of your heart.

51:10 - 51:15 Read in full sermon