The Call to Discipleship

In this part of the sermon: The first non-negotiable demand is to 'deny himself,' which Martin explains as a radical repudiation of idolatrous self-centeredness, drawing a parallel to Peter's denial of…

Martin uses Peter's actions at Jesus' trial—repudiating all connection with Christ, cursing, and swearing—to vividly illustrate the meaning of 'deny' as disowning and renouncing.

Matthew of Mark 14 and verse 30. And Jesus said unto him, that is unto Peter, Verily I say unto you, that you today, even this night, before the cock crow twice, shall, here's our word, deny Me three times. With respect to the prophesied activity of Peter, it is called a denial of Christ. Peter responds, verse 31, he says, if I must die, I will not, here's our word again, I will not deny you. And then it's used again in verse 72 of this chapter, straightway the second time, the cock crew and Peter called to mind the word how Jesus said unto him, before the cock crow twice, you shall deny Me. T...

30:59 - 32:06 Read in full sermon

Driving home: as surely as all saving religion will see in Christ's cross that which Christ alone could accomplish for sinners because of who he was the God-man the appointed representative of sinners true Christianity will see which …

Martin asks the audience to imagine themselves as the multitude, who would have witnessed Roman crucifixions, to understand that 'cross' immediately meant rejection, suffering, and death as an outcast, making Jesus' demand concrete.

He must lift up and begin to carry his cross. Now put yourself in the situation of that multitude. Jesus has called the multitude to himself. Palestinians in that northern area.

40:21 - 40:41 Read in full sermon

Driving home: as surely as all saving religion will see in Christ's cross that which Christ alone could accomplish for sinners because of who he was the God-man the appointed representative of sinners true Christianity will see which …

Martin quotes a commentator who describes the cross as 'that suffering alone which results from our faithful connection with Christ,' emphasizing that each disciple will have their share of suffering, like a procession to crucifixion.

What is the cross? It is the rejection of the world the opposition of the world of the world to the one who would be attached in faith and love and all that divine providence brings to such a person in the way of his attachment to Christ attachment to his person his doctrines and his way that affliction and hardship that come that is his cross. And so our Lord made it very plain in these cryptic words to the vast multitude that if they desired life and salvation from his cross attachment to him that their oaths awaited them and they must deliberately volitionally knowingly and begin to carry i...

42:03 - 43:32 Read in full sermon

Driving home: as surely as all saving religion will see in Christ's cross that which Christ alone could accomplish for sinners because of who he was the God-man the appointed representative of sinners true Christianity will see which …

Martin uses the metaphor of 'touchstones' to explain that Christ's cross is the exclusive basis of salvation, while our cross (taking up suffering for Christ) is the necessary evidence of possessing that salvation, contrasting true religion with liberalism and monasticism.

the thought grows overwhelmingly Christ with his cross leads and all his disciples each loaded with his cross in one immense procession like men who are led away to be crucified. Now Jesus said that's a non-negotiable term of discipleship he must lift up let me say by way of application that as we had occasion to note last week the cross is indeed the touchstone of all saving religion follow closely what I say as surely as all saving religion will see in Christ's cross that which Christ alone could accomplish for sinners because of who he was the God-man the appointed representative of sinners...

43:32 - 44:57 Read in full sermon

The point: If you are determined to save your life built on idolatrous selfhood, you will go to hell.

Martin uses the visceral image of 'longing to vomit out of your soul all the vestiges of idolatrous self' to convey the radical, internal cleansing required in repudiating self-centeredness.

as sure as the word of Jesus is the word of God as we shall see next week God willing you're so determined to save your life that is the life built on idolatrous selfhood my ideas about God and the church and his people and the way the work of God should be done my ideas about who should seek after me and who should pay attention to me and how I should be treated my ideas you're determined to passions your love too much too much too much too much to lose way to go straight to hell to cling to idolatrous self you may be religious you may be respectable you may be an honored man or woman in the ...

54:58 - 56:19 Read in full sermon

The point: If you are determined to save your life built on idolatrous selfhood, you will go to hell.

Martin describes the self-sparing individual who 'hedges all your bets' and wants to 'come off smelling like a lily' to illustrate the self-righteousness and self-defense that prevents true repentance and humility before God and men.

Yes, you want to make sure in every situation you never have to be humbled, never be put to shame. In every situation you come off smelling like a lily, never prepared to take the place of an unqualified sinner before God and where necessary before men. Self-righteousness, self-defense, self-will. That's the pattern of your life.

56:32 - 56:58 Read in full sermon

The point: Repent and say no to self, casting yourself upon the Lord Jesus for mercy and giving yourself up to Him as a loving, obedient disciple.

Martin describes how some keep 'just close enough to these realities to numb your conscience, but never close enough to transform the center of your life,' illustrating a superficial religiosity that avoids true conversion.

My friend, are you thinking like a man and not the thoughts of God? Thinking all the time in terms of yourself. And there's just enough of Jesus. There's just enough of Jesus and God and the Bible and His cross to numb your conscience.

57:20 - 57:37 Read in full sermon