Christ's Fitness for His Prophetic Office

Driving home: Blessed be God for a prophet who speaks to us out of the posture of having been from eternity the embosomed one.

At the Last Supper, John leans back on Christ's breast and receives the secret of who will betray Him — picturing the intimate disclosure that happens only in the embosomed position Christ holds with the Father eternally.

This causes a flurry of questions among the disciples, who it is that's going to do this. And we read in verse 22 of John 13, The disciples looked on one another, doubting of whom he spake. There was at the table reclining in Jesus' bosom one of his disciples whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him and said to him, Tell us who it is of whom he speaketh.

14:45 - 15:10 Read in full sermon

Prophets speaking under the impulse of the Spirit of Christ, then sitting down to ask one another, 'What did I say? What did you say? How does it fit together?' — picturing their limited grasp of their own words.

Under the impulse of the Spirit of Christ, he speaks of things that pertain to Christ's sufferings and glories. And after he speaks them and records them, then he sits down and says, what did I say? How does all this fit together? Look at the language. Searching what manner of time the Spirit which was in them did testify. Concerning which salvation the prophets sought, and they searched diligently, And where they were contemporaneous with one another, no doubt they consulted. And one says to another, What did you say in the Spirit concerning Messiah? Well, I was moved to say thus and thus. An...

26:23 - 27:18 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Our great prophet from the innermost circle of Trinitarian fellowship comes forth to declare all the mind of God we are able to bear.

As a boy in Stamford, Connecticut, scouring the high fence of a minor league ball park for a knot hole to press his eye against — picturing the angels' limited peek into the salvation Christ fully knows.

ministering spirits sent forth from the immediate presence of God. How much do they know? Well, look at the picture. Speaking of this great salvation that even baffled the prophets when they spoke of it, we read, that this gospel was preached unto you, verse 12, by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven, which things angels desire to look into. And that verb is interesting. It means they desire to have a little peek into it. And I thought back of the days when we used to have a minor league ball club back in Stamford, Connecticut, where I was reared. And the big frustration was they had this h...

27:20 - 28:03 Read in full sermon

The point: Have dealings with Christ as your prophet speaking to your heart of grace, new birth, and the uplifted Savior — not merely of speculative mysteries.

Theologians stroking scraggly beards and going to the optician for thicker glasses while they scour weighty tomes over obtuse questions — a humorous foil for the homely, saving subjects Christ actually addresses.

issues that cause the theologians to stroke their scraggly beards and to go to the optician for thicker glasses while they scour more weighty tongues. He speaks of grace. He speaks of truth. He speaks of the necessity of the new birth. He speaks of flesh. He speaks of the uplifted Christ who, as Moses lifted up the serpent, must

33:10 - 33:38 Read in full sermon

The point: Understand why the simplicity of biblical worship matters — elaborate religious spectacle leads consciences away from Christ's prophetic word.

Gospel drama with lights and everything under the sun, people's consciences being led by other authorities than Christ — a reference to contrived worship Pastor Martin had witnessed.

If you were with my wife and family yesterday, you'd have had it at a three-ring circus in the name of Christ. Gospel drama with lights and everything under the sun. People's consciences being led hither and yon by other authorities than that of Jesus Christ. Oh, dear people, if you have any love to your soul, any love to your soul around no matter man, any man who stands in this pulpit, to lord it over your conscience. He's the great prophet. You say, but Pastor, will that lead to anarchy? No. But when men open up the Scriptures, they show you the setting, they're honest with the language and...

44:33 - 45:32 Read in full sermon