Context

In this part of the sermon: Justification is not an isolated doctrine but is interdependent with other truths, like a roof resting on walls and a foundation, or a Superman emblem woven into a sweater. Its…

Martin uses the analogy of a dollhouse roof needing walls and a foundation, or a real roof needing support, to explain that justification cannot 'hang on a skyhook' but is vitally dependent on other foundational doctrines.

Or, to use a different word, it comes to us permanently, penetrated by other doctrines. And this doctrine cannot be established apart from those doctrines with which it shares this interdependence. Suppose I told you children to go and hang the roof of your dollhouse on a skyhook.

6:02 - 6:29 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Justification is not an isolated doctrine but is interdependent with other truths, like a roof resting on walls and a foundation, or a Superman emblem woven into a sweater. Its…

He describes a boy's favorite sweater with a Superman emblem unraveling from the border. This illustrates that if 'border doctrines' are neglected, the central doctrine of justification (the Superman emblem) will also unravel and be lost.

Or to change the picture, it's like a boy who has a favorite sweater and woven right in with the wool of that sweater in a different color is a Superman emblem right in the front. And it's his favorite sweater.

7:40 - 7:56 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Being holy, all within Him is opposed to sin with a pure and positive reaction of anger and of wrath.

The analogy of a mole recoiling from the bright noonday sun illustrates God's holiness, explaining that everything in God reflexively recoils against sin, which is a contradiction of Himself.

One has very accurately said, God cannot be indifferent to that which is the contradiction, of Himself. His very perfection requires the recoil of righteous indignation. And that is God's wrath. Now let me ask you children something.

14:09 - 14:28 Read in full sermon

The point: Purge your mind of the ditty 'God hates the sin but loves the sinner' if it leads to a false sense of security regarding God's judgment.

Martin quotes John Owen's treatise on justification, where Owen emphasizes the necessity of considering the greatness, majesty, holiness, and sovereign authority of God (the Judge) when inquiring about justification.

it haunts you, then perhaps the great doctrine of justification will once again be a precious note. It's very, very interesting that when John Owen, the great Puritan theologian, begins to write his treatise on justification, that he says in the very opening words where he's given the rationale, the reason for writing this, and who can read it with any understanding. These are his words. Necessary it is unto any man who is to come unto a trial in the

24:04 - 24:43 Read in full sermon

The point: Seriously consider if the aspects of God's character (holiness, justice) have become burning, pressing realities to you, as this is essential for experimental knowledge of justifying grace.

He uses the example of a criminal inquiring about a judge named Mr. Jones. If the judge is known as a 'softy,' the criminal's approach to judgment will be influenced, highlighting the importance of knowing God's true character as Judge.

you were charged with a crime and you were coming before a judge, let's call that judge Mr. Jones. You inquire about that judge and you hear, oh, he's a softy. You can bring him off for 20 bucks. Oh, you can turn on a flood of tears and he just stretches the

25:14 - 25:29 Read in full sermon

Driving home: It is then, and only then, that our thinking and feeling will be rehabilitated to an understanding of God's grace in the justification of the ungodly.

Martin quotes Professor John Murray on how a failure to entertain the gravity of sin and God's wrath prevents the 'grand article of justification' from ringing bells in the spirit, making the gospel a 'meaningless sound.'

The first witness comes from a 20th century man of God who went home to be with the Lord just a few years ago, the esteemed and beloved Professor John Murray. In his opening words concerning this doctrine, listen to his word. Far too frequently we fail...

31:15 - 31:33 Read in full sermon

The point: Press upon your conscience the question: Have you been given a due sense of your sin, rooted in the awareness of God's character and your guilt?

He quotes John Owen again, emphasizing that a clear apprehension of our apostasy, depravity, guilt of sin, and the holiness of the law is necessary for a right understanding of justification, as 'until men know themselves better, they will care very little to know Christ.'

Then that testimony can be underscored again, and I'll only give a brief part of the quote from that Prince of the Puritan Theologians. Introducing the subject, John Owen says, in his third maxim or axiom at the outset, a clear apprehension and due sense. You see how they both emphasize it? Thinking and feeling.

33:24 - 33:47 Read in full sermon

The point: Press upon your conscience the question: Have you been given a due sense of your sin, rooted in the awareness of God's character and your guilt?

Martin quotes Cunningham, stating that 'All false conceptions of the system, of Christian doctrine, assume or are based upon inadequate and erroneous views and impressions of the nature and effects of the fall,' reinforcing the necessity of understanding man's sinful character.

And I will read again only a specimen quote from him. All false conceptions of the system, of Christian doctrine, assume or are based upon inadequate and erroneous views and impressions of the nature and effects of the fall. And then he goes on to demonstrate that very powerfully, as does Buchanan, and time will not permit these quotes, but throughout the history of the Church, particularly since the Reformation, every man who has understood this doctrine has taught it by underscoring it, understanding its context.

34:34 - 35:13 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Drawing from an Augustine rubric, Martin illustrates the deathbed scenario where God accuses the sinner. The only valid plea, Augustine suggests, is to 'put the death of Jesus…

Martin recounts Augustine's pastoral rubric for a person on their deathbed, where God acts as accuser. The sinner's only plea is to 'put the death of Jesus between thee and my guilt,' illustrating the singular ground of justification.

My close was something that was so encouraging to me this past week in doing background reading in preparation for this morning. I read what was part, apparently, of a pastoral rubric that Augustine gave. And he pictures a person lying on his deathbed. Lying upon his deathbed, God takes the place of an accuser with this man.

48:58 - 49:26 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin addresses those who deeply feel the context of justification—God's holiness and their sinfulness—but remain bowed down by guilt. He clarifies that this painful…

He uses the analogy of a table holding a meal. The table (the context of justification) is necessary, but one must feed on the food (Christ) to be nourished, not chew on the table itself (guilt).

That's the context of the gospel. Just as much as that table on which your meal will be placed today is the context of your meal. But you're not going to chew on the wood to be fed. That table is there, simply to hold the food which will pass over your taste buds and bring you delight and into your stomach and be assimilated into the body and give you nourishment and strength.

51:20 - 51:46 Read in full sermon