A Pop Quiz #1

In this part of the sermon: Using the Larger Catechism's definition as a framework, Martin reviews the first four aspects of justification: its divine authorship (God alone), its recipients (sinners who own…

Martin likens the Larger Catechism's definition of justification to a 'beautiful and adequately furnished seven-room house' to structure his exposition of its various aspects.

Then, with the larger catechism definition of justification, as a teaching outline, likening that definition to a beautiful and adequately furnished seven-room house, I preached many of the pertinent tasks, seeking to expound them and to apply them with reference to this wonderful provision of redemptive grace. And we saw the seven rooms. Room number one, the author of justification. Justification, the catechism definition, is an act of God's free grace, wherein He does this and does that. Justification is, by its authorship, the act of the living God Himself, and Him alone. We do not justify ...

7:33 - 8:37 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The ground of our justification lies totally outside of us.

He uses the analogy of how Christ, though sinless, was 'made sin' by imputation, to explain how believers, though unrighteous, become the 'righteousness of God in Him' by imputation.

This status of being justified is imputed to us. It is put to our account because we are placed into union with Christ. The same way in which Christ became sin for us while personally sinless, we become the righteousness of God in Him while personally unrighteous. Paul could write in 2 Corinthians 2 Corinthians 5.21 Him who knew no sin, Jesus, God made to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. How is Christ made a sinner? Not by His participation in sin or being defiled by sin. He knew no sin.

13:49 - 14:43 Read in full sermon

The point: Self-examine your understanding of what it means to be a justified sinner and articulate how your understanding has been clarified or amplified.

The account of Joshua the high priest being stripped of filthy garments and clothed in rich apparel illustrates the dual nature of justification: removal of guilt and imputation of positive righteousness.

as I never saw before that my justification involves not only the pardon of all my sins taking away of my guilt but I've come to see like I've never seen before it actually means that God credits me with a positive righteousness as he could look upon his son and say this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased he fully obeys me in all things at all times in all circumstances and in all relationships that God now views me just like that in the court of heaven can you say that your understanding has been increased it has been expanded it has been intensified that you've come to see the wonde...

25:18 - 26:47 Read in full sermon

The point: Examine if you have an enlarged understanding and joyful embrace of the grounds of your justification, recognizing it as totally external to you in Christ.

Martin uses the metaphor of a garment of righteousness, with warp threads from Christ's obedient life and woof threads from His suffering unto death, to explain how every necessary component of perfect righteousness is found in Christ alone.

from the curse of the law being made a curse for us Galatians 3.13 but Christ's life of suffering obedience fully satisfied the preceptive demands of the law Romans 5.19 as to the one man's disobedience the many were constituted sinners so by the obedience of the one shall the many be constituted righteousness has it come home with clarity by the power of the Holy Spirit the penal demands of the law satisfied in his death the preceptive demands of the law fully met in his life and the righteousness that is mine in the court of heaven if I may change the metaphor that garment of righteousness h...

29:42 - 31:08 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The fourth question challenges believers to understand why faith alone is the means of appropriating justification, emphasizing faith as the 'empty hand' that unites us to Christ…

Faith is described as 'the spiritual grace of the empty hand that takes a proffered and offered salvation,' emphasizing that it brings nothing of its own merit.

is the spiritual grace of the empty hand that takes a proffered and offered salvation it brings nothing but its emptiness nothing in my hands I bring to you faith faith is the God appointed bond of union with Christ so that believing we are now in Christ and in union with Christ his righteousness becomes ours we are accepted Paul says in the beloved one if any man be in Christ the little phrase in him is concerning our salvation it is located in Christ that's why John again and again speaks of believing in or into or upon Christ is not just believing in some things about Christ out there but f...

35:34 - 37:03 Read in full sermon

The point: Care enough to pray in what you've heard, validate it with your own eyes in your Bible, and be ready to spill blood for the biblical doctrine of justification by faith alone.

Martin warns the congregation, drawing from Paul's words to the Ephesian elders, that 'smooth-talking, sweet-speaking character[s]' will someday seek to undermine the doctrine of justification by faith alone from the pulpit.

The Apostle Paul could not perpetuate orthodoxy even in the Ephesian church. He said to those elders, I know that after my departure, wolves will come in, perverse men will rise up from your own ranks. Dear people, I'm not an alarmist. I'm a biblical realist.

40:17 - 40:39 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not merely enjoy sermons, but take the time to pray the truth in and ask God to make it part and parcel of your inner life, for the sake of future generations.

Martin shares a personal reflection on his own mortality, noting the graves of his wife and the Kahns, and his own impending death, to underscore the urgency of internalizing and defending the truth he preaches.

My days are numbered, folks, not just in this pulpit, but all the parts breaking down one by one. It may not be long before the fourth hole in the ground out there behind that white church is going to be filled. Marilyn's in one of them, Areth and Kathy in the next two. The fourth one's waiting for me.

41:49 - 42:10 Read in full sermon

The point: Understand more clearly how to deal with your sin as a justified child of God: take it seriously but without legal bondage, as a disobedient child, remembering Christ as your advocate.

Jesus' prayer for Peter before his denial illustrates Christ's role as advocate and intercessor, assuring believers that even in sin, they are not cast off but lovingly restored.

John said, My little children, these things I write unto you that you may not sin, but if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous one. Remember our Lord said to Peter, Peter, Satan has desired to sift all of you like wheat, but I've prayed for you specifically, Peter, that your faith be good. Fail not, and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren. The Lord Jesus made it plain to Peter on the eve of his horrible threefold denial that he wasn't throwing him away like junk.

43:26 - 44:06 Read in full sermon