Change of Mind Toward Oursleves

The point: Do not let the study of repentance drift into a mere academic exercise, but understand its life-and-death import against the backdrop of judgment.

Repentance is illustrated as a tree with soil (grace of God), roots (conviction of sin, apprehension of Christ), a main trunk (change of mind), and branches (change toward God, sin, self, righteousness). This analogy helps visualize the interconnected components of repentance.

Now, as we sought to grapple with the details of the doctrine, what it is, what it is not, we have done so along two specific lines. One, a formal definition as found in the shorter catechism. The other, the extended illustration of a tree. And I hope at the end of the studies you'll have a grasp upon the formal definition and also deeply embedded in your thinking this extended illustration of the tree.

2:34 - 2:59 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin describes man as created by God with all faculties and needs (physical, emotional, intellectual) and provided with everything for their full, legitimate satisfaction within…

Martin imagines Adam and Eve delighting in their work and each other in the Garden, with God observing and declaring it 'very good.' This illustrates man's original, God-glorifying use of his capacities.

And God saw everything that he had made and behold it was very good. God was delighted as he saw Adam sitting back and scratching his beard if he had one and his smooth cheek if he had none and trying to figure out what kind of arrangement would be nice for the garden. And when he came and took Eve by the arm if there was that much time before the fall and said honey look what I've done today. Doesn't that look nice?

15:43 - 16:11 Read in full sermon

Driving home: man has turned inward upon himself and in place of God he's put himself upon the throne so that 2 Corinthians 5.15 describes every natural man as a man who what who lives unto himself

The example of a baby living solely to satisfy its basic physical and emotional needs illustrates the inherent self-centeredness of all natural, unregenerate humanity, regardless of age or sophistication.

but all of his appetites and capacities still remain though many of them impaired and perverted but they're there no longer flowing outward into service of God but inward to the gratification of himself so by nature and practice the beginning the middle and the end of the existence of all natural men is the gratification of self the totality of his capacities and appetites and desires without reference to the glory of God or the will of God it's very obvious in the baby all it lives for is itself it hollers when its belly's empty squawks when it's dying diapers are wet fusses when it's not get...

24:51 - 26:20 Read in full sermon

Driving home: man has turned inward upon himself and in place of God he's put himself upon the throne so that 2 Corinthians 5.15 describes every natural man as a man who what who lives unto himself

The example of a benevolent philanthropist who works hard to amass a fortune for foundations is contrasted with a true Christian. The philanthropist's motivation is self-gratification (feeling good), while the Christian's is the glory of God and the realization that Christ purchased all their faculties.

immoral kind of conduct making their appetites their goal it's very obvious that they're living for one purpose scripture says in Philippians whose God is their belly that is their animal physical appetites so you have the sensualist the immoral person in others it's the materialist as we read in Colossians 3 covetousness which is idolatry they've made the things of God's earth their gold and they'll sacrifice anything to accumulate things but with others it's not so obvious they may be living for others very benevolent they may work hard to amass a fortune in order to leave it in foundations ...

26:20 - 27:49 Read in full sermon

The point: Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Christ, understanding that this is the first call to discipleship and essential for saving your life.

Hell is described as 'God's junk heap' for creatures who refuse to accept their place and use their endowments for His glory. This vivid metaphor emphasizes the destructive consequence of self-centered living.

of that old self whenever Jesus called a person to himself here was the call look at it in Mark chapter 8 this is not a challenge to Christians who are saved and on their way to heaven but now need to get surrendered this is not a challenge so often I've heard these passages used as though they were simply a challenge to some elite few who wanted to be second mile Christians but the text does not warrant such an interpretation for we read in Mark 8 in verse 34 and he called unto him the multitude he specifically had this intention in mind that the great multitude should be aware of his claims ...

35:11 - 36:40 Read in full sermon

The point: Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Christ, understanding that this is the first call to discipleship and essential for saving your life.

Jesus' analogy of a grain of wheat falling into the earth and dying to bear much fruit is used to illustrate the principle that self-sacrifice (dying to self) is necessary for spiritual fruitfulness and eternal life, first in Christ's mission and then in believers.

he doesn't try to act as though they aren't there but he says oh God you gave them to me I'm not going to do that but if you gave them to me I read your heart of love in the cross of Christ certainly you're more concerned for their legitimate fulfillment than I am Lord you guide me and he's willing to subject all of these desires and needs to the plan to the purpose to the will of his own God as revealed in the Lord's book the first call then to discipleship is the repudiation of that sinful tower express clear mark in these words Lord lose him that life turn to the twelfth chapter of John whe...

39:32 - 40:57 Read in full sermon

The point: Young people, channel all your ambitions, drives, and appetites to glorify God, trusting His love for their legitimate fulfillment within His will.

An extended quotation from Charles Hodge's commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:15 is used to reinforce the theological point that true Christians do not live unto themselves but for Christ, and this devotion is the only evidence of genuine faith.

in his death and resurrection has laid hold of him and has changed the whole direction of his life I want to read some comments from Charles Hodges' commentary on 2 Corinthians 5 it's amazing how some of these great masters in Israel are lauded and applauded by our own generation but they'd be crucified if they stood and preached what they wrote and what they believed listen to Charles Hodge commenting on 2 Corinthians 5 in verse 15 those for whom Christ died and on whom his death takes effect henceforth that is from the time they apprehend their relationship to him and feel the power of his v...

45:22 - 46:48 Read in full sermon