Source Of Overcoming Power (Rev. 2:7)

Driving home: The most sensitive plant in the whole garden of grace which god cultivates in the heart of a true believer is the plant of personal intimate devotion to jesus christ the lord long before any other plant begins to wither …

The plant of personal, intimate devotion to Jesus Christ is described as the most sensitive in the garden of grace, withering before others, illustrating the spiritual state of the Ephesian church.

the person of jesus christ in love and in devotion the most sensitive plant in the whole garden of grace which god cultivates in the heart of a true believer is the plant of personal intimate devotion to jesus christ the lord long before any other plant begins to wither or turn brown this plant will be well nigh to dying and it was this plant that began to wither and shrivel there at ephesus and so our lord writes to them first of all commending them for the plants that are still vigorous and virile

2:53 - 3:38 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: This section explores how divine begetting and indwelling enable overcoming by first addressing what must be overcome: the world, the flesh, and the devil, describing humanity's…

The world lying in the wicked one is likened to Samson asleep on Delilah's lap, illustrating humanity's natural state of weakness and subjugation to the devil.

Now think what we are by nature with relationship to these three things. With relationship to the world, 1 John 5, 19 says, the whole world lieth in the wicked one. It's the picture of a Samson asleep on the lap of a Delilah. And John says, the whole world is a mighty Samson, crippled, shorn of strength, and it lies in the lap of its Delilah, the devil.

23:15 - 23:44 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: A vivid illustration of a man bound, blindfolded, and deluded in an iron cage, surrounded by three giants, to represent humanity's natural state of bondage to sin, the world, and…

A man is depicted half-dead, bound, blindfolded, and deluded in an iron cage, surrounded by three well-armed giants, representing humanity's natural bondage to the world, the flesh, and the devil, and the impossibility of self-liberation.

And what is our relationship directly to the devil? 2 Corinthians 4, 4, the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not. Now, you children, you listen carefully as I describe something that I think will register with you. I want you to picture with me this morning a man who's in bad shape, bad, bad shape.

24:51 - 25:10 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains how God liberates the captive by overcoming the blinding power of the devil, breaking his bands, overcoming the dominating power of sin, subduing the captivating…

Quoting Charles Wesley's hymn, Martin illustrates the liberating work of God in the new birth, where chains fall off and the spirit is freed.

His eyes are given sight. And by now you all ought to be thinking of a wonderful verse of Wesley's hymn. Are you thinking of it? Long my imprisoned spirit lay.

33:26 - 33:38 Read in full sermon

The point: Are you becoming increasingly familiar with your spiritual armor and finding God's weapons effective in battle, not just ornamental?

The 'Jerusalem sword' from Pilgrim's Progress is contrasted with a 'parade sword' to distinguish between effective, battle-tested spiritual weapons and mere ornamental ones, emphasizing the reality of spiritual warfare.

That trusty Jerusalem sword? As it's called in Pilgrim's Progress? And you find it effective for the slaying of Apollyon? Or do you just have a parade sword that sits up in your den for visitors to come in and look at and admire?

50:29 - 50:49 Read in full sermon