Intercession: Fact, Pattern

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces Paul's confident cry in Romans 8:34, 'Who is he that condemneth?', and reviews the first three pillars of redemptive reality (Christ's death, resurrection, and…

Martin contrasts Paul's extraordinary experiences (Damascus Road, third heaven) with the ordinary means of salvation (hearing the Word) to show that Paul's assurance was not based on unique apostolic privileges but on redemptive acts available to all believers.

His confidence that his sins would never bring him into condemnation was not rooted in his peculiar experiences as an apostle. And he had some unusual experiences, converted by direct revelation on the road to Damascus, a light and a voice direct from heaven. He was caught up into the third heaven and heard things unlawful to utter, but I say his confidence was not based upon these experiences that fall outside the scope of the average believer. For if any of you here claims to have been saved by direct revelation, you're either deceived by the devil or demented in your mind.

4:37 - 5:14 Read in full sermon

The point: Concentrate carefully on this doctrine, as it is new territory for many.

Martin uses the analogy of an adult class discussion to illustrate the widespread lack of understanding and embarrassment regarding Christ's intercession among believers, highlighting its neglected status.

– namely, his work of intercession – is the most neglected and least understood of all of the saving acts of Jesus Christ. I would venture to say that if we had the time, and if it were proper to do so, I could throw this open for discussion and contribution as much as we handle our adult class, and out of the congregation would come, if we took aspects of various contributions, a rather complex and complex work of intercession. And I would venture to say that this is the most neglected and least understood of all of the saving acts of Jesus Christ. It is a very comprehensive statement of the ...

7:08 - 7:46 Read in full sermon

The point: Concentrate carefully on this doctrine, as it is new territory for many.

Martin points out that there are only two hymns on Christ's intercession compared to dozens on His incarnation, oblation, and resurrection, underscoring its neglected place in Christian worship and thought.

When I went to the hymn book to find hymns on his intercession, you know how many hymns are there? Two. There are several dozen. There are several dozen hymns on his work of oblation, that is, sacrifice.

8:31 - 8:44 Read in full sermon

The point: Concentrate carefully on this doctrine, as it is new territory for many.

Martin shares his personal experience of arduous study, reading until his 'eyeballs ached,' to understand the doctrine of intercession, emphasizing the difficulty and the need for careful concentration from the congregation.

Hence, for me, this is meant the most arduous study in any facet of the exposition of this passage. And this week, I've literally read till my eyeballs have ached, literally, as I've sought to understand this great doctrine of his intercession. So, as it is meant for me, the most arduous study, for you, it will demand the most careful concentration of thought, because we're in a sphere where many of us have very little previous reference, and it's always difficult to go into virgin territory in the realm of thought. And the fact that it's biblical thought does not negate that principle.

8:59 - 9:39 Read in full sermon

The point: Concentrate carefully on this doctrine, as it is new territory for many.

Martin uses the metaphor of 'editorial filler' to dismiss the idea that Paul included intercession in Romans 8:34 as an afterthought, stressing its deliberate and climactic importance.

But since you, I trust... with me, believe that the Apostle Paul does not put the work of intercession here simply as editorial filler.

9:40 - 9:50 Read in full sermon

Driving home: According to the clear statement of God, the high priest would be struck dead if he dared come without blood or without incense. Both were to be joined together in his work within the veil.

Martin paints a vivid picture of a young boy asking his father about the high priest's actions on the Day of Atonement, explaining the significance of the blood and incense entering the Holy of Holies to secure atonement.

with his finger seven times. Now try to picture what it would be like for a young man who is going up on the annual day of atonement with his father and mother for the first time, and he sees the high priest dressed in those beautiful garments and that breastplate with the twelve tribes of Israel inscribed upon it, and he sees the high priest take a bowl full of the blood of the bullock that has been offered, and then he takes another brazen bowl of pot and he fills it with coals from off the altar, and then he takes a handful of incense and he passes out of sight. And the little boy nudges hi...

29:54 - 30:39 Read in full sermon

Driving home: According to the clear statement of God, the high priest would be struck dead if he dared come without blood or without incense. Both were to be joined together in his work within the veil.

He describes the collective 'sigh of relief' among the Israelites when the high priest emerged alive from behind the veil, signifying God's acceptance of the sacrifice and the passing over of their sins, illustrating the profound impact of the intercessory work.

And the coals taken were the things which caused the incense to go up. And so what transpired behind the veil, based upon what transpired outside the veil, is what secures the passing over of sin for another year. And so when the priest goes in, every Israelite, as it were, holds his breath and wonders if God will be propitious to His people, if the sacrifice will be accepted, if God will pass over the sins of His people for another year. And can you picture something of a sigh of relief?

32:18 - 32:55 Read in full sermon

The point: Have confidence that Christ is your intercessor, which requires first embracing Him as your sin-bearer.

Martin describes the devil accusing a believer before God's throne, and Christ's silent advocacy, where His wounds speak for the believer, silencing the accuser and pacifying the conscience, illustrating the power of His intercession.

oh the glory of the Christian life to know that if any man sin if he's in Christ he has an advocate and when the devil and all his host as it were come before the throne of God and say God look at that man see what he did he lost his temper with his wife didn't he look what he did he thought a lustful thought look what he did he spoke an angry word to his son and the presence of his son without ever uttering a word is all the advocacy we need he beholds in his son the wounds and is able to say to the accuser begone though that is sin

46:41 - 47:26 Read in full sermon