Christ's Call for Sinners

In this part of the sermon: He establishes that the entire Bible points to heaven but focuses on Jesus' specific teaching. Martin refutes the idea of naturally righteous people, citing Romans 5:12, and…

Martin uses John Bunyan's 'Celestial City' from Pilgrim's Progress as a synonym for heaven, framing the sermon series around 'signposts' to this eternal destination.

Tonight marks the third message in a brief series that I have entitled, Simple Signposts to the Celestial City. In John Bunyan's immortal work, Pilgrim's Progress, he uses the phrase, the celestial city. As a synonym for heaven, that place of eternal blessedness and glory, where the scriptures tell us God will dwell in his immediate manifest presence with all of his children forever and forever.

1:35 - 2:18 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He establishes that the entire Bible points to heaven but focuses on Jesus' specific teaching. Martin refutes the idea of naturally righteous people, citing Romans 5:12, and…

He compares the Pharisees to a glass that looks clean on the outside but is never washed on the inside, accumulating layers of dry residue, illustrating their outward piety masking inner corruption.

Month after month you never wash the inside and it's all filled with layers of dry. And who knows what else. Jesus said that's what you Pharisees are like. You see it was that crowd that was disturbed.

15:27 - 16:06 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The second assertion emphasizes the unique person and work of Jesus Christ as the sole Savior. Martin expounds on the 'I am come' statement, highlighting Christ's pre-existence…

The story of Joseph scratching his head, wondering what to do about Mary's pregnancy, is used to introduce the angel's message in Matthew 1:21, emphasizing Christ's divine origin and saving purpose.

Why, when Joseph was scratching his head, and if he had a beard, stroking his beard, wondering what to do. Mary, the woman to whom he was engaged, was pregnant. Wondering what course of action he should take according to the ancient law of Moses. An angel appeared to him as recorded in Matthew 1.21 and said,

33:32 - 33:52 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The second assertion emphasizes the unique person and work of Jesus Christ as the sole Savior. Martin expounds on the 'I am come' statement, highlighting Christ's pre-existence…

The image of the Father holding up the cup to the Son in Gethsemane is used to convey the reality and depth of Christ's suffering for sin, contrasting it with a casual approach to salvation.

And behold the Son of God in the garden of Gethsemane. The Father holding up the cup.

38:08 - 38:13 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not insult God with religious 'trinkets' like baptism, church membership, or taking the sacrament, as these do not impress Him in the face of Christ's sacrifice.

He compares human attempts to impress God with rituals (like baptism, communion, church attendance) to 'trinkets' or a 'little report card,' arguing they are insulting in the face of God's wrath poured out on His Son.

Remember this is the God. Who punished his son upon the cross. What do you think you're holding up your little report card. Of how many wafers you took.

43:46 - 43:55 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not rely on intellectual adherence to Christian tenets or going through a ritual of decision (like praying a prayer) for salvation, as these are insufficient without true repentance.

Martin starkly states that 'more people are going to hell out of decision rooms than probably any other place other than bar rooms and whore houses,' to illustrate the danger of superficial, ritualistic 'decisions' for Christ without true repentance.

No. And not by causing them to just go through a ritual of decision. Raise a hand, pray a prayer, I'm alright forever. My friend, more people are going to hell out of decision rooms than probably any other place other than bar rooms and whore houses.

44:37 - 44:51 Read in full sermon

The point: If you honestly love the God of the Bible and desire to serve Him with all your heart, seeing Him as worthy of all your energies and service, then you have come to repentance.

He uses the analogy of taking an antibiotic for a fever and waking up feeling better, not needing to know the precise moment it worked, to illustrate that the experience of repentance is known by its effects (feeling better, loving God) rather than a specific moment or intellectual understanding.

I see Him as worthy of all of that. In the light of what He's done in sending His Son to die for a hell-deserving sinner like me. Young person, if that is the honest disposition of your heart to God, you've come to repent in the medicine. I go to bed one night with a fever and a sore throat.

55:06 - 55:43 Read in full sermon