Romans 9:1-24; Introductory Perspectives

Driving home: Now, what John 1 is to the deity of Christ in declaring that truth, and then in becoming a hammer and an anvil upon which every heresy of the doctrine of his deity can be made. He pounded to pieces and smashed to smither…

Compares John 1's role in establishing the deity of Christ and refuting heresy to Romans 9's role in proclaiming God's sovereignty in grace and smashing objections to it.

All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that hath been made. Now, what John 1 is to the deity of Christ in declaring that truth, and then in becoming a hammer and an anvil upon which every heresy of the doctrine of his deity can be made. He pounded to pieces and smashed to smithereens. So this chapter that we're going to study is to the sovereignty of God.

4:20 - 4:48 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces the need for guidelines using an extended analogy of climbing a mountain to a breathtaking summit, warning against dangerous by-paths that would prevent reaching…

Illustrates the journey of studying Romans 9-11 as ascending a mountain to a glorious summit of divine revelation, with the need for a guide to warn against dangerous by-paths that would lead to destruction or prevent reaching the awe-inspiring view.

We're all gathered together at the summit of a mountain. And we're told that if we can...

10:11 - 10:18 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not be afraid that walking up the mountain of God's truth concerning His sovereignty will make you indifferent to the salvation of men, if you walk as Paul did.

Compares a man with a broken heart not analyzing his statements for theological precision to a sobbing person not using alliterated praises, explaining Paul's strong language in Romans 9:3 as an expression of deep anguish rather than a precise theological statement.

is rooted in the divine and eternal purpose, this man says, I'm not indifferent to the salvation of men, I could wish myself accursed, and all the theologians and the commentators try to twist the passage and try to somehow make it fit with their systems, and I feel it's all a lot of foolishness. This is a man with a broken heart. The man with a broken heart doesn't sit down and analyze if his statements are theologically precise any more than a person who's sobbing sobs with alliterated praises. A man who's sobbing, a man who sobs and who cries, who finds his sobs and his groans falling one u...

17:19 - 18:03 Read in full sermon

The point: Preach the gospel freely to all men because God commanded it, regardless of understanding or perceived outcome.

Uses the hypothetical example of God commanding one to preach to trees or turtles to emphasize that obedience to God's command is the sole reason needed for action, regardless of perceived understanding or outcome.

I've heard people say well if I believe that God has chosen some to life and in His secret purpose has not chosen to bring others to life, how could you preach the gospel freely? Well I could do it because He told me to do it. That's all the reason I need. If God told me to preach the gospel, I would preach to trees.

26:15 - 26:33 Read in full sermon

The point: Preach the gospel freely to all men because God commanded it, regardless of understanding or perceived outcome.

Recounts Abraham's obedience in leaving his country without knowing where he was going and his willingness to sacrifice Isaac, illustrating that obedience to God's commands should not be limited by human understanding or common sense.

Just to get him down on your knees would be good for some of us, wouldn't it? You see, the measure of my obedience is not what I understand and the longer I live as a Christian the more I see that's a terrible thing. To have a Christianity that only goes as far as my understanding goes. And God told Abraham, go on out of your country and your land and get.

26:54 - 27:16 Read in full sermon