The “Whosoever Will” Passages

Driving home: faith may swim in areas where reason may only wade.

Martin quotes Thomas Watson, 'faith may swim in areas where reason may only wade,' to emphasize that some truths of God are to be received by faith, not fully comprehended by human reason.

And as Watson, the old Puritan, has declared, faith may swim in areas where reason may only wade. Then we've sought continually to approach the scriptures and this subject with that disposition of faith. This is the part that takes the place of a subject before a sovereign, the place of a learner before the teacher. We have not sought to come to the scriptures and to shape and mold them after the pattern of our own predisposition, but we've sought to have our minds molded and shaped upon the anvil of the word of God.

0:45 - 1:26 Read in full sermon

The point: Embrace the truth of God's word more preciously and be more able to convey it accurately in conversation and witness to others.

The analogy of a man floundering in the Passaic River illustrates that election is God's purpose to save, but it is 'unto salvation,' meaning means (like rescue) are necessary to bring about the end.

salvation, but is unto salvation. I hope you'll remember the illustration of that poor man floundering in the Passaic River.

8:53 - 9:01 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The pastor briefly reviews the answers to two common objections covered in the previous sermon: 'If God has elected, why witness?' (answered by God's command, love's impulsion…

The imagery from Revelation of 'golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of the saints' is used to show how God weaves the prayers of His people into the fabric of His sovereign purposes, even for judgment.

We didn't look at it last week in the book of the Revelation, where, as God is about to pour out the last vials of judgment in the end time, it says that the prophets saw before God these golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of the saints. And the prayers of the saints are those cries to God, O Lord, how long before thou avenge our blood upon those that dwell on the earth?

11:35 - 12:04 Read in full sermon

Driving home: And so God's purpose of election secures. And assures. That saving response to the gospel.

The analogy of a blind man with dead optic nerves unable to see a thousand watts of light illustrates the spiritual inability of the natural man to perceive the things of God, regardless of external presentation.

That's a word of ability. It's not a matter of sincere desire or anything else. If a man is blind and his optic nerves are dead. You can put a thousand watts of light on a sheet of paper.

22:34 - 22:46 Read in full sermon

The point: Recognize that the doctrine of God's election is no excuse for impenitence; if you truly believe it, it shuts you up to seek mercy from God.

This extended analogy describes a room on fire. If occupants have a key, they remain apathetic; if locked in, they become desperate for help. This illustrates how the belief in 'free will' (having the key) fosters apathy, while recognizing spiritual inability (being locked in) drives desperation for God's mercy.

That'll create apathy. Now let me use an illustration. Suppose this room were locked. Every door locked.

36:43 - 36:53 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin directly addresses unbelievers, urging them to recognize their spiritual inability and desperate state. He challenges them to stop making excuses and instead fall on their…

Examples of desperate lepers, the woman with the issue of blood, and the blind man crying out to Jesus are used to illustrate the spiritual desperation that arises when people realize they lack the 'key' to their own salvation and only Christ can help.

All of the pictures in the gospels. Of those physical healings of desperate lepers. Most commentators and good sound sensible Christians agree. That they are illustrations of spiritual truths.

38:23 - 38:35 Read in full sermon