A Summons to Repentance and Faith

In this part of the sermon: Using the analogy of a bridal party, Martin identifies Jesus Christ's person and work as the central 'bride and groom' of the gospel. He reviews the gospel's message about God as…

Martin uses the analogy of a bridal party (bride, groom, best man, ushers, maid of honor, bridesmaids) to illustrate the components of the gospel message, with Christ as the central bridegroom and bride.

And I have suggested that the answer can well be conceived of in terms of a bridal party. You have the bride and groom who are central, and then flanking them on the left hand and on the right, you have the best match. And perhaps some ushers, the maid or matron of honor, and some bridesmaids, all of whom together, comprise the bridal party. But when we seek to answer from the scriptures the question, what is the gospel?

2:48 - 3:17 Read in full sermon

Driving home: the gospel is a message containing a regal and gracious summons to repentance and faith.

To explain the 'regal' nature of the gospel summons, Martin uses the example of someone with a 'regal bearing' who carries himself like a king, signifying the authority and majesty of God's command.

It bristles, it oozes in its every pore with the grace of the living God. That the God against whom we have sinned should summon us into the way of pardon and acceptance is sheer, unmixed grace. But it is not only a gracious summons, it is a regal summons. If you look up the word regal in the dictionary, you will find the definition, that which pertains to or partakes of the quality of royalty.

10:14 - 10:49 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces the fourth element of the gospel: a gracious and regal summons to repentance and faith. He defines 'gracious' as originating from God's heart of grace and…

Martin distinguishes a 'summons' from a mere invitation by comparing it to a legal summons requiring appearance, highlighting the authoritative nature of the gospel's call.

A summons, an order or a command with legal authority. You get a summons, that's not just an invitation to a birthday party. That is an authoritative statement concerning the fact that you better appear at a certain place at a certain time. And the gospel contains a summons.

12:07 - 12:27 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin expounds Luke 24:44-47, showing Christ's post-resurrection instructions to the apostles. He highlights that the gospel message includes the necessity of Christ's suffering…

He contrasts the extension of God's kingdom through spiritual proclamation with the heresy of using carnal weapons like the sword, emphasizing that God never intended his kingdom to be promoted by force.

will have a clear and definitive understanding of what the nature of that kingdom is, how it is to be built up, how it is to be extended, how it is to be consolidated, how it is to operate. And since it is a kingdom of grace, it is extended not with the sword. This has been one of the great heresies that has plagued the church, that God has given the church any other weapons other than spiritual. Paul said the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.

14:33 - 15:04 Read in full sermon

The point: Recognize the awesome seriousness of the gospel summons, which comes from the throne of God and carries eternal consequences.

Martin compares the seriousness of the gospel summons to receiving a summons to appear before a high court of law, emphasizing the gravity of responding to God's call.

that we may be preserved on the one hand from hyperism and on the other hand from a theory of universal atonement then I conclude by asking you to note the awesome seriousness of the issues at stake in the summons my friend if you found a summons at home today calling you before some august gathering of legal men before some high court of the state or of the nation you wouldn't go out of your house whistling Dixie on your way to meet so exalted so elevated a body of men committed to uphold the laws of the land you'd say this is serious business and my friend listen

50:52 - 51:35 Read in full sermon