Attributes of God

Moving to the second line of evidence for Christ's deity, Pastor Martin considers the distinguishing attributes of God that Scripture ascribes to Jesus Christ. He demonstrates three of them in this message: eternal existence (John 1:1; John 17:5; Colossians 1:17; John 8:58), changelessness or immutability (Hebrews 1:10-12; Hebrews 13:8), and omnipresence (John 3:13; Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20; Revelation 2-3). Each attribute is applied to the believer's walk and to the unconverted's need, showing that Christ in the full plentitude of Godhood is perfectly suited to the needs of sinners.

Continuing to display the distinguishing attributes of God possessed by Christ, Pastor Martin devotes this message to the omniscience of Christ. He expounds John 1 (Christ reading Nathanael's heart under the fig tree), John 2 (He knew what was in man and needed no witness), Revelation 2 (He searches the reins and hearts), and Matthew 11:27 (no one knoweth the Son but the Father, and none the Father but the Son). He applies the doctrine as a source of great consolation to struggling believers (with Peter: 'Lord, thou knowest that I love thee') and a source of conviction to those dallying with sin.

Pastor Martin opens his treatment of the doctrine of justification by underscoring its supreme importance. After showing that the doctrine answers the most fundamental of human questions, 'How shall sinful man find acceptance with God?', he argues for its importance on two grounds: the glory of God, since in justifying the ungodly God displays the brilliance of every divine attribute, and the good of the creature, both for the conversion of sinners and the establishing peace, holiness, and joy in believers.