Sermons on Romans 3:23-25

Romans 3:23-25 Interpretation:

Embracing Forgiveness: The Path to Freedom and Healing (LIFE NZ) interprets Romans 3:23-25 as a declaration of God's unconditional, record-free love that liberates believers from guilt, punishment, and the power of sin. The sermon uniquely uses the Passion Translation, emphasizing the phrase "His gift of love and favour now cascades over us," and highlights Jesus as the "mercy seat," drawing on the Old Testament imagery of the place where atonement was made. The preacher employs the metaphor of Jesus as the "mercy seat" to stress the ongoing, daily availability of God's mercy, and frames forgiveness as both a divine act and a process of personal liberation from the "prison" of unforgiveness. The analogy of holding onto unforgiveness as "drinking poison and hoping the other person dies" is used to illustrate the self-destructive nature of unforgiveness, and the sermon repeatedly returns to the idea that forgiveness is an act of the will, enabled by surrender to God's power.

Understanding Salvation: Propitiation, Redemption, and Justification (Open the Bible) offers a detailed linguistic and conceptual analysis of Romans 3:23-25, focusing on the terms "propitiation" and "redemption." The sermon explains "propitiation" as a payment to satisfy the anger of an offended party, using a legal analogy of a car accident to clarify the concept. It also interprets "redemption" through the story of a boy buying back his lost boat, emphasizing the dual ownership of creation and purchase. The preacher highlights the Greek term for "propitiation" (hilast?rion), connecting it to the mercy seat in the Old Testament, and stresses that God Himself provides the propitiation in Christ, not as a third party but as a self-giving act. The "salvation triangle" is introduced, showing how Christ's work relates to both God and humanity: propitiation toward God, redemption for us, and justification as the result.

The Trinity: Foundation of Grace and Salvation (Ligonier Ministries) interprets Romans 3:23-25 through a Trinitarian lens, arguing that the passage only makes sense if God is triune. The sermon asserts that only a God who is eternally Father, with a Son to offer, can provide true atonement and grace. The preacher critiques "Trinity-lite" gospel presentations and contrasts them with the richness of a gospel rooted in the eternal love between Father and Son, poured out by the Spirit. The analogy of the "heavenly school principal and his naughty students" is used to critique reductionist views of atonement, and the sermon insists that the cross "works" only because God is triune, with the Father providing the Son as the sufficient sacrifice.

Embracing Our Identity in Christ: Sinners, Saints, Servants (Ligonier Ministries) interprets Romans 3:23-25 as a foundational text for Christian identity, emphasizing the dual reality that believers are both sinners and saints. The sermon explores the language of "propitiation" as the turning away of God's wrath, and highlights the ongoing need for forgiveness even after conversion. The preacher draws on linguistic connections between "saints," "holy," and "blameless," and encourages believers to embrace their identity as set apart and renewed, while maintaining humility and dependence on grace.

The Power of the Cross: Atonement and Salvation (Alistair Begg, Truth for Life) interprets Romans 3:23-25 by emphasizing the distinction between sympathy for Jesus as a sufferer and faith in Jesus as Savior. Begg uniquely highlights that the biblical writers, unlike religious art or popular culture, do not dwell on the physical sufferings of Christ but rather on the purpose and achievement of the cross—namely, atonement and reconciliation. He uses the analogy of standing back from a painting to see the whole picture, suggesting that Romans 3:23-25 is a summary statement of the cross’s achievement: the provision of a righteousness from God, apart from law, received by faith. He also draws attention to the Greek text, noting the succinctness and focus on what Christ accomplished rather than how he suffered, and he unpacks the word "atonement" as "at-one-ment," stressing reconciliation. The sermon further uses the metaphor of the criminal on the cross demanding self-deliverance as a critique of the human tendency to demand proof from God, contrasting it with the faith that receives Christ’s atoning work.

The Transformative Power of Christ's Blood (Ligonier Ministries) interprets Romans 3:23-25 by focusing on the phrase "propitiation by His blood" and the centrality of Christ’s blood as the means of redemption, justification, and cleansing. The sermon offers a unique perspective by noting that the New Testament refers to the blood of Christ more frequently than the cross or even the death of Christ, suggesting a deliberate emphasis on the sacrificial, life-giving aspect of Christ’s work. The preacher draws on the Puritan Steven Charnock’s definition of Christ’s blood as the "last act in the tragedy of His life," highlighting the blood as the "price of our redemption and the expiation of our sin." The analogy of the blood as the "paint" with which the story of redemption is told is a distinctive metaphor, underscoring the vivid, pervasive role of Christ’s blood in the narrative of salvation.

Christ's Complete Work: Assurance and Triumph in Faith (Desiring God) interprets Romans 3:23-25 by focusing on the finished nature of Christ’s atoning work. The sermon uniquely frames sin as a universal, disease-like power and emphasizes that the purification of sins is a completed act—"had made"—not an ongoing or future process. The preacher stresses that the gospel is not about denying guilt but about the provision of a "guilt remover," and he unpacks the root of sin as unbelief, disobedience, and the object of God’s just anger. The analogy of sin as a disease and the cross as the outflow of both God’s anger and mercy provides a fresh interpretive angle, highlighting the dual nature of the atonement as satisfying both justice and love.

Embracing the New Covenant: Union Through Christ (SermonIndex.net) offers a unique interpretation of Romans 3:23-25 by contrasting the term "remission" (as used in the King James Version) with "justification," arguing that the modern connotation of "remission" (as in cancer remission) implies a temporary or uncertain state, whereas justification is a permanent, complete declaration of righteousness. The preacher uses the analogy of a weighing balance, placing all the darkness and suffering of human experience on one side and the "darkest time in history"—the crucifixion and forsakenness of Christ—on the other, emphasizing that the latter outweighs all else. This metaphor powerfully reframes justification as rooted in the cosmic, historical event of Christ's atonement, not in fluctuating human performance or feelings. The sermon also introduces the metaphor of communion as "union," likening the act of taking bread and cup to taking Jesus "all the way in," not just tasting but fully ingesting, symbolizing total surrender and oneness with Christ.

Embracing God's Fatherhood and the Power of Christ's Blood (SermonIndex.net) provides a detailed linguistic and metaphorical analysis of Romans 3:23-25, focusing on the Greek term "propitiation" (hilast?rion) and its meaning as the satisfaction of God's wrath. The preacher uses the analogy of the Passover blood on the doorposts (forming a cross) to illustrate the covering and protection from judgment, and further develops the metaphor of the slave market to explain "redemption," emphasizing that Christ's blood was the purchase price paid not to the devil but to satisfy the demands of God's law. The sermon also introduces the concept of "unconscious sin" and likens spiritual growth to progressing through school grades, where new areas of sin are revealed as one matures, necessitating ongoing cleansing by Christ's blood. The preacher draws a vivid picture of justification as being clothed in Christ's righteousness, using the parable of the wedding garment to illustrate the folly of relying on one's own "suit and tie" (self-righteousness) rather than accepting the provided robe of Christ.

Living Justified: Embracing Grace and Humility in Christ (SermonIndex.net) interprets Romans 3:23-25 with three memorable metaphors: (1) Jesus as the "wrath-taker," stepping in front of the "spear" or "bullet" of God's anger aimed at each sinner; (2) justification as "just as if I've always obeyed," not merely the removal of sin but the positive imputation of Christ's righteousness, likened to a cup not only cleaned but filled with living water; and (3) humility as the only proper response, with pride compared to pervasive "dust" that must be constantly swept away. The sermon also uses the image of being invited to sit at the table with the Trinity, only possible because Christ made "provision" for the unworthy, reinforcing the radical inclusivity and transformation of justification.

Romans 3:23-25 Theological Themes:

Embracing Forgiveness: The Path to Freedom and Healing (LIFE NZ) introduces the theme of forgiveness as liberation from self-imposed imprisonment, emphasizing that unforgiveness primarily harms the one who withholds it. The sermon adds a psychological dimension by referencing the effects of unforgiveness as a "disease" that erodes the heart, and uniquely applies Romans 3:23-25 to the necessity of forgiving oneself, others, and even God (in the sense of releasing unmet expectations).

Understanding Salvation: Propitiation, Redemption, and Justification (Open the Bible) presents the theme of the "salvation triangle," where Christ's work is simultaneously directed toward God (propitiation), toward us (redemption), and results in justification. The sermon also stresses the unity of the Father and Son in the act of atonement, countering any notion of a divided or reluctant God, and highlights the exhaustion of divine wrath in Christ as the basis for assurance.

The Trinity: Foundation of Grace and Salvation (Ligonier Ministries) develops the theme that only a triune God can offer salvation by grace, since only the Father can provide the Son as a substitute. The sermon explores the implications of adoption, arguing that salvation is not merely about forgiveness or righteousness but about being drawn into the very relationship of the Son with the Father, sharing in the Son's own sonship and the Spirit's love. This Trinitarian adoption is presented as the ultimate goal and sweetness of salvation.

Embracing Our Identity in Christ: Sinners, Saints, Servants (Ligonier Ministries) adds the theme of covenantal identity, where believers are simultaneously sinners, saints, servants, and sons. The sermon explores the tension between humility (as ongoing sinners) and confidence (as set-apart, renewed saints), and applies the language of holiness and righteousness to the entire covenant community, challenging listeners to self-examination and growth in sanctification.

The Power of the Cross: Atonement and Salvation (Alistair Begg, Truth for Life) introduces the theme that any attempt to establish one’s own righteousness before God is futile, as even the best human efforts are tainted by sin and only deepen alienation from God. The sermon adds the nuanced theme that the cross is not merely an object of sympathy but the means by which God achieves reconciliation, and that faith, not emotional response, is the means of receiving justification. Begg’s focus on the futility of self-atonement and the necessity of a righteousness "apart from law" is a distinct theological emphasis.

The Transformative Power of Christ's Blood (Ligonier Ministries) presents the theme that the blood of Christ is not just a symbol but the efficacious means by which all the blessings of salvation—justification, redemption, sanctification, cleansing, nearness to God, and peace—are accomplished. The sermon’s unique angle is its insistence on the centrality and frequency of the blood motif in the New Testament, suggesting that the church’s songs and worship should be rooted in this reality. The preacher’s use of Charnock’s language about the blood as the "highest and most excellent part of His obedience" adds a fresh facet to the doctrine of atonement.

Christ's Complete Work: Assurance and Triumph in Faith (Desiring God) develops the theme that the atonement is a finished, once-for-all act that provides assurance to believers. The sermon’s distinct contribution is its exploration of the dual nature of the cross as both the expression of God’s wrath against sin and His mercy toward sinners, challenging the tendency to emphasize one at the expense of the other. The preacher’s insistence that the gospel is for those who acknowledge their guilt, rather than those who excuse it, adds a pastoral and practical dimension to the doctrine of justification.

Embracing the New Covenant: Union Through Christ (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme of justification as a permanent, objective status rather than a conditional or temporary reprieve, challenging the listener to reject a "remission" mindset and embrace the full assurance of being declared righteous. The sermon also presents the theme of union with Christ as the ultimate goal and privilege of justification, moving beyond mere forgiveness to a mystical, participatory oneness with Jesus, which is enacted and symbolized in communion.

Embracing God's Fatherhood and the Power of Christ's Blood (SermonIndex.net) uniquely emphasizes the ongoing need for the blood of Christ to cleanse "unconscious sin," not just conscious transgressions, and frames spiritual growth as a continual process of receiving new light on hidden areas of sin. The sermon also highlights the seriousness of self-righteousness, warning that even "holy activities" can be tainted by wrong motives and require cleansing, and insists that assurance of acceptance before God is grounded solely in Christ's righteousness, not in the absence of guilt or memory of past sins.

Living Justified: Embracing Grace and Humility in Christ (SermonIndex.net) adds the distinctive theme that humility is not just a byproduct but an essential prerequisite for entering into the reality of justification. The sermon insists that pride is utterly incompatible with the justified life, and that true Christian identity is marked by both a deep sense of unworthiness (flattened by the reality of Christ's substitution) and an overflowing gratitude for the gift of righteousness and inclusion in the fellowship of the Trinity.

Romans 3:23-25 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Understanding Salvation: Propitiation, Redemption, and Justification (Open the Bible) provides historical context by explaining the concept of "propitiation" in both Greco-Roman and Jewish sacrificial systems, noting the connection to the mercy seat (hilast?rion) in the Old Testament, where atonement was made through the shedding of blood. The sermon also references the legal and cultural norms of restitution and satisfaction in ancient societies to clarify the meaning of propitiation and redemption.

The Trinity: Foundation of Grace and Salvation (Ligonier Ministries) offers cultural context by contrasting the Christian doctrine of salvation with Islamic concepts, noting that in Islam there is no true "salvation" but only "success," and that only the triune God can offer grace and adoption. The sermon also discusses the cultural implications of sonship language in the ancient world, explaining why Paul insists on the status of "sons" for all believers, regardless of gender, to emphasize full inheritance and intimacy with the Father.

Embracing Our Identity in Christ: Sinners, Saints, Servants (Ligonier Ministries) provides historical insight into the evolution of the term "saints" in church history, noting how the early church applied it to all believers, while later traditions restricted it to especially holy individuals. The sermon also references the covenantal language of the Old Testament and its application to the entire community, drawing parallels to the use of such language in the New Testament epistles.

The Power of the Cross: Atonement and Salvation (Alistair Begg, Truth for Life) provides detailed historical context regarding crucifixion practices in the Roman world, such as the custom of placing a sign above the condemned person stating their crime, and the division of the victim’s clothing among the executioners. Begg explains that the sign above Jesus, "King of the Jews," was both a political statement by Pilate and an ironic declaration of truth, reflecting the Roman practice of public shaming and deterrence. He also notes the typical five-piece clothing of a Jewish man and the soldiers’ division of these garments, grounding the narrative in first-century customs and highlighting the total humiliation and dispossession Christ endured.

The Transformative Power of Christ's Blood (Ligonier Ministries) offers historical insight into the frequency and significance of blood in biblical sacrificial systems and New Testament language, noting that references to Christ’s blood outnumber references to the cross or death, which reflects the Jewish understanding of life and atonement being in the blood. The preacher also references the ceremonial aspects of communion in his childhood church, connecting them to the biblical emphasis on blood as central to covenant and redemption.

Embracing God's Fatherhood and the Power of Christ's Blood (SermonIndex.net) provides extensive historical context by explaining the practice of the Passover in Exodus 12, where the blood of the lamb on the doorposts protected the Israelites from judgment, and connects this to the cross by noting the likely shape of the blood marks as forming a cross. The sermon also describes the ancient slave market, where slaves were bought and sold as property, to illustrate the meaning of "redemption" in Paul's context, emphasizing that Christ's blood was the price paid to free believers from the bondage of sin, not to the devil but to satisfy the demands of God's law. Additionally, the sermon references the Old Testament sacrificial system, particularly the Day of Atonement, where the high priest entered the Most Holy Place with blood to atone for the people's sins, drawing a parallel to Christ's once-for-all sacrifice and the ongoing need for cleansing from unconscious sin.

Romans 3:23-25 Cross-References in the Bible:

Embracing Forgiveness: The Path to Freedom and Healing (LIFE NZ) references 1 Corinthians 13:5 to define love as not keeping a record of wrongs, Matthew 6:9-15 to emphasize the necessity of forgiving others as a condition for receiving God's forgiveness, Psalm 133:2-4 to highlight God's forgiving love, and Luke 23:34 to illustrate Jesus' example of forgiveness on the cross. The sermon also alludes to Luke 22:42-43, where Jesus surrenders to the Father's will and receives angelic strength, as a model for surrendering the will to forgive.

Understanding Salvation: Propitiation, Redemption, and Justification (Open the Bible) references Romans 1:18 to explain the wrath of God, Isaiah's vision of God's holiness, and the story of Peter's redemption in 1 Peter 1:18-19 ("you were redeemed...with the precious blood of Christ"). The sermon also cites Romans 8:1 ("no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus") to assure believers of their standing, and alludes to 2 Corinthians 5:19 ("God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself") to support the unity of the Father and Son in atonement.

The Trinity: Foundation of Grace and Salvation (Ligonier Ministries) cross-references Romans 1:1-4 to establish the Trinitarian shape of the gospel, John 17:24 to describe the Father's eternal love for the Son, Mark 14 (Jesus' "Abba" prayer) to illustrate the intimacy of sonship, Galatians 4:4 ("Spirit of His Son"), Romans 8:14-15 ("Spirit of adoption"), Romans 5:5 ("God's love poured into our hearts"), John 8:42 ("If God were your Father, you would love Me"), and John 14:31 ("I love the Father") to show the relational dynamics of the Trinity and their implications for believers.

Embracing Our Identity in Christ: Sinners, Saints, Servants (Ligonier Ministries) references Romans 1:16-18 to discuss the revelation of God's righteousness and wrath, Romans 3:19-20 to explain the purpose of the Law, Psalm 143:2 ("no one living is righteous before You") and Psalm 86:2 ("I am godly") to illustrate the tension between humility and confidence, 1 Timothy 1 ("chief of sinners") to model self-understanding, and Romans 6 ("walk in newness of life") to ground sanctification in Christ's death and resurrection.

The Power of the Cross: Atonement and Salvation (Alistair Begg, Truth for Life) references several passages to expand on Romans 3:23-25: 1 Peter 2:24 ("He himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree"), 2 Corinthians 8:9 ("He who was rich for our sakes became poor"), and 1 John 4:10 ("This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins"). These passages are used to reinforce the idea that the cross is about what Christ achieved for us, not merely what he suffered, and to show the continuity of the atonement theme throughout the New Testament.

The Transformative Power of Christ's Blood (Ligonier Ministries) provides an extensive list of cross-references to support the multifaceted efficacy of Christ’s blood: Luke 22:20 (new covenant in his blood), Acts 20:28 (church purchased with his blood), Romans 3:23-25 (propitiation by his blood), Romans 5:9 (justified by his blood), Ephesians 1:7 (redemption through his blood), Ephesians 2:13 (brought near by his blood), Colossians 1:20 (peace through his blood), Hebrews 9:14 (conscience purified by his blood), Hebrews 13:12 (sanctified through his blood), 1 Peter 1:19 (ransomed by his blood), 1 Peter 1:2 (elect by the sprinkling of his blood), 1 John 1:7 (cleansed from sin by his blood), and Revelation 1:5 (freed from sins by his blood). Each reference is used to illustrate a specific benefit or aspect of salvation accomplished by Christ’s blood, demonstrating the comprehensive scope of atonement in the New Testament.

Christ's Complete Work: Assurance and Triumph in Faith (Desiring God) references Hebrews 1:1-4 to frame the finished work of Christ, and then turns to Hebrews 3:14-19 to define sin as unbelief and disobedience, and to Psalm 2 to emphasize God’s anger at sin. The preacher also alludes to the broader narrative of the Exodus and the wilderness generation as an example of unbelief and disobedience, connecting these Old Testament themes to the universal need for atonement described in Romans 3:23-25.

Embracing the New Covenant: Union Through Christ (SermonIndex.net) references Matthew 26 (the institution of the Lord's Supper), 1 Corinthians 10 and 11 (the dual aspects of communion as remembrance and union), 1 John 1 (fellowship with the Father and the Son), and Romans 12 (offering our bodies as living sacrifices). Each passage is used to expand on the meaning of justification and union: Matthew 26 and 1 Corinthians 11 highlight the historical and sacrificial basis of communion, while 1 Corinthians 10 and 1 John 1 emphasize the ongoing, participatory fellowship with Christ that justification enables. Romans 12 is invoked to call for a response of total self-surrender in light of God's mercy.

Embracing God's Fatherhood and the Power of Christ's Blood (SermonIndex.net) cross-references Exodus 12 (Passover), 1 John 3 (sin as transgression of the law), James 4:17 (sin of omission), Hebrews 3:13 (encouragement as a command), John 1:14 (the glory of God in Christ), Leviticus 17:11 (life is in the blood), Ephesians 1:7 (redemption through Christ's blood), Hebrews 9 and 10 (the tabernacle, sacrifices, and the once-for-all nature of Christ's atonement), 1 John 1:7-9 (ongoing cleansing by the blood), Isaiah 64:6 (righteousness as filthy rags), Matthew 22 (parable of the wedding garment), 2 Peter 1 (remembering past sins), John 3:19-21 (walking in the light as truthfulness), and Luke 11:34 (the conscience as the eye of the soul). Each reference is carefully integrated to support the multifaceted understanding of sin, atonement, justification, and assurance.

Living Justified: Embracing Grace and Humility in Christ (SermonIndex.net) references Romans 3 and 4 (justification and faith), Romans 5 (justification by Christ's blood), and 2 Peter 1:4 (partaking in the divine nature). The sermon uses the story of Abraham's faith as a model for embracing justification by faith, and the parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22) is alluded to in the illustration of being invited to the table with the Trinity, reinforcing the radical grace and humility required to accept God's invitation.

Romans 3:23-25 Christian References outside the Bible:

Embracing Forgiveness: The Path to Freedom and Healing (LIFE NZ) explicitly references Alexander Pope ("To err is human, to forgive, divine"), Mother Teresa ("it's always between you and God and never between us and them"), and Nelson Mandela's reflection on leaving bitterness behind to find freedom after prison. The sermon also recounts the story of Corrie ten Boom, who forgave a former Nazi guard, as a powerful example of forgiveness enabled by God's strength.

Understanding Salvation: Propitiation, Redemption, and Justification (Open the Bible) cites James Montgomery Boice's concept of the "salvation triangle" to explain the multifaceted work of Christ, and references a childhood story (likely from a Christian tradition) to illustrate redemption.

The Trinity: Foundation of Grace and Salvation (Ligonier Ministries) references Martin Luther's assertion that the Trinity is the "highest article on which all others depend," John Calvin's statement that Christ's aim was to "restore us to God's grace, and so make the children of men, children of God," and John Owen's teaching that loving Christ is the principal part of our renovation into the image of God. The Heidelberg Catechism is also quoted to define regeneration as "wholehearted joy in God through Christ."

Embracing Our Identity in Christ: Sinners, Saints, Servants (Ligonier Ministries) references Martin Luther's advice to answer the devil's accusations by appealing to one's baptism, and discusses the historical development of the term "saints" in the church. The sermon also alludes to the Dutch Reformed liturgical greeting and the broader Reformation emphasis on justification by faith alone.

The Transformative Power of Christ's Blood (Ligonier Ministries) explicitly references Steven Charnock, a 17th-century Puritan, quoting his definition of the blood of Christ as "the last act in the tragedy of His life," and as "the ransom of our souls, the price of our redemption and the expiation of our sin." The sermon also references hymn writers William Cowper and Charles Wesley, citing lines from their hymns ("There is a fountain filled with blood," "And can it be that I should gain," and "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus") to illustrate the centrality of Christ’s blood in Christian worship and theology. These references are used to reinforce the doctrinal and devotional significance of the blood motif in both historical and contemporary Christian thought.

Romans 3:23-25 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Embracing Forgiveness: The Path to Freedom and Healing (LIFE NZ) uses several detailed secular illustrations: the quote from Alexander Pope to highlight the divine nature of forgiveness; the story of Nelson Mandela, who after years in prison realized that holding onto bitterness would keep him imprisoned even after his release, powerfully illustrating the liberating effect of forgiveness; and the story of Corrie ten Boom, who forgave a Nazi guard, showing the supernatural dimension of forgiveness. The sermon also references a psychologist's analysis of unforgiveness as a form of self-imprisonment and disease, and uses the analogy of "drinking poison and hoping the other person dies" to depict the self-harm of unforgiveness.

Understanding Salvation: Propitiation, Redemption, and Justification (Open the Bible) employs a legal analogy involving a car accident to explain propitiation: Neil, who causes an accident that paralyzes Sally, must make restitution to satisfy her anger and the demands of justice, illustrating how propitiation is a payment to satisfy an offended party. The sermon also uses the story of a boy who builds, loses, and buys back a boat to illustrate redemption, emphasizing the dual ownership of creation and purchase. Additionally, the preacher uses sports analogies (baseball and cricket) to explain the importance of learning the "vocabulary" of faith, likening biblical terms to specialized sports terminology.

The Power of the Cross: Atonement and Salvation (Alistair Begg, Truth for Life) uses the analogy of a hospital patient being stripped of their clothes and given a hospital gown to illustrate the total dispossession and vulnerability of Christ as his garments are divided among the soldiers. This modern hospital scenario is used to help listeners emotionally connect with the humiliation and loss experienced by Jesus, making the ancient practice more relatable to contemporary audiences.

The Transformative Power of Christ's Blood (Ligonier Ministries) opens with a personal story about the preacher’s childhood church and the ceremonial aspects of communion, but more notably, he uses the story of a young girl suffering from leukemia and needing a bone marrow transplant as an analogy for the need for a "heart transformation" through Christ’s blood. This medical illustration is employed to convey the life-giving, transformative power of Christ’s atonement, drawing a parallel between physical healing through a blood-related procedure and spiritual healing through the blood of Christ.

Embracing the New Covenant: Union Through Christ (SermonIndex.net) uses the modern medical analogy of "remission" in cancer treatment to critique the use of the word "remission" for forgiveness, arguing that it implies a tentative, uncertain state that requires constant checking and fear of relapse. This analogy is used to contrast the biblical concept of justification, which is presented as a once-for-all, complete declaration of righteousness, not subject to periodic review or reversal. The sermon also references the "dark ages" of history and the current war in Ukraine as examples of dark times, but insists that these pale in comparison to the "darkest time in history"—the crucifixion of Christ—thus grounding the assurance of justification in a historical event of cosmic significance.

Living Justified: Embracing Grace and Humility in Christ (SermonIndex.net) employs the vivid metaphor of a "bullet" or "spear" of God's wrath aimed at each individual, with Jesus stepping in to take the hit, making the abstract concept of propitiation concrete and personal. The preacher also uses the image of being invited to a table with the Trinity, only to be excluded for unworthiness until Christ makes "provision" for a fourth chair, powerfully illustrating the radical grace and inclusion of justification. Pride is compared to "dust" that constantly infiltrates a freshly cleaned room, emphasizing the need for continual vigilance and humility.