For The Lord's Sake: Motives for Obedience

The point: Embrace the revealed will of God from the heart and be determined to be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, convinced it is God's will and the way to muzzle foolish men.

The analogy of muzzling a barking dog is used to explain how believers' good works and submission can 'muzzle' the foolish, ignorant accusations of unbelievers.

It's the picture of these people who speak in their willful ignorance that which is folly. God says that they, need to be muzzled. Like a barking dog needs to be muzzled. They need to be muzzled.

16:56 - 17:12 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin uses the story of Daniel in Daniel 6 as a vivid illustration of a believer living as a free bondservant of God. Daniel's impeccable obedience to the king's law, except when…

The story of Daniel in Daniel 6 is presented as a powerful example of a believer's unwavering obedience to God's law even when it conflicts with human law, demonstrating the disposition of a free bondservant of God.

We didn't have time, but we do tonight. Daniel chapter 6. I was thrilled afresh with the story of Daniel that I've known from a little boy. But in rereading it in preparation for this, it came with fresh power to my own heart.

36:42 - 36:59 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin uses the story of Daniel in Daniel 6 as a vivid illustration of a believer living as a free bondservant of God. Daniel's impeccable obedience to the king's law, except when…

The phrase 'One picture's worth a thousand words. Here it's all opened up for us' is used to emphasize how the story of Daniel vividly illustrates the 'ignorance of foolish men' who hypocritically sought to trap Daniel.

You talk about the ignorance of foolish men. See it? One picture's worth a thousand words. Here it's all opened up for us.

41:56 - 42:04 Read in full sermon

The point: Be like Daniel: when a directive from human authority clearly contravenes the law of your true Master, life should go on exactly the same, prepared to embrace the consequences.

Daniel's potential fate in the lion's den is reframed as a 'big deal' only in that it would get him to heaven 'sooner than I'd hoped,' illustrating the Christian's perspective on suffering and death for Christ's sake.

If it means the den of lions, big deal. All the lions can do is chew me up to heaven sooner than I'd hoped to get there.

45:31 - 45:37 Read in full sermon

The point: Ask yourself what it really means to be a Christian: to cease being the slave of sin and the devil and become the slave of God and of Christ.

The devil mocking those who cling to their chains in the delusive idea of freedom illustrates the tragic self-deception of those who refuse Christ and remain slaves to sin.

And I believe the devil himself will mock every one of those who have clung to their chains in the delusive idea that this is freedom.

49:01 - 49:13 Read in full sermon

The point: Ask yourself what it really means to be a Christian: to cease being the slave of sin and the devil and become the slave of God and of Christ.

The example of fallen angels in 'chains of darkness' who thought freedom was outside God's will illustrates the eternal folly of rebellion against God.

What a horrible thing. The Bible speaks of those in chains of darkness, those fallen spirits, those angels who joined in the original revolt, in heaven and thought. Freedom was to be had somewhere outside the boundaries of the will of God. And they are in everlasting chains of darkness, bound forever in the folly of their so-called liberty.

49:15 - 49:45 Read in full sermon

The point: Ask yourself what it really means to be a Christian: to cease being the slave of sin and the devil and become the slave of God and of Christ.

A hymn is quoted to beautifully encapsulate the paradox of Christian freedom: becoming God's captive leads to true freedom and victory over sin.

It was a hymn years ago when I moved in other circles. I couldn't find it. I tried to track it down this afternoon, but I remember some of the words.

50:10 - 50:19 Read in full sermon