The Reward of Godly Elders Declared

In this part of the sermon: Pastor Martin introduces the sermon by reading 1 Peter 5:1-4 and then uses the analogy of a father looking forward to his paycheck to establish the biblical legitimacy of desiring…

The analogy of a father looking forward to his paycheck is used to illustrate that desiring a reward for labor is a legitimate and biblical motivation, not mercenary.

Now tomorrow morning, many of the men of this congregation, feeling and accepting the burden of being the main provider for the household, will go off to their various places of employment. Some will fight rush hour traffic going into the city, others will sit on trains, others will make a less arduous commute. And I want to ask you children a question. When your dads go off to their place of business this week, in order, in gainful employment, to provide for you and for the rest of the family, do you think it's right for your Christian dads to look forward to receiving their paycheck on payda...

3:12 - 3:56 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Pastor Martin introduces the sermon by reading 1 Peter 5:1-4 and then uses the analogy of a father looking forward to his paycheck to establish the biblical legitimacy of desiring…

The biblical example of not muzzling an ox treading corn is used to show that even animals are expected to receive a reward for their labor, reinforcing the legitimacy of human desire for reward.

The Apostle Paul, in dealing with the fact that it is ordinarily the will of God that even gospel ministers should look forward to a payday for their labors, writes in 1 Corinthians chapter 9, these words. It is written in the law of Moses, verse 9, you shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the corn. Is it for the oxen that God cares? Or does he say it assuredly for our sake?

5:07 - 5:36 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Continuing on the nature of the 'crown of glory,' Martin clarifies that being glorified does not mean becoming God. He acknowledges the mystery of glory but emphasizes its…

A lengthy quotation from Milton's Paradise Lost is used to illustrate the concept of the 'amaranth' as a mythical, unfading flower, connecting it to Peter's description of the imperishable crown of glory.

Now it's that mythical flower. To which Milton refers. In Paradise Lost. In this beautiful section.

48:19 - 48:27 Read in full sermon

The point: Pray God will give you shepherds whose primary fixation is upon the Chief Shepherd, His orders, directives, rule, and will for His people.

An anecdote about Dr. A.W. Tozer's sermon on total commitment to Christ, specifically his warning against trying to please everyone, is used to underscore the importance of focusing solely on pleasing the Chief Shepherd.

Of the chief shepherd. And as I was preparing. For some reason my mind's just gone back to the late Dr. Tozer this week.

56:34 - 56:41 Read in full sermon

The point: Come and feast; go to Christ and ask Him to make you one of His sheep, to make you one of those who love His voice and love His word, and then join this bunch that love to feed upon His truth.

Martin recounts a recent experience preaching in California where the congregation's delight in the Word was evident, using it to invite unbelievers to experience the sweetness of God's Word.

I stopped and I said you know some of you here who are not Christians you're conscious that the people here are having a wonderful time aren't you and everybody said amen and I said you have to leave the preachers enjoying himself don't you I said come and feast it's there for you in Christ you can know what it is to enjoy digging into the Bible be ravished in your soul feel in your soul what you feel after a good sumptuous well prepared. meal when you've been really hungry you know what it is to feel satisfied God says eat and your soul shall live oh my unconverted friend go to Christ and ask...

59:34 - 60:35 Read in full sermon