Marks of a True Ministry, Part 2

In this part of the sermon: The first negative mark is that the ministry's 'exhortation' (encompassing all ministry) is not of error, but rooted in objective truth. Martin argues that suffering and boldness…

Used as an example of a false teacher who exhibited opposition and boldness, demonstrating that these two marks alone are insufficient to identify a true ministry.

Joseph Smith suffered great opposition. That's the leader of Mormonism. He was martyred and he certainly was very bold. Passed the first two marks of a true minister.

7:57 - 8:12 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The first negative mark is that the ministry's 'exhortation' (encompassing all ministry) is not of error, but rooted in objective truth. Martin argues that suffering and boldness…

Judge Rutherford and Charles Taze Russell are cited as founders of a movement known for brazen boldness and opposition, further proving that these traits don't guarantee a true ministry.

He was bold. He suffered opposition. Judge Rutherford and Brigham Young. I mean, I'm sorry.

8:12 - 8:18 Read in full sermon

The point: Strive to become 'theologians' in the pew, understanding doctrinal distinctions to preserve the truth of God in the church.

Martin uses the analogy of making 'theologians out of everybody sitting in the pew' to explain the necessity of laypeople understanding doctrinal distinctions to discern truth from error.

How are you going to tell if somebody's ministering to you outside the beaten path, if you don't know what the beaten path is? The only sure way, to preserve the truth of God in the church, is by the grace of God to make theologians out of everybody sitting in the pew. Not theologians in the sense that they could move into Westminster Seminary next week, or into some other seminary and take over the chair of theology. I don't mean theologians in the sense that they understand all of the technical terms and all the refined aspects of theology, but when they hear a statement like justification, ...

11:45 - 12:27 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Truth and holiness are always joined and conversely, error and uncleanness are generally joined together.

Explains the relevance of 'uncleanness' to the Thessalonians by describing how many heathen temples featured deities known for sexual escapades and incorporated prostitution into worship, linking unclean gods to unclean worshipers.

Our exhortation, our preaching, our message, was not of error, nor of uncleanness. What meaning would this have to the Thessalonians? Well, it would have a very real meaning to them, for remember, many of them had been idol worshipers. Chapter 1 in verse 9, Paul spoke of their turning to God from idols.

15:33 - 15:55 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The second negative mark is that the ministry is not of uncleanness, but aims to produce purity and holiness. Martin explains this in the context of Thessalonica's idol worship…

Revisits Joseph Smith, noting that his 'prophetic' interpretations of golden plates conveniently justified polygamy, illustrating how error (false teaching) is often joined to uncleanness (immoral living).

And so the Apostle Paul vindicates his ministry by saying that his message was not only rooted in truth, but the whole motivation in the proclamation of that message was that it might produce purity and holiness of heart and of life. Now notice how history bears out this principle. Joseph Smith claimed to be a prophet, didn't he? And he claimed to have special gifts to interpret and to read these golden plates that were buried up there near Palmyra.

20:49 - 21:21 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The second negative mark is that the ministry is not of uncleanness, but aims to produce purity and holiness. Martin explains this in the context of Thessalonica's idol worship…

Describes how 'smart young so-called theologians' spawned the 'new morality' by rejecting traditional moral codes, leading to premarital/extramarital sexual liberties and disrespect for government, demonstrating how error leads to uncleanness.

See? The uncleanness of the flesh was inseparably joined to the error that he proclaimed. Now more recently, in the name of truth and in the name of Christianity, some smart young so-called theologians, I wouldn't give them the privilege of calling them that, I call them philosophers, if they even deserve that term, have come up and said, well, you know, the church has been laboring for too long under this rigid set of rules expressed in the Ten Commandments and other moral codes, and we have come in the name of truth and godliness to liberate this generation from all the mores and standards a...

21:39 - 22:22 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The third negative mark is that the ministry is not in guile, meaning it avoids crafty, deceitful, or underhanded methods. Martin contrasts this with the cunning of false teachers…

A story about a fox feasting in a chicken coop, getting stuck, and then playing dead to escape Mrs. Jones, illustrating the meaning of 'guile' as deliberate, crafty, and deceitful conduct.

There was a little fox, and foxes are known for their wily, guile-y ways. And he sneaked into Mrs. Jones' chicken coop one night by a little hole that he just about barely could squeeze himself through in the corner of the chicken coop. Well, he got in, he just had him the best feast on chicken, nice, plump chicken, and when he was all done, he was so stuffed and his sides so swollen that he couldn't get out the hole.

23:31 - 24:01 Read in full sermon

Driving home: He said that my ministry, my exhortation was not of guile. I stood among you and my motives and my message and method were all above board and were disciplined by the word of God.

Uses the example of a Jehovah's Witness spouting scripture verses but with a hidden agenda to illustrate the craftiness and guile of false teachers.

This is the mark of the Jehovah's Witness who comes to your door spouting scripture verses like a machine gun spitting out bullets. But what's behind it? His whole method is one of craftiness and deceit and guile. He doesn't come with any real longing.

27:10 - 27:29 Read in full sermon

The point: Strive to ensure your message, motives, and methods in all your 'ministries' (as parents, neighbors, witnesses) are rooted in Scripture, aim for purity, and are carried out with absolute honesty and openness.

Describes common psychological tactics used in modern evangelistic invitations (bowed heads, closed eyes, raising hands, coming forward for literature) to illustrate 'guile' and 'craftiness' in methods.

With so much of the methods of modern evangelism. For they are marked by the craftiness and wiliness of the false teacher. The modern gospel invitation, much of it is psychological craftiness. I have been in meetings, as no doubt you have been, where the evangelist would say, now we don't want to embarrass anyone, we don't want to put anyone to shame, while every head is bowed and every eye closed in the absolute privacy of this meeting.

28:01 - 28:32 Read in full sermon

The point: For those contemplating Christian ministry, recognize that only a deep conviction of being appointed by God, entrusted with His word, and accountable to Him will keep you faithful.

Paul says if he checked his 'Harris ratings' (public opinion), he would alter his message to please men, illustrating how seeking human approval compromises faithfulness to God's trust.

If not the things of the Spirit of God. So Paul says, if as I take this trust, the gospel committed to me and as I begin to administer it, I check my Harris ratings, he said something's going to happen. I'm going to find that I'm going to begin to alter the message. I'm going to begin to somehow change not only the message, but ultimately my methods in order to suit the desires of people.

38:37 - 39:02 Read in full sermon

The point: Be a true Sunday school teacher or parent by being disciplined by God's eye, not swayed by sentimentality or the reactions of those you minister to.

Defines sentiment as 'bushy, unprincipled, selfish affection' contrasted with 'deep, principled affection' (love), to explain why sentimental parenting is detrimental and produces weak children.

If there's anything I hate with a holy hatred, and what they say is a purple passion, it's sentiment. It's sentiment. Do you know what sentiment is? It's bushy, unprincipled, selfish affection.

41:36 - 41:49 Read in full sermon

The point: Parents, raise your children on the basis of principle, right, and truth, committed to God's will and law, rather than being swayed by their whims or complaints.

Martin's son recounts a neighborhood child's strategy: 'if they whine loud enough and long enough, I'll get it.' This illustrates the outcome of sentimental parenting and a lack of principled discipline.

My son came home recently telling one of the kids in the neighborhood wanted something, and his parents said no. And he says, if they whine loud enough and long enough, I'll get it. It's a matter of me just battering down their resistance with my whimpers. Did your children say that of you, you parents who are here?

42:40 - 42:56 Read in full sermon