Perseverance of the Saints

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces 1 Thessalonians 3, highlighting Paul's deep pastoral concern for the young church and noting the passage's rich instruction on affliction and the growth of true…

Paul's deep yearning for the Thessalonians is likened to the 'throbbing heart of a true servant of Christ yearning over his fruit in the Lord,' emphasizing his intense pastoral care.

Let us turn this morning to 1 Thessalonians chapter 3 as we continue our studies in this section of Paul's first letter to this infant church in which perhaps as in no other section of this letter and perhaps as in no other place in Holy Scripture we have a glimpse of the throbbing heart of a true servant of Christ yearning over his fruit in the Lord. 1 Thessalonians And I shall read this section in which we have already conducted two studies previous to this morning but to refresh our minds on the basic truths and to prepare us for our further study this morning. I shall begin reading with ve...

0:03 - 1:29 Read in full sermon

The point: Be conversant with passages teaching the certainty of glorification for your own comfort and consolation, and to instruct others.

The limited perspective of a 'little worm of the dust' behind an inch-high bump is used to illustrate humanity's inability to properly evaluate God's dealings in their lives from a temporal perspective.

In these portions and be able to instruct others. In Romans chapter 8 the Apostle Paul has declared in verse 28 that very familiar portion that in the life of the child of God everything is working together there's a plan there's order though there may not seem to be order to you everything may seem to be chaotic. Remember who you are. You're a little worm of the dust and the worm doesn't see very far and very much.

11:03 - 11:33 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin uses the parable of the sower (Matthew 13) and passages from Hebrews 6 and 2 Peter 2, along with examples like Judas and Demas, to illustrate how individuals can exhibit…

A hypothetical scenario of a man hearing a gospel message and immediately receiving it with joy is used to introduce the concept of the stony ground hearer from the parable of the sower.

I spent some weeks preaching through that parable back about two years ago Matthew chapter 13 and then Luke chapter 8. Let's look at it for just a moment to refresh our minds because I'm personally convinced if we don't understand the basic teaching of this parable as it relates to this doctrine we'll be involved in a hopeless maze of complexity and unanswerable questions. You remember the parable of the sower? The seed fell upon four different kinds of soil and then the Lord Jesus interprets that parable to them and we read in Matthew 13 and in verse 20 our Lord's inspiring interpretation He ...

23:38 - 25:07 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin uses the parable of the sower (Matthew 13) and passages from Hebrews 6 and 2 Peter 2, along with examples like Judas and Demas, to illustrate how individuals can exhibit…

The seed falling on stony ground, springing up quickly but having 'no root,' illustrates a profession of faith that lacks vital union with Christ and withers under tribulation.

Well it could be. It could be tragic. Notice what it says to these people they anon that is immediately with joy they receive it salvation comes and their hearts open up like a flower to the sun and they say ah that's what I want and they lay hold of it just like that seed that fell upon the stony ground a little bit of earth and then a shelf of rock beneath it sprang up almost immediately germinated very quickly and there was a stalk coming up to the ground but now notice the next verse yet hath he no root in himself but endureth for a while for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because...

25:15 - 26:09 Read in full sermon

Driving home: We will never understand the biblical doctrine of the perseverance of the saints if we simply stop with the first principle all who are joined to Christ will be glorified and there some stop so everybody that makes a pro…

The analogy from Hebrews 6 of earth receiving rain and producing either good herbs or thorns illustrates how the same spiritual influences can lead to different outcomes, distinguishing true salvation from mere outward experience.

Hebrews chapter 6 he is exhorting these people to go on to spiritual maturity not to go back and lay again old foundations and he describes a certain class of people in Hebrews 6 verses 4 through 6 notice for it is impossible for those who were once enlightened they were enlightened the truth has come and burst upon the mind and have tasted of the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost they have experienced something of the operations of the Spirit and have tasted the good word of God doesn't say anything about digesting it assimilating it but they have tasted it and it is tas...

27:10 - 28:40 Read in full sermon

Driving home: We will never understand the biblical doctrine of the perseverance of the saints if we simply stop with the first principle all who are joined to Christ will be glorified and there some stop so everybody that makes a pro…

The proverbs from 2 Peter 2 about a dog returning to its vomit and a sow to her wallowing in the mire illustrate those who escape worldly pollutions but revert to their old nature, never having been truly changed.

entangled therein and he says the proverb is fulfilled the dog still a dog though found in the company of the sheep of God will eventually go back to his vomit and the sow though apparently adorning the likeness of the sheep of God will go back to her wall in the mire what is this but people who tasted the good word of God have received it with joy and have many apparent evidences of life the apostle Paul was concerned for the Thessalonians lest many of these would prove to be stony ground here and so you have the clear teaching of Holy Scripture and then you have the clear examples of men lik...

30:08 - 31:37 Read in full sermon

Driving home: We will never understand the biblical doctrine of the perseverance of the saints if we simply stop with the first principle all who are joined to Christ will be glorified and there some stop so everybody that makes a pro…

The examples of Judas (who betrayed Christ despite performing miracles) and Demas (who forsook Paul for love of the world) are used to show that even close association with Christ or apostles does not guarantee true salvation.

entangled therein and he says the proverb is fulfilled the dog still a dog though found in the company of the sheep of God will eventually go back to his vomit and the sow though apparently adorning the likeness of the sheep of God will go back to her wall in the mire what is this but people who tasted the good word of God have received it with joy and have many apparent evidences of life the apostle Paul was concerned for the Thessalonians lest many of these would prove to be stony ground here and so you have the clear teaching of Holy Scripture and then you have the clear examples of men lik...

30:08 - 31:37 Read in full sermon

Driving home: We will never understand the biblical doctrine of the perseverance of the saints if we simply stop with the first principle all who are joined to Christ will be glorified and there some stop so everybody that makes a pro…

Bunyan's character from 'The Pilgrim's Progress' who was 'a fair and flourishing professor' but fell away, illustrates the tragic reality of apostasy and the loss of assurance due to sin.

when he described the man in the iron cage you remember in the house of the interpreter he comes and finds this man in this iron cage with his eyes downcast and looked of despair upon him and he asks him who he is and his answer is classic I'll never forget those words I am not now what I once was I once was a fair and flourishing professor not professor in the university we'd say a fair and flourishing Christian I confess Christ but he said I laid the reins upon the neck of my lust and I left off to watch and pray and God hath given me up and denied me repentance that's a frightful thing frig...

31:37 - 33:06 Read in full sermon