In Living the Christian Life

Colossians 3:1-4 Back to Basics at the Beginning of a New Year (1997)

In this New Year's sermon, Pastor Martin expounds Colossians 3:1-4 and Hebrews 12:1-3, urging believers to fix their minds directly upon Jesus Christ in three crucial areas. First, in living the Christian life, by repudiating the tyranny of communication technology and diligently engaging with God's Word and prayer. Second, in navigating the upcoming leadership transition at Trinity Baptist Church, remembering Christ's unwavering commitment to nourish and cherish His church. Third, in responding to unfolding world events, though this point is deferred to a subsequent sermon.

3 illustrations in this sermon

Biblical Basis for Fixing Your Mind on Jesus in Christian Living (Hebrews 12)

compare analogy

Christian Life as a Marathon Race

In this part of the sermon: He expounds Hebrews 12:1-3, likening the Christian life to a race that requires laying aside weights and sin, and running with patience by 'looking unto Jesus' as the author and…

The Christian life is likened to running a marathon, not a sprint, emphasizing the need for patience and endurance to reach the end, with Christ as the goal.

primarily in the sense that they're watching us, but they bear their testimony to the blessedness of not turning back, but of clinging to the living God and to His Son in persevering faith. Since we have such a cloud of those who bear witness that this is not a fool's errand, it is worthwhile to suffer privation, it's worthwhile to even suffer martyrdom, for this can only chase us up, therefore, let us also, since we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which does so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before u...

15:46 - 16:57 Read in full sermon

compare analogy

Running with Bulky Clothing

An athlete running in winter parka, snow boots, and a backpack illustrates the hindrance of 'weights and sin' in the Christian race, making it impossible to run well.

But if we're to do that, He says there is a precondition to running, and there is to be a mental fixation as we run. Look at the precondition. Verse 1, lay aside, every weight, every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily beset us, let us run. You can't run well in that race if you've got on your winter parka, your snow boots, and a backpack.

18:27 - 19:08 Read in full sermon

Christ's Unchanging Commitment to His Church (Ephesians 5 & Joshua 1)

format_quote quotation

A.W. Tozer on Moses' Death

The point: Demonstrate that you had no idolatrous attachment to or evaluation of Albert N. Martin's place in the life of Trinity Church.

Martin quotes A.W. Tozer's insight on Joshua 1: 'Nothing of God dies when a man of God dies,' applying it to the church leadership transition to emphasize Christ's enduring presence.

Dr. A.W. Tozer man of beloved memory with great spiritual insight.

54:24 - 54:30 Read in full sermon

headphones Listen to full sermon