National and International Events

The point: Repudiate the tyranny of communication technology that causes addiction and hinders communion with Christ.

Communication technology is described as a 'thick fog' that blankets lives, causing an addiction to being bombarded with sights and sounds, as absorbing as heroin or crack cocaine to a junkie, hindering meditative thought.

Heart communion with Christ I asserted we will not do it unless we repudiate the tyranny of the communication technology technology that blankets our lives like a thick fog a tyranny that causes an addiction to being bombarded with sights and sounds that becomes as all absorbing as heroin or crack. Coke to the wasted junkie and I believe that there's some of you sitting here that this fog envelops you and to think of sitting for 15 minutes without a picture in front of you or a sound dimming in your ears is a form of torture meditate how can I disengage my mind to meditate when it is in this w...

5:29 - 6:31 Read in full sermon

The point: Repudiate the tyranny of communication technology that causes addiction and hinders communion with Christ.

Congregants, including some who work in communication corporations, confessed how subtly they fell into addiction, where the computer screen now distracts from prayer and Bible study, illustrating the pervasive nature of the 'tyranny'.

Of having to be bombarded with sounds and sights very interesting a number of you spoke to me as you went out Sunday morning Sunday night and you said pastor you're right you haven't overstated the issue some of them who earned their bread from one of these major communication corporations and then confessed how they recognize. That they came into this addiction so subtly where once they went to the place of prayer and Bible study with no distraction there's the face of the computer say look at me check the weather look at me check the major events of the world you don't want to be irresponden...

6:31 - 7:36 Read in full sermon

The point: Make a real effort to put into practice resolutions to disengage from technology.

Those who resist disengaging from technology are warned they will be 'stunted, shriveled Christians' bringing little glory to God, illustrating the spiritual consequences of this addiction.

Have you made a. Real effort to put into practice the resolutions you made sitting here last Lord's Day if you have I'm ready to play profit and say you didn't realize how strong the addiction was did you you thought oh well I'll just it has become such an ingrained pattern and there are others of you who sit there saying let the old man rant and rave I have my. Christian liberty. Yes and you know what time will show if you're a Christian at all you'll be a stunted shriveled Christian who brings little glory to God and little usefulness to his kingdom five ten years from now. Dear people I say...

7:38 - 8:40 Read in full sermon

The point: In the strength of God and name of Christ, resist the tyranny of technology so you can fix your mind on your Savior and run the race with endurance.

Martin imagines a future scenario where a congregant, ten years later, confesses regret for resisting his counsel, seeing their 'shriveled useless life' as a monument to their hard-heartedness, emphasizing the long-term spiritual cost.

This will not tyrannize you will not be one who can fix the eyes of your mind upon your savior and therefore you will not run with endurance the race set before you you will not in gazing upon Christ be increasingly conformed to his likeness you will not be walking. As he walked. It will grieve me no end if I live long enough and you live long enough and you haven't apostatized for some of you to come to me ten years from now and say pastor I heard you but I resented it and I resisted it and now I see my shriveled useless life is a monument to the reality that you sought to get through to my.

8:40 - 9:42 Read in full sermon

The point: Fix your eyes upon Jesus in all church leadership changes, remembering Christ's gifts are never intended to be a Christ for the church.

W. Tozer's words, 'Nothing of God dies when a man of God dies,' are quoted and adapted to emphasize that Christ alone is the church's head, not any human leader, providing comfort during leadership transitions.

Are never intended to be a Christ for the church Christ alone is Christ to his church it's life prophet priest king master and Lord then I reminded you of that principle in the book of Joshua where God says to Joshua Moses my servant is dead now therefore go and possess the land. And. W. Tozer's words that have lived with me for decades nothing of God dies when a man of God dies and I gave my version of that nothing of God leaves the church when a man of God leaves the church we've seen in Revelation 2 and 3 Christ leaves the church only when persistent sin drives him out of the church and it'...

10:57 - 11:57 Read in full sermon

The point: Fix the gaze of your mind's eye upon Jesus with respect to national and international events as they unfold.

Martin recalls President Roosevelt announcing the attack on Pearl Harbor and the declaration of war, contrasting the fear with a past sense of 'national stability and tons of common grace' compared to the current 'nation gone mad'.

It is not an irresponsible indulgence in overblown rhetoric or carnal pessimism to say that in a frightening way we've entered this new year in a nation and in a world gone mad. I can remember the day President Roosevelt announced the attack upon Pearl Harbor and the declaration. Of war frightening frightening remembering the reports of the dark days in Britain in some of the fields of battle across the ocean but there were such marks of national stability and tons of common grace as I think of the fabric of our national life now it's a nation gone mad. We think of the. State of the world.

13:00 - 14:16 Read in full sermon

Driving home: A baby in its mother's womb is no more that mother's body than the piece of a leg of lamb in my belly is my leg.

The example of people passionately fighting to preserve bear and deer populations while regarding efforts to preserve unborn babies as a 'horrible crime' illustrates the 'madness' of the nation's moral and ethical consensus.

The indications of this in our nature. Nation, just reading this passage and the few comments, but think of it. Here in our own state, people fighting with passion to preserve the intrusive bear and deer population that threatens human life, spreads Lyme disease and makes that disease the most prevalent. We have the most prevalent incidence of it of any state in the country.

19:00 - 19:29 Read in full sermon

Driving home: A baby in its mother's womb is no more that mother's body than the piece of a leg of lamb in my belly is my leg.

A baby in the womb is compared to a 'piece of a leg of lamb in my belly' to argue that it is not part of the mother's body, but 'flesh external to me,' challenging the pro-choice argument.

Madness. A baby in its mother's womb is no more that mother's body than the piece of a leg of lamb in my belly is my leg.

19:49 - 19:58 Read in full sermon

Driving home: A baby in its mother's womb is no more that mother's body than the piece of a leg of lamb in my belly is my leg.

The Roe v. Wade decision, which led to 50 million abortions, is linked to the insolvency of Social Security, arguing that the nation 'killed the hands that would have labored to keep it solvent,' highlighting a consequence of moral madness.

Thirty-five years, the end of this month, since the infamous, twisting of the intent of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in the Roe v. Wade decision that has killed off 50 million babies plus. And then the same nation wrings its hands. Social security won't be solvent.

20:33 - 20:56 Read in full sermon

Driving home: A baby in its mother's womb is no more that mother's body than the piece of a leg of lamb in my belly is my leg.

The pressure to abolish the death penalty for capital offenses, deeming lethal injection 'cruel and unusual punishment' for rapists and murderers, is presented as 'moral madness' that contradicts God's command.

Pressure state after state to abolish the death penalty for capital offenses. Judging lethal injection to be cruel and unusual punishment. For men who set their lustful eyes on little girls. And raped them.

21:15 - 21:34 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin critiques the shameless arrogance of political candidates, comparing them to Nebuchadnezzar, and laments the lack of acknowledgment of God's sovereignty amidst national…

The story of King Nebuchadnezzar's boastful pride in Daniel 4, followed by his humbling, is used as an example of the 'shameless arrogance' displayed by contemporary political candidates.

In my own Old Testament devotional reading. I'm presently in the book of Daniel. And here Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar you remember speaks in this way.

23:13 - 23:23 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin critiques the shameless arrogance of political candidates, comparing them to Nebuchadnezzar, and laments the lack of acknowledgment of God's sovereignty amidst national…

Political candidates are compared to Santa Claus, but making promises that 'make Santa look like a stingy piker who offers only dimes while they offer bags of dollars,' illustrating their unrealistic and self-aggrandizing claims.

I will put this economy on track. And then they make Santa Claus like. Promises that make Santa look like a stingy piker. Who offers only dimes.

24:28 - 24:40 Read in full sermon

Driving home: All authority. In heaven and upon earth. Has been given. Unto me. Said Jesus.

The hypothetical scenario of three murderers unable to enter a home without 'King Jesus giving them the key' illustrates Christ's absolute sovereignty and control over all events, even evil ones.

Three murderers. Could not enter that home.

39:17 - 39:21 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Men can't even kill themselves when they want to. Unless Jesus who holds the key ring says. Amen. Put it in the lock. You're done.

The death of a 31-year-old man from cancer is presented as not having 'slipped through the administrative scepter of King Jesus,' but rather as a 'marvelous mysterious advance' for his kingdom, emphasizing Christ's sovereignty over death.

And King Jesus knows precisely how. That was no retreat for the work of his kingdom. But a marvelous mysterious advance. A 31 year old man.

39:30 - 39:46 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Men can't even kill themselves when they want to. Unless Jesus who holds the key ring says. Amen. Put it in the lock. You're done.

Jesus is depicted standing before John with a 'key chain' rattling the keys of hell and death, illustrating his ultimate authority and control over life and death, even to the point that 'men can't even kill themselves when they want to unless Jesus... says, Amen.'

No. When he stands before John. He has a key chain. And he rattles the keys.

39:59 - 40:05 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin contrasts the world's madness with the hope found in Christ's reigning monarchy and his ongoing work of gathering his people. He emphasizes that this perspective provides…

Political candidates are again compared to 'gods' whose assumed attributes 'make Santa Claus look weak,' further emphasizing their hubris and the folly of trusting in them.

To see people sitting there. Looking at these gods. Who assume attributes that make Santa Claus look weak. Santa Claus.

40:38 - 40:48 Read in full sermon

The point: Be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, who was made sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Martin describes his preaching of the gospel to the unconverted as 'stoking the fires of hell' for them if they do not repent, illustrating the grave responsibility and consequence of hearing the gospel without responding.

Every gospel sermon you hear. If it doesn't issue in your repentance. And union with Christ by faith. I am stoking the fires.

46:28 - 46:37 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Every gospel sermon you hear. If it doesn't issue in your repentance. And union with Christ by faith. I am stoking the fires. Of hell for you.

Martin contemplates withholding earnest pleading from the unconverted, hoping that the absence of entreaty might 'frighten them' into realizing God might 'just leave me alone in my unbelief and impenitence,' illustrating the danger of persistent rejection.

And there's no pleading. No earnest entreaty. Maybe just the fact that it doesn't come. Will frighten them.

46:47 - 46:55 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin concludes with a prayer of thanksgiving for God's providence and Christ's reigning monarchy amidst national and international madness. He prays for grace to live…

The visions given to a pagan king (Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel) predicting the rise and fall of empires (Babylon, Medo-Persian, Greek, Roman) are cited to demonstrate God's unwavering sovereignty over nations and history.

Who overturns the nations. Who dares to stick his neck out. Through the visions given to a pagan king. Predicting.

50:40 - 50:51 Read in full sermon