Testimony of a Christian (Albert N. Martin - 11/24/1974)

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces the sermon by comparing baptism to a wedding day, a public declaration of a prior commitment to Jesus Christ, emphasizing that it signifies an established…

Baptism is likened to a wedding day, a formal, public declaration of a prior, personal commitment and union, illustrating its significance as a visible testimony to an established relationship with Christ.

You are aware this is a very special day in the life history of our own congregation and in a very special, special way, the life history of some of the individuals within our congregation. For in a very real sense, this is, to some amongst us, what a wedding day is to a bride or to a groom.

0:04 - 0:28 Read in full sermon

Driving home: If you miss me and are in my church, you'll never make it. You may, in bypassing me, end up in my sacraments, the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper. You may end up in association with my people. You may end up …

The role of an ambassador in re-establishing negotiations between two countries illustrates Christ's exclusive role as the 'one mediator' between sinful humanity and a holy God, emphasizing that bypassing Him leads to total breakdown.

he went back to the right hand of the Father where he sits today. And the Apostle says there is only one mediator. If you are ever to get from your sinful state into the presence of the Holy God, you are going to have to have direct dealings with the only go-between, Jesus Christ. When countries are no longer unnegotiable, and they are seeking to re-establish negotiations, country A will appoint man number one to be its ambassador to make the initial approaches to country B. Country B is informed if you are to have any dealings with us in the future, you must listen to man number one who comes...

28:54 - 29:53 Read in full sermon

The point: Reflect if Jesus Christ is your gladly owned Master, and if you can happily identify as His bondslave.

The joyful countenance of a bride promising to love, honor, and obey her husband illustrates how the love of Christ conquers a sinner's heart, leading to glad, not grudging, submission to Him as Master.

His love is conquered. You see, there is no conquest. There is no conquest like the conquest of love. In the past two years, 23 times, we've heard the words, I so and so take thee to be my God-given husband.

50:25 - 50:40 Read in full sermon

Driving home: I'm not what I once was. I'm not all I want to be, and I'm not all I'm going to be, but I'm not what I once was. I'm a new man in Christ.

Martin shares his personal experience of once finding boredom in being with God's people but now enjoying it, despite their faults, as evidence of his own transformation and new relationship to the saints.

I say, Lord, what in the world am I doing here?

53:28 - 53:30 Read in full sermon

The point: Assess if you have a new relationship to God, His Son, His people, and His Word.

He describes the church building as a 'converted gin mill and dance hall' that once reeked of stale beer, highlighting that its attractiveness now comes from seeing Christ in His children, not its physical structure.

Why? They don't have a lot of money. They've got a kinky old building that doesn't hold us all. Converted gin mill and dance hall, that's all it is.

55:01 - 55:11 Read in full sermon