Sequel to the Deliverance of God

Driving home: See how rich God is in mercy to those that call upon Him in truth, and how often He outdoes the prayers and expectations of His people.

Explains 'prodigality' through examples of excessive praise or providing an extravagant meal, then applies it to God's nature of giving 'exceeding abundantly' beyond what is asked or thought.

True, but certainly not unto edification. Oh, but what a wonderful, wonderful manifestation of the tremendous principle of Scripture, that which I would call the prodigality of God. We say that a certain man was prodigal in the praise that he heaped upon some. And what we mean is he was excessive in his praise.

12:16 - 12:40 Read in full sermon

The point: Recognize that what appears to be an unreasonable or unjust providence in your pursuit of obedience is often God's design to enrich you.

An anecdote about a liberal church that received $600,000 from insurance after a fire and another $200,000 from a wealthy donor, spending a million dollars on 'foolishness' like expensive chandeliers, contrasting it with the struggles of a truth-preaching church.

As we've pursued our obedience to the Word of God, imperfectly and at times, with a measure of zeal that is a cause of shame and confession to God. But by the grace of God as we as a church have pursued obedience to the Word, seeking to be reformed in every area of life by the Word of God, seeking to conform every facet of church life, worship, discipline, prayer, family life, work life, as we seek to bring under the scrutiny, of the Word of God, every area of life, individual, domestically, corporately. What's happened? God has brought upon us this unjust and this unkind providence. And those...

15:58 - 17:09 Read in full sermon

The point: Understand that God will not only answer prayer for needs but will fill your hands with bounty, enriching you with the spoils of spiritual conflict.

An anecdote about a church that 'plays church' buying land that tests well, while a serious church finds only 'mucky old clay' for their building, highlighting perceived injustices in providence.

You hear of that outfit that's not concerned with taking the Word of God seriously. They just want to play church and have a little bit of Jesus and a little bit of the Bible. And what happens? They buy a piece of land and when they do their test borings it reveals it's good land down as far as the test boring can go.

17:43 - 18:02 Read in full sermon

The point: Anticipate that the spoils of spiritual conflict will serve as monuments of God's power for future generations.

A hypothetical story of a grandchild asking about a 'funny looking vase' in her grandmother's tent, leading to the grandmother recounting God's mighty victory and how her grandpa carried that spoil from the battle, making the spoil a monument to God's power for future generations.

I mean, it was substantial stuff that had value. And there may have been in the midst of those things actual jewels and earrings and all the rest. Maybe a beautiful pan or pot of some kind. Can you imagine years ahead in the history of Israel when the little grandchild is visiting in the tent of her grandmother and she says, Nana, what's that funny looking vase over there?

21:31 - 21:56 Read in full sermon

The point: Periodically reflect on the nature of true worship, ensuring that aesthetics or physical buildings do not become a carnal substitute for worship by the Spirit.

The biblical account of Israel taking stones from the middle of the Jordan River to create a monument, used to illustrate God's desire for physical markers of His deliverance for future generations, like a father explaining the stones to his son.

I didn't say that. I didn't say that. Could it be that? That's all. That's all I'm saying. Could it be that? Could it be that? Because is not this the way God works in history? You remember that when he brought his people through the swollen Jordan River, what did God say before he pushed the waters back on one another? He said, hey, fellas, just a minute. Now that you're through, I got one more job for you. I want you to go back in the middle of the river, pull up some stones right from the middle and pile them on the other side of Jordan. Well, that's a strange thing. That's a strange thing ...

37:11 - 37:54 Read in full sermon

The point: Periodically reflect on the nature of true worship, ensuring that aesthetics or physical buildings do not become a carnal substitute for worship by the Spirit.

A proposed annual exercise for the church to meet in a high school auditorium to remind themselves that true worship is not dependent on a beautiful building, but on the Spirit, and to teach children the history of God's provision.

But my mind has been thinking down the road, and I've said I haven't shared this with the other elders yet to ask what they think about it. But I want to propose to them that when we get in our new facility, that we, we direct that for at least two Sundays a year, we move out of it. If it's out there in Montville, that we get permission to use the auditorium of the high school, two Sundays a year. In the first one, when we meet in an auditorium, what I want to do is to say to the people, now look at the basketball hoops, look at the striped floor, see the mats, we're in a gymnasium. Now, I wan...

40:21 - 41:12 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin warns against sentimental longing for intense spiritual days, explaining that God wisely gives periods of 'rest' and 'quiet' for the normal work of reformation and…

If Thanksgiving dinner were eaten every day, it would lose its specialness, illustrating why intense spiritual experiences cannot be sustained indefinitely without losing their impact.

Let me put it this way. If you had your Thanksgiving turkey dinner morning, noon and night, seven days a week, what would be so special about it on Thanksgiving?

55:35 - 55:44 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin warns against sentimental longing for intense spiritual days, explaining that God wisely gives periods of 'rest' and 'quiet' for the normal work of reformation and…

If a wife gave a passionate embrace every time her husband passed by, it would lose its meaning, further illustrating why special spiritual moments cannot be constant.

Well, what's true physically is true spiritually. I mean, if every single time I walk by my wife, she grabbed me and gave me a passionate embrace and told me she loved me. I mean, that's wonderful. I'm glad when she does that.

55:47 - 56:02 Read in full sermon

The point: Worship God faithfully even when physical conditions are uncomfortable or emotions are not stirred, because He is worthy to be praised.

The word 'slog' is used to describe the often unglamorous, persistent, day-to-day effort required in ministry and Christian living, emphasizing 'hanging in there'.

Have you ever heard the word slog? I never had until this past May, but oh, it's rung in my ears ever since. Pastor McLeod at the Leicester Ministers Conference, where I was privileged to minister in Scotland this past April, talked about the slog of the ministry. Much of the ministry is just that.

58:19 - 58:38 Read in full sermon