The Christian's Role Identified

In this part of the sermon: Pastor Martin begins with a personal explanation for his injury, emphasizing the importance of children having a realistic view of God and His servants. He then leads a prayer…

Martin shares a personal anecdote about tearing his calf muscle while trying to play softball with children, explaining why he couldn't interact with them as planned. This illustrates his desire to be approachable and Christ-like to children, and his acceptance of God's providence.

For the rest of you an explanation, I had fully intended to spend more time there and to get acquainted with more of you. I'm thankful for the many that I was able to meet and speak to during the eating time. And then I was especially desirous to go down with the children and to pitch the ball to them and then engage in an instant little game of softball for several reasons. Many of these children, all they know about Pastor Martin is that man that booms over Mommy and Daddy's cassette recorder.

0:00 - 0:36 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Expounding Romans 12:1-2a, Martin urges believers not to be 'fashioned' or 'squeezed into the mold' of this wicked age, which includes its intellectual perversity, moral…

Martin uses the analogy of an artist fashioning a painting to conform to objects on a table to explain the verb 'be not fashioned' in Romans 12:2. This illustrates how the world seeks to reproduce its standards and mindset in believers.

And the verb itself is the kind of verb you would use if you were describing what an artist were doing if he or she had placed a few apples and pears on a table and then a beautifully colored vase or vase, whatever you say out here in the West Coast. We ordinary people back in Connecticut, we said vase. It was the uppities in New York that said vase. So whether it's vase or vase, there on the table, you have a couple of apples and pears and a vase or vase.

15:48 - 16:24 Read in full sermon

Driving home: He recognized that every Christian by nature because of remaining sin is a scatterbrain. Yeah, we're all scatterbrains because of remaining sin.

Martin uses the ancient practice of 'girding up the loins' (tying up robes for activity) to explain Peter's command to 'gird up the loins of your mind.' This illustrates the need for mental discipline and focus on reality for Christians.

And he has said that those privileges will come to their fullest expression and glorious consummation at the return of the Lord Jesus. In other words, all the glorious things we have now, the best is yet to come. And that being true, now he says, wherefore, girding up the loins of your mind, and he's using a figure of speech. If you and I were living in Palestinian days, and went out to have a ball game this afternoon, we wouldn't have put on shorts, or put on our putter pants.

22:48 - 23:26 Read in full sermon

Driving home: He recognized that every Christian by nature because of remaining sin is a scatterbrain. Yeah, we're all scatterbrains because of remaining sin.

Martin uses the example of a drunk man who thinks he's Napoleon but is actually snoring in a car to explain what it means to 'be sober' – to be in touch with reality, not somber.

Yeah, we're all scatterbrains because of remaining sin. He says, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober. It doesn't mean be somber in a sad sack. To be sober means you're in touch with reality.

24:11 - 24:24 Read in full sermon

The point: Think God's thoughts after Him in every area of life, asking if an activity is God-centered and if you would want Christ present.

Martin uses the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a moth or butterfly to illustrate the meaning of 'be transformed' in Romans 12:2. This conveys the idea of a radical change in form from worldly patterns to God's will.

Now you know what this word means? This word means to be changed as to form. And the best way I know to illustrate it is this. You kids know this. You've either seen it or you've learned it in school, that that cocoon that holds a caterpillar, when that caterpillar changes to a moth or to a butterfly,

45:47 - 46:13 Read in full sermon

The point: Think God's thoughts after Him in every area of life, asking if an activity is God-centered and if you would want Christ present.

Martin recounts an experience at the post office where a clerk used a machine to test a twenty-dollar bill for counterfeiting. This illustrates the word 'prove' in Romans 12:2, meaning to test something and then approve it when it passes the test, applying it to discerning God's will.

I recently had a new experience in our little local post office. I went down to buy some stamps and I handed the man a twenty dollar bill. And rather than just put it in the drawer, he stuck it in a little machine and then he pulled it out again. And that little machine is a money tester to see whether it's counterfeit or genuine.

49:52 - 50:16 Read in full sermon

The point: Do all things without murmurings and questionings, living out your theology that God is on His throne and working all things for your good.

Martin uses the example of ancient Israel murmuring against Moses and God for manna and desiring flesh. This illustrates the meaning of 'murmurings' or 'grousing' in Philippians 2:14, showing the negative consequences of complaining.

It's the word used of ancient Israel. They murmured. This guy Moses brought us out of the desert and he's going to kill us.

56:54 - 57:01 Read in full sermon

The point: In the day-by-day, nitty-gritty details of everyday life, become blameless and harmless children of God without blemish, shining as lights in the world.

Martin shares his personal experience with severe acne as a teenager, feeling that everyone noticed his 'zits.' This illustrates the concept of being 'without blemish' in Philippians 2:15, meaning to live without obvious spiritual flaws that discredit one's Christian witness.

In everything, do all things without murmurings and questionings that you may become children of God without blemish. No large zit on the face of your spiritual image. That's what he's saying. You see, you see someone with a boil on his ear or a boil on his elbow.

61:04 - 61:33 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The darker the night, the more brilliant does the star sparkle and burn and shine. That's my role.

Martin tells a story of him and a friend giving up their airplane seats so a Pakistani family could sit together, resulting in them being upgraded to business class. This illustrates how small acts of Christian kindness can lead to unexpected blessings and make believers 'shine as lights'.

That's my role. That's my role. Let me give you a little example of how it works. You get on an airplane.

66:20 - 66:29 Read in full sermon

The point: Do daily tasks, even mundane ones like washing diapers or ironing, with joy, believing that herein you honor God.

Martin recounts a stewardess's cynical reaction when he shared about his long, happy marriage. This illustrates how a consistent, godly marriage can shine as a light and witness in a world that has lost hope in such relationships.

When I tell people most of my opportunities to witness on airplanes in particular come when I tell people I've been married for going on for 36 years and it gets better and better all the time. And they look at me. I had one stewardess. She got cynical.

70:20 - 70:34 Read in full sermon

The point: Be holy in all manner of living, asking what reflects the character and likeness of God in every facet of your life and relationships.

Martin reflects on how he bears the physical likeness of his parents, changing over time but always reflecting his family. This illustrates the theological point that God's children are called to bear His likeness, to be holy as He is holy, in every aspect of their lives.

Unless by an accident or by surgery I should have the basic features of my face changed, from my infancy to my grave, I bear the likeness of my parents. Now I bore it in a different way when I was younger and they called me Sonny. My name was Sonny till I was 21. And I used to be amazed how perfect strangers could walk up and know my name.

75:37 - 76:03 Read in full sermon

The point: Reflect the God of truth in everyday situations, like returning extra change, even if people think you are crazy.

Martin gives the example of a Christian returning extra change at the supermarket, explaining it's because their God is an honest God. This illustrates how everyday actions, reflecting God's character, make believers shine as lights.

Though they put down the knowledge that they have of me through general revelation and though they won't read their Bibles, they can't avoid you in the supermarket. So when you get extra change that didn't come to you, you reflect the God of truth by saying, I'm sorry, ma'am. You gave me $3.23 too much.

77:05 - 77:23 Read in full sermon