How the Unsaved Shall Not Prosper.

In this part of the sermon: Martin defines 'prosper' as to flourish, succeed, or thrive, using common examples. Crucially, he clarifies that in this text, 'prosper' does not refer to physical or economic…

Martin uses the analogy of a flourishing garden versus a scrubby, half-dead garden to explain the simple meaning of the word 'flourish' or 'prosper,' even for a child.

If we say, well, my garden is really flourishing this summer, we mean all the plants that we planted are growing and growing well and bearing fruit. So the meaning of the word flourish is very obvious even to the children amongst us who perhaps could not give a technical definition, but if they went out...

4:56 - 5:13 Read in full sermon

The point: When conscience brings accusation, you must either try to stifle its mouth by covering sin, or flee to the fountain open for sin and uncleanness.

Martin vividly describes an accusing conscience as 'the worst companion in all the world,' emphasizing its tormenting nature in life and as 'the hell of hells in hell.'

Like it or not, that's as much a part of your humanity as the nose on your face. Now, when we transgress and conscience is active with respect to that transgression, and then we cover that sin, you know what we do the moment we do that? We bring into our companionship the worst companion in all the world, an accusing conscience. The worst companion in all the world is an accusing conscience.

10:47 - 11:17 Read in full sermon

The point: When conscience brings accusation, you must either try to stifle its mouth by covering sin, or flee to the fountain open for sin and uncleanness.

The story of Adam in the Garden of Eden is used as an example of how an accusing conscience leads to hiding from God and disharmony in human relationships (with Eve).

The accusing, uncleansed conscience is a radical influence, both with reference to our dealings with God and with our fellow men. Do you remember in the Garden of Eden? The moment Adam had an accusing conscience, what happened? Instead of running to God, he ran where?

13:58 - 14:14 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The sermon transitions to the 'now' of non-prosperity, focusing on the inescapable reality of an accusing conscience for those who cover sin. Martin describes an accusing…

Martin uses the observation of 'shifty-eyed' young people who cannot look their parents or elders in the eye as an analogy for the discomfort caused by an accusing conscience before God and His image-bearers.

Listen. You know why some of you young people are so shifty-eyed? You can't even look your mom and dad straight in the eyeballs back to the retina. You know why you're so shifty-eyed with your elders?

14:52 - 15:03 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Woven into the fabric of man's manness was his capacity for and his enjoyment of fellowship with God. That's as much a part of true humanity as knows and is mine.

Martin uses the example of people needing multiple cocktails to numb themselves to the real world as an illustration of the desperation that arises from lacking access to God in prayer and the ability to unburden one's heart.

communion with the living God. You will have no valid access to God in prayer. How can a man or woman be a part of that? How can a man or woman be a part of that? How can a man or woman be a part of that? How can a man or woman be a part of that? How can a man or woman live this life? Who cannot come to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need? I do not marvel that people have to belt down three or four cocktails at lunch and another three or four at night, keep themselves half numb to the real world. Why? If there's no access to the throne of grace where we c...

16:52 - 17:40 Read in full sermon