Gleanings from the Olivet Discourse, Part 1

In this part of the sermon: Martin reviews the overall structure of Mark 13 using a 'sandwich' analogy: an introduction (vv. 1-4), three main themes (general characteristics of the inter-advental period…

The sermon's title and central metaphor, 'gleanings,' is explained by referencing the Old Testament law of gleaning (Leviticus 19:10, Deuteronomy 24:19-22) and the story of Ruth, illustrating the idea of returning to a harvested field to pick up valuable remnants.

And if I were to be under pressure to give a title to this morning's sermon, the title I would give it would be this, The importance, important gleanings from the Olivet Discourse. Important gleanings from the Olivet Discourse. Now, you children, you know what gleanings are, don't you? At least in two places in the Old Testament, God had clearly mandated what we might call a law of gleaning.

3:25 - 3:58 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin reviews the overall structure of Mark 13 using a 'sandwich' analogy: an introduction (vv. 1-4), three main themes (general characteristics of the inter-advental period…

The structure of Mark 13 is likened to a sandwich with a top slice (introduction), a bottom slice (conclusion), and three pieces of 'luncheon meat' in between (the three main themes), to help the congregation remember the outline.

verses 32, verses 31 to the end of the chapter, I'm not sorry, verse 28 to the end of the chapter, and in between, three main headings. So you have an introduction, three points, and a conclusion. Sounds like good homiletics to me. Or, to change the imagery, for some of you who may be hungry, and you can't think of discourses, but you can think of a sandwich, the top slice of bread is the introduction, verses 1 to 4.

6:04 - 6:32 Read in full sermon

The point: Don't be paralyzed into non-activity by fear of events around us.

Martin shares reading about Pakistan's commitment to make Islam the official religion, and how this disruptive event made him think of missionaries Arif and Kathy, reinforcing the need to continue gospel work despite international tensions.

I read in my Insight magazine two weeks ago of the recent formal intensification of the...

24:54 - 25:04 Read in full sermon

The point: Don't be paralyzed into non-activity by fear of events around us.

Martin laments seeing respected theologians 'waffling' on issues like the charismatic movement, women in church office, and scripture, using this as an example of internal church disruptions that could paralyze believers but should not.

You see, dear people, when we hear of wars and rumors of wars and militant Islamic movements throughout the world, and the old whore of Rome painted up and dressed up in 20th century finery, looking more attractive than ever to the undiscerning, there is enough to paralyze us. And then when we see good and godly men, some of us have lived long enough, men that we once looked upon as perceptive theologians, and I don't speak of anyone in our immediate circle of contacts in our churches, but men...

26:02 - 26:43 Read in full sermon

The point: Don't be diverted into secondary issues (e.g., political activism, exposing false teachers as a primary task).

Martin describes Pope John Paul II as a 'masterful manipulator' and 'astute actor' who studied acting, using this to illustrate the deceptive nature of false teachers and the need for discernment.

I'm grieved when I know how many thousands follow Sung Yung Moon. I'm grieved when I see Pope John going around like a pied piper. You know he did study to be an actor for two years before he became a priest and I tell you he could have had an accident. You know he did study to be an actor for two years before he became a priest.

30:51 - 31:09 Read in full sermon

The point: Don't be diverted into secondary issues (e.g., political activism, exposing false teachers as a primary task).

Martin compares Gorbachev's smile and his wife's modern appearance to the deceptive nature of appearances, warning against being fooled by superficial changes in political figures, linking it to the broader theme of not being diverted by secondary issues.

And I'm grieved when I see people thinking Rome is essentially different. Just as I'm grieved by that actor who sits at the head of the Kremlin, Gorbachev.

31:16 - 31:26 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin applies the first gleaning by urging believers not to be paralyzed by fear of world events (e.g., militant Islam, Roman Catholicism), not to be intimidated into silence by…

Martin critiques the 'Washington for Jesus in '88' event, quoting its leaders' statements about 'putting Satan on notice' and uniting with Catholics, as an example of organized Christian activity that diverts from the gospel and compromises doctrinal distinctives.

The answer is not to gather with everyone who names the name of Christ in Washington and have a big to-do and serve the government. Notice, I read from the July 88 edition, of the Chalcedon Report, number 276, somewhere between a quarter and a half of a million people gathered for 24 hours this spring in Washington, called Washington for Jesus in 88. And you know what they proclaimed?

33:36 - 34:10 Read in full sermon

The point: Commit as a church to the proclamation of the gospel to the ends of the earth, come what may.

Martin recounts being asked to speak at a high-profile pro-life conference with Surgeon General Koop but declining because he feared being co-opted by the pro-life movement and diverted from the primary task of preaching the gospel, which addresses a 'worse murder' than abortion (spiritual death).

I faced a very real temptation some months ago that very few of you know about.

36:32 - 36:37 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains how Mark 13 demonstrates God's preservation of His elect: shortening the days of tribulation for their sake (v. 20), preventing them from being deceived by false…

Martin references R.C. Sproul's editorial arguing that true signs and wonders cannot be done by false messengers, then refutes this by citing biblical examples where God permits even evil figures to perform true miracles to test His people, reinforcing that God's elect cannot be deceived.

For the sake of his elect, he shortened the days. Then verse 22, even when he gives to false Christs and false prophets, the epiphany, the ability to produce true signs and wonders. And the Bible makes it clear. R.C. Sproul, notwithstanding,

46:31 - 46:52 Read in full sermon

The point: Find confidence in ministry from the doctrine of election, knowing that God will call His elect despite opposition.

The dramatic conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus is used as a vivid illustration of God's sovereign power to break down rebellion and call His elect, providing confidence for gospel ministers.

some thought that eventually I can wear you down. No, my confidence in a moment, God can break you down and bring you bleeding, broken to the feet of his Son. Who would have thought that morning when Saul of Tarsus, with such graphic language, and that doesn't bother me to use graphic imagery and preaching. It's all through the Bible. It says Saul was breathing out threatenings and slaughters. I like to think of those

57:26 - 57:55 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: This gleaning offers immense consolation to Christ himself in his suffering, comfort to his followers amidst trials, and confidence to his servants in their ministry, knowing that…

Martin uses the examples of sending Arif and his family back to Pakistan and Steve Dixon's ministry in the Philippines to illustrate the confidence missionaries have in God's election, knowing their labor is not in vain because God has His elect in those places.

people. And that's what gives us confidence. That's why we can send our brother Aleph and his family back to Pakistan. It's not that things are favorable in the present governmental structure. It's not that the winds are blowing favorably in the present climate to

59:00 - 59:18 Read in full sermon