Interview with Albert Martin

The point: Pray for Pastor Martin and his family, remembering their openness about personal struggles.

Martin humorously describes forgetting the interview format and preparing for a sermon, illustrating his age and setting a lighthearted tone.

Forgive me. I had a senior moment. I forgot that that Rich and I had agreed that this would be conducted as a kind of interview. And I was getting my little portable podium there and he's looking at me very sweetly and accommodatingly.

0:00 - 0:13 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin recounts his upbringing in a godly home with limited biblical understanding, his early God-consciousness, and numerous 'decisions' in the Salvation Army that never…

Martin describes the regular 'Decision Sunday' in the Salvation Army and the 'penitent form' where he would make repeated, ultimately unfruitful, decisions for Christ as a child.

Because in the Salvation Army, every 13 weeks, they had what they called Decision Sunday. And they had something that looked like this thing. It's been moved to the side. They didn't call it an altar, but they called it a penitent form in the Salvation Army.

2:25 - 2:39 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin recounts his upbringing in a godly home with limited biblical understanding, his early God-consciousness, and numerous 'decisions' in the Salvation Army that never…

Martin states he would sooner defy a freight train than say 'no' to his father, illustrating the strict obedience and respect instilled in him.

I never once ever said the word no to my father. I would not have dared. I would have sooner dared to get in the way of an oncoming freight train and defy it to run me over than to say the word no to my father or speak disrespectfully to my mother. So they were faithful in dealing with me.

3:17 - 3:35 Read in full sermon

Driving home: And so here I had a sensitive conscience, the light of the gospel, but no heart that was united to Christ in faith and love.

Martin compares his many 'false starts' in conversion to Braxton Hicks' false labor, illustrating that they felt real but produced no lasting spiritual fruit.

And so there were those many false starts. They're sort of like Braxton Hicks' false labor, ladies. You think this is the real thing and you've got nothing to show for it. And yet God was keeping my heart tender so that I remember when I came into my early teens, I used to resent the fact that my buddies could sin.

4:14 - 4:33 Read in full sermon

Driving home: And it was like he had his Bible open under God's nose and saying, God, you've got to do this.

Martin describes meeting a West Indian brother at a conference and forming a deep, prayer-forged friendship akin to Jonathan and David, illustrating the profound spiritual bond they shared.

And God saved him. And he and I met at a minister's conference. And on our knees, in my room, God gave us a Jonathan and David relationship. After a very lengthy series, a session of intense prayer, I'll never forget it.

8:05 - 8:20 Read in full sermon

Driving home: And it was like he had his Bible open under God's nose and saying, God, you've got to do this.

Martin describes his co-pastor's intense, Jacob-like wrestling with God in prayer, laying arguments before Him from Scripture, illustrating a powerful and persistent prayer life.

I remember one or two times peeking out of my eyes, he was so Jacob-like in wrestling with God, and laying his arguments before God. I almost half expected to see a theophany. I mean, I've never seen an angel or heard an angel. But when he'd get wrestling with God, Lord, have you not said?

8:55 - 9:14 Read in full sermon

The point: Reckon upon the reality of your union with Christ and determine, 'No, I am a new man in Christ. My members belong to Christ.'

Martin explains how Volume 6 of John Owen became central to his life by being a core text in a two-week ministry training module every three years, illustrating how deep study of a particular work can shape one's life and teaching.

And of course, certain books in a certain area leave a lasting impression. But probably in terms of seeking to live, a consistent Christian life, nothing has been more helpful than volume six of John Owen and his treatises on the mortification of sin, indwelling sin and temptation. And one of the ways God made that such a part of my life was every three years when we were training men for the ministry for 20 years, we would have a, we called it our intercession. It was a module taught between terms.

9:54 - 10:31 Read in full sermon

The point: If the newspaper keeps you from devotions, stop the newspaper. If the internet is a stumbling block, get rid of it.

Martin compares his weakness for pecan pie to a heroin junkie in front of drugs, illustrating the need to ruthlessly block occasions of sin, especially known weaknesses.

If we deliberately leave ourselves vulnerable to that which we know is a weakness for me, for example I have a good measure of discipline over all kinds of sweets. Someone can give us a cake or a pie and I can have a very little moderate piece that I know is within my caloric intake to keep healthy and it's no big deal. But once a year my wife makes me a pecan pie and I am in front of a pecan pie I am like a heroin junkie in front of a bag of white stuff. So, if it's something that's like pecan pie to me why go by it fall and have a bad conscience and have to repent honey hide the pecan pie an...

14:25 - 15:38 Read in full sermon

The point: If the newspaper keeps you from devotions, stop the newspaper. If the internet is a stumbling block, get rid of it.

Martin uses the example of the newspaper keeping someone from morning devotions to illustrate how seemingly innocuous things can be occasions of sin that must be cut off.

If we deliberately leave ourselves vulnerable to that which we know is a weakness for me, for example I have a good measure of discipline over all kinds of sweets. Someone can give us a cake or a pie and I can have a very little moderate piece that I know is within my caloric intake to keep healthy and it's no big deal. But once a year my wife makes me a pecan pie and I am in front of a pecan pie I am like a heroin junkie in front of a bag of white stuff. So, if it's something that's like pecan pie to me why go by it fall and have a bad conscience and have to repent honey hide the pecan pie an...

14:25 - 15:38 Read in full sermon

The point: If the newspaper keeps you from devotions, stop the newspaper. If the internet is a stumbling block, get rid of it.

Martin uses the internet as an example of a potential stumbling block, especially for pornography, illustrating the need for radical measures to avoid sin.

a stumbling block to me? Get rid of it. You men. Is the internet a stumbling block?

15:38 - 15:44 Read in full sermon

The point: Remember you have a stewardship of your body and are to glorify God in it; find what works for you to keep your body in optimum shape.

Martin compares his past involvement in competitive athletics to an alcoholic trying to have an occasional glass of wine, illustrating his need to completely unhook from it after conversion.

But when I read in James Dobson's magazine that over 40% I think it is of the pastors who call in on their hotline call in because they become addicted to pornography what makes me think that the ordinary layman is not tempted in the same way. So we've got to get ruthless with the things that our society says are necessary if they are an occasion of sin they are not necessary. And to deal with sin at every level in that way by the grace of God that's part of mortification and praying lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil and then fleeing the occasions of temptation. I have a pic...

16:45 - 18:13 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin discusses his approach to physical exercise, viewing it as stewardship of the body for God's glory. He shares his personal regimen, including running and weight training…

Martin describes his treadmill as a 'wonderful means of grace' where he listens to Scripture, prays, and works his cardiovascular system, illustrating how he integrates spiritual disciplines with physical exercise.

so over the years I've adjusted whatever I need to do to keep this instrument in optimum shape and in 91 I had knee surgery and the doctor said no more running on the street so I got a soft bed treadmill, put it in my basement and that's been a wonderful means of grace, I've listened through the scriptures, I don't know how many times I listen to tapes, on certain days I have, I intercede for certain things, so treadmill means praying for this one and that one so I buy up that opportunity to work my cardiovascular system and pray and listen to tapes and I found that the very thing I preached t...

19:41 - 21:09 Read in full sermon

Driving home: We have the treasure in earthen vessels deep cracked clay pots and like an old man of God said to me he said son he was old enough to be my father he said remember this we have the treasure in earthen vessels and the tre…

Martin quotes an old man of God who said, 'We have the treasure in earthen vessels and the treasure is never more precious than when the clay shows,' illustrating the importance of pastoral transparency and humanity.

and I say well my people and my wife have great staying power and great patience but seriously I think what has been from the human side one of the major factors is early on in the ministry I determined that God never called a man into the ministry to make him inhuman God never called a man into the ministry to neutralize his humanity and from the beginning I determined that my people would have a realistic assessment of who I was as a servant of Christ and the fact that I was able to bring the word of God to them with clarity and with the blessing of God did not mean that I was not tempted wi...

22:38 - 24:05 Read in full sermon

Driving home: We have the treasure in earthen vessels deep cracked clay pots and like an old man of God said to me he said son he was old enough to be my father he said remember this we have the treasure in earthen vessels and the tre…

Martin refers to Paul's letters, where he speaks of 'fightings without, fears within' and being sad until Titus came, illustrating biblical examples of pastoral transparency about struggles.

had no disappointments now I didn't make the pulpit a theater to give you a monologue on my heart you know I didn't do that but in my preaching as I even did this morning when I was talking about the simplicity of a Christ focused life I let you know that I live with cancer it's been a part of my house for four years I live with knowing this morning a son I reared to glorify God that I voted for his excommunication because of his immorality I live with that my joy is in the midst of that pain and when you are real with your people and transparent as the apostle Paul was you read Paul's letters...

24:05 - 25:34 Read in full sermon

Driving home: We have the treasure in earthen vessels deep cracked clay pots and like an old man of God said to me he said son he was old enough to be my father he said remember this we have the treasure in earthen vessels and the tre…

Martin uses his own expressive hand gestures while speaking as an example of being authentic and not trying to project a different image, illustrating the importance of being oneself in ministry.

that's horrible it would be like me now determining I'm not going to talk to you without my hands one of my friends said Al if we ever cut your hands off be like cutting off half your tongue that's who God made me that's me and for me to say well some of these you know more reserved Canadian Presbyterians will be offended if you talk like an Italian I say no they ask me to come not somebody my alter ego and me is me with all my hands so I'm going to be me and if you can't love me for me that's alright other people do and I'm not going to go home and have a pity party so I think that's been ric...

25:34 - 27:02 Read in full sermon

Driving home: We have the treasure in earthen vessels deep cracked clay pots and like an old man of God said to me he said son he was old enough to be my father he said remember this we have the treasure in earthen vessels and the tre…

Martin shares his personal struggle with getting out of bed for morning devotions, even after 50 years in ministry, illustrating that pastors face the same daily battles as their congregants.

that's horrible it would be like me now determining I'm not going to talk to you without my hands one of my friends said Al if we ever cut your hands off be like cutting off half your tongue that's who God made me that's me and for me to say well some of these you know more reserved Canadian Presbyterians will be offended if you talk like an Italian I say no they ask me to come not somebody my alter ego and me is me with all my hands so I'm going to be me and if you can't love me for me that's alright other people do and I'm not going to go home and have a pity party so I think that's been ric...

25:34 - 27:02 Read in full sermon

Driving home: We have the treasure in earthen vessels deep cracked clay pots and like an old man of God said to me he said son he was old enough to be my father he said remember this we have the treasure in earthen vessels and the tre…

Martin compares his 45-year marriage covenant to his commitment to pastoral ministry, illustrating that he views his call to a church as a lifelong, 'sink or swim' commitment.

have to sort of keep it open-ended anymore than my wife I haven't lived with her for 45 years saying well I'll do this goes till something better comes along no when we exchanged our vows that was it sink or swim live or die laugh or cry we're in it till either one of us dies and I feel the same way about the pastoral ministry and when your people know that they have a sense of not confidence in you but security in the relationship so that when I'm off hither and yon and people receive me like an angel from God and fall all over me back there I'm just you know plain old Pastor Martin I have pe...

28:31 - 29:59 Read in full sermon

Driving home: We have the treasure in earthen vessels deep cracked clay pots and like an old man of God said to me he said son he was old enough to be my father he said remember this we have the treasure in earthen vessels and the tre…

Martin uses his wife's settled confidence in his faithfulness when he travels as an analogy for the church's security when their pastor is committed to them, illustrating the trust built by covenantal commitment.

have to sort of keep it open-ended anymore than my wife I haven't lived with her for 45 years saying well I'll do this goes till something better comes along no when we exchanged our vows that was it sink or swim live or die laugh or cry we're in it till either one of us dies and I feel the same way about the pastoral ministry and when your people know that they have a sense of not confidence in you but security in the relationship so that when I'm off hither and yon and people receive me like an angel from God and fall all over me back there I'm just you know plain old Pastor Martin I have pe...

28:31 - 29:59 Read in full sermon

The point: If your child turns away from the Lord, honestly search your heart before God to see if their waywardness is fruit of your delinquency.

Martin recounts offering to leave the ministry if his elders believed his son's apostasy was due to his failure, illustrating his commitment to accountability and integrity.

brings shame to his mother the man who does not discipline his son is helping to nudge him on to hell you've got to search your heart got to be willing to sit down and look that child in the eye and say to him as I have done with my son Joel was there anything in my life inconsistency that caused you to turn away please be honest with me I want to own my sin before you before God before the Lord's people well because we've had this accountability and we periodically evaluate one another as elders over the years the patterns of my domestic life by the grace of God have been exemplary and I don'...

38:53 - 40:22 Read in full sermon

The point: Find comfort in the biblical doctrine of the foolish son, understanding that a child's apostasy is not necessarily the fruit of parental failure.

Martin quotes Isaiah 1, where God says, 'I have brought up children and they have rebelled against me,' to illustrate that even the perfect Father experiences rebellion, countering the idea that parental perfection guarantees a child's faith.

be prepared to go before the congregation and thankfully they did and they told our people some of you are new you weren't here when Pastor Martin had younger children we as his pastors and this congregation have affirmed periodically that he and Mrs. Martin have walked exemplary before us as parents Joel's decision is that of the foolish son and that would be the second thing I would say for those of you parents who have children who have turned away or not embrace Christ find comfort in the Proverbs doctrine of the foolish son this doctrine that if you do what you're supposed to do your chil...

40:22 - 41:50 Read in full sermon

The point: Obey and submit to your pastors, making their task joyful as they watch for your souls.

Martin contrasts sheep acting like sheep (obedient) with sheep acting like goats (disobedient), illustrating the joy pastors experience when congregants are responsive to the Word.

fast I give you a simple word of instruction next to Hebrews 13 17 that's just the appetizer obey them that have the rule over you submit to them as they that watch for your souls as those that shall give an account that they may do this with joy the doing this with joy is not the giving an account but the watching over your soul and those who are submissive to Christ and to his word they're a delight I tell someone when I've had to admonish them and they've acted like sheep I say you know it's wonderful when sheep act like sheep it's horrible when you treat them like sheep and they act like g...

43:16 - 44:45 Read in full sermon

The point: Obey and submit to your pastors, making their task joyful as they watch for your souls.

Martin humorously suggests some congregants have made a covenant with God never to say anything that might make their pastor proud, illustrating the lack of verbal affirmation many pastors experience.

labor of your preparation and your preaching my soul was fed how long did it take to say that not even 15 seconds I've got people I haven't heard that from them in 15 years now thank God they're loyal church members they give you no trouble but I think they've made a covenant with God and said oh God I'm never going to say a word that the devil could ever use to make my pastor proud and they're keeping their vow they never say a thing but what I say is maybe if you opened your mouth and communicated in this good thing of just saying thank you appropriate to yourself not fawning praise no serva...

44:45 - 46:13 Read in full sermon

The point: Obey and submit to your pastors, making their task joyful as they watch for your souls.

Martin uses his son-in-law's struggle with 'blue Monday' discouragement after preaching to illustrate the emotional vulnerability of pastors and their need for encouragement.

labor of your preparation and your preaching my soul was fed how long did it take to say that not even 15 seconds I've got people I haven't heard that from them in 15 years now thank God they're loyal church members they give you no trouble but I think they've made a covenant with God and said oh God I'm never going to say a word that the devil could ever use to make my pastor proud and they're keeping their vow they never say a thing but what I say is maybe if you opened your mouth and communicated in this good thing of just saying thank you appropriate to yourself not fawning praise no serva...

44:45 - 46:13 Read in full sermon

The point: Don't assume your thank yous are insignificant or unneeded; they can keep your pastor from discouragement.

Martin describes making it a point to call authors or leave messages to thank them for their scholarly work, illustrating his personal practice of gratitude and encouraging others to do the same.

Tuesday morning labors all week pours himself into his preaching and he's got people that never so much as even burp when he's done and it leaves him vulnerable you're emotionally spent and you feel like the prophet I've spent my strength for naught dear people don't assume your simple honest straightforward thank yous are either insignificant or unneeded until your pastors tell you enough is enough already thank you back off until they do that don't assume you're giving them too much alright you just may keep them from going down in the heap of discouragement or they go somewhere else and I'v...

46:13 - 47:41 Read in full sermon