He That is Not With Me is Against Me (Conf.)

In this part of the sermon: Martin opens by contrasting the desire for 'best seats' in secular events with the common tendency to take 'worst seats' in church, then introduces the sermon's core passage from…

Martin contrasts the desire for expensive ringside seats at secular events with people taking the worst seats in church, questioning the mentality of back-row church attenders to highlight a lack of eagerness for spiritual things.

In moving in, I've often said in conferences, I don't need to say it to our own people, they've been schooled in this, but someone goes to a prize fight, I hope you don't, I don't, but I know the most expensive seats are the ringside seats. And if you go to a hockey game or to a basketball game, courtside, rinkside seats are the most expensive. In the one place, you get the best seats free, and people take the worst seats. I don't understand it.

0:00 - 0:28 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Jesus uses the illustration of binding a strong man to spoil his goods, explaining that His ability to cast out demons proves He is stronger than Satan and is actively dismantling…

Martin uses the analogy of a small person trying to steal jewelry from a large, strong football player without first binding him, to illustrate Jesus' point that one cannot spoil the strong man's goods (Satan's kingdom) without first binding the strong man (Satan himself).

Now, I think your professional football league up here is the CFL, right? Canadian Football League? We have the NFL, National Football League, down in the States. Now, I want you kids to think with me.

17:55 - 18:08 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Jesus uses the illustration of binding a strong man to spoil his goods, explaining that His ability to cast out demons proves He is stronger than Satan and is actively dismantling…

Martin extends the football player analogy by introducing Shaquille O'Neal as a 'stronger than the strong man' figure, demonstrating that only someone superior in power can overcome the strong man and take his possessions, thus illustrating Jesus' authority over Satan.

That's what Jesus was saying. How can you take the stuff away? You can't take the stuff of the strong man unless the stronger than the strong man comes in. Now, suppose it was Shaquille O'Neal the other side.

20:18 - 20:32 Read in full sermon

The point: Recognize that Jesus' words, 'He that is not with me is against me. He that gathers not with me is scattering,' apply directly to every individual present.

Martin uses the simple division of people into 'odd' or 'even' numbers to illustrate that there is no middle ground in being with or against Christ; everyone falls into one category or the other.

And I want to bring three very specific lines of application in terms of the significance of these words for us tonight in this place in particular. First of all, these words constitute an infallibly accurate description of each and every person, every person in this auditorium, starting with the preacher. These words of Jesus in Matthew 12, 30 constitute an infallibly accurate description of each and every one of us here, now, tonight, sitting where you sit and standing where I stand. Now suppose for the sake of giving up the conference into teams, we were to stop and say now we want everyone...

29:06 - 30:36 Read in full sermon

The point: Recognize that Jesus' words, 'He that is not with me is against me. He that gathers not with me is scattering,' apply directly to every individual present.

Martin uses the clear, God-given distinction of male and female genders to further illustrate the infallible accuracy of Jesus' two-category description of humanity (with Him or against Him).

We could divide ourselves up according to our God-given identity as male and female. God made only two genders. He didn't make burls and goys. He didn't.

30:59 - 31:14 Read in full sermon

The point: Let your life and proclamation point people to Christ, demonstrating the vanity of living for self and worldly pursuits.

Martin shares his personal experience of serving Christ since age seventeen, testifying to Christ being a gracious Master and the source of his happiness, which validates the joy found in communion with Him.

Here you won't, quote, do the things they do to have fun and yet they've got to acknowledge you've got a joy that eludes them. At this stage in my life where I'm pushing my three score in ten more and more when I preach, I tell young people, I say, now look at me. Do I look like a sour bitter old man? I think I look like a reasonably happy man.

38:44 - 39:07 Read in full sermon

The point: For those with Christ, be stirred up to have a deeper, more passionate attachment to Him, leading to a noticeable difference in your life that others observe.

Martin recounts his struggle to comprehend the depth of Christ's love in Ephesians 3:14-21, illustrating that Christ can become far more precious to believers than they currently realize, prompting a deeper pursuit of Him.

I've tasted what it is to be able to say in a new way, for to me to live is Christ. You think of the Apostle Paul and that profound mind that he had through which God gave us portions of Scripture over which I have puzzled now for coming up on 50 years. And I still puzzle over them. I read the prayer of Ephesians 3, 14, to 21.

42:16 - 42:43 Read in full sermon

The point: Ask yourself before sleeping tonight if Christ would own you as His in the day of judgment, and do not let any friendship rival your friendship with Him.

Martin shares an anecdote of someone wishing to be a dog to avoid eternal accountability, highlighting the sobering reality of human immortality and the eternal consequences of one's relationship with Christ.

arbiter of the destiny of every one of us would he own me as his if not what good would it do if mom and dad think i'm his if my peers think i'm his if the pastors and elders think i'm what good will it do he's the only one who can say come you're blessed come you're blessed new kids struggling with you said man if i get serious about christ even this week i'll do some of my friends so what are they going to take your case and persuade christ to say he or she's one of mine in the last day don't let any friendship rival the friendship of the only one who can say come you blessed and he will say...

47:00 - 48:22 Read in full sermon