Stewardship of Physical Health: Part 1

The point: Don't take what is considered this morning and God willing next Lord's Day morning and run off into a form of joining the cult of body worship.

An early Christian life quote: 'If the devil can't keep you climbing the hill of any truth, he'll push you down the other side of it. And if he can't freeze you out, he'll burn you up.' This illustrates the danger of swinging from indifference to extremism in body care.

Nothing would grieve us more than for you then to swing from indifference and carelessness about the care of your body. All. All the way in to a wretched form of body worship. I don't know who said it to me, but I've quoted it many times to my fellow elders and to other Christians.

6:49 - 7:08 Read in full sermon

Driving home: At the end of the day, there is no issue that is not theological. That is, we must think of that issue in terms of God, His revelation, our relationship to Him.

The analogy of a string of pearls with six strands is used to represent the seven biblical texts (pearls) that will be studied, held together by six biblical and theological perspectives (strands).

Roman numeral two and three will form the bulk of our study this morning and God willing, next Lord's Day morning. As I take up the next two headings, I want to do so under the analogy of a string of pearls. And the string that goes through. Through the pearls is comprised of six strands.

8:46 - 9:08 Read in full sermon

The point: Now, don't anyone go out and say, well, my chronic illness, Pastor, said it's the result. I didn't say it. Remember, the other strands are all in place.

Martin recounts a conversation with Jake Vanderweel, who had a tobacco habit, and Martin's warning about lung cancer. Jake later reminded Martin of this on his deathbed, dying of lung cancer, illustrating the principle of sowing and reaping.

And I'm sure, Gene, you don't mind me telling this illustration because dear Jake reminded me of it. A number of years ago, dear Jake Vanderweel, for many of you don't know, he was the brother whose labors were significant in what you sit in every Lord's Day and all those lovely handcrafted oak rails. Jake crafted those. They were all custom made, even the little plugs that were put in there.

39:33 - 39:59 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin addresses potential objections, such as the long life of Winston Churchill despite unhealthy habits or the premature death of a healthy Christian, emphasizing that duty is…

The example of Winston Churchill, who lived to 91 despite unhealthy habits (drinking, cigars), is used to address the objection that personal discipline doesn't guarantee longevity, emphasizing God's sovereignty and mercy.

And then we start to wiggle. And we don't want to get out from under the laser. Huh? And somebody's saying, oh, but Pastor Martin, look at Winston Churchill.

44:25 - 44:33 Read in full sermon

The point: My duty is my duty. The results are God's. Don't hide behind Winston Churchill. And don't squeeze out because you know a 47-year-old man that he keeled over and he looked like he was the epitome of someone embracing bibl…

The example of a Christian who died of a heart attack at 47 despite a conscientious approach to health is used to counter the idea that good stewardship guarantees a long life, reinforcing that duty is independent of results.

Oh, but I know some Christian who had a real conscience about diet and exercise and weight control and caress all levels, lit up one morning, went to work, and was dead of a heart attack at age 47. So what? As he's breathing his last, he can say, Lord, I'm not going out because I defied the basic principles of good health. health. I've had people say, well, Pastor Martin, you know, with your concern about

45:06 - 45:33 Read in full sermon

The point: My duty is my duty. The results are God's. Don't hide behind Winston Churchill. And don't squeeze out because you know a 47-year-old man that he keeled over and he looked like he was the epitome of someone embracing bibl…

Martin shares his own experience with prostate cancer, noting the comfort of knowing he had reasonably cared for his body, illustrating that one's duty is to steward well, regardless of the outcome God permits.

then, look at you, you've had prostate cancer. I say, yeah, but it's sure wonderful when you've been wheeled in the operating room to say, Lord, I'm not going in there because I just piled all the high fat red meat into my body and now I'm reaping the fruit of it. It's wonderful to say, Lord, I've done the best I can reasonably to keep this instrument in as good health as possible. You've allowed this cancer. I don't know why. Some genetic

45:33 - 45:59 Read in full sermon