Common Failures: Non Use; Delayed Use

The point: Show gratitude for the gospel by lives of great and diligent obedience to all of God's precepts.

Martin makes a public retraction for inadvertently bearing false witness against an unnamed teacher and his tapes, demonstrating humility and accountability.

And I have written this out word for word, so you forgive me if I break all eye contact because I do want to word this very carefully before we pray and move into our study this morning. Several weeks ago, a number of you will remember that I spoke quite intensely about certain tapes that were circulating among some in our congregation. Tapes produced by someone who was left unnamed, but who was not what I designated a proven commodity among us as a recognition. I made several allegations which someone has pointed out to me were not accurate and if I were referring to this specific man and his...

0:25 - 1:54 Read in full sermon

The point: Show gratitude for the gospel by lives of great and diligent obedience to all of God's precepts.

Pastor Dixon's report of self-flagellation and crucifixion reenactments in the Philippines during Holy Week illustrates the horror of perverted truth and the need for the pure gospel.

let us ask for the aid of the Holy Spirit upon our study together. Our Father, the things that Pastor Dixon has related to us fill us with a sense of horror, of grief, of anger against error, who propagate it. We are filled with a sense of pity that during these days of the so-called holy week there in the Philippines, the backs of men are laid bare with whips and others actually allowing spikes to be driven into their hands and feet, somehow thinking by their pains and their reenactment of aspects of the sufferings of Christ, they will contribute to their own salvation. And oh God, how we are...

3:11 - 4:35 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The issue is not between you and Pastor Martin. It's not between you and a theory of pedagogy. It's between you and Almighty God.

A quote from Bridges' commentary on Proverbs 13:24 highlights the contrast between modern educational theories and God's system of discipline, which includes the rod as a proof of love, not hatred.

Among the many modern theories of education, how often is God's system overlooked? Yet should not this be our pattern and standard? The rod of discipline is its main character, not harsh severity, but a wise, considerate, faithful exercise of the rod, always aiming at the subjugation of the will and the humbling and purifying of the heart. Hear, however, God and man are at an issue.

15:21 - 15:57 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not withhold correction from your child due to a distorted notion of its temporary negative effects or a spirit of unbelief regarding its positive effects.

A quote from Bridges' commentary on Proverbs 23:13-14 argues that withholding correction is cruelty, as it allows a child to die in sin and neglects a divinely appointed means of grace for their eternal destiny.

But while hearts are what hearts are it is not to be supposed that we can train without discipline. If it be asked will not gentle means be more effectual? Had this been God's judgment as a God of mercy he would not have provided a different regimen. Eli tried them and the sad issue is written for our instruction.

23:19 - 23:41 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The third text on non-use, Proverbs 29:15, describes 'a child left to himself' as causing shame to his mother. Martin, through Bridges' commentary, explains that leaving a child…

A quote from Bridges' commentary on Proverbs 29:15 describes the misery and ruin of a child left to himself, whose evil tempers are allowed to strengthen, leading to destruction and shame for the mother.

Not that he will not bring shame to his father and there are other passages in the book of Proverbs where the shame of a wayward son or child is said to terminate upon the father but Bridges asks the question on page 571 of his commentary commenting on this verse. Why is it that the mother is singled out is the one who bears the shame of the child left to himself? Look at the child left to himself without restraint a more perfect picture of misery and ruin cannot be conceived. His evil tempers are thought to be the accident of childhood.

26:35 - 27:19 Read in full sermon

The point: Establish your authority at whatever cost; let there be but one will in the house, and let it be felt that this will is to be the law.

Martin uses the metaphor of children having 'daggers in the folds of their trousers and little dresses' to stick into mothers' hearts if they are left to themselves, emphasizing the pain and shame that neglect brings.

Children truly thus left to themselves will mingle the bitterest cup that man can ever have to drink and stir up the saddest tears that eyes can ever take this for certain says Bishop Hopkins that as many deserve stripes as you spare from your children you do but lay upon your own back and those whom you refuse to chastise God will make severer scourges to chastise you. My friends that strikes dread to my spirit when I think of all the precious little ones around this place what do they need to have as it were in the folds of their trousers and little dresses daggers to stick into you mother's...

31:13 - 32:39 Read in full sermon

The point: However trifling the requirement, let obedience be in small as great matters the indispensable point.

An example of a child told to sit on a couch but sitting on a chair instead illustrates how even trifling acts of disobedience, if uncorrected, allow the child's will to rule and form character patterns.

and eighteen months just leave them to themselves let the patterns of manipulation and selfishness and greed and deception just leave them leave them and God will make a scourge of that to chastise you at whatever cost establish your authority let there be but one will in the house and let it be felt that this will is to be the law the child will readily discover whether the parent is disposed to yield or resolved to rule now listen carefully parents oh hear me however trifling the requirement let obedience be in small as great matters the indispensable point you see to your son or daughter no...

32:39 - 34:08 Read in full sermon

The point: Be willing to take up the cross and deny yourself in the demanding task of nurturing children in their early years, constantly monitoring their character development.

The stark choice presented: 'either the child's will or the parent's heart must be broken' serves as a powerful analogy for the inevitable consequences of failing to establish wise and firm control.

The awe of parental authority is perfectly consistent with the utmost freedom of childlike confidence. Nay, it is the very foundation, the foundation of it, for the child can hardly appreciate the kindness of a parent whom he thinks is afraid to strike him. While it operates as a valuable safeguard against a thousand follies of uncontrolled waywardness, but ever let us put the awful alternative vividly before us, either the child's will or the parent's heart must be broken. You got it?

35:49 - 36:32 Read in full sermon

The point: Commence the cure of evil in infancy; do not delay the remedy, as the case may become hopeless.

A quote from Bridges' commentary on Proverbs 19:18 stresses the crucial importance of timely application of discipline in infancy, as delay can render the remedy hopeless and allow sin to harden.

He manifests a perverse will and a sinful disposition that must be met with the rod of correction. Let Bridges speak to us, page 323 on this text. When we get to heaven, we can thank him for ministering to our hearts. But the great force of the rule that is chastened by sun is its timely application.

41:44 - 42:13 Read in full sermon

The point: Check corrupt dispositions in children immediately, as soon as they appear, before they get ahead, take root, and harden into a habit.

The story of a nine-week-old dog being taught to obey at the first command is used as an analogy to highlight the absurdity of waiting for verbal skills before disciplining children, suggesting that pet shops have more sense than some Christians.

The will is fixed into patterns, and the psyche is hardened into categories of response and non-response. We are under God to do it early. I was struck with this. I was in the home of one of our families this week, and they had just bought a dog.

46:19 - 46:40 Read in full sermon

The point: Check corrupt dispositions in children immediately, as soon as they appear, before they get ahead, take root, and harden into a habit.

A quote from Matthew Henry emphasizes the need to check corrupt dispositions in children immediately, 'as soon as there appears a corrupt disposition in them,' before they become hardened habits.

There's nothing in the scripture to justify that notion. Matthew Henry says, I quote, Do not say that it is all in good time to correct them. No, as soon as there appears a corrupt disposition in them, check it immediately before it gets head and takes root and is hardened into a habit. Oh, dear parents, while the stuff of the child is...

47:59 - 48:28 Read in full sermon

Driving home: I say, won't? What do you mean, won't? What you mean is you're not committed to make them.

A story of parents who successfully taught their five-year-old to take Sunday afternoon naps through consistent discipline illustrates how the rod can impart wisdom and make life easier, even in seemingly non-disciplinary areas.

Once you're coming back, if he's not asleep, you're going to spank him. It took one week, they said. He now takes his naps as regularly as clockwork.

52:39 - 52:46 Read in full sermon